Seat Belt Systems: Description and Operation
SAFETY BELT SYSTEMWARNING:
- All safety belt assemblies including retractors, buckles, front seat belt buckle support assemblies (slide bar), if equipped, shoulder belt height adjusters, if equipped, child safety seat tether bracket assemblies, if equipped, and attaching hardware should be inspected after any collision. Ford recommends new safety belt assemblies be installed unless a qualified technician finds the assemblies show no damage and operate correctly. Safety belt assemblies not in use during a collision should also be inspected and new assemblies installed if either damage or incorrect operation is noted.
The Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) feature of the safety belt retractor must be checked by a qualified technician to verify that the ALR feature for a child seat is functioning properly, in addition to other checks for proper safety belt system function. A belt and retractor assembly must be replaced if the safety belt assembly's "automatic locking retractor" feature or any other safety belt function is not operating properly when inspected according to the functional inspection procedures. Failure to replace the belt and retractor assembly could increase the risk of injury in collisions.
- Each seating position in the vehicle has a specific safety belt assembly which consists of one buckle and one tongue. The safety belt assembly is designed to be used as a pair and is not to be used across seating positions.
- Never put a rear-facing child seat on the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger airbag. If the airbag deploys, it can hit the back of the child seat with enough force to cause severe personal injury or death to the infant.
- A forward facing child safety seat should only be placed in the front seat when it is unavoidable. If you must place a forward facing child seat in the front, always move the seat as far back as possible, because the force of the deploying front passenger airbag could cause death or serious injury to the infant. If the vehicle is equipped with a passenger airbag deactivation switch, the passenger airbag must be deactivated.
When installing new active restraint system components, use only the installation parts specified in the Ford Customer Service Division Master Parts Catalog.
The active restraint system consists of the following:
- Front row safety belt retractors and pretensioners, attached to the body under the B-pillar trim panels or interior quarter trim panels.
- Front row safety belt buckles and support assemblies (slide bar), attached to the side of the front seats and floor pan.
- Front row safety belt shoulder height adjusters, attached to the body under the B-pillar trim panels.
- Second row outboard safety belt retractors, located behind the C-pillar trim panels or interior quarter trim panels.
- Second row center safety belt retractor, integrated into the 60 percent seat back (Sport Trac only).
- Second row safety belt buckles, attached to the floor pan.
- Second row child safety seat tether anchors, at all second row seating positions, attached to the floor pan behind the second row seat for Sport vehicles.
- Second row child safety seat tether anchors, at all second row seating positions, welded to the back panel sheet metal for Sport Trac vehicles.
- Second row lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH) at outboard second row seating positions, integrated to the second row safety belt buckle assemblies for Sport Trac vehicles.
- Second row LATCH at both second row seating positions, attached to the floor pan behind the second row seats for Explorer Sport vehicles.
All seating positions use a continuous-loop three-point system. The combination lap and shoulder belt (continuous-loop) uses a common sliding tongue and retractor.
The shoulder harness retractor is designed to let the webbing move freely in or out at all times, except during vehicle hard braking, hard cornering or an impact of 8 km/h (5 mph) or more, when it is automatically locked by a mechanically actuated inertia sensor.
Safety Belt Retractor and Pretensioner
All vehicles have a retractor pretensioner system for the front outboard occupants. This works in conjunction with the front air bag system mounted in the steering wheel and instrument panel.
If the vehicle is involved in a collision that results in deployment of the front air bags and safety belt pretensioners, a new driver and front passenger seat belt system (including safety belt retractor and pretensioners, safety belt buckles and height adjusters), must be installed.
When the front air bag system is deployed, the pretensioner in the retractor deploys, causing the retractor spool to rotate. The rotating spool action removes excess webbing from the safety belt assembly, tightening the webbing around the occupant.
For diagnostic information, refer to Air Bag Systems.
For safety belt pretensioner disposal information, refer to Air Bag Systems.
Dual Locking Mode Retractors
WARNING: After any vehicle collision, the safety belt system at all outboard seating positions (except driver, which has no "automatic locking retractor" feature) must be checked by a qualified technician to verify that the "automatic locking retractor" feature for child seats is still functioning properly, in addition to other checks for proper safety belt system function. A Belt and retractor assembly must be replaced if the safety belt assembly's "automatic locking retractor" feature or any other safety belt function is not operating properly when checked according to the procedures. Failure to replace the belt and retractor assembly could increase the risk of injury in collisions.
NOTE: When replacing a dual locking mode retractor, the retractor should be checked to make sure it is not in the automatic locking retractor (ALR) mode after installation in the stowed position.
All outboard continuous-loop, three-point retractor systems, except the driver position, are equipped with the dual locking mode system.
The emergency locking retractor (ELR) mode will allow the occupant freedom of movement, locking tight only on hard braking, hard cornering, or an impact of approximately 8 km/h (5 mph). The ELR mode helps to reduce the forward movement of the driver and passengers. The ELR mode is continuously in operation at all seating positions.
The ALR portion of this system does not allow the occupant freedom of movement. The ALR mode is used when locking a child seat in an outboard seating position or when a tight belt fit is desired. The ALR mode is disengaged when the webbing is free to move in or out of the retractor. The ALR mode is automatically engaged when the webbing is fully extracted from the retractor and then allowed to retract. As the webbing is retracted back onto the spool, an audible clicking sound is made, indicating that the retractor is in ALR mode. The ALR mode is automatically disengaged when most of the webbing is retracted back onto the spool.
The automatic locking mode must be used when installing a child safety seat in the front or rear passenger seating positions where dual locking mode retractors are provided.
Energy Management Retractor
This vehicle has a safety belt system with an energy management feature at the front seating positions to help further reduce the risk of injury in the event of a head-on collision.
The energy management retractor feature is designed to pay out webbing in a controlled manner. This feature is designed to help reduce the belt force acting on an occupant's chest.
Fastening Safety Belts
WARNING: Do not introduce slack into the safety belt system because the belt locks upon impact where it is positioned. Use the shoulder safety belt on the outside shoulder only. never wear the shoulder safety belt under the arm. Never swing the shoulder safety belt around the neck over the inside shoulder. Never use a single belt for more than one person. make sure the lap portion of the belt is fitted snugly and as low as possible around the hips, not the waist. Failure to follow these precautions could increase the chance and severity of injury in a collision.
Always follow the preceding safety precautions when fastening the safety belts.
Child Safety Seat Tether Anchors
WARNING: The child safety seat tether anchor/bolt must be securely tightened to specification. Otherwise, the child safety seat may not be correctly secured and the child could be injured if the vehicle is involved in a collision or stops suddenly.
Some manufacturers make child safety seats that include a tether strap that goes over the back of the vehicle seat and attaches to an anchoring point. Other manufacturers offer the tether strap as an accessory. Contact the manufacturer of the child safety seat for information about ordering a tether strap.
If the child safety seat tether anchors were in use during a collision, inspect and install new anchors as necessary. Repair the load floor to its original condition and structural integrity.
Sport Trac (4-Door)
The child safety seat tether strap anchors (3) are located on the back panel sheet metal under a cover marked with the tether symbol. If the tether strap anchors were in use during a collision the back panel sheet metal and tether anchor must be reworked to its original condition and structural integrity.
Sport (2-Door)
The child safety seat tether strap anchors (cargo tie-downs) are located behind the second (2nd) row seat on the load floor. If the tether strap anchors were in use during a collision install new anchors and repair the load floor to its original condition and structural integrity.
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)
The lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH) system is a standardized and uniform attachment system for installing child safety seats in passenger vehicles. LATCH-equipped child safety seats have two lower attachments that connect to the vehicle portion of the LATCH system.
The vehicle portion of the system consists of two attachment points (6 mm wires) bolted to the floor pan at both second row outboard seating positions. The attachment points protrude from the biteline between the seat cushion and seat backrest.
If a child safety seat was in use during a collision, inspect the vehicle portion of the system for damage. If any of the attachment points (6 mm wires) are damaged, a new one must be installed. See the appropriate removal and installation procedure for service.
Safety Belt Extension Assembly
In certain cases, the safety belt may be too short even when it is fully extended. About 20 cm (8 in) can be added to the belt length by using a safety belt extension. Safety belt extensions are available at no cost from any Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer parts department. Safety belt extensions are only available with black webbing.
Use only extensions manufactured by the same supplier of the safety belt. Manufacturer identification is located at the end of the webbing on the label. Also, use the safety belt extension only if the safety belt is too short for the occupant when fully extended. Do not use an extension to change the fit of the shoulder belt across the torso.
Safety Belt Warning Indicator and Chime
The safety belt warning indicator illuminates and a chime sounds to remind the occupants to fasten their safety belts.
The conditions of operation for the safety belt waring indicator and chime are as follows:
- If the driver safety belt is not buckled before the ignition switch is turned to RUN, the safety belt warning indicator illuminates for 1-2 minutes and the warning chime sounds for 4-8 seconds.
- If the driver safety belt is buckled while the warning indicator is illuminated and the reminder chime is sounding, the safety belt warning indicator and reminder chime will turn off.
- If the driver safety belt is buckled before the ignition switch is turned to the ON position, the safety belt warning indicator and reminder chime will remain off.
Belt Minder
The Belt Minder feature is a supplemental warning to the safety belt warning function. This feature provides an additional reminder to the driver and/or passenger that the safety belt is unbuckled by intermittently sounding a chime and illuminating the safety belt warning lamp in the instrument cluster.