Seat Belt Systems: Description and Operation
WARNING:
^ 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 ATTACKING HARDWARE SHOULD BE INSPECTED AFTER ANY COLLISION. ALL BELT ASSEMBLIES SHOULD BE INSTALLED NEW UNLESS A QUALIFIED TECHNICIAN FINDS THE ASSEMBLIES SHOW NO DAMAGE AND OPERATE CORRECTLY. BELT ASSEMBLIES NOT IN USE DURING A COLLISION SHOULD ALSO BE INSPECTED. NEW SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLIES SHOULD BE INSTALLED IF EITHER DAMAGE OR INCORRECT OPERATION IN NOTED.
^ 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.
The active restraint system consists of:
^ Front outboard safety belt buckles (vehicles without Seat Integrated Restraints [SIR]).
^ Front safety belt buckles with pretensioners (vehicles with seat integrated restraints [SIR]).
^ Front outboard safety belt retractors with pretensioners (vehicles without seat integrated restraint [SIR]).
^ Front outboard adjustable D-rings.
^ Center front seat safety belt tongue and buckle (with 60/40 split bench).
^ Outboard rear seat safety belt retractor (if equipped with rear seat).
^ Outboard rear seat safety belt buckles (if equipped with rear seat).
^ Center rear seat safety belt tongue and buckle (if equipped with rear seat).
^ Child safety seat tether anchors located in all rear seating positions.
The outboard safety belt for the front and rear seats is a continuous-loop three-point system. The combination lap and shoulder belt (continuous-loop) uses a common slip tongue.
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.
Seat Integrated Restraints (SIR) Identification:
Seat Integrated Restraints (SIR)
SuperCab vehicles may be equipped with a safety belt retractor that is integral to the front outboard seat backrest. The telltale sign to identifying a SIR equipped seat is the integral safety belt guide tower cap located to the outboard side of the headrest (see arrow). If SIR equipped, the front outboard seating positions will also have safety belt buckle pretensioners.
Pretensioner System
All F150s have a pretensioner system for the front outboard occupants. The front outboard safety belt retractors or the front outboard safety belt buckles use a pretensioner system. 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 passenger seat belt system (including safety belt buckle and pretensioners or safety belt retractor and pretensioners, safety belt retractors, safety belts, buckles and height adjusters), must be installed.
For diagnostic information, refer to Air Bag Systems.
For pretensioner retractor disposal information, refer to Air Bag Systems.
Safety Belt Buckle and Pretensioner
SuperCab vehicles with seat integrated restraints (SIR) are equipped with safety belt buckle and pretensioner. These are for the front outboard occupants, located on the inboard side of the seats. To identify a SIR seat, see Seat Integrated Restraints (SIR) Identification.
The safety belt buckle and pretensioner is a pyrotechnic device that removes excess webbing from the safety belt system. When the front air bag system is deployed, the pretensioner in the buckle deploys, causing the buckle to move downward, pulling excess webbing from the lap and shoulder safety belts.
Safety Belt Retractor and Pretensioner
Vehicles without seat integrated restraints (SIR) are equipped with safety belt retractor and pretensioners, for the front outboard occupants. To identify a SIR seat, refer to Seat Integrated Restraints (SIR) Identification.
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.
Safety Belt, Buckle End-Front
The outboard front safety belt buckle end is secured to the front seat. This allows the outboard front safety belt buckle end to move with the front seat.
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.
Dual Locking Mode Retractors
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 the retractor is in ALR mode. The ALR mode is automatically disengaged when most of the webbing is retracted back onto the spool.
Safety Belt Extension Assembly
In certain cases, the safety belt may be too short even when it is fully extended. About 20 cm (8 inches) can be added to the belt length by using a safety belt extension. Safety belt extensions are available through the dealership parts department at no cost. Safety belt extensions are only available with black webbing. There is one extension assembly available for the front and rear seating positions.
Use only extensions manufactured by the same supplier as 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 you when fully extended. Do not use the extension to change the fit of the shoulder belt across the torso.
Warning System - Driver Safety Belt
The driver safety belt incorporates a safety belt warning indicator switch, warning indicator and chime. The warning indicator and chime are reminders to fasten the safety belt.
^ If the driver safety belt is not buckled before the ignition key is turned to the ON position, the safety belt warning light illuminates for one to two minutes and the warning chime sounds for four to eight seconds.
^ If the safety belt is buckled while the warning indicator is on and the chime is sounding, the warning light and warning chime turn off.
^ If the safety belt is buckled before the key is turned to the ON position, the warning indicator will come on for four to eight seconds with no chime.
WARNING: ALL SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLIES INCLUDING RETRACTORS, BUCKLES, FRONT SEAT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE SUPPORT ASSEMBLIES (IF EQUIPPED), SHOULDER BELT HEIGHT ADJUSTERS (IF EQUIPPED), CHILD SAFETY SEAT TETHER ATTACHMENTS (IF EQUIPPED), AND ATTACKING HARDWARE SHOULD BE INSPECTED AFTER ANY COLLISION. ALL SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLIES SHOULD BE REPLACED UNLESS A QUALIFIED TECHNICIAN FINDS THE ASSEMBLIES SHOW NO DAMAGE AND OPERATE PROPERLY. BELT ASSEMBLIES NOT IN USE DURING A COLLISION SHOULD ALSO BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED IF EITHER DAMAGE OR IMPROPER OPERATION IS NOTED.
When installing new safety belt buckles and/or retractor assemblies, use only the replacement parts specified in the Ford Customer Service Division Master Parts and Accessories Catalog.
Belt Minder
The Belt Minder feature is a supplemental warning to the safety belt warning function. This feature provides additional reminders to the driver that the driver's safety belt is unbuckled by intermittently sounding a chime and illuminating the safety belt warning lamp in the instrument cluster.
Child Safety Seat Tether Anchors
Child safety seat tether anchors are located in the rear at all three seating locations. They are removable. If a child safety seat was in use during a collision, inspect the tether anchor and all surrounding sheet metal for damage. Install a new tether anchor if necessary. Rework the sheet metal to its original condition and structural integrity.
Attaching Safety Seats With Tether Straps
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.
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). The attachment points protrude from the bite line between the seat cushion and seat backrest.
On regular cab vehicles, the LATCH is welded to the front passenger seat cushion frame.
On SuperCab vehicles, the LATCH is bolted to the seat track on the 40 percent passenger front seat or welded to the seat cushion frame on the 60 percent passenger front seat. LATCH attachment points are also present in the rear outboard seating positions, with the LATCH bolted to the floor with the rear seat assembly.
On SuperCrew vehicles, the LATCH attachment points are present in the rear outboard seating positions, with the LATCH bolted to the floor with the rear seat assembly.
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, install a new LATCH or seat cushion frame as necessary.