Seat Belt Systems: Description and Operation

A continuous-loop, single-retractor active restraint system is used for the outboard front and outboard rear lap/shoulder safety belts.

The lap/shoulder safety belt assembly consists of:
- belt webbing.
- tongue.
- retractor.





The retractor is designed to let the webbing move in or out freely except for vehicle hard braking, cornering or impacts of approximately 8 km/h (5 mph) or higher when the webbing is automatically locked by a mechanically-actuated inertia sensor.

The retractor is designed to let the webbing move in or out freely except for vehicle hard braking, cornering or impacts of approximately 8 km/h (5 mph) or higher when the webbing is automatically locked by a mechanically-actuated inertia sensor.

Safety Belt Buckle
The front inboard belt buckle is secured to the seat track and the rear in board belt buckle is secured to the front floor pan.
- Attaching the tongue and buckle secures the outboard occupants with both lower and upper restraints.
- This tongue and belt attachment can be accomplished by single, continuous movement.

Safety Belt, Lap/Shoulder-Front
- The front seat lap/shoulder safety belt extends from a retractor located on vehicle structure underneath the B-pillar trim up to a front safety belt guide located on the B-pillar post.
- The webbing then extends from front safety belt guide above and behind the occupant's shoulder, directing the webbing at the proper downward angle over the occupant's shoulder and chest to front safety belt buckle end.
- The lap/shoulder safety belt has a tongue that latches to front safety belt buckle end and continues through the tongue outboard to the sill below the door opening and acts as a lap safety belt.

The inboard driver and passenger front safety belt buckle ends are secured to the front seat track.
- Attaching the tongue and buckle secures the outboard occupants with both lower and upper restraints.
- This tongue and belt attachment can be accomplished by a single, continuous movement.

The dual locking mode retractor on the shoulder belt portion of the combination lap/shoulder safety belt for front seat passenger and rear seat outboard passengers operates in two ways:
- In the vehicle sensitive (emergency) locking mode, the shoulder belt retractor will allow the occupant freedom of movement, locking tight only on hard braking, hard cornering or impacts of approximately 8 km/h (5 mph) or more. The front and rear outboard seat belt retractors can also be made to lock by pulling/jerking on the belt.
- In the automatic locking mode, the shoulder belt retractor will be automatically locked and remain locked when the combination lap/shoulder safety belt is buckled and does not allow the occupant freedom of movement. This mode provides tight lap/shoulder belt fit on occupant and child safety seat or infant carrier installation restraint.

WARNING: REAR-FACING INFANT SEATS SHOULD NEVER BE PLACED IN THE FRONT SEAT.

The automatic locking mode must be used when installing a child safety seat on the front passenger seat and rear outboard seats where dual locking retractors are provided.

To switch the retractor from the emergency locking mode to the automatic locking mode, perform the following steps:

1. Buckle the lap/shoulder combination belt.

NOTE: When the combination lap/shoulder belt is unbuckled and allowed to retract completely, the retractor will switch back to the vehicle sensitive (emergency) locking mode.

2. Grasp the shoulder portion of the belt and pull downward until all of the belt is extracted. When allowed to retract, a clicking sound will be heard. At this time, the belt retractor is in the automatic locking mode (child restraint mode).
3. A clicking sound will continue to be heard as the belt is allowed to retract. This indicates that the retractor is in the "automatic locking mode".

Safety Belt, Lap-Center
A front seat center passenger belt is provided for the center front seating position with the front seat center passenger belt secured to the front floor pan under the seat track.





Safety Belt, Lap/Shoulder-Rear
- The rear seat outboard lap/shoulder safety belt extends from a retractor located behind the roof side rear quarter trim panel in the C-pillar.
- The lap/shoulder safety belt then extends from above and behind the occupant's shoulder at the proper downward angle over the occupant's shoulder and chest to the rear safety belt and buckle.
- The lap/shoulder safety belt has a tongue that latches to the rear safety belt and buckle and continues through the tongue outboard to the rear floor pan.
- The inboard rear safety belt and buckle passes through the rear seat cushion.
- Attaching the tongue and buckle secures the occupant with both lower and upper restraints.
- This attachment of the tongue and buckle can be accomplished by a single, continuous movement.

Center rear seat is equipped with a lap safety belt assembly. The center rear lap safety belt assembly consists of:
- a safety belt and buckle on the RH side (part of rear safety belt and buckle.
- a safety belt and tongue on the LH side (part of rear safety belt and buckle).

The rear safety belt and buckle assemblies are anchored to the rear floor pan.





Shoulder Strap Adjuster, Front Seat
Shoulder safety belt height adjuster is attached to the upper B-pillar structure by two bolts. The height of the shoulder strap can be adjusted to one of five positions.

Unfastening Safety Belts with Retractors
- Push the release button on the end of the buckle. This allows the tongue to unlatch from the buckle.
- While the belt retracts, guide the tongue to its original position to prevent it from striking the technician or the vehicle.

Safety Belt Extension Assembly
A safety belt that is too short, even when fully extended, can be lengthened. Safety belt extension assembly is available. This assembly will add approximately 20 cm (8 inches) to the length of the safety belt. Safety belt extensions are available at no cost from any authorize Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.

Warning System, Safety Belt
The safety belt warning indicator lamp and warning chime are controlled by the lighting control module.

The lighting control module will illuminate the safety belt warning indicator lamp depending on the state of the ignition switch and safety belt buckle switch.

The chime, which is internal in the lighting control module, is also controlled by the same switch states.

If driver's safety belt is not fastened when the ignition switch is turned to RUN, the safety belt warning indicator lamp in the instrument cluster will not illuminate.

If the driver's safety belt is not fastened when the ignition switch is turned to RUN, the safety belt warning indicator lamp will Illuminate steadily for approximately one minute and the safety belt warning chime will sound for approximately six seconds. If the driver fastens the safety belt while safety belt warning indicator lamp is illuminated, the safety belt warning indicator lamp will turn off immediately.