Seat Belt Systems: Description and Operation
Active Occupant Restraint System
The active restraint system consists of:
^ the front safety belt retractors and tongues, which are secured to the body under the scuff plate.
^ the rear LH and RH safety belt retractors, which are secured to the body behind the roof trim panels.
^ the front inboard buckle end, which is secured to the front seat assembly by the front safety belt buckle support.
^ the rear LH and RH and center buckle ends, which are secured to the rear floor pan under the rear seat.
^ the rear center safety belt retractor, which is located under the package tray trim.
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 ATTACHING HARDWARE SHOULD BE INSPECTED AFTER ANY COLLISION. ALL 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.
^ 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.
A continuous-loop, single retractor active restraint system is used on this vehicle for both the front seats and the rear seats.
Safety Belt, Lap/Shoulder
While the vehicle is in motion, the combination lap and shoulder belt adjusts to the occupant's movement. However, if the vehicle is braked hard, cornered hard or if the vehicle receives an impact of 8 km/h (5 mph) or more, the lap and shoulder belt locks and helps reduce the occupant's forward movement.
Safety Belt, Buckle End-Front
The inboard front safety belt buckle end - LH, front safety belt buckle end - RH is secured to the front safety belt buckle support. This allows the front safety belt buckle end to move with the front seat.
Safety Belt, Lap/Shoulder-Dual Locking Mode
WARNING: REAR-FACING INFANT SEATS SHOULD NEVER BE PLACED IN THE FRONT SEATS.
The dual locking mode retractor on the shoulder belt portion of the combination lap/shoulder safety belt for the front seat passenger, rear seat outboard passengers and rear center passenger operates in two ways:
1. 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.
2. 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 the occupant and on a child safety seat or infant carrier installation restraint.
3. When the combination lap/shoulder belt is unbuckled and allowed to retract completely, the retractor will switch to the vehicle sensitive (emergency locking) mode.
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.
Safety Belt Warning System
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 warning indicator and chime are as follows:
^ If the driver's safety belt is not buckled before the ignition switch is turned to RUN, then the safety belt warning indicator illuminates for 1-2 minutes and the warning chime sounds for 4-8 seconds.
^ If the driver's safety belt is buckled while the warning indicator is illuminated and the reminder chime is sounding, then the safety belt warning indicator and reminder chime turn off.
^ If the driver's safety belt is buckled before the ignition switch in turned to RUN then the safety belt warning indicator and reminder chime remain off.
Safety Belt Extension
A safety belt that is too short even when fully extended can be lengthened. The safety belt extension is available. This assembly will add approximately 20 cm (8 inches) to the length of the safety belt. Use the safety belt extension only if the safety belt is too short when fully extended. Do not use the safety belt extension to change the fit of the shoulder belt across the torso. Safety belt extensions are available at no cost from any authorized Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
Child Safety Seat Tether Attachment
If a child safety belt anchor tether is required for the child's safety seat, a child safety belt anchor tether kit can be obtained free from any Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer. Attachment holes at each rear seating position have been provided in all vehicles.
WARNING: IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE BOLT/ANCHOR BE SECURELY TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION. OTHERWISE, THE CHILD'S SAFETY SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SECURED AND THE CHILD COULD BE INJURED IN CASE OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
Instructions for installing the child safety belt anchor tether kit are included in the kit with the tether attachment.