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 correct 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 air bag 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.
NOTE: New safety belt buckles, height adjusters, center adjust tongues and belts and retractors can be installed separately. However, if a safety assembly was in use during a collision, a new belt and retractor must be installed as well as the center adjust tongue, and belt and buckle assembly or the center adjust tongue, and the cable and buckle assembly. When installing new safety belts and buckles, height adjusters, safety cables and buckles, center adjust tongues, and belt and retractors, use only the parts specified in the Ford Master Parts Catalogs for the make and model of the vehicle being repaired. Safety belt assemblies must not be interchanged between vehicle models.
The active restraint system consists of:
- front seat safety belt retractor pretensioners with adjustable D-rings.
- front seat safety belt buckles attached to the power seat track bracket.
- rear seat safety belt retractors attached to the C-pillar behind the corner trim panel.
- the rear center safety belt retractor, which is located under the package tray trim.
- the rear LH, RH and center buckle ends, which are secured to the rear floor pan under the rear seat.
- child safety seat tether anchors located in the rear at all three seating positions.
- child safety seat LATCH system located at the rear outboard seating positions, behind the rear seat backrest.
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.
Safety Belt Retractor Pretensioners
The front outboard safety belt retractors use a safety belt pretensioner system. This works in conjunction with the front air bag system mounted in the steering wheel and instrument panel. The pretensioner is a pyrotechnic device that removes excess webbing slack from the safety belt. When the front air bags are deployed, the pretensioner deploys in the retractor, removing excess slack from the lap and shoulder safety belt. The pretensioners are activated when the restraints control module (RCM) detects a frontal impact force exceeding a programmed limit. 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.
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 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 and the webbing will not pull back out of the retractor. To disengage the ALR mode, let the webbing retract back onto the spool. The ALR mode is disengaged when the webbing is free to move out and back into the retractor.
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.
Safety Belt 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.
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 and/or passenger safety belt is unbuckled by intermittently sounding a chime and illuminating the safety belt warning lamp in the instrument cluster.
The passenger safety belt minder feature is activated only when the OCS detects a passenger in the right front seat and the passenger weight exceeds a programmed limit.
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.
Child safety seat tether anchors are located in the rear at both seating locations. If a child safety seat was in use during a collision, inspect the tether anchor and seat backrest frame for damage. Install a new tether anchor or seat backrest frame if necessary.
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.