Seat Belt Systems: Description and Operation
Occupant Restraint SystemThe occupant restraint system consists of:
^ driver seat safety belt retractor and pretensioner
^ driver seat safety belt buckle
^ front seat shoulder safety belt height adjuster
^ front passenger seat safety belt retractor and pretensioner
^ front passenger seat safety belt buckle
^ second row safety belt retractors
^ second row outboard safety belt buckles
^ second row secondary safety belt buckle
^ child safety seat safety belt retractors
^ child safety seat safety belt buckles
^ second row center occupant safety belt tongue
^ second row center occupant safety belt buckle
^ third row outboard safety belt retractors
^ third row outboard safety belt buckles
^ third row center occupant safety belt tongue
^ third row center occupant safety belt buckle
WARNING:
^ ALL SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLIES INCLUDING RETRACTORS, BUCKLES, FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE SUPPORT ASSEMBLIES (SLIDE BAR), SHOULDER BELT HEIGHT ADJUSTERS, CHILD SAFETY SEAT TETHER ATTACHMENTS (IF EQUIPPED), AND ATTACHING HARDWARE SHOULD BE INSPECTED AFTER ANY COLLISION. ALL BELT ASSEMBLIES SHOULD BE REPLACED UNLESS A QUALIFIED TECHNICIAN FINDS THAT 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.
^ REAR FACING CHILD SEATS OR INFANT CARRIERS SHOULD NEVER BE PLACED IN THE FRONT SEATS. IF YOU MUST USE A FORWARD FACING CHILD SEAT, MOVE THE SEAT ALL THE WAY BACK.
The passenger front seat combination lap/shoulder belt has an Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode for child seat installation. The belt webbing is labeled with a warning tag.
The outboard safety belts for the front seats are 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 and 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.
Before installing the new safety belt assembly, the safety belt attaching areas must be inspected for damage and distortion. If the attaching points are damaged and distorted, the sheet metal must be reworked back to its original shape and structural integrity.
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 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 only on hard braking, hard cornering or an impact of approximately 8 km/h (5 mph). The ELR mode helps 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 into the spool, an audible clicking is made indicating that the retractor is in ALR mode. The ALR mode is automatically disengaged when most of the webbing is retracted back into 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 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 Mercury dealership parts department. Safety belt extensions are only available with black webbing, and the extender must be from the same manufacturer as the belt system to which it is attached.
Child Safety Seat Tether Anchors
WARNING: WHEN USING ANY INFANT OR CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER CONCERNING ITS INSTALLATION AND USE. FAILURE TO FOLLOW EACH OF THE RESTRAINT MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS CAN RESULT IN A CHILD STRIKING THE VEHICLE'S INTERIOR DURING A SUDDEN STOP OF COLLISION.
Child safety seat tether anchors are located in the second row on the seat cushion frame at both seating locations and in the third row on the seat cushion frame at all three seating locations. The child safety seat tether anchors are welded to the seat cushion frame. If a child safety seal was in use during a collision, inspect the tether anchor(s) and all surrounding sheet metal for damage. If the seat cushion frame tether anchor is damaged, install a new seat cushion frame as necessary. Do not attempt to repair the seat cushion frame or child safety seat tether anchor(s).
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 attached to an anchoring position. 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)
WARNING: WHEN USING ANY INFANT OR CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER CONCERNING ITS INSTALLATION AND USE. FAILURE TO FOLLOW EACH OF THE RESTRAINT MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS CAN RESULT IN A CHILD STRIKING THE VEHICLE'S INTERIOR DURING A SUDDEN STOP OF COLLISION.
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) welded to the seat cushion frame. They are located at both second row seating positions and only the outboard seating positions in the third row of seating. 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, install a new rear seat cushion frame.