Child Restraint: Description and Operation
Integral Child Safety SeatThe station wagon second row seat may include an optional built-in child safety seat on the passenger side. This child restraint is to be used only by children who are at least one year old, weigh between 9 and 27 kilograms (20 and 60 pounds) and whose shoulders (top) are below the shoulder harness slots in the seatback.
If your child is less than one year old or weighs less than 9 kilograms (20 pounds), always use a rear facing infant or convertible seat because a child of that size is not sufficiently developed to withstand crash forces in a front facing position. Follow the specific manufacturer's instructions for weight and height restrictions.
Children must be properly buckled before riding in the vehicle. It is the law in every state and province. This child seat conforms to all Federal/Canadian motor vehicle safety standards.
1. Built-in child seat belt retractors: The belts on the built-in child seat are equipped with a retractor that locks when both belt tongues are latched into the crotch safety belt buckle.
The retractor will automatically snug the belts around the child. Frequently check the child seat's lap and shoulder harness belts for correct placement and tightness. Use the child seat only if the harness belts will stay snug with a child buckled in the seat. If belts do not remain snug, repair the child seat.
2. How to use the built-in child seat:
NOTE: Read the procedures and all of the labels on the built-in child seat before using the seat.
NOTE: Never use the built-in child seat as a booster cushion with the adult safety belts. A child using the adult belts could slide forward off the front edge of the child seat cushion and out from under the adult safety belts.
NOTE: The child seat cannot be opened unless the seatback is latched in the upright position.
a. Grasp the child seat at the top of the seatback and pull the top forward to release the latch.
b. Continue to unfold the child seat until it rests on the seat.
c. Read the information and warnings on the child seat cushion and shoulder safety belt. Check the child's size, weight, and age to be sure the child is not too small or too large for the child seat.
d. If connected, squeeze the top and the bottom of the right half of the chest clip and pull to separate both halves.
e. Place the child on the child seat and position the shoulder belts over each shoulder.
NOTE: Read the following steps carefully to become familiar with the indicator windows located on the crotch safety belt buckle and the chest clip. When either of the tongues or the chest clip is unbuckled, the color red appears in the window. When the tongues or chest clip are securely buckled, the color green appears.
NOTE: If both tongues do not latch in the buckle, do not use the child seat.
f. Insert either the left or right safety belt tongue into the corresponding opening of the crotch safety belt buckle. (It does not matter which tongue is inserted first.) Then insert the other tongue. The color green must appear in the indicator window on the crotch safety belt when buckled. Allow belts to retract and fit snugly.
g. Fasten both halves of the chest clip below the child's shoulders and adjust it to comfortably hold the shoulder belts in place on the child's chest. The color green must appear in the indicator window when fastened. (The purpose of this clip is to position the shoulder belts correctly on the child's shoulders. The clip is designed to separate during a collision. The clip helps keep the belts on the shoulders of a sleeping or squirming child.)
h. Pull the shoulder belts out to make sure that the crotch safety belt buckle is securely fastened and the retractor is locked.
i. If the belts become too tight, unbuckle the crotch safety belt buckle to unlock the retractor. Then reinsert both belt tongues.
3. To remove the child from the built-in child seat:
a. Squeeze the tabs on the top and bottom of the chest clip and pull the halves apart to open the chest clip.
b. Press the release button on the crotch safety belt buckle.
c. Slide the shoulder belts off the child's shoulders and remove the child.
4. To stow the built-in child seat:
a. Return the child seat cushion to the upright position.
NOTE: The seatback cannot be folded down unless the child seat is fully stowed.
b. Press firmly in the center and top of the child seat to place it in the stowed position. The seat can now be used by an adult or the seatback can be folded down.
5. Inspection after a collision:
- All built-in child restraints, including seats, buckles, retractors, seat latches, interlocks and attaching hardware should be inspected by a qualified dealer technician after any collision. If the child seat was in use during a collision, Ford recommends replacing it. However, if the collision was minor and a qualified technician finds that the child restraints do not show damage and continue to operate properly, they do not need to be replaced. Built-in child seats not in use during a collision should also be inspected and replaced if either damage or improper operation is noted.
- Regularly inspect the lap and shoulder belts system of child seat.
6. Cleaning: Your built-in child seat may be cleaned with mild soap and water. Do not use household cleaners as they may weaken the webbing or damage the plastic parts. For your convenience, the liner is removable and can be machine-washed and air-dried.
7. Safety Belts for Children: Children who are too large for child safety seats should always wear safety belts. (See instructions with your child seat, or contact its manufacturer, to determine maximum size of child that will safely fit in the seat.)
- If safety belts are not properly worn and adjusted as described, the risk of serious injury to the child in a collision will be much greater.
- If the shoulder belt portion of one of the lap and shoulder belts can be positioned so that it does not cross or rest in front of the child's face or neck, the child should wear the lap and shoulder belt. Moving the child closer to the center of the vehicle may help provide a more secure shoulder belt fit.
- To improve the fit of lap and shoulder belts on children who have outgrown child safety seats, Ford recommends use of a belt-positioning booster seat that is labeled as conforming to all Federal motor vehicle safety standards. Belt-positioning booster seats raise the child and provide a shorter, firmer seating cushion that encourages safer seating posture and better fit of lap and shoulder belts on the child. A belt-positioning booster should be used if the shoulder belt rests in front of the child's face or neck, or if the lap belt does not fit snugly on both thighs, or if the thighs are too short to let the child sit all the way back on the seat cushion when the lower legs hang over the edge of the seat cushion. You may wish to discuss the specific needs of your child with your pediatrician.
- Do not use a belt-positioning booster with a lap-only belt.
- Lap belts and lap belt portion of lap and shoulder belts should always be worn snugly and below the hips, touching the child's thighs.
- Children should always ride with the seatback in the fully upright position. When the seatback is not fully upright, there is a greater risk that the child will slide under the safety belt and be seriously injured in a collision.