Seat Belt Systems: Description and Operation
OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMThe outboard safety restraints in the vehicle are combination lap and shoulder belts. The front and rear seat passenger outboard safety belts have two types of locking modes: The vehicle-sensitive (emergency) locking mode and the Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode.
Vehicle-Sensitive (Emergency) Locking Mode
NOTE: The rear seat belts cannot be made to lock up by pulling quickly on the belt.
The vehicle-sensitive locking mode is the normal retractor mode, allowing free shoulder belt length adjustments to occupant movements and locking in response to vehicle movements. If the driver brakes suddenly, turns a corner sharply or the vehicle receives an impact of approximately 8 km/h (5 mph), the combination safety belts will lock to restrain forward movement of the driver and passengers.
The front seat belt system can also be made to lock manually by quickly pulling on the shoulder belt.
Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) Mode
NOTE: The Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode is not available on the driver safety belt.
In the Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode, the shoulder belt is automatically pre-locked. However, the belt will still retract to remove any slack in the shoulder belt. This mode is used any time a child safety seat is installed in an outboard seating position, or when a tight lap/shoulder belt fit is desired. The ALR mode is automatically engaged when the webbing is fully extracted from the retractor. As the webbing is retracted back onto the spool, an audible clicking sound is made, indicating that the retractor is in the ALR mode. The ALR mode is automatically disengaged when the webbing is retracted back onto the spool. ALR mode is disengaged when the audible clicking sound ceases and the webbing is free to move in or out of the retractor, indicating that the belt has returned to the vehicle sensitive (emergency) locking mode of operation.
Belt And Buckle Assembly Pretensioner
The belt and buckle assembly pretensioner is a pyrotechnic device that removes excess webbing from the safety belt system. The belt and buckle assembly pretensioner uses the same crash sensor system as the air bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). When the belt and buckle assembly pretensioner deploys, the buckle moves downward, pulling excess webbing from the lap and shoulder safety belts.
Fastening Safety Belts
WARNING: DO NOT INTRODUCE SLACK INTO THE SAFETY BELT SYSTEM BECAUSE THE BELT LOCKS UPON IMPACT WHERE IT IS POSITIONED. USE THE SHOULDER SAFETY BELT ON THE OUTSIDE SHOULDER ONLY. NEVER WEAR THE SHOULDER SAFETY BELT UNDER THE AM. NEVER SWING THE SHOULDER SAFETY BELT AROUND THE NECK OVER THE INSIDE SHOULDER. NEVER USE A SINGLE BELT FOR MORE THAN ONE PERSON. MAKE SURE THE LAP PORTION OF THE BELT IS FITTED SNUGLY AND AS LOW AS POSSIBLE AROUND THE HIPS, NOT THE WAIST. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE PRECAUTIONS COULD INCREASE THE CHANCE AND SEVERITY OF INJURY IN A COLLISION.
Always follow the preceding safety precautions when fastening the safety belts.
Seat Belt Extension
NOTE: There is a unique safety belt extension for the front seats and another unique safety belt extension for the rear seats.
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 through Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealership parts departments. Safety belt extensions are available only with black webbing. The buckle must be from the same manufacturer as the belt system to which it is attached.
Warning System - Driver Safety Belt
The driver safety belt incorporates a safety belt warning indicator switch, an indicator light and warning chime. The indicator light and warning chime function as reminders to fasten the safety belt.
Safety Belt Indicator Light and Warning Chime
The safety belt indicator light illuminates in the instrument cluster and a warning chime sounds to remind the occupants to fasten their safety belts. The conditions of operation are as follows:
^ If the driver safety belt is not buckled before the ignition key is turned to the ON position, the safety belt indicator light illuminates for 1-2 minutes and the warning chime sounds for 4-8 seconds.
^ If the driver safety belt is buckled while the indicator light is illuminated and the warning chime is sounding, the safety belt indicator light and the warning chime turn off.
^ If the driver safety belt is buckled before the ignition key is turned to the ON position, the safety belt indicator light and warning chime remain off.
Belt Minder (if equipped)
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's safety belt is unbuckled by intermittently sounding a chime and illuminating the safety belt warning lamp in the instrument cluster.
Child Seat Tether Attachment
Some manufacturers make safety seats with a tether strap that goes over the back of the vehicle seat and attaches to an anchoring point behind the seat.
Ford recommends the placement of tethered safety seats in a rear seating position, with the tether strap attached to the tether anchoring point. The right front seating position can be used if it is the only seating position available. The tether anchor attachment point for the right front seating position is located on the rear edge of the seat. For additional information, refer to the vehicle owner guide for installation instructions.
Tether Anchor Hardware
Tether anchor points are provided in the vehicle for child safety seats requiring a tether anchor. Tether anchor hardware kits are available at no cost through Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealership parts departments. These kits have instructions and hardware specific to the applicable vehicle.