Seat Belt Systems: Description and Operation

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM
The outboard safety belt for the front and rear seats is 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 freely move in or out at all times, except during vehicle hard braking, hard cornering or impact of 8 km/h (5 mph) or more, when it is automatically locked by a mechanically actuated inertia sensor.

SEAT BELT BUCKLE
The safety belt buckle ends are designed to lock onto the safety belt tongue and to serve as an anchor for both the lap and shoulder portions of the safety belt.

FRONT LAP/SHOULDER SEAT BELT
On Econoline bucket seats and captain's chairs, the inboard buckles are attached to the floor. Attaching the tongue and buckle secures the occupant with both lower and upper restraints.

REAR OUTBOARD LAP/SHOULDER SEAT BELT
All of the rear outboard seats are provided with shoulder belts. Some outboard seat positions may be equipped with belts detachable from their seat anchors. Center seating positions are provided with adjustable lap belts only.

REAR CENTER LAP BELT
The center safety belts do not have retractors. To lengthen the belt, tip the tongue at a right angle to the belt, and pull the tongue until the ends can be joined with front safety belt buckle end or rear safety belt and buckle over the lap.

To fasten the belt, insert the tongue into the open end of the front safety belt buckle or rear safety belt and buckle until a snap is heard. To shorten the belt, pull on the loose end of the webbing. The lap belt should be snug across the hips, NEVER ACROSS THE WAIST.