Seat Belt Systems: Description and Operation
SAFETY BELT SYSTEMWARNING: After any crash, all of the following safety belt assemblies and attaching hardware must be inspected by an authorized dealer to verify correct function:
- Retractors
- Buckles
- Belt tension sensor (BTS) (if equipped)
- Front safety belt buckle support assemblies (slide bar) (if equipped)
- Safety belt shoulder belt height adjusters (if equipped)
- Child safety seat tether bracket assemblies
- Automatic locking retractor (ALR) feature for child safety seats (passenger seating positions only)
If any safety belt assembly is damaged, does not operate correctly or does not pass all of the Functional Tests in the Diagnosis and Testing portion, a new safety belt assembly must be installed. If any safety belt assembly attaching areas are damaged or distorted, the sheet metal must be restored to its original structural integrity and new safety belt assembly and attaching hardware must be installed. Failure to install new safety belt assemblies and attaching hardware may increase the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.
After any crash that results in deployment of the driver and/or front outboard passenger safety belt pretensioners, new driver and/or front outboard passenger safety belt systems (including retractors, buckles and height adjusters) must be installed. Failure to install new safety belt systems increases the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.
All outboard safety belts, and second and third row center safety belts (if equipped) are continuous-loop, 3-point systems. The combination lap and shoulder belt (continuous-loop) uses a common slip 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.
When replacing safety belt buckles and/or retractor assemblies, use only the replacement parts specified in the Ford Customer Service Division Master Parts and Accessories Catalog.
Active Restraint System Components
The active restraint system consists of the following components in the locations described.
- Driver and front row outboard passenger safety belt buckle pretensioners, attached to the front seats.
- Front row outboard safety belt retractor, attached to the B-pillar sheet metal behind the trim panel.
- Front row center safety belt, with 60/40 bench seat, attached on top of the rear inboard 60 percent seat.
- Front row center safety belt buckle, with 60/40 bench seat, attached to the floor pan under the 60 percent seat.
- Front row safety belt shoulder height adjuster, attached to the B-pillar sheet metal behind the trim panel.
- Second row outboard safety belt retractor, attached to the quarter panel sheet metal behind the trim panel.
- Second row inboard safety belt retractor, with 20 percent seat, attached to the seat backrest frame.
- Second row inboard safety belt buckle, with 20 percent seat, attached to the side of the seat.
- Second row outboard safety belt buckle, attached to the side of the seat.
- Second row 40/20/40 seating, having child safety seat tether anchors welded to the seat cushion frame at all seating positions.
- Second row 40 percent bucket seats, having child safety seat tether anchors welded to the seat cushion frame at both seating positions.
- Second row 40/20/40 seating, having LATCH welded to the seat at all 3 seating positions.
- Second row 40 percent bucket seats, having LATCH welded to the seat cushion frame at both seating positions.
- Third row outboard safety belt retractor, attached to the D-pillar sheet metal behind the trim panel.
- Third row inboard safety belt retractor, attached to the 60 percent seat backrest frame.
- Third row RH safety belt buckle, attached to the side of the seat.
- Third row LH and center safety belt buckle assembly, attached to the floor pan under the 60 percent third row seat.
- Third row center child safety seat tether anchor, bolted to the 60 percent seat backrest frame.
Safety Belt Buckle And Pretensioner
All vehicles have a pretensioner system used with the front outboard safety belt buckles. This works in conjunction with the front air bag system mounted in the steering wheel and instrument panel.
The safety belt buckle and pretensioners are for the front outboard occupants, located on the inboard side of the seats. This allows the front safety belt buckle end to move with the front seat.
The safety belt buckle and pretensioner is a pyrotechnic device that removes excess webbing from the safety belt system. When the front air bag system is deployed, the pretensioner in the buckle deploys, causing the buckle to move downward, pulling excess webbing from the lap and shoulder safety belts.
If the vehicle is involved in a collision that results in deployment of the front air bags and safety belt pretensioners, the driver and passenger seat belt system (including safety belt buckle and pretensioners, safety belt retractors and height adjusters) must be replaced.
If the ignition switch is turned to the ON or START position with the safety belt buckle pretensioner electrical connector(s) disconnected, the DTC and fault PIDs for an open circuit will be activated. For safety belt buckle pretensioner diagnostic information, refer to Air Bag Systems.
For safety belt buckle pretensioner disposal information, refer to Air Bag Systems.
Dual Locking Mode Retractors
WARNING: After any crash, all of the following safety belt assemblies and attaching hardware must be inspected by an authorized dealer to verify correct function:
- Retractors
- Buckles
- Belt tension sensor (BTS) (if equipped)
- Front safety belt buckle support assemblies (slide bar) (if equipped)
- Safety belt shoulder belt height adjusters (if equipped)
- Child safety seat tether bracket assemblies
- Automatic locking retractor (ALR) feature for child safety seats (passenger seating positions only)
If any safety belt assembly is damaged, does not operate correctly or does not pass all of the Functional Tests in the Diagnosis and Testing portion, a new safety belt assembly must be installed. If any safety belt assembly attaching areas are damaged or distorted, the sheet metal must be restored to its original structural integrity and new safety belt assembly and attaching hardware must be installed. Failure to install new safety belt assemblies and attaching hardware may increase the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.
After any crash that results in deployment of the driver and/or front outboard passenger safety belt pretensioners, new driver and/or front outboard passenger safety belt systems (including retractors, buckles and height adjusters) must be installed. Failure to install new safety belt systems increases the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.
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, 3-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 at a 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 that the retractor is in ALR mode. The ALR mode is automatically disengaged when most of the webbing is retracted back onto the spool.
The automatic locking mode must be used when installing a child safety seat in the front or rear passenger seating positions where dual locking mode retractors are provided.
Energy Management Retractor
This vehicle has a safety belt system with an energy management feature at the front seating positions to help further reduce the risk of injury in the event of a head-on collision.
The energy management retractor feature is designed to pay out webbing in a controlled manner. This feature is designed to help reduce the belt force acting on the occupant's chest.
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 through any Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealer parts department at no cost. Safety belt extensions are only available with black webbing. There are 2 extension assemblies available, one for the front seating positions and one for the rear seating positions. They are not interchangeable. Only use 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.
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 attaches to an anchoring point. Other manufacturers offer the tether strap as an accessory. Contact the manufacturer of the child safety seat for information about ordering a tether strap.
Child safety seat tether anchors are manufactured into the vehicle. See the active restraint system component location at the beginning or the Owner's Literature for locations.
For removal and installation of child safety seat tether anchors, refer to the appropriate procedure or Seats seat cushion frame replacement.
LATCH
The LATCH system is a standardized and uniform attachment system for installing child safety seats in passenger vehicles. LATCH-equipped child safety seats have 2 lower attachments that connect to the vehicle portion of the LATCH system.
The vehicle portion of the system consists of 2 attachment points (6 mm wires) welded to the rear seat cushion frame. The attachment points protrude from the bite line 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 seat cushion frame.
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 ON, the safety belt warning indicator illuminates for 1 to 2 minutes and the warning chime sounds for 4 to 8 seconds.
- If the driver side safety belt is buckled while the warning indicator is illuminated and the warning chime is sounding, the safety belt warning indicator 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 4 to 8 seconds with no chime.
Belt-Minder(R)
The Belt-Minder(R) 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 indicator in the instrument cluster.
To activate or deactivate the Belt-Minder(R) feature, refer to Instrument Panel, Gauges and Warning Indicators or the Owner's Literature.
