Child Restraint: Description and Operation

Safety Belt System

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, 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.

When replacing any active occupant restraint components, use only the replacement parts specified in the Ford Customer Service Division Master Parts and Accessories Catalog.

The active restraint system serviceable components consist of the following:

- Front row safety belt buckles and pretensioners
- Front row adaptive load limiting retractors
- Second row outboard safety belt retractors
- Second row 60 percent bench or E-Z entry seat center safety belt retractor
- Second row 60 percent bench seat dual safety belt buckle assembly (Explorer/Mountaineer with 5-passenger seating and Explorer Sport Trac)
- Second row 60 percent E-Z entry seat dual safety belt buckle assembly (Explorer/Mountaineer with 7-passenger seating)
- Second row 40 percent bench seat safety belt buckle assembly (Explorer/Mountaineer with 5-passenger seating and Explorer Sport Trac)
- Second row 40 percent E-Z entry seat safety belt buckle assembly (Explorer/Mountaineer with 7-passenger seating)
- Second row bucket seat safety belt buckle assembly (Explorer/Mountaineer with 6-passenger seating)
- Second row child safety seat tether anchors
- Second row lower anchors and tethers for children
- Third row safety belt retractors
- Third row dual safety belt buckle assembly
- Third row child safety seat tether anchors

Child Safety Seat Restraints

Lower anchors and tethers for children and child safety seat tether anchors are provided. Check all attachment points after a collision.

Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children

This system will be referred to as lower anchors. The lower anchor system is a standardized and uniform attachment system for installing child safety seats in passenger vehicles. Lower anchor-equipped child safety seats have 2 lower attachments that connect to the vehicle portion of the system.

The vehicle portion of the system consists of 2 attachment points (6-mm wires) welded to the seat cushion frame. The attachment points protrude from between where the backrest and cushion of the seat meet, only at the second row outboard seating positions.

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.

Child Safety Seat Tether Anchors

Child safety seat tether anchors are attachment points located in the back panel of the sheet metal (Sport Trac) or bolted into the floor (Explorer/Mountaineer).

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 are damaged, install new ones.

Explorer, Mountaineer and Sport Trac Front Row

Child safety seat tether anchors are not available in the front row for any of the vehicles.

Explorer, Mountaineer - 5 and 6 Passenger, Second Row

The 2 second row outboard child safety seat tether anchors are located directly behind the seat, attached to the floor pan protruding from the carpet. For 5 passenger center seat, either tether anchor located near the back hatch door can be used.

Explorer, Mountaineer - 7 passenger, Second Row

The 3 second row child safety seat tether anchors are located directly behind the seat, attached to the floor pan protruding from the carpet.

Sport Trac - Second Row

Child safety seat tether anchors are located at all 3 seating positions. They are part of the back panel sheet metal.

Explorer, Mountaineer - Third Row

The 2 third row child safety seat tether anchors are located directly behind the seat near the back hatch door.