Seat Belt Systems: Description and Operation
WARNING:
^ ALL SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLIES INCLUDING RETRACTORS, BUCKLES, FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE SUPPORT ASSEMBLIES (SLIDE BAR), IF EQUIPPED, SHOULDER BELT HEIGHT ADJUSTERS, IF EQUIPPED, CHILD SAFETY SEAT TETHER BRACKET ASSEMBLIES, IF EQUIPPED, AND ATTACHING HARDWARE SHOULD BE INSPECTED AFTER ANY COLLISION. NEW SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLIES SHOULD BE INSTALLED UNLESS A QUALIFIED TECHNICIAN FINDS THE ASSEMBLIES SHOW NO DAMAGE AND OPERATE CORRECTLY. SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLIES NOT IN USE DURING A COLLISION SHOULD ALSO BE INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE OR INCORRECT OPERATION AND NEW ASSEMBLIES INSTALLED IF A PROBLEM IS FOUND. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.
^ EACH SEATING POSITION IN THE VEHICLE HAS A SPECIFIC SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLY WHICH CONSISTS OF ONE BUCKLE AND ONE TONGUE. THE SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLY IS DESIGNED TO BE USED AS A PAIR AND IS NOT TO BE USED ACROSS SEATING POSITIONS. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.
The following is a general overview of the active restraint system:
^ A continuous-loop, single retractor active restraint system is used on this vehicle.
^ There are two different safety belt retractor and tongue assemblies used, depending on the model level of the vehicle. While both retractors operate the same way, they are not interchangeable.
^ The safety belt retractors and tongues are secured to the body under the pillar trim pieces. The front and third row belt ends are bolted to the floor.
^ The second row safety belt ends are either bolted to the floor or attached to the seat depending on the model.
^ The safety belt buckle ends are secured to the seat assembly.
Safety Belt, Lap/Shoulder
WARNING: REAR-FACING INFANT SEATS SHOULD NEVER BE PLACED IN THE FRONT SEATS. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.
The vehicle is equipped with lap/shoulder safety seat belts containing a cinch tongue at the outboard seating positions.
The locking cinch tongue will slide up and down the belt webbing when the belt is in the stowed position or while putting the safety belt on. When the locking cinch tongue of the lap/shoulder combination safety belt is latched into the buckle, the cinch tongue will allow the lap portion to become shorter, but locks the webbing in place to restrict it from becoming longer.
Before latching a combination lap and shoulder belt having a cinch tongue into the buckle, the lap belt may have to be lengthened. To lengthen the lap belt, pull some webbing out of the shoulder belt retractor. While holding the webbing below the tongue, grasp the tip (metal portion) of the tongue so that it is parallel to the webbing and slide the tongue upward. Provide enough lap belt length so that the tongue can reach the buckle.
NOTE: If the tongue is grasped by the tongue cover to lengthen the belt, the tongue cover will grab the webbing, making it difficult to slide.
To fasten a cinch tongue, pull the combination lap and shoulder belt from the retractor so that the shoulder belt portion of the safety belt crosses the occupant's shoulder and chest. Be sure the belt is not twisted. If the belt is twisted, remove the twist. Insert the belt tongue into the proper buckle for the seating position until a snap is heard and latching is felt. Make sure the tongue is securely fastened to the buckle by pulling on the tongue. Adjust the lap belt portion of the safety belt by pulling up on the shoulder belt until the lap belt fits snugly and as low as possible around the occupant's hips.
To help reduce the risk of injury during a frontal collision, a seat belt system with an energy management feature is used at all driver and either both second row seating positions for bench seat on four door models, or the second row RH seating positions.
The seat belt system has a retractor assembly designed to release the seat belt webbing in a controlled manner. This feature is designed to help reduce the belt force acting on the occupant's chest.
WARNING:
^ AFTER ANY VEHICLE COLLISION WHEN THE FRONT SEAT AIR BAGS ARE DEPLOYED, THE BELT AND RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY AT BOTH SECOND ROW REAR OUTBOARD SEATING POSITIONS ON FOUR DOOR MODELS OR RH SEATING POSITION ON THREE DOOR MODELS WITH BENCH SEAT, MUST BE REPLACED.
^ FAILURE TO REPLACE THE BELT AND RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY IN COLLISIONS.
This vehicle has a seat belt system that has both Load Limiter Shaft and Cinch Locking Tongue features at the second row seating positions with bench seat only on four door models, and at the second row RH seat position with bench seat only on three door models.
The belt and retractor assembly must be replaced if the front seat air bags are deployed. If the front air bags are not activated, the technician shall make sure that the retractor assembly is still functioning properly for extraction, retraction and complete stowage, and lock-up according to the Functional Test procedure. Functional Test
Safety Belt Warning System
The safety belt warning indicator illuminates and a chime sounds to remind the occupants to fasten their safety belts.
The conditions of operation for the safety belt warning indicator and chime are as follows:
^ If the driver safety belt is not buckled before the ignition switch is turned to ON, then the safety belt warning indicator illuminates for one to two minutes and the warning chime sounds for four to eight seconds.
^ If the driver safety belt is buckled while the warning indicator is illuminated and the reminder chime is sounding, then the safety belt warning indicator and reminder chime turn off.
^ If the driver safety belt is buckled before the ignition switch is turned to ON, then the safety belt warning indicator and reminder 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.
Safety Belt Extension
A safety belt that is too short even when fully extended can be lengthened. The safety belt extension is available. This assembly will add approximately 20 cm (8 inches) to the length of the safety belt. Use the safety belt extension only if the safety belt is too short when fully extended. Do not use the safety belt extension to alter the fit of the shoulder belt across the torso. Safety belt extensions are available at no cost from any authorized Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.