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.
When any new active occupant restraint components are installed, use only the replacement parts specified in the Ford Customer Service Division Master Parts Catalog.
The active restraint system consists of the following:
- Front safety belt buckles, attached to the inboard side of the seats
- Front safety belt retractors and pretensioners, located behind the lower B-pillar trim panels
- Belt tension sensor (BTS), located at the passenger front safety belt anchor point
- Rear safety belt retractors, mounted to the rear package tray (coupe only)
- Rear safety belt retractors, mounted to a stanchion behind the rear seat backrest (convertible only)
- Rear safety belt buckle assemblies, attached to the floor pan
- Rear child safety seat tether anchors, at both seating positions, welded to the underside of the package tray (coupe only)
- Rear LATCH at both seating positions, attached to the floor pan
Safety Belt Retractor And Pretensioner
The front safety belt retractors use a safety belt pretensioner system. This works in conjunction with the front air bag system and side air bag system. The pretensioner is a pyrotechnic device that removes excess webbing slack from the safety belt. When activated by the restraints control module (RCM), the pretensioner deploys in the retractor, removing excess slack from the lap and shoulder safety belt. The pretensioners are activated when the RCM detects an impact force exceeding a programmed limit.
If the vehicle is involved in a collision that results in deployment of the safety belt pretensioners, a new driver and passenger seat belt system (including safety belt retractor and pretensioners, safety belt retractors, safety belts, safety belt buckles and safety belt shoulder guides) must be installed.
Each front safety belt shoulder guide includes a 2-position safety belt presenter arm that rotates rearward to allow for occupant rear seat access (stowed position) and forward for front seat occupant use (worn position).
For safety belt retractor and pretensioner diagnostic information, refer to Air Bag Systems.
For safety belt retractor and pretensioner disposal information, refer to Air Bag Systems.
Belt Tension Sensor (BTS)
The safety belt tension sensor is part of the passenger front outboard safety belt and retractor assembly and is not serviced separately. The safety belt tension sensor is located at the safety belt anchor point and is used in conjunction with the occupant classification sensor (OCS) system.
Dual Locking Mode Retractors
NOTE: When installing a new 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 an outboard 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 the retractor is in ALR mode and the webbing will not pull back out of the retractor. To disengage the ALR mode, let the webbing retract back onto the spool. The ALR mode is disengaged when the webbing is free to move out and back into the retractor.
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 an occupant's chest.
Safety Belt Warning System
The driver safety belt warning indicator illuminates and a chime sounds to remind the occupants to fasten their safety belts.
The conditions of operation for the driver 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 1 to 2 minutes and the warning chime sounds for 4 to 8 seconds.
- If the driver safety belt is buckled while the warning indicator is illuminated and the warning chime is sounding, then the safety belt warning indicator and warning chime turn off.
- If the driver safety belt is buckled before the ignition switch is turned to ON, the safety belt warning indicator and warning chime will remain off.
Belt-Minder(R)
The Belt-Minder(R) feature is a supplemental warning to the safety belt warning function. This feature provides an additional reminder to the driver that the driver and/or front passenger safety belt is unbuckled by intermittently sounding a chime and illuminating the safety belt warning indicator in the instrument cluster.
Either the driver or front passenger safety belt systems may activate the Belt-Minder(R). If the Belt-Minder(R) warnings have expired (warnings for approximately 5 minutes) for one occupant (driver or front passenger), the other occupant can still activate the Belt-Minder(R) feature.
The passenger safety Belt-Minder(R) feature is activated only when the occupant classification sensor (OCS) system detects a passenger in the right front seat and the passenger weight exceeds a programmed limit.
To activate or deactivate the Belt-Minder(R) feature, refer to Instrument Panel, Gauges and Warning Indicators.
Safety Belt Extension
A safety belt that is too short even when fully extended can be lengthened. The safety belt extension (611C22) 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.
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) bolted to the floor pan at both rear seating positions. The attachment points protrude from the bight-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, a new one must be installed.
Child Safety Seat Tether Anchors
The child safety seat tether anchors on the coupe are located in the rear at both seating locations and are welded to the underside of the package tray.
If the child safety seat tether anchors were in use during a collision, inspect and return the vehicle structure to its original production configuration.
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.
Instructions for installing the child safety belt anchor tether kit are included in the kit with the tether attachment.