Seat Belt Systems: Adjustments

FASTENING SAFETY BELTS


WARNING:

- USE THE SHOULDER BELT ON THE OUTSIDE SHOULDER ONLY. NEVER WEAR THE SHOULDER BELT UNDER THE ARM. NEVER SWING IT AROUND YOUR NECK OVER THE INSIDE SHOULDER. NEVER USE A SINGLE BELT FOR MORE THAN ONE PERSON. BE SURE THE LAP PORTION OF THE BELT IS FITTED SNUGLY AND AS LOW AS POSSIBLE AROUND THE HIPS, NOT ON THE WAIST. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE PRECAUTIONS COULD INCREASE THE CHANCE AND/OR SEVERITY OF INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT.

- 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.

Pull the lap/shoulder safety belt from the retractor so the shoulder portion of the safety belt crosses shoulder and chest. Insert the safety belt tongue into the proper buckle until a snap is heard and the safety belt is latched. Pull up on the shoulder portion of the safety belt to tighten the lap portion to a snug fit. Ensure the safety belt is as low on the hips as possible.

The safety belt system allows freedom of movement locking only on hard braking or impacts of approximately 8 km/h (5 mph) or more. The system cannot be made to lock by jerking on the safety belt.

UNFASTENING SAFETY BELTS

WARNING: ALL SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLIES INCLUDING RETRACTORS AND ATTACHING HARDWARE SHOULD BE INSPECTED AFTER ANY COLLISION. FORD RECOMMENDS THAT ALL SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLIES IN USE DURING A COLLISION BE REPLACED UNLESS COLLISION WAS MINOR AND A QUALIFIED TECHNICIAN FINDS THAT BELTS SHOW NO DAMAGE AND CONTINUE TO OPERATE PROPERLY. SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLIES NOT IN USE DURING A COLLISION SHOULD ALSO BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED IF EITHER DAMAGE OR IMPROPER OPERATION IS NOTED.


Push the release button in the safety belt buckle and allow the safety belt to unlatch.

SHOULDER PORTION ADJUSTMENT

WARNING: DO NOT INTRODUCE SLACK INTO THE SAFETY BELT SYSTEM BECAUSE THE BELT LOCKS UPON IMPACT WHERE IT IS POSITIONED. USE THE SHOULDER SAFETY BELT ON THE OUTSIDE SHOULDER ONLY. NEVER WEAR THE SHOULDER BELT UNDER THE ARM. NEVER SWING IT AROUND THE NECK OVER THE INSIDE SHOULDER. NEVER USE A SINGLE BELT FOR MORE THAN ONE PERSON. ENSURE THE LAP PORTION OF THE BELT IS FITTED SNUGLY AND AS LOW AS POSSIBLE AROUND THE HIPS, NOT ON THE WAIST. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE PRECAUTIONS COULD INCREASE THE CHANCE AND/OR SEVERITY OF INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT.


The shoulder restraint portion of the safety belt adjusts automatically to a snug position.

After unbuckling the safety belt, it is recommended that care be taken during retraction to prevent it from striking other passengers, hitting trim panels or painted door surfaces.

LAP PORTION ADJUSTMENT
The lap portion of the front and rear safety belt adjusts automatically. Pull up on the shoulder portion of the safety belt to tighten the lap portion to a snug fit. Ensure the safety belt is as low on hips as possible.