Safety Belt System: Notes
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Lincoln Navigator and 2003 Ford Expedition. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
WARNING:
All safety belt assemblies including retractors, buckles, front seat belt buckle support assemblies (slide bar), shoulder belt height adjusters, child safety seat tether attachments (if equipped), and attaching hardware should be inspected after any collision. All belt assemblies should be replaced unless a qualified technician finds that the assemblies show no damage and operate correctly. Belt assemblies not in use during a collision should also be inspected and replaced if either damage or incorrect operation is noted.
WARNING:
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.
WARNING:
Rear facing child seats or infant carriers should never be placed in the front seats. If you must use a forward facing child seat, move the seat all the way back.
All outboard safety belts, and second and third row center safety belts (if equipped) are continuous-loop, three-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 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.