Seat Belt Systems: Service Precautions

WARNING:
^ Ensure that the belt is fitted snugly and as low as possible around the hips, not around the waist. Failure to do so may increase the chance of injury in the event of a collision.

^ Front and rear seat occupants (including pregnant women) should wear the lap belts in addition to the shoulder belts for optimum protection. Rear seat occupants (including pregnant women) should also wear the lap belts for optimum protection.

^ 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. When a motorized passive restraint system in use during a collision is replaced, the opposite motorized shoulder belt and retractor assembly must also be replaced. Safety belt assemblies not in use during a collision should also be inspected and replaced if either damage or improper operation is noted.

CAUTION:
^ Belt assemblies must be installed in matched sets as received and must not be interchanged between vehicle models.

^ If a component portion other than the removable D-ring cover (buckle portion, retractor portion, etc.) of a seat belt or shoulder belt assembly is nonfunctional or damaged, the entire assembly (buckle, tongue and shoulder harness portions) must be replaced.

^ The replacement assembly must be installed as a matched set and the manufacturer's identification on the label of the retractor webbing must match the manufacturer's identification on the buckle base.

^ Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after they have been subjected to loading by occupants in a collision.