Child Restraint: Service and Repair
WARNING:- FORD RECOMMENDS PLACEMENT OF TETHERED SAFETY SEATS IN A REAR SEATING POSITION WITH THE TETHER STRAP ATTACHED TO THE TETHER ANCHORING POINT.
- ENSURE THE LAP PORTION OF 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.
- A CHILD IN A REAR-FACING CHILD RESTRAINT INSTALLED IN THE FRONT SEAT CAN BE BADLY INJURED BY THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IF IT INFLATES. NEVER USE A REAR-FACING CHILD RESTRAINT IN THE FRONT SEAT. IF A FORWARD-FACING CHILD RESTRAINT IS SUITABLE FOR YOUR CHILD, ALWAYS MOVE THE PASSENGER SEAT AS FAR BACK AS POSSIBLE. ATTACH BELT TO BUCKLE. TIGHTEN BELT. FOR MORE INFORMATION, SEE YOUR OWNER GUIDE AND THE INSTRUCTIONS THAT CAME WITH YOUR CHILD RESTRAINT.
- CAREFULLY FOLLOW ALL OF THE MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS THAT COME WITH SAFETY SEAT THAT YOU PUT IN YOUR VEHICLE. MAKE SURE THAT THE SHOULDER BELT (IF PROVIDED AT THE SEATING POSITION WHERE THE SAFETY SEAT IS BEING USED) DOES NOT CROSS OR REST IN FRONT OF THE CHILD'S FACE OR NECK. IF YOU DO NOT INSTALL AND USE THE SAFETY SEAT PROPERLY, THE CHILD MAY BE INJURED IN A SUDDEN STOP OR COLLISION.
Some manufacturers make child's safety seats with a tether strap that goes over the back of the vehicle seat and attaches to an anchoring point.
Use a child's safety seat that is recommended for the size and weight of the child. Always follow the safety seat manufacturer's instructions when installing and using the child's safety seat. When installing a child's safety seat be sure to use the correct safety belt buckle for that seating position and make sure the tongue is securely fastened in the buckle.
The following procedures are for installing safety seats in the front passenger seat and outer seats. Your vehicle is equipped with a dual locking mode retractor on the shoulder belt portion of the combination lap/shoulder safety belt for the front passenger seat and rear outer seats.
If you choose to install a child safety seat or infant carrier in these seating positions:
1. Position the child seat in the front passenger seat of the vehicle.
2. Pull down on shoulder belt, then pinch shoulder belt and lap belt together.
Buckling The Belt:
3. Follow the child seat manufacturer's instructions. Route the lap/shoulder belt through the child seat and insert the belt tongue into the buckle until you hear and feel the latch engage. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for belt routing.
4. Grasp the shoulder portion of the belt and pull downward until all of the belt is extracted and a click is heard. At this time, the retractor is in the automatic locking mode (child restraint mode).
5. Allow the belt to retract. A clicking should will be heard as the belt retracts. This indicates the retractor is in the automatic locking mode. Push down on the child seat while you pull in the direction of the retractor to remove any slack in the belt.
6. Before placing the child in the child seat, forcibly tilt the seat from side to side, and tug it forward to make sure that the seat is securely held in place.
7. Double check that the retractor is in the automatic locking mode. Try to pull more belt out of the retractor; if you cannot, the belt is in the automatic locking mode.
8. Check to make sure that the child seat is properly secured prior to each use. If the retractor is not locked, repeat Steps 4 through 7. To remove retractor from automatic locking mode, unbuckle the belt and allow webbing to retract fully. A click will be heard as the belt retracts. The belt is back in normal operating mode (vehicle sensitive emergency locking mode) when this click disappears.