Installing Child Tether Hardware

WARNING: YOUR VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG. FRONT PASSENGERS, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN AND SMALL ADULTS, SHOULD NEVER SIT ON THE EDGE OF THE SEAT, STAND NEAR THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, OR LEAN OVER WITH THEIR FACES NEAR THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. ALL OCCUPANTS SHOULD SIT WITH THEIR BACKS AGAINST THE SEAT BACK AND USE THE SAFETY BELTS. CHILDREN WEIGHING LESS THAN 40 LBS. (18 KG) SHOULD USE CHILD OR INFANT SEATS. FORWARD-FACING CHILD SEATS MUST HAVE THE PASSENGER SEAT MOVED AS FAR BACK FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AS POSSIBLE. REAR-FACING INFANT SEATS SHOULD NEVER BE USED IN THE FRONT SEAT, BECAUSE THE FORCE OF THE RAPIDLY INFLATING PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD PUSH THE TOP OF THE REAR-FACING SEAT AGAINST THE VEHICLE SEAT BACK, CENTER ARMRESTS OR CENTER CONSOLE (IF SO EQUIPPED). REAR-FACING INFANT SEATS MUST ALWAYS BE PLACED IN THE REAR SEAT.

WARNING: FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE PRECAUTIONS COULD INCREASE THE RISK AND/OR SEVERITY OF INJURY IN A COLLISION.

NOTE: For additional important safety information on the proper use of safety belts and child safety seats, please refer to the Owner Guide.

To install a tether for a forward-facing child safety seat in the right front seat:
- Move the front seat as far back as possible.
- Buckle the right rear lap/shoulder safety belt (in the seat directly behind the right front passenger seat).
- Pull all the stored belt out of the rear seat safety belt retractor.
- Let the retractor wind up the slack from the lap/shoulder safety belt. A clicking sound will be heard which means the safety belt retractor is now in the automatic locking mode (child restraint mode).
- Install the child safety seat in the center of the right front seat. Loop the tether strap around the lap belt portion of the buckled lap/shoulder safety belt. Then hook the clasp of the tether strap to the looped tether strap webbing.
- Tighten the tether strap.

NOTE: To remove the retractor from the automatic locking mode (child restraint mode), allow safety belt to retract fully to its stowed position and the retractor will automatically switch back to the emergency locking mode for normal adult usage.

- Prior to each use of the child safety seat, check to make sure that the rear seat safety belt retractor is still in the automatic locking mode. Repeat above procedure if the rear seat retractor is found not to be in the automatic locking mode or the safety belt has been unbuckled and allowed to retract.

To install a tether for a forward-facing child safety seat in the center front seating position:
- Buckle the center rear safety belt (in the seat directly behind the center front passenger seat).
- Install the child safety seat in the center front seat.
- Loop the tether strap around the lap belt portion of the buckled lap/shoulder safety belt. Then hook the clasp of the tether strap to the looped tether strap webbing.
- Tighten the tether strap.
- If you use a tethered child safety seat on one of the three (3) rear passenger seating positions, you can attach the tether strap to the appropriate tether anchor located behind that seating position.

Tether Anchor Hardware

WARNING: FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE PRECAUTIONS COULD INCREASE THE CHANCE AND/OR SEVERITY OF AN INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT.

If child safety belt anchor tether is required for the child's safety seat, child safety belt anchor tether hardware can be obtained free from any Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer. Attachment holes at each rear seating position have been provided in all vehicles. All station wagon models are equipped with child safety seat tether anchorages for all three rear seating positions.

All vehicles built for sale in Canada include a child safety belt anchor tether hardware kit for use with Canadian Child Safety Seats.

WARNING: WHEN USING ANY INFANT OR CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER CONCERNING ITS INSTALLATION AND USE. FAILURE TO FOLLOW EACH OF THE RESTRAINT MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS CAN RESULT IN A CHILD STRIKING THE VEHICLE'S INTERIOR DURING A SUDDEN STOP OR COLLISION.

WARNING: IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE BOLT/ANCHOR BE SECURELY TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION. OTHERWISE, THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SECURED AND THE CHILD COULD BE INJURED IN CASE OF A SUDDEN STOP OR COLLISION.

WARNING: CHILDREN HAVING A SEATING HEIGHT GREATER THAN 71 CM (28 INCHES) SHOULD USE THE SAFETY BELTS PROVIDED WITH THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE SHOULDER BELT PORTION OF THE LAP SHOULDER SAFETY BELT SHOULD NOT BE USED IF IT CONTACTS THE CHILD'S FACE, CHIN, NECK OR THROAT. IF THE SHOULDER BELT CONTACTS OR REMAINS IN FRONT OF THE CHILD'S FACE, CHIN, NECK OR THROAT, MOVE THE CHILD TO A SEAT WITH A LAP SAFETY BELT ONLY (IF AVAILABLE). FAILURE TO FOLLOW THIS PRECAUTION CAN INCREASE THE RISK OR SEVERITY OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION.

WARNING: DO NOT PLACE INFANT OR CHILD SEATS IN THE AUXILIARY (THIRD) SEAT BECAUSE IT MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION FROM PERSONAL INJURY IN A COLLISION.

Some aftermarket child safety seats provide a tether strap which goes over the back of the vehicle seat and attaches to an anchor in the floor or panel behind the rear seat.

Attachment holes (at each rear seating position) have been provided to attach the child safety belt anchor tether hardware kit.

When installing a tethered child safety seat the tether strap must be attached to either the tongue of the center rear lap belt or to the webbing of the buckled center rear lap belt.