Ford Escape Quiz
Seat Belts

Sensitive Locking Mode. Automatic Locking Mode

In this manual: Seat Belts
Introduction — 1Symbol Glossary — 1Data Privacy — 7At a Glance — 1Child Safety — 11Seat Belts — 9Personal Safety System™ — 1Airbags — 8Pedestrian Warning System. 911 Assist — 1Keys and Remote Controls — 8MyKey™ — 5Doors & Locks — 5Keyless Entry — 6Easy Entry and Exit — 1Liftgate - Vehicles With: Manual Liftgate — 3Liftgate - Vehicles With: Power Liftgate — 6Safety — 4Steering Wheel — 1Wipers and Washers — 7Exterior Lighting — 8Interior Lighting — 4Windows — 3Interior Mirror — 1Exterior Mirrors — 1Sunroof (if equipped) — 4Instrument Cluster — 16Instrument Cluster Display — 14Trip Computer — 3Head-Up Display (If Equipped) — 1Remote Start — 5Climate Control — 7Cabin Air Quality — 1Front Seats — 5Rear Seats — 1Rear Seat Reminder — 1Memory Function — 1Garage Door Opener — 7USB Ports — 3Power Point - Vehicles With: 12V Outlet — 1Wireless Accessory Charger — 1Storage — 1Starting and Stopping the Engine — 9Hybrid Electric Vehicle Information — 6Auto Start-Stop — 1Fuel and Refueling — 10Catalytic Converter — 1High-Voltage Battery — 1Charging Your Vehicle – Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) — 7Automatic Transmission — 8All-Wheel Drive — 1Brakes — 4Electric parking brake — 1Hill Start Assist — 1Auto Hold — 1Traction Control — 1Stability Control — 1Steering — 1Park Aid — 7Rearview Camera — 1Active Park Assist — 5Cruise Control — 1Adaptive Cruise Control — 10Drive Mode Control — 5Lane Keeping System — 6Blind Spot Information System — 5Cross-Traffic Alert — 5Pre-Collision Assist — 9Driver Alert — 4Traffic Sign Recognition — 4Loading — 6Cargo Area — 1Trailer Hitch Connection — 3Towing a Trailer — 4Trailer Sway Control — 1Driving Tips — 4Breakdown and Emergency Information — 7Towing Your Vehicle — 4Fuses — 4Maintenance — 14Vehicle Care — 5Body Styling Kits — 1Storing Your Vehicle — 1Wheels and Tires Information — 6Tire Care — 4Tire Sealant and Inflator Kit — 8Tire Pressure Monitoring System — 4Road Wheel Replacement — 1Capacities and Specifications — 16Vehicle Identification — 1Connected Vehicle — 4Vehicle Wi-Fi Hotspot — 3Audio System — 8SYNC™ (if equipped) — 9SYNC™ 3 (if equipped) — 41Accessories — 1Ford Protect — 1Scheduled Maintenance — 4Customer Information — 23Appendices — 3
11steps
~66min
3/5difficulty
Done 0 of 11

Sensitive Locking Mode

What is Sensitive Locking Mode

Sensitive Locking Mode is a seat belt retractor function that allows the shoulder belt length to adjust to your movements and lock in response to vehicle movement.

How Sensitive Locking Mode Works

If the driver brakes hard, turns sharply, or the vehicle is struck at approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) or more, the seat belt retractor locks to help reduce forward movement of the driver and passengers. In addition, the retractor locks if you pull the seat belt webbing out quickly. If the retractor is locked, slowly lower the height adjuster to allow the seat belt to retract.

If the retractor does not unlock, slowly pull the seat belt webbing out, then allow a small amount of webbing to retract back to the stowed position.

Automatic Locking Mode

What is Automatic Locking Mode

This is a safety feature built into the seat belt retractors that keeps the seat belts pre-fastened.

Engaging Automatic Locking Mode

Ford Escape. Sensitive Locking Mode. Automatic Locking Mode
  1. Fasten the lap and shoulder seat belt.
  2. Grasp the shoulder portion and pull down until the entire belt is extended.
  3. Allow the belt to retract. As the belt retracts, you will hear a click. This indicates that the seat belt is now in automatic locking mode.

Disengaging Automatic Locking Mode

Unbuckle the lap and shoulder seat belt and allow it to fully retract to disengage automatic locking mode and activate the vehicle's sensitive locking mode.

Unlocking Seat Belts in the Outboard Rear Seats

Seat belts in the outboard rear position may lock if you firmly return the seatback to the upright position. You can unlock the seat belts using the following procedures.

For vehicles with folding rear seats:

  1. Fully fold the seatback forward.
  2. The seat belt should then unlock.
  3. Return the seatback to the desired upright position.

For vehicles with rear seats that do not fold or lock in a fully reclined seatback position:

  1. Grasp the seat belt webbing at the top of the seatback.
  2. Firmly pull the seat belt webbing forward.
  3. While pulling the seat belt forward, allow the webbing to retract into the seat belt retractor as far as possible. If necessary, press the seatback down to allow the webbing to be pulled out farther.
  4. The seat belt should then unlock.
  5. If the seat belt does not unlock, repeat steps 1-3.

Test yourself

A quick Ford Escape quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.