Ford Explorer Quiz
Seat Belts

Seatbelt Locking Modes

In this manual: Seat Belts
Introduction — 10At a Glance — 3Child Safety — 11Seat Belts — 10Personal Safety System™ — 1Supplemental Restraint System — 10Pedestrian Protection — 1911 Assist — 3Keys and Remote Controls — 10MyKey™ — 8Doors & Locks — 9Liftgate — 7Safety — 3Steering Wheel — 11Wipers and Washers — 5Lighting — 13Automatic High Beam Control — 3Windows and Mirrors — 6Instrument Cluster — 4Information Displays — 4Climate Control — 6Cabin Air Quality — 2Seats — 9Garage Door Opener — 2Auxiliary Power Points — 3Storage Compartments — 2Starting and Stopping the Engine — 5Unique Driving Characteristics — 4Fuel and Refueling — 8Engine Emission Control — 3High-Voltage Battery — 1Infection Transmission — 8All-Wheel Drive Vehicle — 1Brakes — 5Reverse Brake Assist — 4Traction Control — 1Stability Control — 3Hill Descent Control — 3Park Aid — 8Cruise Control — 4Adaptive Cruise Control — 19Driver Assistance — 12Drive Mode Control — 4Loading — 6Tow/Haul — 6Driving Tips — 5Roadside Emergencies — 8Customer Assistance — 9Fuses — 3Maintenance — 21Vehicle Care — 12Wheels and Tires — 8Capacities and Specifications — 16Connectivity — 3Wi-Fi Hotspot — 3Audio System — 6SYNC™ 3 — 14Accessories — 1Ford Protect — 1Scheduled Maintenance — 5Appendices — 4
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All seat belt systems in the vehicle are combined lap and shoulder belts. The driver's seat belt has a Type 1 locking mode, while the front outboard passenger and rear seat belts have both locking modes described below:

Vehicle-Sensitive Locking Mode

This is the normal retractor mode, which allows the shoulder belt length to be adjusted freely to your movements, and locks in response to vehicle movement. For example, if the driver brakes suddenly or turns a corner sharply, or if the vehicle is struck at a speed of approximately 8 km/h or more, the combined seat belts lock to reduce movement of the driver and passengers.

The retractor also locks if you pull the belt out too quickly. If the seat belt retractor has locked, slowly lower the height adjuster to allow the seat belt to retract. If the retractor does not unlock, pull the seat belt out slowly, then pull a small amount of belt back to the stowed position. For the rear seat belts, tilt the rear seat back or push the seat cushion away from the seat belt. Feed a small amount of belt back to the stowed position.

Automatic Locking Mode

In this mode, the shoulder belt is automatically pre-locked. The belt retracts to eliminate slack in the shoulder belt. Automatic Locking Mode is not available on the driver's seat belt.

When to Use Automatic Locking Mode

Use this mode whenever you install a child safety seat, other than a booster seat, in the front or rear passenger seat. Properly restrain children 12 years and under in the rear seat whenever possible. See Child Safety.

How to Use Automatic Locking Mode

  1. Fasten the combination lap and shoulder belt.
  2. Grasp the shoulder portion and pull down until the entire belt is pulled out. Allow the belt to retract. When the belt retracts, you will hear a click. This means the seat belt is now in Automatic Locking Mode.

How to Deactivate Automatic Locking Mode

Unbuckle the combined lap and shoulder belt and allow it to fully retract to cancel Automatic Locking Mode and return to Vehicle-Sensitive (emergency) Locking Mode.

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