Ford Fusion Quiz
Seat Belts

Seatbelt Locking Modes

In this manual: Seat Belts
Introduction — 7Environment — 1At a Glance — 1Child Safety — 9Seat Belts — 8Personal Safety System™ — 1Additional Restrictions — 8Keys and Remote Controls — 8MyKey™ — 5Doors & Locks — 10Safety — 3Steering Wheel — 5Wipers and Washers — 4Lighting — 8Automatic High Beam Control — 3Windows and Mirrors — 6Instrument Cluster — 4Information Displays — 5Climate Control — 10Seats — 9Garage Door Opener — 1Auxiliary Power Points — 3Storage Compartments — 1Starting and Stopping the Engine — 4Unique Driving Characteristics (if equipped) — 1Fuel and Refueling — 9Engine Emission Control — 5Infection Transmission — 1All-Wheel Drive — 1Brakes — 4Traction Control — 1Stability Control — 1Park Aid — 13Cruise Control — 10Driver Assistance — 14Loading — 1Tow/Haul — 5Driving Tips — 3Roadside Emergencies — 5Customer Assistance — 6Fuses — 3Maintenance — 16Vehicle Care — 9Wheels and Tires — 13Capacities and Specifications — 11Connected Vehicle — 1Wi-Fi Hotspot — 1Audio System — 7SYNC™ — 7SYNC™ 3 — 16Accessories — 1Ford Protect — 3Scheduled Maintenance — 5Appendices — 4
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All seatbelts in the vehicle are combination lap and shoulder belts. The driver's seatbelt has the first type of locking mode, while the front outboard passenger and rear seatbelts have both types of locking modes, described as follows:

Vehicle-Sensitive Locking Mode

This is the normal retractor mode, which allows the shoulder belt free length to adjust to your movements and locks in response to vehicle movement. For example, if the driver brakes suddenly, turns a corner sharply, or the vehicle is struck at a speed of approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) or more, the combination seatbelt locks to help reduce forward movement of the driver and passengers.

In addition, the retractor design must lock if you pull the belt too quickly. If the seatbelt retractor has locked, slowly lower the height adjuster to allow the seatbelt to retract. If the retractor does not unlock, slowly pull out the seatbelt, then allow a small length of belt to retract back into the stowed position. For rear seatbelts, recline the rear seatback or push the seat cushion away from the seatbelt. Allow a small length of belt to retract back into 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 seatbelt.

When to Use Automatic Locking Mode

Use this mode whenever you install a child safety seat, other than a booster seat, in a front passenger or rear seating position. Properly restrain children 12 years old and younger in the rear seat whenever possible.

How to Use Automatic Locking Mode

Ford Fusion. Seatbelt Locking Modes
  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. As the belt retracts, you will hear a clicking sound. This indicates that the seatbelt is now in automatic locking mode.

How to Deactivate Automatic Locking Mode

Unfasten the combination lap and shoulder belt and allow it to retract fully to deactivate automatic locking mode and return the seatbelt to the vehicle-sensitive (emergency) locking mode.

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