F-250 Light Duty (1999 year). Manual — part 22

Automatic locking mode

In this mode, the shoulder belt is automatically pre-locked. The belt will
still retract to remove any slack in the shoulder belt.

The automatic locking mode is not available on the driver safety belt.

When to use the automatic locking mode
• When a tight lap/shoulder fit is desired.
• Anytime a child safety seat is installed in a passenger front or

outboard rear seating position (if equipped). Refer to Safety
Restraints for Children or Safety Seats for Children later in this
chapter.

How to use the automatic locking mode
• Buckle the combination lap and

shoulder belt.

• Grasp the shoulder portion and

pull downward until the entire
belt is extracted.

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• Allow the belt to retract. As the belt retracts, you will hear a clicking

sound. This indicates the safety belt is now in the automatic locking
mode.

How to disengage the automatic locking mode

Disconnect the combination lap/shoulder belt and allow it to retract
completely to disengage the automatic locking mode and activate the
vehicle sensitive (emergency) locking mode.

Front safety belt height adjustment

Your vehicle has safety belt height
adjustments for the driver and front
passenger. Adjust the height of the
shoulder belt so the belt rests
across the middle of your shoulder.

To lower the shoulder belt height,
push the button and slide the height
control down. To raise the height of
the shoulder belt, slide the height
adjuster up. Pull down on the height
adjustment assembly to make sure it
is locked in place.

Position the shoulder belt height adjuster so that the belt rests
across the middle of your shoulder. Failure to adjust the safety

belt properly could reduce the effectiveness of the safety belt and
increase the risk of injury in a collision.

Lap belts

Adjusting the lap belt

The lap belt does not adjust automatically.

The lap belts should fit snugly and as low as possible around the
hips, not around the waist.

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Insert the tongue into the correct
buckle (the buckle closest to the
direction the tongue is coming
from). To lengthen the belt, turn the
tongue at a right angle to the belt
and pull across your lap until it
reaches the buckle. To tighten the
belt, pull the loose end of the belt
through the tongue until it fits
snugly across the hips.

Shorten and fasten the belt when
not in use.

Safety belt extension assembly

If the safety belt assembly is too short, even when fully extended, 20 cm
(8 inches) can be added to the safety belt assembly by adding a safety
belt extension assembly (part number 611C22). Safety belt extension
assemblies can be obtained from your dealer at no cost.

Use only extensions manufactured by the same supplier as the safety
belt. Manufacturer identification is located at the end of the webbing on
the label. Also, use the safety belt extension only if the safety belt is too
short for you when fully extended. Do not use extensions to change the
fit of the shoulder belt across the torso.

Safety belt warning light and indicator chime

The seat belt warning light illuminates in the instrument cluster and a
chime sounds to remind the occupants to fasten their safety belts.

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Conditions of operation

If...

Then...

The driver’s safety belt is not
buckled before the ignition switch
is turned to the ON position...

The safety belt warning light
illuminates for one to two minutes
and the warning chime sounds for
four to eight seconds.

The driver’s safety belt is buckled
while the indicator light is
illuminated and the warning chime
is sounding...

The safety belt warning light and
warning chime turn off.

The driver’s safety belt is buckled
before the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position...

The safety belt warning light and
indicator chime remain off.

Safety belt maintenance

Inspect the safety belt systems periodically to make sure they work
properly and are not damaged. Inspect the safety belts to make sure
there are no nicks, wears or cuts, replacing if necessary. All safety belt
assemblies, including retractors, buckles, front seat belt buckle
assemblies, buckle support assemblies (slide bar-if equipped), shoulder
belt height adjusters (if equipped), child safety seat tether bracket
assemblies (if equipped), and attaching hardware, should be inspected
after a collision. Ford recommends that all safety belt assemblies used in
vehicles involved in a collision be replaced. However, if the collision was
minor and a qualified technician finds that the belts do not show damage
and continue to operate properly, they do not need to be replaced.
Safety belt assemblies not in use during a collision should also be
inspected and replaced if either damage or improper operation is noted.

Failure to inspect and if necessary replace the safety belt
assembly under the above conditions could result in severe

personal injuries in the event of a collision.

Refer to Cleaning and maintaining the safety belts in the
Maintenance and care section.

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