Ford Excursion (2000 year). Manual — part 22

• 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

Ford recommends that all safety belt assemblies and attaching
hardware should be inspected by a qualified technician after any

collision. Safety belt assemblies not in use during a collision should also
be inspected and replaced if either damage or improper operation is
noted.

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.

Energy Management Feature

• This vehicle has a seat belt system with an energy management

feature at the front outboard seating position to help further reduce
the risk of injury in the event of a head-on collision.

• The front outboard seat belt system has a retractor assembly that is

designed to pay out webbing in a controlled manner. This feature is
designed to help reduce the belt force acting on the occupant’s chest.

After any vehicle collision, the seat belt system at all outboard
seating positions (except driver, which has no “automatic locking

retractor” feature) must be checked by a qualified technician to verify
that the “automatic locking retractor” feature for child seats is still
functioning properly. In addition, all seat belts should be checked for
proper function.

BELT AND RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED if
the seat belt assembly “automatic locking retractor” feature or

any other seat belt function is not operating properly when checked
according to the procedures in Workshop Manual.

Failure to replace the Belt and Retractor assembly could
increase the risk of injury in collisions.

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87

Safety belt replacement label

The short plastic boot on the front
safety belt at the passenger
outboard anchor location covers a
“Replace Belt” label on the safety
belt.

In the event of a collision, the
colored label (REPLACE BELT)
may become visible. If this occurs,
the safety belt must be replaced.

Whenever the yellow
portion of the label is

visible, the safety belt must be
replaced.

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88

Failure to follow these instructions will affect the performance of
the safety belts and increase the risk of personal injury.

Front and second row safety belt height adjustment

Your vehicle has safety belt height
adjustments for the driver, front
passenger and second row
passengers. 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 down and slide the
height adjuster down. To raise the
height of the shoulder belt, slide the
height adjuster up. Pull down on the
height adjuster to make sure it is locked in place.

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

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

Lap belts

Adjusting the lap belt

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

• 1st row and 3rd row (if equipped) center seating positions
The lap belt does not adjust automatically.

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89

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.

• 2nd row center seating position (if equipped)
The lap belt will adjust automatically. To fasten, grasp the tongue, and with
a continuous motion, pull out enough webbing to buckle the tongue into
the correct buckle. If you did not pull out enough webbing to reach the
buckle, allow the tongue to retract fully before trying to pull it out again.

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.

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