1997 FORD EXPLORER Owners Manual

Press to increase (+ ) or decrease
(-) lumbar support.
Memory seats (if equipped)
This system allows automatic
positioning of the driver seat to
three programmable positions.
²To program position one, move
the driver seat to the desired
position using the seat controls.
Press the SET control. The SET
control indicator light will briefly
illuminate. While the light is
illuminated, press control 1.
²To program position two, repeat
the previous procedure using
control 2.
²To program position three,
repeat the previous procedure
but press controls 1 and 2
simultaneously.
A position can only be recalled
when the automatic transmission
gearshift is in P (Park) or the
manual transmission gearshift is in
N (Neutral). A memory seat
position may be programmed at
any time.
+–
SET
12
uno_remote_seat_controls
uno_seat_belts
Seating and safety restraints
82

SAFETY RESTRAINTS
Important safety restraints
precautions
The use of safety belts helps to
restrain both driver and passengers
in case of a collision. In most
states and Canada, the law
requires the use of safety belts.
Always drive and ride with
your seatback upright and
the lap belt snug and low across
the hips.
Lock the doors of your
vehicle before driving to
lessen the risk of the door
coming open in a collision.
Cargo should always be
secured to prevent it from
shifting and causing damage to
the vehicle or harm to
passengers.
To prevent the risk of
injury, make sure children
sit where they can be properly
restrained.
uno_safety_res_prec
uno_using_sr_properly
Seating and safety restraints
83

Using safety restraints properly
Combination lap and shoulder
belts
Insert the tongue into the slot in
the buckle fasten.
Push the red release button and
remove the tongue from the slot to
unfasten.
The outboard safety restraints in
the vehicle are combination lap
and shoulder belts. The front and
rear seat passenger outboard
safety belts have two types of
locking modes.
Vehicle sensitive (emergency)
locking mode
The vehicle sensitive mode is the
normal retractor mode which locks
the belts in response to vehicle
movement. For example, if the
driver brakes suddenly, turns a
corner sharply or your vehicle
receives an impact of 8 km/h (5
mph) or more the combination
safety belts will lock to help
reduce the forward movement of
the driver and passengers.
The retractor can be made to lock
by pulling sharply on the belt.
uno_comb_lap_sh_belts
uno_man_lock_lap_sh_belt
uno_automatic_locking_mode
Seating and safety restraints
84

Automatic locking mode
In this mode, the shoulder belt is
automatically prelocked; however,
the belt will 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
²When a tight lap and shoulder
belt fit is desired.
²Any timea child safety seat is
installed in the vehicle. For
information on the proper use of
a child safety seat, refer to
Child safety seatslater in this
chapter.
Using automatic locking mode
The automatic locking mode must
be used when installing a child
safety seat in any outboard
passenger seat.
1. Buckle the combination lap and
shoulder belt.
2. Grasp the shoulder belt portion
and pull downward until the entire
belt is extracted.
3. Allow the belt to retract. As the
belt retracts, you will hear a
clicking sound. This indicates that
the safety belt is now in the
automatic locking mode.
uno_when_to_use_almode
uno_using_auto_locking_mode
uno_cancel_air
Seating and safety restraints
85

Canceling automatic locking
mode
Disconnect the combination lap
and shoulder belt and allow it to
completely retract. This will cancel
the automatic locking mode and
activate the vehicle sensitive
(emergency) locking mode.
Front seat safety belt height
adjustment
Adjust the height of the shoulder
belt so that the belt rests across
the middle of your shoulder.
To lower the height of the shoulder
belt:
²Push the button down.
²Slide down.
To raise the height of the shoulder
belt:
²Slide up.
²Pull down on the height adjuster
to make sure that it is locked in
place.uno_front_sbelt_height_adjust
uno_lap_belts
Seating and safety restraints
86

Using lap belts
Adjusting the lap belt
A lap belt is located in the center
of the rear seat.
To shorten the belt:
²Buckle the belt.
²Pull the loose end of the belt
until snug.
To lengthen the belt:
²Tip and pull the tongue.
Do not wear the lap belt around
your waist.
Safety belt indicator light and
warning chime
illuminates in the instrument
cluster and a chime sounds to
remind the occupants to fasten
their safety belts:
uno_adjusting_lap_belts
uno_indicator_light
Seating and safety restraints
87

Conditions of operation
If......Then.....
The driver's safety belt is not
buckled before the ignition key
is turned to On. .The safety belt indicator illuminates
for 1-2 minutes and the warning
chime sounds for 4- 8 seconds.
The driver's safety belt is
buckled while the indicator
light is illuminated and the
reminder chime is sounding . .
.The safety belt indicator light and
reminder chime turn off.
The driver's safety belt is
buckled before the ignition key
is turned to On. . .The safety belt indicator light and
reminder chime remain off.
Energy absorbing sew pattern
The short plastic boot on the front
safety belt at the passenger
outboard anchor location covers an
energy absorbing sew pattern on
the safety belt.
In the event of a collision, the sew
pattern may release and the
colored label (REPLACE BELT)
may become visible. If this occurs,
the safety belt must be replaced.
Whenever the orange
portion of the label is
visible, the safety belt must be
replaced.
Failure to follow these
instructions will affect the
performance of the safety belts
and increase the risk of personal
injury.
uno_sbelt_maint
uno_sbelt_extension
Seating and safety restraints
88

Safety belt extension assembly
The safety belt may be too short
even when it is fully extended.
Approximately 20 cm (8 inches)
may be added to the length of the
belt with a safety belt extension
(part # 611C22). Safety belt
extensions are available at no cost
from your dealer.
Only use extensions manufactured
by the same supplier as the safety
belt. Manufacturer identification is
located at the end of the webbing
on the label.
Do not use the extension to
change the fit of the shoulder belt
across the torso.
AIR BAG / SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS)
Important supplemental
restraint system (SRS)
precautions
The supplemental restraint system
is designed to:
²work with the safety belt to
protect the driver and right
front passenger
²reduce certain upper body
injuries
uno_air_bags
com_important_precautions.01
Seating and safety restraints
89