Page 103 of 301
101
*
[SS03400( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Never adjust the driver's seat or seatback
when the vehicle is moving.
*
[SS03500( ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
Always drive and ride with your seatback
upright and the lap belt snug and low
across the hips.
%*
[SS03700(MBC )01/96]
Seatback Recline
[SS03900( BC )12/95]
one third page art:0010256-A
Front seatback release levers
*
[SS04200( BC )12/95]
It is not necessary to use the emergency seatback
release lever for rear seat entry or exit. The
seatback remains unlocked with normal usage
and locks only during emergency stopping, upon
impact, or on steep downhill grades. The inertia
seatback latch will allow the seatback to rotate
approximately 5Ê forward before it locks. The
release is provided only to unlock the seatback
when parked on steep downhill grades or after a
collision.
File:06rcssb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:58:44 1996
Page 107 of 301
![FORD THUNDERBIRD 1997 10.G Owners Manual 105
*
[SS11900( ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
Children should always ride with the
seatback in the fully upright position.
*
[SS12000( ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
Never let a passenger hold a child on his
or her lap wh FORD THUNDERBIRD 1997 10.G Owners Manual 105
*
[SS11900( ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
Children should always ride with the
seatback in the fully upright position.
*
[SS12000( ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
Never let a passenger hold a child on his
or her lap wh](/manual-img/11/5383/w960_5383-106.png)
105
*
[SS11900( ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
Children should always ride with the
seatback in the fully upright position.
*
[SS12000( ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
Never let a passenger hold a child on his
or her lap while the vehicle is moving.
The passenger cannot protect the child
from injury in a collision.
*
[SS12100( ALL)02/96]
RWARNING
Lock the doors of your vehicle before
driving to lessen the risk of the door
coming open in a collision.
%
*
[SS12200( ALL)02/96]
Combination Lap and Shoulder
Belts
*
[SS12300( ALL)12/95]
While your vehicle is in motion, the combination
lap and shoulder belt adjusts to your movement.
However, if you brake hard, corner hard or if
your vehicle receives an impact of 5 mph
(8 km/h) or more, the lap and shoulder belt
locks and helps reduce your forward movement.
*
[SS12400( ALL)01/96]
After you get into your vehicle, close the door
and lock it. Then adjust the seat to the position
that suits you best.
[SS12600( ALL)12/95]
To fasten the belt,pull the lap/shoulder belt
from the retractor so that the shoulder portion of
the belt crosses your shoulder and chest. Be sure
the belt is not twisted. If it is, remove the twist.
Insert the belt tongue into the proper buckle
until you hear a snap and feel it latch. Make
sure the tongue is securely fastened in the
buckle.
File:06rcssb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:58:44 1996
Page 108 of 301
106
*
[SS12700( BCGV)01/96]
quarter page art:0010018-B
Fastening the front seat combination lap and shoulder belt
[SS13000( BCGV)12/95]
one third page art:0010502-A
Fastening the rear seat combination lap and shoulder belt
*
[SS13200( ALL)02/96]
NOTE: Be sure to read and understand
Important Safety Belt Informationin
this chapter.
%*
[SS13400( BC )05/96]
Safety Belts for the Front Passenger
Outboard Seating Positions
*
[SS13700( BC )05/96]
Your vehicle is equipped with a dual locking
mode retractor on the shoulder belt portion of
the combination lap/shoulder safety belt for
front seat passengers and a locking ªcinch
tongueº for rear outboard passengers.
File:06rcssb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:58:44 1996
Page 109 of 301
![FORD THUNDERBIRD 1997 10.G Owners Manual 107
*
[SS13900( ALL)02/96]
Dual locking mode retractors operate in two
ways:
*
[SS14000( ALL)02/96]
Vehicle sensitive (emergency) locking mode
[SS14100( ALL)12/95]
In this operating mode, the shoulder FORD THUNDERBIRD 1997 10.G Owners Manual 107
*
[SS13900( ALL)02/96]
Dual locking mode retractors operate in two
ways:
*
[SS14000( ALL)02/96]
Vehicle sensitive (emergency) locking mode
[SS14100( ALL)12/95]
In this operating mode, the shoulder](/manual-img/11/5383/w960_5383-108.png)
107
*
[SS13900( ALL)02/96]
Dual locking mode retractors operate in two
ways:
*
[SS14000( ALL)02/96]
Vehicle sensitive (emergency) locking mode
[SS14100( ALL)12/95]
In this operating mode, the shoulder belt
retractor will allow the occupant freedom of
movement, locking tight only on hard braking,
hard cornering or impacts of approximately
5 mph (8 km/h) or more. The retractor can also
be made to lock by pulling/jerking on the belt.
%*
[SS14200( ALL)02/96]
Automatic locking mode
*
[SS14300( ALL)08/95]
In this operating mode, the shoulder belt
retractor will be automatically locked and remain
locked when the combination lap/shoulder
safety belt is buckled, and does not allow the
occupant freedom of movement. This mode
provides the following:
[SS14400( ALL)04/96]
q
A tight lap/shoulder belt fit on the occupant.
[SS14500( ALL)04/96]
q
Child seat or infant carrier installation
restraint.
*
[SS14600( ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Rear-facing child seats or infant carriers
should never be placed in the front seats.
*
[SS14700( ALL)01/96]
This modemust be usedwhen installing a child
safety seat on the front passenger seat and rear
outboard seats where dual locking retractors are
provided.
File:06rcssb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:58:44 1996
Page 110 of 301
![FORD THUNDERBIRD 1997 10.G Owners Manual 108
*
[SS14800( ALL)01/96]
To switch the retractor from the emergency
locking mode to the automatic locking mode,
perform the following steps:
*
[SS14900( ALL)02/96]
1. Buckle the lap/shoulder combina FORD THUNDERBIRD 1997 10.G Owners Manual 108
*
[SS14800( ALL)01/96]
To switch the retractor from the emergency
locking mode to the automatic locking mode,
perform the following steps:
*
[SS14900( ALL)02/96]
1. Buckle the lap/shoulder combina](/manual-img/11/5383/w960_5383-109.png)
108
*
[SS14800( ALL)01/96]
To switch the retractor from the emergency
locking mode to the automatic locking mode,
perform the following steps:
*
[SS14900( ALL)02/96]
1. Buckle the lap/shoulder combination belt.
*
[SS15000( ALL)01/96]
2. Grasp the shoulder portion of the belt and
pull downward until all of the belt is
extracted and, when allowed to retract, a
clicking sound is heard. At this time, the belt
retractor is in the automatic locking mode
(child restraint mode).
*
[SS15100( ALL)12/95]
3. A clicking sound will continue to be heard
as the belt is allowed to retract.
[SS15200( ALL)04/96]
NOTE: When the combination lap/shoulder
belt is unbuckled and allowed to
retract completely, the retractor will
switch back to the vehicle sensitive
(emergency) locking mode. See the
detailed instructions underSafety Seats
for Childrenin this chapter.
%*
[SS17600( BC )05/96]
Safety Belts with Locking Cinch Tongue
for Rear Outboard Seating Positions
*
[SS17700( BC )05/96]
Your vehicle is equipped with safety seat belts
containing a cinch tongue at the rear outboard
seating positions.
*
[SS17800( BC )05/96]
The locking cinch tongue will slide up and
down the belt webbing when the belt is in the
stowed position or while putting seat belts on.
When the locking cinch tongue of the
lap/shoulder combination seat belt is latched
into the buckle, the cinch tongue will allow the
lap portion to become shorter, but locks the
webbing in place to restrict it from becoming
longer.
File:06rcssb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:58:44 1996
Page 113 of 301
111
*
[SS18700( BC )05/96]
While you are fastened in the seat belt, the
combination lap/shoulder belt with a cinch
tongue adjusts to your movement. However, if
you brake hard, turn hard, or if your vehicle
receives an impact of 5 mph (8 km/h) or more,
the safety belt will become locked and help
reduce your forward movement.
[SS18800( ALL)01/96]
To unfasten all the belts:
[SS18900(MBC )01/96]
1. Push the release button on the end of the
buckle. This allows the tongue to unlatch
from the buckle.
[SS19100( BC )12/95]
one third page art:0011336-A
Unfastening the front outboard lap/shoulder belts
[SS19200( BC )12/95]
one third page art:0011370-A
Unfastening the rear outboard lap/shoulder belts
File:06rcssb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:58:44 1996
Page 114 of 301
![FORD THUNDERBIRD 1997 10.G Owners Manual 112
*
[SS19600( ALL)01/96]
2. While the belt retracts, guide the tongue to
its stowed position. If you do not guide the
tongue, it may strike you or part of the
vehicle.
% [SS20200( BC )12/95]Lap Belt FORD THUNDERBIRD 1997 10.G Owners Manual 112
*
[SS19600( ALL)01/96]
2. While the belt retracts, guide the tongue to
its stowed position. If you do not guide the
tongue, it may strike you or part of the
vehicle.
% [SS20200( BC )12/95]Lap Belt](/manual-img/11/5383/w960_5383-113.png)
112
*
[SS19600( ALL)01/96]
2. While the belt retracts, guide the tongue to
its stowed position. If you do not guide the
tongue, it may strike you or part of the
vehicle.
% [SS20200( BC )12/95]Lap Belts Ð Rear Center Seating
Positions
*
[SS20500( BC )12/95]
The lap belt in the center of the rear seat does
not adjust automatically. You must adjust it to
fit snugly and as low as possible around your
hips. Do not wear it around your waist.
*
[SS20600( BCGV)01/96]
Pull the belt across your hips andinsert the
tongue into the correct buckleon your seat
until you hear a snap and feel it lock. Make sure
the buckle is securely fastened.
%*
[SS20700( BCGV)01/96]
If you need to lengthen the belt, unfasten it and
tip the belt tongue at a right angle to the belt.
Pull the belt tongue over your lap until it
reaches the buckle.
*
[SS20800( BCGV)01/96]
If you need to shorten the belt, pull on the loose
end of the webbing until the belt fits snugly.
*
[SS20900( BCGV)12/95]
To unfasten the belt,push the release button on
the buckle. This allows the tongue to unlatch
from the buckle.
[SS21000( BC )12/95]
Because the center lap belt does not have a
retractor, it should be shortened and fastened
when not in use.
File:06rcssb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:58:44 1996
Page 122 of 301
![FORD THUNDERBIRD 1997 10.G Owners Manual 120 %
*
[SS27100( ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
When using forward-facing child seats
move the passenger seat as far back from
the instrument panel as possible. Never
secure rear-facing infant seats in the fron FORD THUNDERBIRD 1997 10.G Owners Manual 120 %
*
[SS27100( ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
When using forward-facing child seats
move the passenger seat as far back from
the instrument panel as possible. Never
secure rear-facing infant seats in the fron](/manual-img/11/5383/w960_5383-121.png)
120 %
*
[SS27100( ALL)03/96]
RWARNING
When using forward-facing child seats
move the passenger seat as far back from
the instrument panel as possible. Never
secure rear-facing infant seats in the front
seat.
%*
[SS27200( ALL)01/96]
Safety Seats for Children
*
[SS27300( ALL)01/96]
Use a safety seat that is recommended for the
size and weight of the child. Always follow the
safety seat manufacturer's instructions when
installing and using the safety seat.
*
[SS27500( ALL)01/96]
When installing a child safety seat, be sure to
use the correct safety belt buckle for that seating
position, and make sure the tongue is securely
fastened in the buckle. For a shoulder/lap belt
combination with a sliding tongue, make sure
the retractor is in the automatic locking mode.
*
[SS27600( ALL)05/96]
Children weighing less than 40 lbs. (18 kg)
should use child or infant seats. Forward facing
child seats must have the passenger seat moved
as far back from the instrument panel as
possible.
*
[SS27700( ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Rear-facing child seats or infant carriers
should never be placed in the front seats.
*
[SS27800( ALL)05/96]
All child restraint systems are designed to be
secured in vehicle seats by lap belts or by the
lap portion of a lap-shoulder belt.
File:06rcssb.ex
Update:Thu May 30 10:58:44 1996