2. To unfasten, push the release
button and remove the tongue from
the buckle.
Vehicle sensitive mode
Combination lap and shoulder belts in normal retractor mode allow free
shoulder belt length adjustment to your movements and locking in
response to vehicle movement. For example, if the driver brakes
suddenly or turns a corner sharply, or the vehicle receives an impact of
approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) or more, the combination safety belts will
lock to help reduce forward movement of the driver and passengers.
Belt sensitive mode
Combination lap and shoulder belts can also be made to lock manually by
quickly pulling on the shoulder belt.
Automatic locking mode
When to use the 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.
This mode should be usedany timea child safety seat (except a
booster) is installed in a passenger front or outboard rear seating
position (if equipped). Children 12 years old and under should be
properly restrained in the rear seat whenever possible. Refer toSafety
restraints for childrenorSafety seats for childrenlater in this chapter.
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 3rd Printing
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
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WARNING:BELT AND RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY MUST BE
REPLACED if the safety belt assembly “automatic locking
retractor” feature or any other safety belt function is not operating
properly when checked by an authorized dealer. Failure to replace the
belt and retractor assembly could increase the risk of injury in
collisions.
Energy management feature
•This vehicle has a safety belt system with an energy management
feature at the front outboard seating positions to help further reduce
the risk of injury in the event of a head-on collision.
•The front outboard safety belt systems have 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.
Safety belt pretensioner (if equipped)
Your vehicle is equipped with safety belt retractor pretensioners at the
driver and front outboard passenger seating positions.
The driver and front outboard passenger safety belt pretensioners are
designed to activate only during certain frontal or near-frontal collisions
with sufficient longitudinal deceleration. A safety belt pretensioner is a
device which tightens the webbing of the lap and shoulder belts during
some collisions in such a way that they fit more snugly against the body.
The driver and front outboard passenger safety belt system (including
retractors, buckles and height adjusters) must be replaced if the vehicle
is involved in a collision that results in the activation of the safety belt
pretensioners. Refer to theSafety belt maintenancesection in this
chapter.
WARNING:Failure to replace the safety belt assembly under
the above conditions could result in severe personal injuries in
the event of a collision.
Front safety belt height adjustment
The front outboard seating positions are equipped with safety belt height
adjusters.
Adjust the height of the shoulder belt so the belt rests across the middle
of your shoulder.
2009 F-250/350/450/550(f23)
Owners Guide, 3rd Printing
USA(fus)
Seating and Safety Restraints
185
