Child booster seats
The belt-positioning booster (booster seat) is used to improve the fit of
the vehicle safety belt. Children outgrow a typical child seat (e.g.,
convertible or toddler seat) when they weigh about 40 lb (18 kg) and are
around four (4) years of age. Consult your child safety seat owner guide
for the weight, height, and age limits specific to your child safety seat.
Keep your child in the child safety seat if it properly fits the child,
remains appropriate for their weight, height and age AND if properly
secured to the vehicle.
Although the lap/shoulder belt will provide some protection, children
who have outgrown a typical child seat are still too small for lap/shoulder
belts to fit properly, and wearing an improperly fitted vehicle safety belt
could increase the risk of serious injury in a crash. To improve the fit of
both the lap and shoulder belt on children who have outgrown child
safety seats, Ford Motor Company recommends use of a belt-positioning
booster.
Booster seats position a child so that vehicle lap/shoulder safety belts fit
better. They lift the child up so that the lap belt rests low across the hips
and the knees bend comfortably at the edge of the cushion, while
minimizing slouching. Booster seats may also make the shoulder belt fit
better and more comfortably. Try to keep the belt near the middle of the
shoulder and across the center of the chest. Moving the child closer (a
few centimeters or inches) to the center of the vehicle, but remaining in
the same seating position, may help provide a good shoulder belt fit.
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When children should use booster seats
Children need to use booster seats from the time they outgrow the
toddler seat until they are big enough for the vehicle seat and
lap/shoulder belt to fit properly. Generally this is when they reach a
height of at least 4 feet 9 inches (1.45 meters) tall (around age eight to
age twelve and between 40 lb (18 kg) and 80 lb (36 kg) or upward to
100 lb (45 kg) if recommended by your child restraint manufacturer).
Many state and provincial laws require that children use approved
booster seats until they reach age eight, a height of 4 feet 9 inches
(1.45 meters) tall, or 80 lb (36 kg).
Booster seats should be used until you can answer YES to ALL of these
questions when seated without a booster seat:
•Can the child sit all the way back
against the vehicle seat back with
knees bent comfortably at the
edge of the seat cushion?
•Can the child sit without
slouching?
•Does the lap belt rest low across the hips?
•Is the shoulder belt centered on the shoulder and chest?
•Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?
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Types of booster seats
There are generally two types of belt-positioning booster seats: backless
and high back. Always use booster seats in conjunction with the vehicle
lap/shoulder belt.
•Backless booster seats
If your backless booster seat has a
removable shield, remove the
shield. If a vehicle seating position
has a low seat back or no head
restraint, a backless booster seat
may place your child’s head (as
measured at the tops of the ears)
above the top of the seat. In this
case, move the backless booster
to another seating position with a
higher seat back or head restraint and lap/shoulder belts, or consider
using a high back booster seat.
•High back booster seats
If, with a backless booster seat,
you cannot find a seating position
that adequately supports your
child’s head, a high back booster
seat would be a better choice.
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Children and booster seats vary in size and shape. Choose a booster that
keeps the lap belt low and snug across the hips, never up across the
stomach, and lets you adjust the shoulder belt to cross the chest and
rest snugly near the center of the shoulder. The drawings below compare
the ideal fit (center) to a shoulder belt uncomfortably close to the neck
and a shoulder belt that could slip off the shoulder. The drawings below
also show how the lap belt should be low and snug across the child’s
hips.
If the booster seat slides on the vehicle seat, placing a rubberized mesh
sold as shelf or carpet liner under the booster seat may improve this
condition. Do not introduce any item thicker than this under the booster
seat. Check with the booster seat manufacturer’s instructions.
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INTERIOR
For fabric, carpets, cloth seats and safety belts:
•Remove dust and loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
•Remove light stains and soil with Motorcraft Professional Strength
Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner (ZC-54).
•If grease or tar is present on the material, spot-clean the area first
with Motorcraft Spot and Stain Remover (ZC-14). In Canada, use
Motorcraft Multi-Purpose Cleaner (CXC-101).
•If a ring forms on the fabric after spot cleaning, clean the entire area
immediately (but do not oversaturate) or the ring will set.
•Do not use household cleaning products or glass cleaners, which can
stain and discolor the fabric and affect the flame retardant abilities of
the seat materials.
WARNING:Do not use cleaning solvents, bleach or dye on the
vehicle’s seatbelts, as these actions may weaken the belt
webbing.
LEATHER SEATS
(IF EQUIPPED, EXCEPT FOR THE KING RANCH F–250 AND
F–350 CREW CAB)
Your leather seating surfaces have a clear, protective coating over the
leather.
For King Ranch F-250 and F-350 Crew Cab leather seats, refer to
separate section in this chapter.
•To clean, use a soft cloth with Motorcraft Deluxe Leather and Vinyl
Cleaner (ZC-11–A). Dry the area with a soft cloth.
•To help maintain its resiliency and color, use the Motorcraft Deluxe
Leather Care Kit (ZC-11–D), available from your authorized dealer.
•Do not use household cleaning products, alcohol solutions, solvents or
cleaners intended for rubber, vinyl and plastics, or oil/petroleum-based
leather conditioners. These products may cause premature wearing of
the clear, protective coating on the seat.
Note:In some instances, color or dye transfer can occur when wet
clothing comes in contact with leather upholstery. If this occurs, the
leather should be cleaned immediately to avoid permanent staining.
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LEATHER SEATS FOR THE KING RANCH F-250 AND F-350 CREW
CAB ONLY (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle is equipped with seating covered in premium, top-grain
leather which is extremely durable, but still requires special care and
maintenance in order to ensure longevity and comfort.
Regular cleaning and conditioning will maintain the appearance of the
leather. Failure to care for the leather can result in drying out and fading
of the material.
Note:In some instances, color or dye transfer can occur when wet
clothing comes in contact with leather upholstery. If this occurs, the
leather should be cleaned immediately to avoid permanent staining.
Cleaning
For dirt, use a vacuum cleaner then use a clean, damp cloth or soft
brush.
For routine cleaning, wipe the surface with a soft, damp cloth. For more
thorough cleaning, wipe the surface with a mild soap. If the leather
cannot be completely cleaned using a mild soap and water solution, the
leather may be cleaned using a commercially available cleaning product
“Tanners Preserve Leather Cleaner” and a 3M “Type T” scrubbing pad.
•Clean spills as quickly as possible.
•Test any cleaner or stain remover on an inconspicuous part of the
leather as cleaners may darken the leather. For more specific cleaning
information, contact the King Ranch Saddle Shop at 1–800–282–KING
(5464).
•Do not spill coffee, ketchup, mustard, orange juice or oil-based
products on the leather as they may permanently stain the leather.
•Do not use household cleaning products, alcohol solutions, solvents or
cleaners intended for rubber, vinyl or plastics.
Scratches
Natural Markings - Because the leather in the seat comes from genuine
steer hides, there will be evidence of naturally occurring markings, such
as small scars. These markings give character to the seating covers and
should be considered as proof of a genuine leather product.
In order to lessen the appearance of certain scratches and other wear
marks, apply conditioner on the affected area following the same
instructions as in theConditioningsection.
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A
Accessory delay ........................110
Air cleaner filter ...............401, 403
Air conditioning ..........................84
Airbag supplemental restraint
system ........................................190
and child safety seats ............192
description ..............................190
disposal ....................................195
driver airbag ............................193
indicator light .........................194
operation .................................193
passenger airbag .....................193
passenger deactivation
switch ......................................195
Ambulance packages ..................10
Antifreeze (see Engine
coolant) .....................................377
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................277–278
Anti-theft system ..............165, 168
arming the system ..........166, 168
disarming a triggered
system .....................................168
triggering .................................168
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................26, 28, 35
Automatic transmission ............282
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................284
fluid, adding ............................396
fluid, checking ........................396
fluid, refill capacities ..............404
Auxiliary Input Jack ...................42
Auxiliary power point ...............107
Axle
refill capacities ........................404B
Battery .......................................375
acid, treating emergencies .....375
jumping a disabled battery ....342
maintenance-free ....................375
replacement, specifications ...403
servicing ..................................375
Belt-Minder.............................186
Booster seats .............................218
Brakes ........................................277
anti-lock ...........................277–278
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................278
fluid, checking and adding ....395
fluid, refill capacities ..............404
parking ....................................278
shift interlock ..........................282
trailer .......................................264
Bulbs ............................................95
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....404
Cassette tape player ...................26
Cell phone use ..............................9
Child safety seats ......................204
attaching with tether straps ..212
in front seat ....................204, 208
in rear seat ..............204, 208, 212
LATCH .....................................212
Child safety seats - booster
seats ...........................................218
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............359
instrument panel ............361–362
interior .....................................363
plastic parts ............................360
safety belts ..............................363
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recommendations ...................374
refill capacities ........................404
Event data recording ....................7
Exhaust fumes ..........................275
F
Fail safe cooling ........................382
Family entertainment system ....51
Fluid capacities .........................404
Fog lamps ....................................89
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......294
description ..............................299
driving off road .......................301
electronic shift ................295, 299
indicator light .........................296
lever operated shift ................297
manual locking hubs ..............295
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................281
Fuel ............................................383
calculating fuel
economy ..........................138, 388
cap ...........................................385
capacity ...................................404
choosing the right fuel ...........386
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................391
detergent in fuel .....................387
filling your vehicle with
fuel ...........................383, 385, 388
filter, specifications ........383, 403
fuel pump shut-off switch .....315
improving fuel economy ........388
octane rating ...................387, 408
quality ......................................387
running out of fuel .................387
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................383
Fuel pump shut-off switch .......315Fuses ..................................316–317
G
Gas cap (see Fuel cap) ............385
Gas mileage (see Fuel
economy) ...................................388
Gauges .........................................21
transmission fluid
temperature gauge ...................26
H
Hazard flashers .........................314
Head restraints .................169, 175
Headlamps ...................................89
aiming ..................................91, 93
autolamp system .......................89
daytime running lights .............90
flash to pass ..............................90
high beam .................................90
replacing bulbs ...................97–99
turning on and off ....................89
Heating
heater only system ...................80
heating and air conditioning
system .................................81, 84
Homelink wireless control
system ........................................123
Hood ..........................................368
I
Ignition ...............................272, 408
Illuminated visor mirror ...........105
Infant seats
(see Safety seats) .....................204
Inspection/maintenance (I/M)
testing ........................................393
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Index
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