FORD F-150 2021 Repair Manual

8. Before placing the child in the seat,
forcibly move the seat forward and
back to make sure the seat is securely
held in place. To check this, grab the
seat at the belt path and attempt to
move it side to side and forward and
back. There should be no more than
1 in (2.5 cm) of movement.
9. Check from time to time to be sure that
there is no slack in the lap and shoulder
belt. The shoulder belt must be snug
to keep the lap belt tight during a crash.
We recommend checking with a NHTSA
Certified Child Passenger Safety
Technician to make certain the child
restraint is properly installed. In Canada,
check with Transport Canada for referral
to a Child Car Seat Clinic.
USING LOWER ANCHORS AND
TETHERS FOR CHILDREN WARNING: Do not attach two child
safety restraints to the same anchor. In
a crash, one anchor may not be strong
enough to hold two child safety restraint
attachments and may break, causing
serious injury or death. WARNING:
Depending on where
you secure a child restraint, and
depending on the child restraint design,
you may block access to certain seatbelt
buckle assemblies and LATCH lower
anchors, rendering those features
potentially unusable. To avoid risk of
injury, make sure occupants only use
seating positions where they are able to
be properly restrained.
The Lower Anchors and Tethers for
Children (LATCH) system has three vehicle
anchor points: •
Two lower anchors where the vehicle
seat backrest and seat cushion meet,
called the seat bight.
• One top tether anchor behind that
seating position.
LATCH compatible child restraints have
two rigid or webbing mounted
attachments. These attachments connect
to the two lower anchors at the LATCH
equipped seating positions in your vehicle.
This type of attachment method
eliminates the need to use seatbelts to
attach the child restraint.
However, you can still use the seatbelt to
attach the child restraint if the lower
anchors are not used. For forward-facing
child restraints, you must also attach the
top tether strap to the proper top tether
anchor if a top tether strap has been
provided with your child restraint.
Follow the instructions later in this chapter
on attaching child restraints with tether
straps.
INSTALLING A CHILD RESTRAINT
IN A CENTER SEAT WARNING: The standardized
spacing for LATCH lower anchors is 11 in
(280 mm) center to center. Do not use
LATCH lower anchors for the center
seating position unless the child restraint
manufacturer's instructions permit and
specify using anchors spaced at least as
far apart as those in this vehicle.
The lower anchors at the center of the
second row rear seat are spaced
25.7 in
(652 mm) apart. The standardized spacing
for LATCH lower anchors is 11 in (280 mm)
center to center.
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You cannot install a child restraint with
rigid LATCH attachments at the center
seating position. You can only use LATCH
compatible child restraints with
attachments on belt webbing at this
seating position provided that the child
restraint manufacturer's instructions
permit use with the anchor spacing stated.
Do not attach a child restraint to any lower
anchor if another child restraint is attached
to that anchor.
Each time you use the child restraint, check
that the seat is properly attached to the
lower anchors and tether anchor, if
applicable. Tug the child restraint from side
to side and forward and back where it is
secured to the vehicle. The seat should
move less than 1 in (2.5 cm).
If you did not properly anchor the child
restraint, the risk of a child being injured in
a crash greatly increases.
COMBINING THE SEATBELT AND
LOWER ANCHORS FOR
ATTACHING CHILD RESTRAINTS
When used in combination, you may attach
either the seatbelt or the LATCH lower
anchors first, provided a proper installation
is achieved. Attach the tether strap
afterward, if it is included with the child
restraint.
USING TETHER STRAPS
Many forward-facing child restraints
include a tether strap which extends from
the back of the child restraint and hooks
to an anchoring point called the top tether
anchor. Tether straps are available as an
accessory for many older child restraints. Contact the manufacturer of your child
restraint for information about ordering a
tether strap, or to obtain a longer tether
strap if the tether strap on your child
restraint does not reach the appropriate
top tether anchor in the vehicle.
Attach the tether strap only to the
appropriate tether anchor. The tether strap
may not work properly if attached
somewhere other than the correct tether
anchor.
If you install a child restraint with rigid
LATCH attachments, do not tighten the
tether strap enough to lift the child
restraint off the vehicle seat cushion when
the child is seated in it. Keep the tether
strap just snug without lifting the front of
the child restraint. Keeping the child
restraint just touching the vehicle seat
gives the best protection in a severe crash.
Once you have installed the child restraint
using either the seatbelt, the lower anchors
of the LATCH system, or both, you can
attach the top tether strap.
ATTACHING THE FRONT SEAT
TETHER STRAP
Regular Cab
1. Route the child restraint tether strap
over the back of the seat and under the
head restraint.
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Note:
For vehicles with adjustable head
restraints, route the tether strap under the
head restraint and between the head
restraint posts. Otherwise, route the tether
strap over the top of the seat backrest.
2. Locate the correct anchor for the selected seating position. You may
need to pull the seat backrest forward
to access the tether anchors. Make sure
the seat is locked in the upright position
before installing the child restraint.
3. Clip the tether strap to the anchor.
4. Tighten the child restraint tether strap according to the manufacturer's
instructions.
If you incorrectly clip the tether strap, the
child restraint may not be retained properly
in the event of a crash.
If you did not properly anchor the child
restraint, the risk of a child being injured in
a crash greatly increases.
If your child restraint system has a tether
strap, and the child restraint manufacturer
recommends its use, we also recommend
its use.
ATTACHING THE REAR SEAT
TETHER STRAP (If Equipped)
Crew Cab and Super Cab There are three loops of webbing above
the back of the rear seat. Use these loops
as routing loops and anchor loops for up
to three child restraint tether straps.
For example, you can use the center loop
as a routing loop for a child restraint in the
center rear seat and as an anchoring loop
for child restraints installed in the
outermost rear seats.
Many tether straps cannot be tightened if
the tether strap is hooked to the loop
directly behind the child restraint.
To provide a tight tether strap:
1.
Route the vehicle tether loop between
the head restraint posts, then route the
child restraint tether strap through the
loop, forward of the head restraint.
2. Hook the strap to the vehicle tether anchor loop in the adjacent seating
position. If using the driver side, pass
the strap behind the shoulder belt for
the center seat. Put the tether strap
through the routing loop. The head
restraint support post holds the child
restraint tightly, but the head restraint
post is not strong enough to hold the
child restraint during a crash.
3. Tighten the tether strap according to the child restraint manufacturer's
instructions.
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If you did not properly anchor the child
restraint, the risk of a child being injured in
a crash greatly increases.
If your child restraint system has a tether
strap, and the child restraint manufacturer
recommends its use, we also recommend
its use.
BOOSTER SEATS
Use a belt-positioning booster seat for
children who have outgrown or no longer
properly fit in a child restraint and meet
the following criteria.
•
Generally children who are less than
57 in (1.45 m) tall.
• Are greater than age four (4) and less
than age twelve (12).
• Are between
40 lb (18 kg) and 80 lb
(36 kg) and upward to 100 lb (45 kg).
Many state and provincial laws require that
children use approved booster seats until
they reach age eight, a height of
57 in
(1.45 m) 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 their vehicle seat backrest 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?
Always use booster seats in conjunction
with your vehicle lap and shoulder belt.
Types of Booster Seats •
Backless booster seats
If your backless booster seat has a
removable shield, remove the shield.
If a vehicle seating position has a low seat
backrest 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 backrest or
head restraint and lap and shoulder belts,
or consider using a high-back booster seat.
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•
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.
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 following drawings compare the ideal
fit to a shoulder belt uncomfortably close
to the neck and a shoulder belt that could
slip off the shoulder. The drawings also
show how the lap belt should be low and
snug across the child's hips.
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If the booster seat slides on the vehicle
seat upon which it is being used, placing a
rubberized mesh sold as shelf or carpet
liner under the booster seat may improve
this condition. Do not use any item thicker
than this under the booster seat. Check
with the booster seat manufacturer's
instructions.
CHILD SAFETY LOCKS (IF
EQUIPPED) WARNING:
You cannot open the
rear doors from inside if you have put the
child safety locks on. A child safety lock is on the rear edge of
each rear door. You must switch the child
safety lock separately on each door.
Left-Hand Side
Turn the key clockwise to switch the child
lock on and counterclockwise to switch it
off. Right-Hand Side
Turn the key counterclockwise to switch
the child lock on and clockwise to switch
it off.
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SEATBELT PRECAUTIONS
WARNING: Always drive and ride
with your seatback upright and the lap
belt snug and low across the hips. WARNING:
Children must always
be properly restrained. WARNING:
Do not allow a
passenger to hold a child on their lap
when your vehicle is moving. Failure to
follow this instruction could result in
personal injury or death in the event of a
sudden stop or crash. WARNING:
All occupants of your
vehicle, including the driver, should
always properly wear their seatbelts,
even when an airbag supplemental
restraint system is provided. Failure to
properly wear your seatbelt could
seriously increase the risk of injury or
death. WARNING:
It is extremely
dangerous to ride in a cargo area, inside
or outside of a vehicle. In a crash, people
riding in these areas are more likely to be
seriously injured or killed. Do not allow
people to ride in any area of your vehicle
that is not equipped with seats and
seatbelts. Make sure everyone in your
vehicle is in a seat and properly using a
seatbelt. Failure to follow this warning
could result in serious personal injury or
death. WARNING:
In a rollover crash, an
unbelted person is significantly more
likely to die than a person wearing a
seatbelt. WARNING:
Each seating position
in your vehicle has a specific seatbelt
assembly made up of one buckle and
one tongue designed to be used as a pair.
Use the shoulder belt on the outside
shoulder only. Never wear the shoulder
belt under the arm. Never use a single
seatbelt for more than one person. WARNING:
Even with advanced
restraints systems, properly restrain
children 12 and under in a rear seating
position. Failure to follow this could
seriously increase the risk of injury or
death. WARNING:
Seatbelts and seats
may be hot in a vehicle that is in the
sunshine. The hot seatbelts or seats may
burn a small child. Check seat covers and
buckles before you place a child
anywhere near them. WARNING:
If your vehicle is
involved in a crash, have the seatbelts
and associated components inspected
as soon as possible. Failure to follow this
instruction could result in personal injury
or death.
All seating positions in this vehicle have
seatbelts. All occupants of the vehicle
should properly wear their seatbelts, even
when an airbag supplemental restraint
system is provided.
The seatbelt system consists of:
• Lap and shoulder seatbelts.
• A shoulder seatbelt with automatic
locking mode, except driver seatbelt.
• Height adjusters at the front outermost
seating positions.
• Seatbelt pretensioners at the front
outermost and rear outermost seating
positions.
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A seatbelt warning light and
chime.
Crash sensors and monitoring
system with readiness indicator.
The seatbelt pretensioners are designed
to tighten the seatbelts when activated. In
frontal and near-frontal crashes, the
seatbelt pretensioners may be activated
alone or, if the crash is of sufficient severity,
together with the front airbags. In side
crashes and rollovers, the pretensioners
will be activated when the Safety Canopy
is activated.
FASTENING AND
UNFASTENING THE
SEATBELTS
This applies to all seating positions, except
for the front center position of Super Cab
and Crew Cab. 1. Insert the seatbelt tongue into the
buckle until you hear a snap and feel it
latch. 2. Press the button to release the
seatbelt.
Using the Seatbelt With Cinch
Tongue
This applies to the front center seating
position of Super Cab and Crew Cab.
The cinch tongue slides up and down the
seatbelt webbing when you stow the
seatbelt or when you put the seatbelts on.
When you buckle the seatbelt, the cinch
tongue allows you to shorten the lap
portion, but pinches the webbing to keep
the lap portion from getting longer. The
cinch tongue is designed to slip during a
crash, so wear the shoulder belt properly
and do not allow any slack in either the lap
or shoulder portions.
Fastening the Cinch Tongue WARNING: Always drive and ride
with your seatback upright and the lap
belt snug and low across the hips.
1. Pull the seatbelt from the retractor so that the shoulder belt portion of the
seatbelt crosses your shoulder and
chest.
2. Make sure the belt is not twisted. If the
belt is twisted, remove the twist.
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3. Insert the belt tongue into the proper
buckle for your seating position until
you hear a snap and feel it latch.
4. Make sure you securely fasten the tongue to the buckle by pulling on the
tongue.
While you are fastened in the seatbelt, the
seatbelt 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
seatbelt locks and helps reduce your
forward movement.
SENSITIVE LOCKING MODE
WHAT IS SENSITIVE LOCKING
MODE
Sensitive locking mode is a seatbelt
retractor feature that allows shoulder belt
length adjustment according to your
movements and locking in response to
vehicle movement.
HOW DOES SENSITIVE LOCKING
MODE WORK
If the driver suddenly brakes, turns a corner
sharply, or the vehicle receives an impact
of about 5 mph (8 km/h) or more, the
seatbelts lock to help reduce forward
movement of the driver and passengers.
In addition, the seatbelt retractor locks if
you pull the seatbelt webbing out too
quickly. If the retractor locks, slowly lower
the height adjuster to allow the seatbelt
to retract.
If the retractor does not unlock, pull the
seatbelt out slowly then feed a small
length of webbing back toward the stowed
position. For rear seatbelts, recline the rear seat
backrest or push the seat backrest cushion
away from the seatbelt. Feed a small
length of webbing back toward the stowed
position.
AUTOMATIC LOCKING MODE
WHAT IS AUTOMATIC LOCKING
MODE
This feature keeps the seatbelts
pre-locked. The belt still retracts to remove
any slack in the shoulder belt.
WHEN TO USE AUTOMATIC
LOCKING MODE
Use this mode any time you install a child
restraint in a front seating position in a
Regular Cab, Super Cab, Crew Cab or any
rear seating position of a Super Cab or
Crew Cab. The optional front seat center
seatbelt in the Super Cab and Crew Cab
has a cinch mechanism. Properly restrain
children 12 years old and under in a rear
seat whenever possible. See
Child Safety
(page 49).
Note: Automatic locking mode is not
available on the driver seatbelt.
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ENGAGING AUTOMATIC LOCKING
MODE
1. Fasten the combination lap and
shoulder belt.
2. Grasp the shoulder portion and pull downward until you pull the entire belt
out.
3. Allow the belt to retract. As the belt retracts, you will hear a clicking sound.
This indicates the seatbelt is now in the
automatic locking mode.
DISENGAGING AUTOMATIC
LOCKING MODE
Unbuckle the combination lap and
shoulder belt and allow it to retract
completely to disengage the automatic
locking mode and activate the vehicle
sensitive locking mode. ADJUSTING THE SEATBELTS
DURING PREGNANCY WARNING: Always ride and drive
with your seatback upright and properly
fasten your seatbelt. Fit the lap portion
of the seatbelt snugly and low across
the hips. Position the shoulder portion of
the seatbelt across your chest. Pregnant
women must follow this practice. See
the following figure. Pregnant women should always wear their
seatbelt. Position the lap belt portion of a
combination lap and shoulder belt low
across the hips below the belly and worn
as tight as comfort allows. Position the
shoulder belt to cross the middle of the
shoulder and the center of the chest.
ADJUSTING THE SEATBELT
HEIGHT
WARNING:
Position the seatbelt
height adjuster so that the seatbelt rests
across the middle of your shoulder.
Failure to adjust the seatbelt correctly
could reduce its effectiveness and
increase the risk of injury in a crash.
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