Ford 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual page 3979

SECTION 501-20A: Safety Belt System
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
Safety Belt System
WARNING: All safety belt assemblies include retractors, buckles, front seat belt buckle
support assemblies (slide bar, if so equipped), shoulder belt height adjuster (if equipped), child
safety seat tether bracket assemblies (if equipped) and attaching hardware should be inspected
after any collision. Ford recommends new safety belt assemblies be installed unless a qualified
technician finds the assemblies show no damage and operate correctly. Safety belt assemblies
not in use during a collision should also be inspected and new assemblies installed if either
damage or incorrect operation is noted.
WARNING: Each seating position in the vehicle has a specific safety belt assembly which
consists of one buckle and one tongue. The safety belt assembly is designed to be used as a
pair and is not to be used across seating positions.
A continuous-loop, single retractor active restraint system is used on this vehicle for both the front
seats and the rear seats.
Safety Belt, Lap/Shoulder—Dual Locking Mode
WARNING: Rear-facing infant seats should never be placed in the front seats. Failure to
follow these instructions may result in personal injury.
The dual locking mode retractor on the shoulder belt portion of the combination lap/shoulder safety belt
for the front seat passenger and rear seat outboard passengers operates in two ways:
1. In the vehicle-sensitive (emergency locking) mode, the shoulder belt retractor will allow the
occupant freedom of movement, locking tightly only on hard braking, hard cornering or impacts
of approximately 8 km/h (5 mph) or more. The front and rear outboard safety belt retractors can
also be made to lock by pulling/jerking on the belt.
2. In the automatic locking mode, the shoulder belt retractor locks automatically and remains
locked when the combination lap/shoulder safety belt is buckled, restricting occupant
movement. This mode provides tight lap/shoulder belt fit on the occupant and on a child safety
seat or infant carrier installation restraint.
When the combination lap/shoulder belt is unbuckled and allowed to retract completely, the retractor
switches to the vehicle sensitive (emergency) locking mode.
The automatic locking mode must be used when installing a child safety seat on the front passenger
seat and rear outboard seats where dual locking retractors are provided.
Safety Belt Warning System
The safety belt warning indicator illuminates and a chime sounds to remind the occupants to fasten
their safety belts.
The conditions of operation for the safety belt warning indicator and chime are as follows:
If the driver safety belt is not buckled before the ignition switch is turned to ON, then the safety
belt warning indicator illuminates for one to two minutes and the warning chime sounds for four
to eight seconds.
2003 Mustang Workshop Manual