Combination Lap And Shoulder Belts; Vehicle Sensitive Mode - Ford 2003 Escape Owner's Manual

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
according to the procedures in Workshop Manual. Failure to replace the
Belt and Retractor assembly could increase the risk of injury in collisions.

Combination lap and shoulder belts

1. Insert the belt tongue into the
proper buckle (the buckle closest to
the direction the tongue is coming
from) until you hear a snap and feel
it latch. Make sure the tongue is
securely fastened in the buckle.
2. To unfasten, push the release
button and remove the tongue from
the buckle.
The front outboard and rear outboard safety restraints in the vehicle are
combination lap and shoulder belts. The front outboard passenger and
rear seat outboard safety belts have two types of locking modes
described below:

Vehicle sensitive mode

This is the normal retractor mode, which allows 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 8 km/h (5 mph)
or more, the combination safety belts will lock to help reduce forward
movement of the driver and passengers.
Seating and Safety Restraints
87