Seating and safety restraints – FORD 2002 Windstar v.1 User Manual

Page 154

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Safety belt extension assembly

If the safety belt is too short when fully extended, there is a 20 cm (8
inch) safety belt extension assembly that can be added (part number
611C22). This assembly can be obtained from your dealer at no cost.

Use only extensions manufactured by the same supplier as the safety
belt. Manufacturer identification is located at the end of the webbing on
the label. Also, use the safety belt extension only if the safety belt is too
short for you when fully extended. Do not use extensions to change the
fit of the shoulder belt across the torso.

Safety belt maintenance

Inspect the safety belt systems periodically to make sure they work
properly and are not damaged. Inspect the safety belts to make sure
there are no nicks, tears or cuts, replacing if necessary. All safety belt
assemblies, including retractors, buckles, front seat belt buckle
assemblies, buckle support assemblies (slide bar-if equipped), shoulder
belt height adjusters (if equipped), child safety seat tether bracket
assemblies (if equipped), LATCH child seat tether anchors and lower
anchors (if equipped), and attaching hardware, should be inspected after
a collision. Ford recommends that all safety belt assemblies used in
vehicles involved in a collision be replaced. However, if the collision was
minor and a qualified technician finds that the belts do not show damage
and continue to operate properly, they do not need to be replaced,
except as described in the Replacing the front passenger and second
row bench seat belt assemblies after a collision
section of this chapter.
Safety belt assemblies not in use during a collision should also be
inspected and replaced if either damage or improper operation is noted.

Failure to inspect and if necessary replace the safety belt
assembly under the above conditions could result in severe

personal injuries in the event of a collision.

Refer to Cleaning and maintaining the safety belts in the Cleaning
chapter.

Replacing the front passenger and second row bench seat belt
assemblies after a collision

All front passenger and second row bench seat belt assemblies adjacent
to a sliding door have special energy management retractors designed to
further reduce the risk of injury in the event of a head-on collision.

Seating and Safety Restraints

154

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