2000 Ford F 250 Owners Manual

shuffle mode. Refer to Shuffle feature for more information. Hold the control to continue reversing through the remaining discs. • Press

to select the next disc

SEEK

TUNE

SEEK

TUNE

in the CD changer. Hold the control to fast-forward through the remaining discs.

Seek function The seek function control works in radio, tape or CD mode.

45

Controls and features

Seek function in radio mode • Press

to find the next listenable station down the frequency band.

• Press

to find the next

listenable station up the frequency band.

SEEK

TUNE

SEEK

TUNE

Seek function in tape mode • Press to listen to the previous selection on the tape. • Press to listen to the next selection on the tape. Seek function for CD or CD changer (if equipped) • Press

to seek to the previous

track of the current disc. If a selection has been playing for three seconds or more and you , the CD changer will press replay that selection from the beginning.

• Press

to seek forward to the

next track of the current disc. After the last track has been completed, the first track of the current disc will automatically replay.

SEEK

TUNE

SEEK

TUNE

Scan function The scan function works in radio, tape or CD mode.

SCAN

Scan function in radio mode Press the SCAN control to hear a brief sampling of all listenable stations on the frequency band. Press the control again to stop the scan mode.

46

Controls and features

Scan function in tape mode Press the SCAN control to hear a short sampling of all selections on the tape. (The tape scans in a forward direction. At the end of the tape’s first side, direction automatically reverses to the opposite side of the tape.) To stop on a particular selection, press the control again. Scan function in CD or CD changer mode (if equipped) Press the SCAN control to hear a short sampling of all selections on the CD. (The CD scans in a forward direction, wrapping back to the first track at the end of the CD.) To stop on a particular selection, press the control again. Radio station memory preset The radio is equipped with six station memory preset controls. These controls can be used to select up to six preset AM stations and twelve FM stations (six in FM1 and six in FM2). Setting memory preset stations

AM

FM

1. Select the frequency band with the AM/FM select control. 2. Select a station. Refer to Tune adjust or Seek function for more information on selecting a station.

REW

FF

SIDE 1-2

COMP

SHUFFLE

3. Press and hold a memory preset control until the sound returns, indicating the station is held in memory on the control you selected. Autoset memory preset Autoset allows you to set strong radio stations without losing your original manually set preset stations. This feature is helpful on trips when you travel between cities with different radio stations.

47

Controls and features

CLK

AUTO

Starting autoset memory preset 1. Select a frequency using the AM/FM select controls. 2. Press the AUTO control. 3. When the first six strong stations are filled, the station stored in memory preset control 1 will start playing. If there are less than six strong stations available on the frequency band, the remaining memory preset controls will all store the last strong station available. These stations are temporarily stored in the memory preset controls (until deactivated) and are accessed in the same manner of your original presets. To deactivate autoset and return to your audio system’s manually set memory stations, press the AUTO control again. Bass adjust The bass adjust control allows you to increase or decrease the audio system’s bass output. Press the BASS control then press: • to decrease the bass output •

to increase the bass output.

BASS

TREB

and

SEL

Treble adjust The treble adjust control allows you to increase or decrease the audio system’s treble output.

BASS

TREB

48

Press the TREB control then press: • to decrease the treble output •

to increase the treble output.

and

Controls and features

SEL

Speaker balance adjust Speaker sound distribution can be adjusted between the right and left speakers. Press the BAL control then press: • •

to shift sound to the left and to shift sound to the right.

BAL

FADE

SEL

Speaker fade adjust Speaker sound can be adjusted between the front and rear speakers. Press the FADE control then press: • •

to shift the sound to the

to shift the sound to the rear.

front and

BAL

FADE

SEL

49

Controls and features

Tape/CD select • To begin tape play (with a tape loaded into the audio system) while in the radio or CD mode, press the TAPE control. Press the button during rewind or fast forward to stop the rewind or fast forward function.

• To begin CD play (if CD(s) are loaded), press the CD control. The first track of the disc will begin playing. If returning from radio or tape mode, CD play will begin where it stopped last.

TAPE

TAPE

CD

CD

With the dual media audio system, press the CD control to toggle between single CD and CD changer play (if equipped). Rewind The rewind control works in tape and CD modes. • In tape mode, radio play will

REW

continue until rewind is stopped (with the TAPE control) or the beginning of the tape is reached. • In CD mode, pressing the REW control rewinds the CD within the

current track.

Fast forward The fast forward control works in tape and CD modes. • In the tape mode, tape direction will automatically reverse when the end of the tape is reached.

FF

• In CD mode, pressing the control fast forwards the CD within the

current track.

Tape direction select Press SIDE 1–2 to play the alternate side of a tape.

SIDE 1-2

50

Controls and features

Eject function Press the EJ control to stop and eject a tape.

Press the EJ control to stop and eject a CD.

EJ

EJ

are trademarks of Dolby威 Laboratories Licensing

control to activate (and deactivate) the Dolby威 noise

Dolby姞 noise reduction Dolby威 noise reduction operates in tape mode. Dolby威 noise reduction reduces the amount of hiss and static during tape playback. Press the reduction. Dolby威 noise reduction is manufactured under license from Dolby威 Laboratories Licensing Corporation. “Dolby威” and the double-D symbol Corporation. Compression adjust Compression adjust brings soft and loud CD passages together for a more consistent listening level. Press the COMP control to activate and deactivate compression adjust. Shuffle feature The shuffle feature operates in CD mode (if equipped) and plays all tracks on the current disc in random order. If equipped with the CD changer, the shuffle feature continues to the next disc after all tracks on the current disc are played. Press the SHUFFLE control to start this feature. Random order play will continue until the SHUFFLE control is pressed again.

COMP

SHUFFLE

51

AUTO

CLK

SEEK

TUNE

SEEK

TUNE

AUTO

CLK

SEEK

TUNE

SEEK

TUNE

Controls and features

Setting the clock To set the hour, press and hold the CLK control and press SEEK:

• •

to decrease hours and to increase hours.

To set the minute, press and hold the CLK control and press TUNE:

to decrease minutes and to increase minutes.

• • If your vehicle has a separate clock module, (other than the digital radio display), the CLK button will not function in the above manner.

52

Controls and features

AUTO

The CLK button will allow you to switch between media display mode (radio station, stereo information, etc.) and clock display mode (time). When in clock mode, the media information will display for 10
seconds, when the radio is turned on, and then revert to clock information. Anytime that the media is changed, (new radio station, etc.), the media information will again display for 10 seconds before reverting back to the clock. In media mode, the media information will always be displayed. Mute mode Press the control to mute the playing media. Press the control again to return to the playing media.

CLK

EJ

MUTE

Troubleshooting the CD changer (if equipped)

The laser beam used in the compact disc player is harmful to the eyes. Do not attempt to disassemble the case.

If sound skips: • You may be traveling on a rough road, playing badly scratched discs or

the disc may be dirty. Skipping will not scratch the discs or damage the player.

If your changer does not work, it may be that: • A disc is already loaded where you want to insert a disc. • The disc is inserted with the label surface downward. • The disc is dusty or defective. • The player’s internal temperature is above 60°C (140°F). Allow the • A disc with format and dimensions not within industry standards is

player to cool down before operating.

inserted.

53

Controls and features

Cleaning compact discs Inspect all discs for contamination before playing. If necessary, clean discs only with an approved CD cleaner and wipe from the center out to the edge. Do not use circular motion.

CD and CD changer care • Handle discs by their edges only. Never touch the playing surface. • Do not expose discs to direct sunlight or heat sources for extended • Do not insert more than one disc into each slot of the CD changer

periods of time.

magazine.

Cleaning cassette player (if equipped) Clean the tape player head with a cassette cleaning cartridge after 10 to 12 hours of play in order to maintain the best sound and operation.

Cassette and cassette player care • Use only cassettes that are 90 minutes long or less. • Do not expose tapes to direct sunlight, high humidity, extreme heat or

extreme cold. Allow tapes that may have been exposed to extreme temperatures to reach a moderate temperature before playing. • Tighten very loose tapes by inserting a finger or pencil into the hole • Remove loose labels before inserting tapes. • Do not leave tapes in the cassette player for a long time when not

and turning the hub.

being played.

Radio frequency information The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Canadian Radio and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) establish the frequencies AM and FM stations may use for their broadcasts. Allowable frequencies are: • AM 530, 540–1600, 1610 kHza • FM 87.9b, 88.1–107.7, 107.9 MHz Not all frequencies are used in a given area. a Some radios may tune up to 1710 kHz. b Some radios may tune down to 87.7 MHz.

54

Controls and features

Radio reception factors Three factors can affect radio reception: • Distance/strength. The further an FM signal travels, the weaker it is. The listenable range of the average FM station is approximately 40 km (24 miles). This range can be affected by “signal modulation.” Signal modulation is a process radio stations use to increase their strength/ volume relative to other stations. • Terrain. Hills, mountains and tall buildings between your vehicle’s antenna and the radio station signal can cause FM reception problems. Static can be caused on AM stations by power lines, electric fences, traffic lights and thunderstorms. Moving away from an interfering structure (out of its “shadow”) returns your reception to normal.

• Station overload. Weak signals are sometimes captured by stronger signals when you pass a broadcast tower. A stronger signal may temporarily overtake a weaker signal and play while the weak station frequency is displayed.

The audio system automatically switches to single channel reception if it will improve the reception of a station normally received in stereo. Audio system warranties and service Refer to the “Warranty Guide” for audio system warranty information. If service is necessary, see your dealer or a qualified technician.

POSITIONS OF THE IGNITION 1. ACCESSORY, allows the electrical accessories such as the radio to operate while the engine is not running. 2. LOCK, locks the steering wheel, automatic transmission gearshift lever and allows key removal. 3. OFF, shuts off the engine and all accessories without locking the steering wheel. 4. ON, all electrical circuits operational. Warning lights illuminated. Key position when driving. 5. START, cranks the engine. Release the key as soon as the engine starts.

55

Controls and features

TURN SIGNAL CONTROL • Push down to activate the left • Push up to activate the right turn

turn signal.

signal.

SPEED CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)

To turn speed control on • Press ON. Vehicle speed cannot be controlled until the vehicle is traveling at or above 48 km/h (30 mph).

ON

OFF

Do not use the speed control in heavy traffic or on roads that are winding, slippery, or unpaved.

Do not shift the gearshift lever into N (Neutral) with the speed control on.

56

To turn speed control off • Press OFF or • Turn off the vehicle ignition.

Controls and features

ON

OFF

Once speed control is switched off, the previously programmed set speed will be erased.

To set a speed • Press SET/SET ACC/SET ACCEL. For speed control to operate, the speed control must be ON and the vehicle speed must be greater than 48 km/h (30 mph).

RES

SET

ACCEL

COAST

If you drive up or down a steep hill, your vehicle speed may vary momentarily slower or faster than the set speed. This is normal. Speed control cannot reduce the vehicle speed if it increases above the set speed on a downhill. If your vehicle speed is faster than the set speed while driving on a downhill, you may want to shift to the next lower gear or apply the brakes to reduce your vehicle speed. If your vehicle slows down more than 16 km/h (10 mph) below your set speed on an uphill, your speed control will disengage. This is normal. Pressing RES/RSM/RESUME will re-engage it.

Do not use the speed control in heavy traffic or on roads that are winding, slippery, or unpaved.

57

Controls and features

To set a higher set speed • Press and hold SET/SET ACC/

SET ACCEL. Release the control when the desired vehicle speed is reached or • Press and release SET/SET ACC/

SET ACCEL. Each press will increase the set speed by 1.6
km/h (1 mph) or

RES

SET

ACCEL

COAST

• Accelerate with your accelerator pedal. When the desired vehicle speed is reached, press and release SET/SET ACC/SET ACCEL.

You can accelerate with the accelerator pedal at any time during speed control usage. Releasing the accelerator pedal will return your vehicle to the previously programmed set speed.

To set a lower set speed • Press and hold CST/COAST. Release the control when the desired speed is reached or • Press and release CST/COAST. Each press will decrease the set speed by 1.6 km/h (1 mph) or

• Depress the brake pedal. When the desired vehicle speed is reached, press SET/SET ACC/ SET ACCEL.

58

RES

SET

ACCEL

COAST

RES

SET

ACCEL

COAST

Controls and features

To disengage speed control • Depress the brake pedal or

• Depress the clutch pedal (if

equipped).

Disengaging the speed control will not erase the previously programmed set speed.

Pressing OFF will erase the previously programmed set speed.

ON

OFF

59

Controls and features

To return to a previously set speed • Press RES/RSM/RESUME. For RES/RSM/RESUME to operate, the vehicle speed must be faster than 48 km/h (30 mph).

RES

SET

ACCEL

COAST

TILT STEERING WHEEL (IF EQUIPPED) Pull the tilt steering control toward you to move the steering wheel up or down. Hold the control while adjusting the wheel to the desired position, then release the control to lock the steering wheel in position.

Never adjust the steering wheel when the vehicle is moving.

60

Controls and features

HAZARD FLASHER For information on the hazard flasher control, refer to Hazard flasher in the Roadside emergencies chapter.

WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER CONTROLS Rotate the windshield wiper control to the desired interval, low or high speed position. The bars of varying length are for intermittent wipers. When in this position rotate the control upward for fast intervals and downward for slow intervals. Push the control on the end of the stalk to activate washer. Push and hold for a longer wash cycle. The washer will automatically shut off after ten seconds of continuous use.

OVERDRIVE CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)

Activating overdrive

(Overdrive) is the normal drive position for the best fuel economy.

The overdrive function allows automatic upshifts and downshifts through all available gears.

Deactivating overdrive Press the Transmission Control Switch (TCS) located on the end of the gearshift lever. The Transmission Control Indicator Light (TCIL) (the word OFF) will illuminate on the end of the gearshift lever. The transmission will operate in all gears except overdrive. To return to normal overdrive mode, press the Transmission Control Switch again.

OVERDRIVE

OVERDRIVE OFF

61

Controls and features

The TCIL (the word OFF) will no longer be illuminated. When you shut off and re-start your vehicle, the transmission will automatically return to normal For additional information about the gearshift lever and the transmission control switch operation refer to the Automatic Transmission Operation section of the Driving chapter.

(Overdrive) mode.

POWER WINDOWS (IF EQUIPPED) Press and hold the rocker switches to open and close windows. • Press the top portion of the

rocker switch to close.

• Press the bottom portion of the

rocker switch to open.

AUTO

AUTO

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Controls and features

One touch down • Press AUTO completely down and

release quickly. The driver’s window will open fully. Depress again to stop window operation.

AUTO

Window lock The window lock feature allows only the driver to operate the power windows. To lock out all the window controls except for the driver’s press the left side of the control. Press the right side to restore the window controls.

WINDOW LOCK

Accessory delay (if equipped) With accessory delay, the window switches may be used for up to ten minutes after the ignition switch is turned to the OFF position or until any door is opened.

POWER DOOR LOCKS (IF EQUIPPED) Press U to unlock all doors and L to lock all doors.

63

Controls and features

CHILDPROOF DOOR LOCKS When these locks are set, the rear doors cannot be opened from the inside. The rear doors can be opened from the outside when the doors are unlocked. The childproof locks are located on rear edge of each rear door and must be set separately for each door. Setting the lock for one door will not automatically set the lock for both doors. Move lock control up to engage the childproof lock. Move control down to disengage childproof locks.

POWER SIDE VIEW MIRRORS (IF EQUIPPED) The ignition can be in any position to adjust the power side view mirrors. To adjust your mirrors: 1. Select L to adjust the left mirror or R to adjust the right mirror.

MIRRORS L R

2. Move the control in the direction you wish to tilt the mirror.

MIRRORS L R

64

Controls and features

3. Return to the center position to lock mirrors in place.

Fold-away mirrors Pull the side mirrors in carefully when driving through a narrow space, like an automatic car wash.

Heated outside mirrors (if equipped) Both mirrors are heated automatically to remove ice, mist and fog when the rear window defrost is activated. Do not remove ice from the mirrors with a scraper or attempt to readjust the mirror glass if it is frozen in place. These actions could cause damage to the glass and mirrors.

65

Controls and features

ILLUMINATED VISOR MIRROR (IF EQUIPPED) To turn on the visor mirror lamps, slide the mirror cover open. To turn off the visor mirror lamps, slide the mirror cover closed.

CENTER CONSOLE (IF EQUIPPED) Your vehicle may be equipped with a variety of console features. These include: • Utility compartment with • Coin holder • Pen holder • Writing surface

cassette/CD holder

• Utility compartment • Coin holder • Pen holder • Writing surface • Space for lap-top computer

66

Controls and features

REMOTE ENTRY SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED) The remote entry system allows you to lock or unlock all vehicle doors without a key. The remote entry features only operate with the ignition in the OFF position. If there is any potential remote keyless entry problem with your vehicle, ensure ALL key fobs (remote entry transmitters) are brought to the dealership, to aid in troubleshooting.

Unlocking the doors Press this control to unlock the driver’s door. The interior lamps will illuminate. Press the control a second time within five seconds to unlock all doors.

Locking the doors Press this control to lock all doors. To confirm all doors are closed and locked, press the control a second time within five seconds. The doors will lock again, the horn will chirp and the lamps will flash. If any of the doors are ajar, the horn will make two quick chirps, reminding you to properly close all doors.

67

Controls and features

Sounding a panic alarm Press this control to activate the alarm. To deactivate the alarm, press the control again or turn the ignition to ACC or ON. This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules and with RS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

Replacing the battery The transmitter is powered by one coin type three-volt lithium battery CR2032 or equivalent. Typical operating range will allow you to be up to 10 meters (33 feet) away from your vehicle. A decrease in operating range can be caused by: • weather conditions • nearby radio towers • structures around the vehicle • other vehicles parked next to the vehicle

68

Controls and features

To replace the battery: 1. Twist a thin coin between the two halves of the transmitter near the key ring. DO NOT TAKE THE FRONT PART OF THE TRANSMITTER APART. 2. Place the positive (+) side of new battery in the same orientation. Refer to the diagram inside the transmitter unit. 3. Snap the two halves back together.

Illuminated entry The interior lamps illuminate when the remote entry system is used to unlock the door(s) or sound the personal alarm. The system automatically turns off after 25 seconds or when the ignition is turned to the RUN or ACC position. The dome lamp control (if equipped) must not be set to the OFF position for the illuminated entry system to operate. The inside lights will not turn off if: • they have been turned on with the dimmer control or • any door is open. The battery saver will shut off the interior lamps 40 minutes after the ignition has been turned to the OFF position.

69

Controls and features

Replacing lost transmitters If a remote transmitter has been lost and you would like to remove it from the vehicle’s memory, or you would like to purchase additional remote transmitters and have them programmed to your vehicle: • Take all your vehicle’s

transmitters to your dealer for programming, or

• Perform the programming

procedure yourself

Programming remote transmitters It is necessary to have all (maximum of four — original and/or new) of your remote transmitters available prior to beginning this procedure. To program the transmitters yourself: • Insert a key in the ignition and turn from 3 (OFF) to 4 (ON) five times in rapid succession (within 10 seconds) with the eighth turn ending in the 4 (ON) position. The doors will lock/unlock to confirm that programming mode has been entered.

• Within 20 seconds, program a remote transmitter by pressing any button on a transmitter. The doors will lock/unlock to confirm that the remote transmitter has been programmed. (If more than 20
seconds pass before pressing a remote transmitter button, the programming mode will exit and the procedure will have to be repeated.)

• Repeat the previous step to program additional remote transmitters.

The doors will lock/unlock to confirm that each remote transmitter has been programmed. • When you have completed programming the remote transmitters, turn

the ignition to 3 (OFF) or wait 20 seconds. Again the doors will lock/unlock to confirm programming has been completed.

70

Controls and features

Reprogramming transmitters To reprogram all transmitters, place the key in the ignition and turn from OFF to ON eight times in a row (within 10 seconds). After doors lock/unlock, press any control on all transmitters (up to four). When completed, turn the ignition to OFF. All transmitters must be reprogrammed at the same time.

TAILGATE LOCK (IF EQUIPPED) Your vehicle is equipped with a tailgate lock designed to prevent theft of the tailgate. • Insert ignition key and turn to the • Turn ignition key to the left to

right to engage lock.

unlock.

Tailgate removal Your tailgate is removable to allow more room for loading. 1. Lower the tailgate. 2. Use a screwdriver to pry the spring clip (on each connector) past the head of the support screw. Disconnect cable. 3. Disconnect the other cable. 4. Lift tailgate to a 45 degree angle. 5. Lift right side off of its hinge. 6. Lift left side off of its hinge. To install, follow the removal procedures in reverse order.

71

Seating and safety restraints

SEATING

Full bench seat (if equipped) • Lift the track release bar to move the seat forward or backward. Ensure that the seat is relatched into place.

• Pull up on the release lever located at the bottom of the seatback to quickly fold the seatback forward.

60/40 split bench seat (if equipped) • Lift the release bar to move the seat forward or backward. Ensure the seat is relatched into place. • Pull the seatback handle up to • Push down the release lever

recline the seat.

located on the back of the seat to quickly fold the seatback forward.

72

Seating and safety restraints

Captain’s chair (if equipped) • Lift the track release bar to move

the seat forward or rearward. Make sure that the seat is relatched into place.

recline the seat.

• Pull the seatback handle up to • Push down the release lever located at the bottom of the seatback to quickly fold the seatback forward.

Adjusting the front power seat (if equipped)

Never adjust the driver’s seat or seatback when the vehicle is moving.

Do not pile cargo higher than the seatbacks to avoid injuring people in a collision or sudden stop.

Always drive and ride with your seatback upright and the lap belt snug and low across the hips.

Reclining the seatback can reduce the effectiveness of the seat’s safety belt in the event of a collision.

The control is located on the outboard side of the seat cushion.

73

Seating and safety restraints

Press front to raise or lower the front portion of the seat cushion.

Press rear to raise or lower the rear portion of the seat cushion.

Press the control to move the seat forward, backward, up or down.

Turn the lumbar support control toward the front of vehicle to move the lumbar support forward for more direct support. Turn the lumbar support control toward the rear of vehicle to move the lumbar support back for less direct support.

74

Seating and safety restraints

Folding up the rear seats (if equipped — SuperCab only) The rear seatback has a split 60/40 seat. Each seat cushion can be flipped up into the seatback position. 1. Pull control to release seat cushion. 2. Rotate seat cushion up until it locks into vertical storage position.

Returning the seat to seating position

Always be sure that the seat is in a latched position, whether the seat is occupied or empty. If not latched, the seat may cause

injury during a sudden stop.

1. Pull control on the side of the seat to release seat cushion from storage position. 2. Push seat cushion down until it locks into horizontal position.

SAFETY RESTRAINTS

Safety restraints precautions

Always drive and ride with your seatback upright and the lap belt snug and low across the hips.

To reduce the risk of injury, make sure children sit where they can be properly restrained.

75

Seating and safety restraints

Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap while the vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the child from

injury in a collision.

All occupants of the vehicle, including the driver, should always properly wear their safety belts, even when an air bag SRS is

provided.

It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area, inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, 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 safety belts. Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and using a safety belt properly.

In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt.

Each seating position in your vehicle has a specific safety belt assembly which is made up of one buckle and one tongue that

are designed to be used as a pair. 1) Use the shoulder belt on the outside shoulder only. Never wear the shoulder belt under the arm. 2) Never swing the safety belt around your neck over the inside shoulder. 3) Never use a single belt for more than one person.

Always transport children 12 years old and under in the back seat and always properly use appropriate child restraints.

76

Seating and safety restraints

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 and rear outboard safety restraints in the vehicle are combination lap and shoulder belts. The front passenger and rear seat outboard safety belts have two types of locking modes described below:

Vehicle sensitive mode The vehicle sensitive mode is the normal retractor mode, allowing 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. On SuperCab and CrewCab models, the front seat belt system can also be made to lock manually by quickly pulling on the shoulder belt. Rear seat belts (if equipped) cannot be made to lock up by pulling quickly on the belt.

77

Seating and safety restraints

Automatic locking mode In this mode, the shoulder belt is automatically pre-locked. The belt will still retract to remove any slack in the shoulder belt. The automatic locking mode is not available on the driver safety belt. When to use the automatic locking mode • Anytime a child safety seat is installed in a passenger front or outboard rear seating position (if equipped). Children 12 years old and under should be properly restrained in the rear seat whenever possible. Refer to Safety Restraints for Children or Safety Seats for Children later in this chapter.

How to use the automatic locking mode • Buckle the combination lap and

shoulder belt.

• Grasp the shoulder portion and pull downward until the entire belt is extracted.

78

Seating and safety restraints • Allow the belt to retract. As the belt retracts, you will hear a clicking sound. This indicates the safety belt is now in the automatic locking mode.

How to disengage the automatic locking mode Disconnect the combination lap/shoulder belt and allow it to retract completely to disengage the automatic locking mode and activate the vehicle sensitive (emergency) locking mode.

Energy Management Feature • This vehicle has a seat belt system with an energy management

feature at the front outboard seating position to help further reduce the risk of injury in the event of a head-on collision. • The front outboard seat belt system has a retractor assembly that is designed to pay out webbing in a controlled manner. This feature is designed to help reduce the belt force acting on the occupant’s chest.

After any vehicle collision, the seat belt system at all outboard seating positions (except driver, which has no “automatic locking retractor” feature) must be checked by a qualified technician to verify that the “automatic locking retractor” feature for child seats is still functioning properly. In addition, all seat belts should be checked for proper function.

BELT AND RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED if the seat belt assembly “automatic locking retractor” feature or any other seat 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.

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Seating and safety restraints

Safety belt replacement label (Crew Cab Only) The short plastic boot on the front safety belt at the passenger outboard anchor location covers a “Replace Belt” label on the safety belt.

In the event of a collision, the colored label (REPLACE BELT) may become visible. If this occurs, the safety belt must be replaced.

Whenever the yellow portion of the label is

visible, the safety belt must be replaced.

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Seating and safety restraints

Failure to follow these instructions will affect the performance of the safety belts and increase the risk of personal injury.

Front safety belt height adjustment Your vehicle has safety belt height adjustments for the driver and front passenger. Adjust the height of the shoulder belt so the belt rests across the middle of your shoulder. • Regular Cab and 4–door CrewCab

81

Seating and safety restraints • 4–door Super Cab

To lower the shoulder belt height, push the button and slide the height adjuster down. To raise the height of the shoulder belt, slide the height adjuster up. Pull down on the height adjuster to make sure it is locked in place.

Position the shoulder belt height adjusters so that the belt rests across the middle of your shoulder. Failure to adjust the safety

belt properly could reduce the effectiveness of the seat belt and increase the risk of injury in a collision.

Lap belts Adjusting the lap belt The lap belt does not adjust automatically.

The lap belts should fit snugly and as low as possible around the hips, not around the waist.

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Insert the tongue into the correct buckle (the buckle closest to the direction the tongue is coming from). To lengthen the belt, turn the tongue at a right angle to the belt and pull across your lap until it reaches the buckle. To tighten the belt, pull the loose end of the belt through the tongue until it fits snugly across the hips.

Shorten and fasten the belt when not in use.

Safety belt extension assembly If the safety belt assembly is too short, even when fully extended, 20 cm (8 inches) can be added to the safety belt assembly by adding a safety belt extension assembly (part number 611C22). Safety belt extension assemblies 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 warning light and indicator chime The seat belt warning light illuminates in the instrument cluster and a chime sounds to remind the occupants to fasten their safety belts.

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Conditions of operation If... The driver’s safety belt is not buckled before the ignition switch is turned to the ON position...

The driver’s safety belt is buckled while the indicator light is illuminated and the warning chime is sounding... The driver’s safety belt is buckled before the ignition switch is turned to the ON position...

Then... The safety belt warning light illuminates1-2 minutes and the warning chime sounds 4-8
seconds. The safety belt warning light and warning chime turn off.

The safety belt warning light and indicator chime remain off.

Belt minder (if equipped) The Belt Minder feature is a supplemental warning to the safety belt warning function. This feature provides additional reminders to the driver that the driver’s safety belt is unbuckled by intermittently sounding a chime and illuminating the safety belt warning lamp in the instrument cluster.

If... The driver’s safety belt is not buckled before the vehicle has reached at least 5 km/h (3 mph) and 1-2 minutes have elapsed since the ignition switch has been turned to ON...

Then... The Belt Minder feature is activated - the safety belt warning light illuminates and the warning chime sounds for 6 seconds every 30 seconds, repeating for approximately 5 minutes or until safety belt is buckled. The Belt Minder feature will not activate.

The driver’s safety belt is buckled while the safety belt indicator light is illuminated and the safety belt warning chime is sounding... The driver’s safety belt is buckled before the ignition switch is turned to the ON position... The purpose of the Belt Minder is to remind occasional wearers to wear safety belts all of the time.

The Belt Minder feature will not activate.

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The following are reasons most often given for not wearing safety belts: (All statistics based on U.S. data)

Reasons given... Consider... ⬙Crashes are rare events⬙

36 700 crashes occur every day. The more we drive, the more we are exposed to ⬙rare⬙ events, even for good drivers. 1 in 4 of us will be seriously injured in a crash during our lifetime.

⬙I’m not going far⬙ 3 of 4 fatal crashes occur within 25 miles of home. ⬙Belts are Ford designs its safety belts to enhance comfort. If uncomfortable⬙ you are uncomfortable - try different positions for the safety belt upper anchorage and seatback which should be as upright as possible; this can improve comfort.

⬙I was in a hurry⬙ Prime time for an accident. Belt Minder reminds

⬙Seat belts don’t work⬙

⬙Traffic is light⬙

⬙Belts wrinkle my clothes⬙

⬙The people I’m with don’t wear belts⬙

us to take a few seconds to buckle up. Safety belts, when used properly, reduce risk of death to front seat occupants by 45% in cars, and by 60% in light trucks. Nearly 1 of 2 deaths occur in single-vehicle crashes, many when no other vehicles are around. Possibly, but a serious crash can do much more than wrinkle your clothes, particularly if you are unbelted. Set the example, teen deaths occur 4 times more often in vehicles with TWO or MORE people. Children and younger brothers/sisters imitate behavior they see.

⬙I have an air bag⬙ Air bags offer greater protection when used with safety belts. Frontal airbags are not designed to inflate in rear and side crashes or rollovers. Not a good idea, people who are ejected are 40
times more likely to DIE. Safety belts help prevent ejection, WE CAN’T ⬙PICK OUR CRASH⬙.

⬙I’d rather be thrown clear⬙

Do not sit on top of a buckled safety belt to avoid the Belt Minder chime. Sitting on the safety belt will increase risk of injury in an accident. To disable (one-time) or deactivate the Belt Minder feature please follow the directions stated below.

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One time disable Anytime the safety belt is buckled and then unbuckled during an ignition ON cycle, Belt Minder will be disabled for that ignition cycle only. Deactivating/activating the belt minder feature Read steps 1 - 9 thoroughly before proceeding with the deactivation/activation programming procedure. The Belt Minder feature can be deactivated/activated by performing the following procedure: Before following the procedure, make sure that: • the parking brake is set • the gearshift is in P (Park) (automatic transmission) or the neutral • the ignition switch is in the OFF position • all vehicle doors are closed • the driver’s safety belt is unbuckled • the parklamps/headlamps are in OFF position (If vehicle is equipped

position (manual transmission).

with Autolamps, this will not affect the procedure.)

To reduce the risk of injury, do not deactivate/activate the Belt Minder feature while driving the vehicle.

1. Turn the ignition switch to the RUN (or ON) position. (DO NOT START THE ENGINE) 2. Wait until the safety belt warning light turns off. (Approximately 1–2
minutes) • Steps 3–5 must be completed within 60 seconds or the procedure will

have to be repeated.

3. Buckle then unbuckle the safety belt three times, ending with the safety belt unbuckled. This can be done before or during Belt Minder warning activation. 4. Turn on the parklamps/headlamps, turn off the parklamps/headlamps. 5. Buckle then unbuckle the safety belt three times, ending with the safety belt unbuckled. • After step 5 the safety belt warning light will be turned on for three

seconds.

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6. Within seven seconds of the safety belt warning light turning off, buckle then unbuckle the safety belt. • This will disable Belt Minder if it is currently enabled, or enable Belt

Minder if it is currently disabled.

7. Confirmation of disabling Belt Minder is provided by flashing the safety belt warning light four times per second for three seconds. 8. Confirmation of enabling Belt Minder is provided by flashing the safety belt warning light four times per second for three seconds, followed by three seconds with the safety belt warning light off, then followed by flashing the safety belt warning light four times per second for three seconds again. 9. After receiving confirmation, the deactivation/activation procedure is complete.

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, wears 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), shoulder belt guide on seatback (if equipped), child safety seat tether bracket assemblies (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. 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 Maintenance and care section.

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AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS)

50 60

40

70

120

80

140

90

160

km/h

100

18

30

60

80

100

40

20

20

10

MPH

ON

OFF

VOL - PUSH ON

DIESEL FUEL ONLY

RPM x 1000

RES

SET

ACCEL

COAST

AM FM

BASS

TREB

FM1

STST

BAL

FADE AUTO SET

SEEK

TUNE DISCS

SCAN

EJ

DOLBY B NR DOLBY B NR

TAPE CD

REW

FF

SIDE 1-2

COMP

SHUFFLE

OFF

A/C MAX A/C

Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and diagnostic module which records information about the air bag and sensor systems. In the event of a collision this module may save information related to the collision including information about the air bag system and impact severity. This information will assist Ford in the servicing of your vehicle and may help Ford better understand real world collisions and further improve the safety of future vehicles.

Important supplemental restraint system (SRS) precautions The supplemental restraint system is designed to work with the safety belt to help protect the driver and right front passenger from certain upper body injuries. Air bags DO NOT inflate slowly or gently and the risk of injury from a deploying air bag is greatest close to the trim covering the air bag module.

All occupants of the vehicle, including the driver, should always properly wear their safety belts, even when an air bag SRS is

provided.

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Always transport children 12 years old and under in the back seat and always properly use appropriate child restraints.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends a minimum distance of at least 25 cm (10 inches)

between an occupant’s chest and the driver air bag module.

Never place your arm over the air bag module as a deploying air bag can result in serious arm fractures or other injuries.

Steps you can take to properly position yourself away from the air bag: • Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still reaching the • Recline the seat slightly (one or two degrees) from the upright

pedals comfortably.

position.

Do not put anything on or over the air bag module. Placing objects on or over the air bag inflation area may cause those

objects to be propelled by the air bag into your face and torso causing serious injury.

Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System or its fuses. See your Ford or

Lincoln-Mercury dealer.

Children and air bags For additional important safety information, read all information on safety restraints in this guide. Children must always be properly restrained. Failure to follow these instructions may increase the risk of injury in a collision.

An infant in a rear-facing seat faces a high risk of serious or fatal injuries from a deploying passenger air bag. Rear facing infant

seats should NEVER be placed in the front seats, unless the passenger air bag is turned off. See Passenger air bag ON/OFF switch.

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How does the air bag supplemental restraint system work? The air bag SRS is designed to activate when the vehicle sustains sufficient longitudinal deceleration. The fact that the air bags did not inflate in a collision does not mean that something is wrong with the system. Rather, it means the forces were not of the type sufficient to cause activation. Air bags are designed to inflate in frontal and near-frontal collisions, not rollover, side-impact, or rear-impacts. The air bags inflate and deflate rapidly upon activation. After air bag deployment, it is normal to notice a smoke-like, powdery residue or smell the burnt propellant. This may consist of cornstarch, talcum powder (to lubricate the bag) or sodium compounds (e.g., baking soda) that result from the combustion process that inflates the air bag. Small amounts of sodium hydroxide may be present which may irritate the skin and eyes, but none of the residue is toxic. While the system is designed to help reduce serious injuries, it may also cause minor abrasions, swelling or temporary hearing loss. Because air bags must inflate rapidly and with considerable force, there is the risk of death or serious injuries such as fractures, facial and eye injuries or internal injuries, particularly to occupants who are not properly restrained or are otherwise out of position at the time of air bag deployment. Thus, it is extremely important that occupants be properly restrained as far away from the air bag module as possible while maintaining vehicle control.

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Several air bag system components get hot after inflation. Do not touch them after inflation.

If the air bag is deployed, the air bag will not function again and must be replaced immediately. If the air bag is not replaced, the unrepaired area will increase the risk of injury in a collision.

inflators and air bags),

The SRS consists of: • driver and passenger (if equipped) air bag modules (which include the • one or more impact and safing sensors, • a readiness light and tone • and the electrical wiring which connects the components. The diagnostic module monitors its own internal circuits and the supplemental air bag electrical system warning (including the impact sensors), the system wiring, the air bag system readiness light, the air bag back up power and the air bag ignitors.

Determining if the system is operational The SRS uses a readiness light in the instrument cluster or a tone to indicate the condition of the system. Refer to the Air bag readiness section in the Instrumentation chapter. Routine maintenance of the air bag is not required. A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following: • The readiness light will either • The readiness light will not illuminate immediately after ignition is turned on.

• A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat

flash or stay lit.

periodically until the problem and light are repaired.

If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the SRS serviced at your dealership or by a qualified technician immediately. Unless serviced, the system may not function properly in the event of a collision.

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Disposal of air bags and air bag equipped vehicles (including pretensioners) For disposal of air bags or air bag equipped vehicles, see your local dealership or qualified technician. Air bags MUST BE disposed of by qualified personnel.

Passenger air bag ON/OFF switch (if equipped)

An air bag ON/OFF switch has been installed in this vehicle. Before driving, always look at the face of the switch to be sure the switch is in the proper position in accordance with these instructions and warnings. Failure to put the switch in a proper position can increase the risk of serious injury or death in a collision.

Turning the passenger air bag off 1. Insert the ignition key, turn the switch to OFF position and hold in OFF position while removing the key. 2. When the ignition is turned to the ON position the OFF light illuminates briefly, momentarily shuts off and then turns back on. This indicates that the passenger air bag is deactivated.

PASSENGER AIR BAG

ON

OFF

OFF

PASSENGER AIR BAG

ON

OFF

OFF

If the light fails to illuminate when the passenger air bag switch is in the OFF position and the ignition switch is in ON, have the

passenger air bag switch serviced at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer immediately.

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In order to avoid inadvertent activation of the switch, always remove the ignition key from the passenger air bag ON/OFF

switch.

Turning the passenger air bag back on The passenger air bag remains OFF until you turn it back ON. 1. Insert the ignition key and turn the switch to ON. 2. The OFF light will briefly illuminate when the ignition is turned to On. This indicates that the passenger air bag is operational.

OFF

OFF

ON

PASSENGER AIR BAG

If the light is illuminated when the passenger air bag switch is in the ON position and the ignition switch is in ON, have the

passenger air bag switch serviced at your Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer immediately.

The passenger side air bag should always be ON (the air bag OFF light should not be illuminated) unless the passenger is a person who meets the requirements stated either in Category 1, 2 or 3 of the NHTSA/ Transport Canada deactivation criteria which follows.

The safety belts for the driver and right front passenger seating positions have been specifically designed to function together

with the air bags in certain types of crashes. When you turn OFF your air bag, you not only lose the protection of the air bag, you also may reduce the effectiveness of your safety belt system, which was designed to work with the air bag. If you are not a person who meets the requirements stated in the NHTSA/Transport Canada deactivation criteria turning OFF the air bag can increase the risk of serious injury or death in a collision.

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Always transport children who are 12 and younger in the rear seat. Always use safety belts and child restraints properly. If a

child in a rear facing infant seat must be transported in front, the passenger air bag must be turned OFF. This is because the back of the infant seat is too close to the inflating air bag and the risk of a fatal injury to the infant when the air bag inflates is substantial.

The vast majority of drivers and passengers are much safer with an air bag than without. To do their job and reduce the risk of life threatening injuries, air bags must open with great force, and this force can pose a potentially deadly risk in some situations, particularly when a front seat occupant is not properly buckled up. The most effective way to reduce the risk of unnecessary air bag injuries without reducing the overall safety of the vehicle is to make sure all occupants are properly restrained in the vehicle, especially in the front seat. This provides the protection of safety belts and permits the air bags to provide the additional protection they were designed to provide. If you choose to deactivate your air bag, you are losing the very significant risk reducing benefits of the air bag and you are also reducing the effectiveness of the safety belts, because safety belts in modern vehicles are designed to work as a safety system with the air bags. Read all air bag Warning labels in the vehicle as well as the other important air bag instructions and Warnings in this Owner’s Guide. NHTSA deactivation criteria (excluding Canada) 1. Infant. An infant (less than 1 year old) must ride in the front seat because: • the vehicle has no rear seat; • the vehicle has a rear seat too small to accommodate a rear-facing • the infant has a medical condition which, according to the infant’s

infant seat; or

physician, makes it necessary for the infant to ride in the front so that the driver can constantly monitor the child’s condition.

2. Child age 1 to 12. A child age 1 to 12 must ride in the front seat because: • the vehicle has no rear seat;

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• although children ages 1 to 12 ride in the rear seat(s) whenever possible, children ages 1 to 12 sometimes must ride in the front because no space is available in the rear seat(s) of the vehicle; or • the child has a medical condition which, according to the child’s

physician, makes it necessary for the child to ride in the front seat so that the driver can constantly monitor the child’s condition.

and

3. Medical condition. A passenger has a medical condition which, according to his or her physician: • causes the passenger air bag to pose a special risk for the passenger; • makes the potential harm from the passenger air bag in a crash greater than the potential harm from turning OFF the air bag and allowing the passenger, even if belted, to hit the dashboard or windshield in a crash.

This vehicle has special energy management safety belts for the driver and/or right front passenger. These particular belts are specifically designed to work with air bags to help reduce the risk of injury in a collision. The energy management safety belt is designed to give or release additional belt webbing in some accidents to reduce concentration of force on an occupant’s chest and reduce the risk of certain bone fractures and injuries to underlying organs. In a crash, if the air bag is turned OFF, this energy management safety belt might permit the person wearing the belt to move forward enough to incur a serious or fatal injury. The more severe the crash, and the heavier the occupant, the greater the risk is. Be sure the air bag is turned ON for any person who does not qualify under the NHTSA deactivation criteria.

Transport Canada deactivation criteria (Canada Only) 1. Infant: An infant (less than 1 year old) must ride in the front seat because: • my vehicle has no rear seat; • the rear seat in my vehicle cannot accommodate a rear-facing infant • the infant has a medical condition which, according to the infant’s

seat; or

physician, makes it necessary for the infant to ride in the front seat so that the driver can monitor the infant’s condition.

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2. Child age 12 or under: A child age 12 or under must ride in the front seat because: • my vehicle has no rear seat; • although children age 12 and under ride in the rear seat whenever

possible, children age 12 and under have no option but to sometimes ride in the front seat because rear seat space is insufficient; or • the child has a medical condition that, according to the child’s

physician, makes it necessary for the child to ride in the front seat so that the driver can monitor the child’s condition.

3. Medical condition: A passenger has a medical condition that, according to his or her physician: • poses a special risk for the passenger if the air bag deploys; and • makes the potential harm from the passenger air bag deployment greater than the potential harm from turning OFF the air bag and experiencing a crash without the protection offered by the air bag

This vehicle has special energy management safety belts for the driver and/or right front passenger. These particular belts are specifically designed to work with air bags to help reduce the risk of injury in a collision. The energy management safety belt is designed to give or release additional belt webbing in some accidents to reduce concentration of force on an occupant’s chest and reduce the risk of certain bone fractures and injuries to underlying organs. In a crash, if the air bag is turned OFF, this energy management safety belt might permit the person wearing the belt to move forward enough to incur a serious or fatal injury. The more severe the crash, and the heavier the occupant, the greater the risk is. Be sure the air bag is turned ON for any person who does not qualify under the Transport Canada deactivation criteria.

SAFETY RESTRAINTS FOR CHILDREN See the following sections for directions on how to properly use safety restraints for children. Also see Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) in this chapter for special instructions about using air bags.

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Important child restraint precautions You are required by law to use safety restraints for children in the U.S. and Canada. If small children ride in your vehicle (generally children who are four years old or younger and who weigh 18 kg [40 lbs] or less), you must put them in safety seats made especially for children. Check your local and state or provincial laws for specific requirements regarding the safety of children in your vehicle.

Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap while the vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the child from

injury in a collision.

Always follow the instructions and warnings that come with any infant or child restraint you might use. When possible, always place children under age 12 in the rear seat of your vehicle. Accident statistics suggest that children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seating position.

Children and safety belts If the child is the proper size, restrain the child in a safety seat. Children who are too large for child safety seats (as specified by your child safety seat manufacturer) should always wear safety belts. Follow all the important safety restraint and air bag precautions that apply to adult passengers in your vehicle. If the shoulder belt portion of a combination lap and shoulder belt can be positioned so it does not cross or rest in front of the child’s face or neck, the child should wear the lap and shoulder belt. Moving the child closer to the center of the vehicle may help provide a good shoulder belt fit.

Do not leave children, unreliable adults, or pets unattended in your vehicle.

To improve the fit of lap and shoulder belts on children who have outgrown child safety seats, Ford recommends use of a belt-positioning booster seat that is labelled as conforming to all Federal motor vehicle safety standards. Belt-positioning booster seats raise the child and provide a shorter, firmer seating cushion that encourages safer seating posture and better fit of lap and shoulder belts on the child.

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A belt-positioning booster should be used if the shoulder belt rests in front of the child’s face or neck, or if the lap belt does not fit snugly on both thighs, or if the thighs are too short to let the child sit all the way back on the seat cushion when the lower legs hang over the edge of the seat cushion. You may wish to discuss the special needs of your child with your pediatrician.

SAFETY SEATS FOR CHILDREN

Child and infant or child safety seats Use a safety seat that is recommended for the size and weight of the child. Carefully follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions with the safety seat you put in your vehicle. If you do not install and use the safety seat properly, the child may be injured in a sudden stop or collision. When installing a child safety seat: • Review and follow the information presented in the Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System section in this chapter. • Use the correct safety belt buckle for that seating position (the buckle closest to the direction the tongue is coming from).

• Insert the belt tongue into the proper buckle until you hear a snap and feel it latch. Make sure the tongue is securely fastened in the buckle.

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Seating and safety restraints • Keep the buckle release button pointing up and away from the safety seat, with the tongue between the child seat and the release button, to prevent accidental unbuckling. • Place seat back in upright position. • Put the safety belt in the automatic locking mode. Refer to Automatic

locking mode (passenger side front and outboard rear seating positions) (if equipped).

Ford recommends the use of a child safety seat having a top tether strap. Install the child safety seat in a seating position which is capable of providing a tether anchorage. For more information on top tether straps, refer to Attaching safety seats with tether straps.

Carefully follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions included with the safety seat you put in your vehicle. If you do not install and use the safety seat properly, the child may be injured in a sudden stop or collision.

Installing child safety seats in combination lap and shoulder belt seating positions 1. Position the child safety seat in a seat with a combination lap and shoulder belt.

An air bag can kill or injure a child in a child seat. If you must use a forward-facing child seat in the front seat, move seat all

the way back.

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An air bag can kill or injure a child in a child seat. Child seats should never be placed in the front seats, unless passenger air

bag switch is turned off, See Passenger air bag deactivation switch.

Rear facing child seats should NEVER be placed in the front seats unless the passenger airbag switch is turned off.

2. Pull down on the shoulder belt and then grasp the shoulder belt and lap belt together.

3. While holding the shoulder and lap belt portions together, route the tongue through the child seat according to the child seat manufacturer’s instructions. Be sure the belt webbing is not twisted.

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4. Insert the belt tongue into the proper buckle (the buckle closest to the direction the tongue is coming from) for that seating position until you hear and feel the latch engage. Make sure the tongue is latched securely by pulling on it.

5. To put the retractor in the automatic locking mode, grasp the shoulder portion of the belt and pull downward until all of the belt is extracted and a click is heard.

6. Allow the belt to retract. The belt will click as it retracts to indicate it is in the automatic locking mode. 7. Pull the lap belt portion across the child seat toward the buckle and pull up on the shoulder belt while pushing down with knee on the child seat.

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8. Allow the safety belt to retract to remove any slack in the belt. 9. Before placing the child in the seat, forcibly tilt the seat forward and back to make sure the seat is securely held in place.

10. Try to pull the belt out of the retractor to make sure the retractor is in the automatic locking mode (you should not be able to pull more belt out). If the retractor is not locked, unbuckle the belt and repeat steps two through nine. Check to make sure the child seat is properly secured before each use.

Attaching safety seats with tether straps Some manufacturers make safety seats that include a tether strap that goes over the back of the vehicle seat and attaches to an anchoring point. Other manufacturers offer the tether strap as an accessory. Contact the manufacturer of your child safety seat for information about ordering a tether strap.

Tether anchorage hardware A tethered seat can be installed in the front seat. Put the tether strap over the seatback and attach it to an anchor bracket. An anchor bracket can be installed to the inside of the back panel of your vehicle. The anchor bracket must be installed using the instructions provided with the tether anchorage hardware kit. Tether anchorage hardware kits (part number 613D74) including instructions, may be obtained at no charge from any Ford or Lincoln/Mercury dealer. If you have a Super Cab or Crew Cab, Ford recommends you attach tether safety seats in the rear seating position (if possible) with the tether strap attached to the tether anchorage bracket as shown in the instructions provided with the tether anchor kit.

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Tighten the anchor according to specifications. Otherwise, the safety seat may not be properly secured and the child may be

injured in a sudden stop or collision.

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Starting

PREPARING TO START YOUR VEHICLE Engine starting is controlled by the powertrain control system. This system meets all Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment standard requirements regulating the impulse electrical field strength of radio noise. When starting a fuel-injected engine, avoid pressing the accelerator before or during starting. Only use the accelerator when you have difficulty starting the engine. For more information on starting the vehicle, refer to Starting the engine in this chapter.

Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce very high temperatures in the engine and exhaust system, creating the risk

of fire or other damage.

Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine

compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.

Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in other enclosed areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open the garage door before you start the engine. See Guarding against exhaust fumes in this chapter for more instructions.

If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have your dealer inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell

exhaust fumes.

Important safety precautions A computer system controls the engine’s idle revolutions per minute (RPM). When the engine starts, the idle RPM runs faster to warm the engine. If the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically, have the vehicle checked. Do not allow the vehicle to idle for more than 10
minutes at high engine RPM. Before starting the vehicle: 1. Make sure all vehicle occupants have buckled their safety belts. For more information on safety belts and their proper usage, refer to the