F 150 Heritage 4WD Pickup V6-4.2L VIN 2 (2004)
Seat Belt Retractor: Description and Operation
Occupant Restraints - Active
Safety Belt Retractor And Pretensioner
Vehicles without seat integrated restraints (SIR) are equipped with safety belt retractor and pretensioners, for the front outboard occupants. To identify
a SIR seat, refer to Seat Integrated Restraints (SIR) Identification.
When the front air bag system is deployed, the pretensioner in the retractor deploys, causing the retractor spool to rotate. The rotating spool action
removes excess webbing from the safety belt assembly, tightening the webbing around the occupant.
Dual Locking Mode Retractors
NOTE: When replacing a dual locking mode retractor, the retractor should be checked to make sure it is not in the automatic locking retractor (ALR)
mode after installation in the stowed position.
All outboard continuous-loop, three-point retractor systems, except the driver position, are equipped with the dual locking mode system.
The emergency locking retractor (ELR) mode will allow the occupant freedom of movement, locking tight only on hard braking, hard cornering, or an
impact of approximately 8 km/h (5 mph). The ELR mode helps to reduce the forward movement of the driver and passengers. The ELR mode is
continuously in operation at all seating positions.
The ALR portion of this system does not allow the occupant freedom of movement. The ALR mode is used when locking a child seat in an outboard
seating position or when a tight belt fit is desired. The ALR mode is disengaged when the webbing is free to move in or out of the retractor. The ALR
mode is automatically engaged when the webbing is fully extracted from the retractor and then allowed to retract. As the webbing is retracted back
onto the spool, an audible clicking sound is made indicating the retractor is in ALR mode. The ALR mode is automatically disengaged when most of
the webbing is retracted back onto the spool.
Seat Integrated Restraints (SIR)
Seat Integrated Restraints (SIR) Identification
SuperCab vehicles may be equipped with a safety belt retractor that is integral to the front outboard seat backrest. The telltale sign to identifying a SIR
equipped seat is the integral safety belt guide tower cap located to the outboard side of the headrest (see arrow). If SIR equipped, the front outboard
seating positions will also have safety belt buckle pretensioners.
