Seating and Safety Restraints Ford 2006-Mustang

When it comes to enjoying the thrill of the road, the Ford 2006 Mustang stands as an icon of power and performance. As drivers and passengers embark on unforgettable journeys, it is crucial to prioritize both comfort and safety. The seating and safety restraints in the Ford 2006 Mustang are designed to provide an exceptional level of support and protection, ensuring a secure and enjoyable driving experience. Whether you’re accelerating down the highway or navigating winding roads, let’s delve into the impressive features that make the seating and safety restraints of the Ford 2006 Mustang a pinnacle of automotive excellence.

SEATING

Notes:

⚠ Reclining the seatback can cause an occupant to slide under the seat’s safety belt, resulting in severe personal injuries in the event of a collision.

⚠ Do not pile cargo higher than the seatbacks to reduce the risk of injury in a collision or sudden stop.

⚠ Before returning the seatback to its original position, make sure that cargo or any objects are not trapped behind the seatback. After returning the seatback to its original position, pull on the seatback to ensure that it has fully latched. An unlatched seat may become dangerous in the event of a sudden stop or collision.

Adjustable head restraints

Your vehicle’s seats are equipped with head restraints which are vertically adjustable. The purpose of these head restraints is to help limit head motion in the event of a rear collision. To properly adjust your head restraints, lift the head restraint so that it is located directly behind your head or as close to that position as possible. Refer to the following to raise and lower the head restraints.

Seating and Safety Restraints Ford 2006 Mustang

Lift the head restraint to raise the height.

To lower the head restraint, press the button located on the driver’s side post.

Adjusting the front manual seat (if equipped)

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

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

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Lift handle to move seat forward or backward.

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Pull lever up to adjust the angle of the seatback.

Four-way seat adjust (driver side only)

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Pump the handle upwards to raise the cushion and pump downward to lower the cushion to the desired location.

Using the power lumbar support (if equipped)

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Using the power lumbar support (if equipped) The power lumbar control is located on the top of the seat side shield. Press one side of the control to increase lower back firmness. Press the other side of the control to decrease lower back firmness.

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 cause an occupant to slide under the seat’s safety belt, resulting in severe personal injuries in the event of a collision.

⚠ Sitting improperly out of position or with the seat back reclined too far can take off weight from the seat cushion and affect the decision of the passenger sensing system, resulting in serious injury or death in a crash. Always sit upright against your seatback, with your feet on the floor.

⚠ To reduce the risk of possible serious injury: Do not hang objects off seat back or stow objects in the seatback map pocket (if equipped) when a child is in the front passenger seat. Do not place objects underneath the front passenger seat or between the seat and the center console (if equipped). Check the “passenger airbag off” or “pass airbag off” indicator lamp for proper airbag status. Refer to Front passenger sensing system section for additional details. Failure to follow these instructions may interfere with the front passenger seat sensing system.

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The control is located on the outboard side of the driver’s seat.

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Move the switch in the direction of the arrows to raise or lower the front portion of the seat cushion.

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Move the switch in the direction of the arrows to raise or lower the rear portion of the seat cushion.

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Press the switch in the direction of the arrows to move the seat forward, backward, up or down.

Rear seat entry/exit

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Use the seatback release to fold the back of the front seat forward for rear seat access. This release handle is located on the upper back of the front seat. The seatback locks automatically when returned to the normal position.

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Use the recliner handle to return the seatback to the desired position.

REAR SEATS

2nd seat/split-folding rear seat

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One or both rear seatbacks (coupe only) can be folded down to provide additional cargo space. To lower the seatback(s) from inside the vehicle, pull strap to release seat back and then fold seatback down.

When raising the seatback(s), make sure you hear the seat latch into place. Pull on the seatback to ensure that it has latched.

⚠ Before returning the seatback to its original position, make sure that cargo or any objects arenot trapped behind the seatback. After returning the seatback to its original position, pull on the seatback to ensure that it has fully latched. An unlatched seat may become dangerous in the event of a sudden stop or collision.

SAFETY RESTRAINTS

Personal Safety System

The Personal Safety System provides an improved overall level of frontal crash protection to front seat occupants and is designed to help further reduce the risk of airbag-related injuries. The system is able to analyze different occupant conditions and crash severity before activating the appropriate safety devices to help better protect a range of occupants in a variety of frontal crash situations.

Your vehicle’s Personal Safety System consists of:

  • Driver and passenger dual-stage airbag supplemental restraints.
  • Driver and front passenger side airbags (if equipped)
  • Front safety belts with pretensioners, energy management retractors, and safety belt usage sensors.
  • Driver’s seat position sensor.
  • Front crash severity sensor.
  • Front passenger sensing system
  • “Passenger airbag off” or “pass airbag off” indicator lamp
  • Restraints Control Module (RCM) with impact and safing sensors.
  • Restraint system warning light and back-up tone.
  • The electrical wiring for the airbags, crash sensor(s), safety belt pretensioners, front safety belt usage sensors, driver seat position sensor, front passenger sensing system, and indicator lights.

How does the Personal Safety System work?

The Personal Safety System can adapt the deployment strategy of your vehicle’s safety devices according to crash severity and conditions. A collection of crash sensors provides information to the Restraints Control Module (RCM). During a crash, the RCM activates the safety belt pretensioners and/or either none, one, or both stages of the dual-stage airbag supplemental restraints based on crash severity and conditions.

The fact that the pretensioners or airbags did not activate for both front seat occupants in a collision does not mean that something is wrong with the system. Rather, it means the Personal Safety System determined the accident conditions (crash severity, belt usage, etc.) were not appropriate to activate these safety devices. Front airbags are designed to activate only in frontal and near-frontal collisions, not rollovers, side-impacts, or rear-impacts unless the collision causes sufficient longitudinal deceleration.

Driver and passenger dual-stage airbag supplemental restraints

The dual-stage airbags offer the capability to tailor the level of airbag inflation energy. A lower, less forceful energy level is provided for more common, moderate-severity impacts. A higher energy level is used for the most severe impacts. Refer to Airbag Supplemental Restraints section in this chapter.

Front crash severity sensor

The front crash severity sensor enhances the ability to detect the severity of an impact. Positioned up front, it provides valuable information early in the crash event on the severity of the impact. This allows your Personal Safety System to distinguish between different levels of crash severity and modify the deployment strategy of the dual-stage airbags and safety belt pretensioners.

Driver’s seat position sensor

The driver’s seat position sensor allows your Personal Safety System to tailor the deployment level of the driver dual-stage airbag based on seat position. The system is designed to help protect smaller drivers sitting close to the driver airbag by providing a lower airbag output level.

Front passenger sensing system

For airbags to do their job they must inflate with great force, and this force can pose a potentially deadly risk to occupants that are very close to the airbag when it begins to inflate. For some occupants, like infants in rear-facing child seats, this occurs because they are initially sitting very close to the airbag. For other occupants, this occurs when the occupant is not properly restrained by safety belts or child safety seats and they move forward during pre-crash braking.

The most effective way to reduce the risk of unnecessary injuries is to make sure all occupants are properly restrained. Accident statistics suggest that children are much safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front.

⚠ Air bags can kill or injure a child in a child seat. NEVER place a rear-facing child seat in front of an active air bag. If you must use a forward-facing child seat in the front seat, move the seat all the way back.

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

The front passenger sensing system can automatically turn off the passenger front airbag. The system is designed to help protect small (child size) occupants from airbag deployments when they are improperly seated or restrained in the front passenger seat contrary to proper child-seating or restraint usage recommendations. Even with this technology, parents are STRONGLY encouraged to always properly restrain children in the rear seat. The sensor also turns off the passenger front airbag and side airbag (if equipped) when the passenger seat is empty to prevent unnecessary replacement of airbag(s) after a collision.

When the front passenger seat is occupied and the sensing system has turned off the passenger’s frontal airbag, the “pass airbag off” indicator will light and stay lit to remind you that the front passenger frontal airbag is off. See Front passenger sensing system in the airbags section of this chapter.

Front safety belt usage sensors

The front safety belt usage sensors detect whether or not the driver and front outboard passenger safety belts are fastened. This information allows your Personal Safety System to tailor the airbag deployment and safety belt pretensioner activation depending upon safety belt usage. Refer to Safety Belt section in this chapter.

Front safety belt pretensioners

The front outboard safety belt pretensioners are designed to tighten the safety belts firmly against the occupant’s body during a collision. This maximizes the effectiveness of the safety belts and helps properly
position the occupant relative to the airbag to improve protection. The safety belt pretensioners can be either activated alone or, if the collision is of sufficient severity, together with the airbags.

Front safety belt energy management retractors

The front outboard safety belt energy management retractors allow webbing to be pulled out of the retractor in a gradual and controlled manner in response to the occupant’s forward momentum. This helps reduce the risk of force-related injuries to the occupant’s chest by limiting the load on the occupant. Refer to Safety Belt section in this chapter.

Determining if the Personal Safety System is operational

The Personal Safety System uses a warning light in the instrument cluster or a back-up tone to indicate the condition of the system. Refer to the Warning Light section in the Instrument Cluster chapter. Routine maintenance of the Personal Safety System is not required.

The Restraints Control Module (RCM) monitors its own internal circuits and the circuits for the airbag supplemental restraints, crash sensor(s), safety belt pretensioners, front safety belt buckle sensors, and the driver seat position sensor. In addition, the RCM also monitors the restraints warning light in the instrument cluster. A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following.

  • The warning light will either flash or stay lit.
  • The warning light will not illuminate immediately after ignition is turned on.
  • A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat periodically until the problem and warning light are repaired.

If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the Personal Safety System serviced at an uthorized dealer immediately. Unless serviced, the system may not function properly in the event of a collision.

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 in the back seat where they can be properly restrained.

⚠ 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 airbag supplemental restraint system (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 safety 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.

⚠ Safety belts and seats can become hot in a vehicle that has been closed up in sunny weather; they could burn a small child. Check seat covers and buckles before you place a child anywhere near them.

Combination lap and shoulder belts

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The belt guide is intended to improve access to the safety belt and to allow access to the rear seat. Before fastening the safety belt, make sure lower portion of the lap and shoulder belt passes underneath the belt guide at the bottom of the seatback. Pull the snap apart to release the belt guide and move the lap and shoulder belt out of the way of passengers entering and exiting the rear seats.

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The belt guide is secured to the side shield by fastening the snap on the guide strap to the snap on the side shield.

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  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.
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  1. To unfasten, push the release button and remove the tongue from the buckle.

⚠ The center of the rear seat is NOT designed as a seating position. The LATCH anchors were not designed to be used with a child seat in the center position and there is no tether anchor available at the center. Attempted use of the center as a seating position will increase the risk of injury or death in the event of a collision.

Energy Management Feature

  • This vehicle has a safety belt system with an energy management feature at the front seating positions to help further reduce the risk of injury in the event of a head-on collision.
  • This safety 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 safety belt system at all outboard seating positions (except driver, which has no “automatic locking retractor” feature) must be checked by an authorized dealer to verify that the “automatic locking retractor” feature for child seats is still functioning properly. In addition, all safety belts should be checked for proper function.

⚠ 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 by an authorized dealer.

⚠ Failure to replace the Belt and Retractor assembly could increase the risk of injury in collisions.

The front and rear safety restraints in the vehicle are combination lap and shoulder belts. The front passenger and rear seat 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 5 mph (8 km/h) or more, the combination safety belts will lock to help reduce forward movement of the driver and passengers.

Automatic locking mode

The automatic locking mode is not available on the driver safety belt.

When to use the 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.

This mode should be used any time a child safety seat is installed in a passenger front or outboard rear seating position. 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

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  • Buckle the combination lap and shoulder belt
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  • Grasp the shoulder portion and pull downward until the entire belt is pulled out.
  • 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

⚠ Ford Motor Company recommends that all safety belt assemblies and attaching hardware should be inspected by an authorized dealer after any collision. Safety belt assemblies not in use during a collision should also be inspected and replaced if either damage or improper operation is noted.

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.

⚠ After any vehicle collision, the front passenger and rear outboard safety belt systems must be checked by an authorized dealer to verify that the “automatic locking retractor” feature for child seats is still functioning properly. In addition, all safety belts should be checked for proper function.

⚠ 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 by an authorized dealer.

⚠ Failure to replace the Belt and Retractor assembly could increase the risk of injury in collisions.

Safety belt pretensioner

Your vehicle is equipped with safety belt pretensioners at the driver and front outboard passenger seating positions. The safety belt pretensioner is a device which removes excess webbing from the safety belt system. The safety belt pretensioner uses the same crash sensor system as the front airbag supplemental restraint system (SRS). When the safety belt pretensioner deploys, webbing from the lap and shoulder belt is tightened. Refer to the Safety belt maintenance section in this chapter.

⚠ The driver and front passenger safety belt system (including retractors, buckles and height adjusters) must be replaced if the vehicle is involved in a collision that results in deployment of front airbags and safety belt pretensioners.

Safety belt extension assembly

If the safety belt is too short when fully extended, there is a 8 inch (20 cm) safety belt extension assembly that can be added (part number 611C22). This assembly can be obtained from an authorized dealer. 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. Replace if necessary. All safety belt assemblies, including retractors, buckles, front safety 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 LATCH and tether anchors, and attaching hardware, should be inspected after a collision.

Ford Motor Company recommends that all safety belt assemblies in use in vehicles involved in a collision be replaced. However, if the collision was minor and an authorized dealer 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.

For proper care of soiled safety belts, refer to Interior in the Cleaning chapter.

Safety belt warning light and indicator chime

The safety belt warning light illuminates in the instrument cluster and a chime sounds to remind the occupants to fasten their safety belts.

Conditions of operation

If…

  • The driver’s or front passenger’s safety belt is not buckled before the ignition switch is turned to the ON position…
  • The driver’s or front passenger’s safety belt is buckled while the indicator light is illuminated and the warning chime is sounding…
  • The driver’s or front passenger’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 will remain off.
BeltMinder

The BeltMinder feature is a supplemental warning to the safety belt warning function. This feature provides additional reminders by intermittently sounding a chime and illuminating the safety belt warning light in the instrument cluster when the driver’s and front passenger’s safety belt is unbuckled.

The BeltMinder feature uses information from the front passenger sensing system to determine if a front seat passenger is present and therefore potentially in need of a warning. To avoid activating the BeltMinder feature for objects placed in the front passenger seat, warnings will only be given to large front seat occupants as determined by the front passenger sensing system.

Both the driver’s and passenger’s safety belt usages are monitored and either may activate the BeltMinder feature. The warnings are the same for the driver and the front passenger. If the BeltMinder warnings have
expired (warnings for approximately 5 minutes) for one occupant (driver or front passenger), the other occupant can still activate the BeltMinder feature.

If…

  • The driver’s and front passenger’s safety belts are buckled before the ignition switch is turned to the ON position or less than 1-2 minutes have elapsed since the ignition switch has been turned ON…
  • The driver’s or front passenger’s safety belt is not buckled when the vehicle has reached at least 3 mph (5 km/h) and 1-2 minutes have elapsed since the ignition switch has been turned to ON…
  • The driver’s or front passenger’s safety belt becomes unbuckled for approximately 1 minute while the vehicle is traveling at least 3 mph (5 km/h) and more than 1-2 minutes have elapsed since the ignition switch has been turned to ON…

Then…

  • The BeltMinder feature will not activate.
  • The BeltMinder 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 the safety belts are buckled.
  • The BeltMinder 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 the safety belts are buckled.

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

Reasons given…

  • “Crashes are rare events”
  • “I’m not going far”

Consider…

  • 36700 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.
  • 3 of 4 fatal crashes occur within 25 miles (40 km) of home.

Reasons given…

  • “Belts are uncomfortable”
  • “I was in a hurry”
  • “Safety belts don’t work”
  • “Traffic is light”
  • “Belts wrinkle my clothes”
  • “The people I’m with don’t wear belts”
  • “I have an airbag”
  • “I’d rather be thrown clear”

Consider…

  • We design our safety belts to enhance comfort. If 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.
  • Prime time for an accident. BeltMinder reminds 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.
  • Airbags 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”.

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

One time disable

If at any time the driver/front passenger quickly buckles then unbuckles the safety belt for that seating position, the BeltMinder is disabled for the current ignition cycle. The BeltMinder feature will enable during the same ignition cycle if the occupant buckles and remains buckled for approximately 30 seconds. Confirmation is not given for the one time disable.

Deactivating/activating the BeltMinder feature

The driver and front passenger BeltMinder are deactivated/activated independently. When deactivating/activating one seating position, do not buckle the other position as this will terminate the process.

Read Steps1-4thoroughly before proceeding with the deactivation/activation programming procedure.

Note: The driver and front passenger BeltMinder features must be disabled/enabled separately. Both cannot be disable/enabled during the same key cycle. The driver and front passenger BeltMinder features 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)
  • The gearshift is in N (Neutral) (Manual transmission)
  • The ignition switch is in the OFF position
  • The driver and front passenger safety belts are unbuckled

⚠ To reduce the risk of injury, do not deactivate/activate the BeltMinder 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 minute)
    • Step 3 must be completed within 50 seconds after the safety belt warning light turns off.
  3. For the seating position being disabled, at a moderate speed, buckle then unbuckle the safety belt 9 times, ending in the unbuckled state. (Step 3 must be completed within 50 seconds after the safety belt warning light turns off.)
    • After Step 3, the restraint system warning light (airbag light) will be turned on for three seconds.
  4. Within 10 seconds of the light turning on, at a moderate speed, buckle then unbuckle the safety belt.
    • This will disable the BeltMinder feature for that seating position if it is currently enabled. As confirmation, the restraint system warning light will flash 4 times per second for 3 seconds.
    • This will enable the BeltMinder feature for that seating position if it is currently disabled. As confirmation, the restraint system warning light will flash 4 times per second for 3 seconds, followed by 3 seconds with the light off, then followed by the restraint system warning light flashing 4 times per second for 3 seconds again.

AIRBAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS)

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Important SRS precautions

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The SRS is designed to work with the safety belt to help protect the driver and right front passenger from certain upper body injuries. Airbags DO NOT inflate slowly; there is a risk of injury from a deploying airbag.

⚠ All occupants of the vehicle, including the driver, should always properly wear their safety belts, even when an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) is provided.

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

⚠ The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends a minimum distance of at least 10 inches (25 cm) between an occupant’s chest and the driver airbag module.

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

To properly position yourself away from the airbag:

  • Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still reaching the pedals comfortably.
  • Recline the seat slightly one or two degrees from the upright position.

⚠ Do not put anything on or over the airbag module. Placing objects on or over the airbag inflation area may cause those objects to be propelled by the airbag into your face and torso causing serious injury.

⚠ Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the airbag supplemental restraint systems or its fuses. See your authorized dealer.

⚠ Modifying or adding equipment to the front end of the vehicle (including frame, bumper, front end body structure and tow hooks) may affect the performance of the airbag system, increasing the risk of injury. Do not modify the front end of the vehicle.

Children and airbags

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Children must always be properly restrained. Accident statistics suggest that children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seating position. Failure to follow these instructions may increase the risk of injury in a collision.

⚠ Airbags can kill or injure a child in a child seat. NEVER place a rear-facing child seat in front of an active airbag. If you must use a forward-facing child seat in the front seat, move the seat all the way back.

How does the airbag supplemental restraint system work?

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The airbag SRS is designed to activate when the vehicle sustains a longitudinal deceleration sufficient to cause the airbag sensors to close an electrical circuit that initiates airbag inflation. The fact that the airbags did not inflate in a collision does not mean that something is wrong with the system. Rather, it means the forces were not sufficient enough to cause activation. Airbags are designed to inflate in frontal and near-frontal collisions, not rollover, side-impact, or rear-impacts unless the collision causes sufficient longitudinal deceleration.

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The airbags inflate and deflate rapidly upon activation. After airbag deployment, it is normal to notice a smoke-like, powdery residue or smell the burnt propellant. This may consist of cornstarch, talcum powder or sodium compounds which may irritate the skin and eyes, but none of the residue is toxic.

While the SRS is designed to help reduce serious injuries, contact with a deploying airbag may also cause abrasions, swelling or temporary hearing loss. Because airbags 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 airbag deployment. It is extremely important that occupants be properly restrained as far away from the airbag module as possible while maintaining vehicle control.

The SRS consists of:

  • driver and passenger airbag modules (which include the inflators and airbags)
  • one or more impact and safing sensors
  • a readiness light and tone
  • a diagnostic module
  • and the electrical wiring which connects the components

The diagnostic module monitors its own internal circuits and the supplemental airbag electrical system wiring (including the impact sensors), the system wiring, the airbag system readiness light, the airbag back up power and the airbag ignitors.

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

⚠ If the air bag has 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.

Front passenger sensing system

The front passenger sensing system is designed to meet the regulatory requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 208 and is designed to disable (will not inflate) the front passenger’s frontal airbag under certain conditions.

The front passenger sensing system works with sensors that are part of the front passenger’s seat and safety belt. The sensors are designed to detect the presence of a properly seated occupant and determine if the front passenger’s frontal airbag should be enabled (may inflate) or disabled (will not inflate).

The front passenger sensing system will disable (will not inflate) the front passenger’s frontal airbag if:

  • the front passenger seat is unoccupied, or has small/medium objects in the front seat,
  • the system determines that an infant is present in a rear-facing infant seat that is installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions,
  • the system determines that a small child is present in a forward-facing child restraint that is installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions,
  • the system determines that a small child is present in a booster seat,
  • a front passenger takes his/her weight off of the seat for a period of time
  • a child or a small person occupies the front passenger seat. For side airbag equipped vehicles, the front passenger sensing system will turn off the passenger seat side airbag if:
  • the seat is empty and safety belt is unbuckled.
Seating and Safety Restraints Ford 2006 Mustang 25

The front passenger sensing system uses a passenger airbag off or pass airbag off indicator which will
illuminate and stay lit to remind you that the front passenger frontal airbag is disabled. The indicator lamp is located on the top right corner of the center stack of the instrument panel above the radio.

Note: The indicator lamp will illuminate for a short period of time when the ignition is turned to the ON position to confirm it is functional. When the front passenger seat is not occupied (empty seat) or in the event that the front passenger frontal airbag is enabled (may inflate), the indicator lamp will be unlit.

The front passenger sensing system is designed to disable (will not inflate) the front passenger’s frontal airbag when a rear facing infant seat, a forward-facing child restraint, or a booster seat is detected.

  • When the front passenger sensing system disables (will not inflate) the front passenger frontal airbag, the indicator lamp will illuminate and stay lit to remind you that the front passenger frontal airbag is disabled.
  • If the child restraint has been installed and the indicator lamp is not lit, then turn the vehicle off, remove the child restraint from the vehicle and reinstall the restraint following the child restraint manufacturer’s instructions.

The front passenger sensing system is designed to enable (may inflate) the front passenger’s frontal airbag anytime the system senses that a person of adult size is sitting properly in the front passenger seat.

  • When the front passenger sensing system enables the front passenger frontal airbag (may inflate), the indicator will be unlit and stay unlit.

If a person of adult size is sitting in the front passenger’s seat, but the passenger airbag off or pass airbag off indicator lamp is lit, it is possible that the person isn’t sitting properly in the seat. If this happens:

  • Turn the vehicle off and ask the person to place the seatback in the full upright position.
  • Have the person sit upright in the seat, centered on the seat cushion, with the person’s legs comfortably extended.
  • Restart the vehicle and have the person remain in this position for about two minutes. This will allow the system to detect that person and enable the passenger’s frontal airbag.
  • If the indicator lamp remains lit even after this, the person should be advised to ride in the rear seat.

Occupant

  • Empty seat
  • Small child in child safety seat or booster
  • Small child with safety belt buckled or unbuckled
  • Adult

Pass Airbag Off Indicator Lamp

  • Unlit
  • Lit
  • Lit
  • Unlit

Passenger Airbag

  • Disabled
  • Disabled
  • Disabled
  • Disabled

⚠ Even with Advanced Restraints Systems, children 12 and under should be properly restrained in the back seat.

After all occupants have adjusted their seats and put on safety belts, it’s very important that they continue to sit properly. A properly seated occupant sits upright, leaning against the seat back, and centered on the seat cushion, with their feet comfortably extended on the floor. Sitting improperly can increase the chance of injury in a crash event. For example, if an occupant slouches, lies down, turns sideways, sits forward, leans forward or sideways, or puts one or both feet up, the chance of injury during a crash is greatly increased.

⚠ Sitting improperly out of position or with the seat back reclined too far can take off weight from the seat cushion and affect the decision of the front passenger sensing system, resulting in serious injury or death in a crash. Always sit upright against your seatback, with your feet on the floor.

The front passenger sensing system may detect small or medium objects placed on the seat cushion. For most objects that are in the front passenger seat, the passenger airbag will be disabled. Even though the passenger airbag is disabled, the pass airbag off lamp may or may not be illuminated according to the table below.

Objects

  • Small (i.e. 3 ring binder, small purse, bottled water)
  • Medium (i.e. heavy briefcase, fully packed luggage)
  • Empty seat, Small or medium object with safety belt buckled

Pass Airbag Off Indicator Lamp

  • Unlit
  • Lit
  • Lit

Passenger Airbag

  • Disabled
  • Disabled
  • Disabled

If you think that the status of the passenger airbag off indicator lamp is incorrect, check for the following:

Objects lodged underneath the seat

  • Objects between the seat cushion and the center console (if equipped)
  • Objects hanging off the seat back
  • Objects stowed in the seatback map pocket (if equipped)
  • Objects placed on the occupant’s lap
  • Cargo interference with the seat
  • Other passengers pushing or pulling on the seat
  • Rear passenger feet and knees resting or pushing on the seat

The conditions listed above may cause the weight of a properly seated occupant to be incorrectly interpreted by the front passenger sensing system. The person in the front passenger seat may appear heavier or lighter due to the conditions described in the list above.

⚠ To reduce the risk of possible serious injury: Do not stow objects in seat back map pocket (if equipped) or hang objects off seat back if a child is in the front passenger seat. Do not place objects underneath the front passenger seat or between the seat and the center console (if equipped). Check the “passenger airbag off” or “pass airbag off” indicator lamp for proper airbag Status. Failure to follow these instructions may interfere with the front passenger seat sensing system.

Seating and Safety Restraints Ford 2006 Mustang 26

In case there is a problem with the front passenger sensing system, the airbag readiness lamp in the instrument cluster will stay lit.

If the airbag readiness lamp is lit, do the following:

The driver and/or adult passengers should check for any objects that may be lodged underneath the front passenger seat or cargo interfering with the seat. If objects are lodged and/or cargo is interfering with the seat; please take the following steps to remove the obstruction:

  • Pull the vehicle over.
  • Turn the vehicle off.
  • Driver and/or adult passengers should check for any objects lodged underneath the front passenger seat or cargo interfering with the seat.
  • Remove the obstruction(s) (if found).
  • Restart the vehicle.
  • Wait at least 2 minutes and verify that the airbag readiness light is no longer illuminated
  • If the airbag readiness lamp remains illuminated, this may or may/not be a problem due to the front passenger sensing system.

DO NOT attempt to repair or service the system; take your vehicle immediately to an authorized dealer. If it is necessary to modify an advanced front airbag system to accommodate a person with disabilities, contact the Ford Customer Relationship Center at the phone number shown in the Customer Assistance section of this Owner’s Guide.

⚠ Any alteration/modification to the front passenger seat may affect the performance of the front passenger sensing system.

⚠ Do not place objects or mount equipment on or near the airbag cover on the side of the seatbacks of the front seats or in front seat areas that may come into contact with a deploying airbag. Failure to follow these instructions may increase the risk of personal injury in the event of a collision.

⚠ Do not use accessory seat covers. The use of accessory seat covers may prevent the deployment of the side airbags and increase the risk of injury in an accident.

⚠ Do not lean your head on the door. The side airbag could injure you as it deploys from the side of the seatback.

⚠ Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the airbag SRS, its fuses or the seat cover on a seat containing an airbag. See your authorized dealer.

⚠ All occupants of the vehicle should always wear their safety belts even when an airbag SRS is provided.

How does the side airbag system work?

Seating and Safety Restraints Ford 2006 Mustang 27

The design and development of the side airbag system included recommended testing procedures that were developed by a group of automotive safety experts known as the Side Airbag Technical Working Group. These recommended testing procedures help reduce the risk of injuries related to the deployment of side airbags.

The side airbag system consists of the following:

  • An inflatable nylon bag (airbag) with a gas generator concealed behind the outboard bolster of the driver and front passenger seatbacks.
  • A special seat cover designed to allow airbag deployment.
  • The same warning light, electronic control and diagnostic unit as used for the front airbags
  • Two crash sensors located under the outboard side of the front seats, attached to the floor

Side airbags, in combination with safety belts, can help reduce the risk of severe injuries in the event of a significant side impact collision.

The side airbags are fitted on the outboard side of the seatbacks of the front seats. In certain lateral collisions, the airbag on the side affected by the collision will be inflated. The front passenger sensing system will turn off the passenger seat side airbag if the seat is empty. The airbag was designed to inflate between the door panel and occupant to further enhance the protection provided to occupants in side impact collisions.

The airbag SRS is designed to activate when the vehicle sustains lateral deceleration sufficient to cause the sensors to initiate airbag inflation. The fact that the airbags 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. Side airbags are designed to inflate in side-impact collisions, not roll-over, rear-impact, frontal or near-frontal collisions, unless the collision causes sufficient lateral deceleration.

Seating and Safety Restraints Ford 2006 Mustang 28

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

⚠ If the side airbag has deployed, the airbag will not function again. The side airbag system (including the seat) must be inspected and serviced by an authorized dealer . If the airbag is not replaced, the unrepaired area will increase the risk of injury in a collision.

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 Airbag readiness section in the Instrument Cluster chapter. Routine maintenance of the airbag is not required.

A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:

Seating and Safety Restraints Ford 2006 Mustang 29
  • The readiness light will either flash or stay lit.
  • 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 periodically until the problem and/or light are repaired.

If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the SRS serviced at an authorized dealer immediately. Unless serviced, the system may not function properly in the event of a collision.

Disposal of airbags and airbag equipped vehicles

See authorized dealer. Airbags MUST BE disposed of by qualified personnel.

SAFETY RESTRAINTS FOR CHILDREN

See the following sections for directions on how to properly use safety restraints for children. Also see Airbag supplemental restraint system (SRS) in this chapter for special instructions about using airbags.

Important child restraint precautions

You are required by law to use safety restraints for children in the U.S. and Canada. If small children (generally children who are four years old or younger and who weigh 40 lb. [18 kg] or less) ride in your vehicle, you must put them in safety seats made especially for children. Many states require that children use approved booster seats until they are eight years old.

Check your local and state or provincial laws for specific requirements regarding the safety of children in your vehicle. 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.

⚠ 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.

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 airbag 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.

Child booster seats

Children outgrow a typical convertible or toddler seat when they weigh 40 lb. (18 kg) and are around 4 years of age. Although the lap/shoulder belt will provide some protection, these children are still too small for lap/shoulder belts to fit properly, which could increase the risk of serious injury in a crash.

To improve the fit of both the lap and shoulder belt on children who have outgrown child safety seats, Ford Motor Company recommends use of a belt-positioning booster.

Booster seats position a child so that safety belts fit better. They lift the child up so that the lap belt rests low across the hips and the knees bend comfortably. Booster seats may also make the shoulder belt fit better and more comfortably. Try to keep the belt near the middle of the shoulder.

When children should use booster seats

Seating and Safety Restraints Ford 2006 Mustang 30

Children need to use booster seats from the time they outgrow the toddler seat until they are big enough for the vehicle seat and lap/shoulder belt to fit properly. Generally this is when they weigh about 80 lb. (36 kg) (about 8 to 12 years old).

Booster seats should be used until you can answer YES to ALL of these questions:

  • Can the child sit all the way back against the vehicle seat back with knees bent comfortably at the edge of the seat without slouching?
  • Does the lap belt rest low across the hips?
  • Is the shoulder belt centered on the shoulder and chest?
  • Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?

Types of booster seats

Seating and Safety Restraints Ford 2006 Mustang 31
  • Those that are backless. If your backless booster seat has a removable shield, remove the shield and use the lap/shoulder belt. If a seating position has a low seat back and no head restraint, a backless booster seat may place your child’s head (top of ear level) above the top of the seat. In this case, move the backless booster to another seating position with a higher seat back and lap/shoulder belts.
Seating and Safety Restraints Ford 2006 Mustang 32
  • Those with a high back. If, with a backless booster seat, you cannot find a seating position that adequately supports your child’s head, a high back booster seat would be a better choice.

Either type can be used at any seating position equipped with lap/shoulder belts if your child is over 40 lb. (18 kg).

Children and booster seats vary widely in size and shape. Choose a booster that keeps the lap belt low and snug across the hips, never up across the stomach, and lets you adjust the shoulder belt to cross the chest and rest snugly near the center of the shoulder. The drawings below compare the ideal fit (center) to a shoulder belt uncomfortably close to the neck and a shoulder belt that could slip off the shoulder.

Seating and Safety Restraints Ford 2006 Mustang 33

If the booster seat slides on the vehicle seat, placing a rubberized mesh sold as shelf or carpet liner under the booster seat may improve this condition.

The importance of shoulder belts

Using a booster without a shoulder belt increases the risk of a child’s head hitting a hard surface in a collision. For this reason, you should never use a booster seat with a lap belt only. It is best to use a booster seat with lap/shoulder belts in the back seat- the safest place for children to ride.

⚠ Move a child to a different seating location if the shoulder belt does not stay positioned on the shoulder during use.

⚠ Follow all instructions provided by the manufacturer of the booster seat.

⚠ Never put the shoulder belt under a child’s arm or behind the back because it eliminates the protection for the upper part of the body and may increase the risk of injury or death in a collision.

⚠ Never use pillows, books, or towels to boost a child. They can slide around and increase the likelihood of injury or death in a collision.

SAFETY SEATS FOR CHILDREN

Child and infant or child safety seats
Seating and Safety Restraints Ford 2006 Mustang 34

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 Airbag
supplemental restraint system
(SRS) 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.
  • 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) section in this chapter.
  • LATCH lower anchors are recommended for use by children up to 48 lb. (22 kg) in a child restraint. Top tether anchors can be used for children up to 60 lb. (27 kg) in a child restraint, and to provide upper torso restraint for children up to 80 lb. (36 kg) using an upper torso harness and a belt-positioning booster.

Ford recommends the use of a child safety seat having a top tether strap. Install the child safety seat in a seating position with LATCH and tether anchors. For more information on top tether straps and anchors, refer to Attaching safety seats with tether straps in this chapter. For more information of LATCH anchors refer to Attaching safety seats with LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) attachments in this chapter.

⚠ 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.

⚠ Rear-facing child seats or infant carriers should never be placed in front of an active airbag.

Installing child safety seats with combination lap and shoulder belts

⚠ Air bags can kill or injure a child in a child seat. NEVER place a rear-facing child seat in front of an active air bag. If you must use a forward-facing child seat in the front seat, move the seat all the way back.

Seating and Safety Restraints Ford 2006 Mustang 35
  1. Position the child safety seat in a Seat with a combination lap and shoulder belt.
Seating and Safety Restraints Ford 2006 Mustang 36
  1. Pull down on the shoulder belt and then grasp the shoulder belt and lap belt together.
Seating and Safety Restraints Ford 2006 Mustang 37
  1. 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.
Seating and Safety Restraints Ford 2006 Mustang 38
  1. 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 a snap and feel the latch engage. Make sure the tongue is latched securely by pulling on it.
Seating and Safety Restraints Ford 2006 Mustang 39
  1. 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.
Seating and Safety Restraints Ford 2006 Mustang 40
  1. Allow the belt to retract. The belt will click as it retracts to indicate it is in the automatic locking mode.
  2. Pull the lap belt portion across the child seat toward the buckle and pull up on the shoulder belt while
    pushing down with your knee on the child seat.
Seating and Safety Restraints Ford 2006 Mustang 41
  1. Allow the safety belt to retract to remove any slack in the belt.
  2. Before placing the child in the seat, forcibly move the seat forward and back to make sure the seat is securely held in place. To check this, grab the seat at the belt path and attempt to move it side to side and forward. There should be no more than one inch of movement for proper installation.
  3. 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 2
    through 9.

Check to make sure the child seat is properly secured before each use.

Attaching child safety seats with tether straps

Most new forward-facing child safety seats include a tether strap which goes over the back of the seat and hooks to an anchoring point. Tether straps are available as an accessory for many older safety seats. Contact the manufacturer of your child seat for information about ordering a tether strap. The rear seats of your vehicle are equipped with built-in tether strap anchors located behind the seats and below the rear window behind the speakers (coupe) or rearward of the seatback in the convertible top sling (convertible).

The tether anchors in your vehicle are either located under a cover marked with the child tether anchor symbol (shown with title) or are under a tag marked with the child tether anchor symbol in the convertible top sling. The tether strap anchors in your vehicle are in the following positions (shown from top view):

Seating and Safety Restraints Ford 2006 Mustang 42

⚠ Attach the tether strap only to the appropriate tether anchor as shown. The tether strap may not work properly if attached somewhere other than the correct tether anchor.

Seating and Safety Restraints Ford 2006 Mustang 43
  1. Position the child safety seat on the seat cushion.
  2. Route the child safety seat tether strap over the back of the seat. For vehicles with adjustable head restraints, route the tether strap under the head restraint and between the head restraint posts, otherwise route the tether strap over the top of the seatback.
  3. Locate the correct anchor for the selected seating position as shown previously.
Seating and Safety Restraints Ford 2006 Mustang 44

For Coupe only:

  1. Open the tether anchor covers.
Seating and Safety Restraints Ford 2006 Mustang 45
  1. Clip the tether strap to the anchor as shown.

For Convertible only:

Seating and Safety Restraints Ford 2006 Mustang 46

The tether anchors on the convertible are located rearward of the seatback in the convertible top sling. Note: For easier access, attach the tether with the convertible top up.

Seating and Safety Restraints Ford 2006 Mustang 47

Note: The attachments for the convertible boot located on the back of the head restraints are not tether anchors.

Seating and Safety Restraints Ford 2006 Mustang 48
  1. Access tether anchors located behind the seatback under the vinyl tag marked with the child tether
    anchor symbol.
Seating and Safety Restraints Ford 2006 Mustang 49
  1. Clip the tether strap to the anchor as shown.

⚠ If the tether strap is clipped incorrectly, the child safety seat may not be retained properly in the event of a collision.

  1. Install the child safety seat tightly using the LATCH anchors or safety belts. Follow the instructions in this chapter.
  2. Tighten the child safety seat tether strap according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

⚠ If the safety seat is not anchored properly, the risk of a child being injured in a collision greatly increases.

Attaching safety seats with LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) attachments

Some child safety seats have two rigid or web mounted attachments that connect to two anchors at certain seating positions in your vehicle. This type of child seat eliminates the need to use safety belts to attach the child seat. For forward-facing child seats, the upper tether strap must also be attached to the proper tether anchor. See Attaching safety seats with tether straps in this chapter.

Your vehicle has LATCH anchors for child seat installation at the seating positions marked with the child seat symbol.

Seating and Safety Restraints Ford 2006 Mustang 50

⚠ The center of the rear seat is NOT designed as a seating position. The LATCH anchors were not designed to be used with a child seat in the center position and there is no tether anchor available at the center. Attempted use of the center as a seating position will increase the risk of injury or death in the event of a collision.

⚠ Never attach two LATCH child safety seats to the same anchor. In a crash, one anchor may not be strong enough to hold two child safety seat attachments and may break, causing serious injury or death.

Seating and Safety Restraints Ford 2006 Mustang 51

Locator symbols on the seat cushion indicate the seat has LATCH anchors. The LATCH anchors are located behind the slits in the seat cushion.

Follow the child seat manufacturer’s instructions to properly install a child seat with LATCH attachments.

⚠ Attach LATCH lower attachments of the child seat only to the anchors shown.

If you install a child seat with rigid LATCH attachments, do not tighten the tether strap enough to lift the child seat off the vehicle seat cushion when the child is seated in it. Keep the tether strap just snug without lifting the front of the child seat. Keeping the child seat just touching the vehicle seat gives the best protection in a severe crash.

Each time you use the safety seat, check that the seat is properly attached to the lower anchors and tether anchor. Try to tilt the child seat from side to side. Also try to tug the seat forward. Check to see if the anchors hold the seat in place.

⚠ If the safety seat is not anchored properly, the risk of a child being injured in a crash greatly increases.