Safety Belt Retractor and Pretensioner

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Mercury Montego, 2005 Ford Freestyle, and 2005 Ford Five Hundred. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The front safety belt retractors use a safety belt pretensioner system. This works in conjunction with the front air bag system mounted in the steering wheel and instrument panel. The pretensioner is a pyrotechnic device that removes excess webbing slack from the safety belt. When the pretensioner deploys in the retractor, excess slack is removed from the lap and shoulder safety belt. The pretensioners are activated when the restraints control module (RCM) detects an impact force exceeding a programmed limit.

If the vehicle is involved in a collision that results in deployment of the safety belt retractor pretensioners, a new driver and passenger seat belt system (including safety belt buckle pretensioners or safety belt retractor and pretensioners, safety belt retractors, safety belts, buckles and height adjusters) must be installed.

For additional information on diagnostic and disposal of pretensioners, refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM .