Dual Locking Mode Retractors

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Mercury Milan, 2006 Lincoln Zephyr, and 2006 Ford Fusion. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: After any vehicle collision, the safety belt system at all outboard seating positions (except driver, which has no automatic locking retractor [ALR] feature) must be checked by a qualified technician to verify that the ALR feature for child seats is still functioning correctly, in addition to other checks for correct safety belt system function. A new belt and retractor assembly must be installed if the safety belt assembly ALR feature or any other safety belt function is not operating correctly when checked. Failure to install a new belt and retractor assembly may increase the risk of injury in collisions.

NOTE: When installing 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 continuous-loop, 3-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 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 and the webbing will not pull back out of the retractor. To disengage the ALR mode, let the webbing retract back onto the spool. The ALR mode is disengaged when the webbing is free to move out and back into the retractor.

The automatic locking mode must be used when installing a child safety seat in the front or rear passenger seating positions where dual locking mode retractors are provided.