Ford Explorers with Inflatable Seat Belts
Ford introduced inflatable seat belts as a safety feature for rear-seat occupants, especially children and older adults, in the 2011 Ford Explorer . The inflatable seat belts were designed to protect the fragile bones of back seat passengers, who are more vulnerable to head, chest, and neck injuries. The technology functions much like an airbag and automatically inflates within milliseconds in the event of a crash.
Here are some key points about Ford Explorers with inflatable seat belts:
– The inflatable seat belts were available as a safety equipment option on 2011 Explorers.
– The inflatable seat belts were installed only in the rear seats.
– The inflatable seat belts spread the crash force over a wider area of the body, potentially reducing the risk of injury to the chest.
– Ford eventually planned to offer inflatable seat belt technology in all new vehicles around the world.
– The inflatable seat belts are noticeably thicker than traditional seat belts.
– Ford tested various types of child car seats using child-size crash test dummies before the 2011 Explorer launch.
– Not all car seat manufacturers recommended their products to be used with inflatable seat belts due to the thickness of the straps.
– Ford expanded the availability of inflatable seat belts to other models such as the Ford Edge, Flex, Fusion, and F-150, as well as some Lincoln vehicles.
Please note that the availability of inflatable seat belts may vary depending on the specific model and year of the Ford Explorer. It is always recommended to consult the vehicle’s manual or contact a Ford dealership for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
I hope this information helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Contents
- What Ford models have inflatable seat belts?
- Can inflatable seat belts be removed?
- How do Ford inflatable seat belts work?
- Are inflatable car seats legal?
- What happened to automatic seat belts?
- What year did Ford install seat belts?
- What car seats are approved for Ford inflatable seat belts?
- Does the 2016 Ford Explorer have inflatable seat belts?
- What’s the point of an inflatable seat belt?
- Are car seats safe with inflatable seat belts?
What Ford models have inflatable seat belts?
Which automakers used inflatable seat belts? Ford rolled out inflatable seat belts with the 2011 model year of the Explorer. The devices eventually were made optional on many other Ford and Lincoln vehicles, including the popular Ford Escape and Explorer SUVs, the F-150 pickup truck, and Lincoln MKT and Navigator SUVs.
Can inflatable seat belts be removed?
While the inflatable seat belt is an upgrade option, once they are installed you CANNOT have them removed. If you do have inflatable seatbelts and do not have an approved car seat you may install using your LATCH.
How do Ford inflatable seat belts work?
After deployment, the belt remains inflated for several seconds before dispersing its air through the pores in the airbag. Inflatable safety belts are compatible with child safety seats. Because inflatable belts are not as large as traditional front airbags, they can fill at a lower pressure and at a slower rate.
Are inflatable car seats legal?
A1: Yes! Inflatable booster seats are crash tested. And they meet all of the same regulations in the United States and the European Union that typical booster seats have to meet. Q2: What age can children use them?
What happened to automatic seat belts?
That all changed by the mid-90s, when legislation mandated that all vehicles have driver’s side airbags. By the year 1998, all new vehicles in production were required by law to have operational airbags on both the front and passenger sides. This, it turned out, was the beginning of the end for automatic seat belts.
What year did Ford install seat belts?
In 1955 (as a 1956 package), Ford offered lap-only seat belts in the rear seats as an option within the Lifeguard safety package. In 1967, Volvo started to install lap belts in the rear seats.
What car seats are approved for Ford inflatable seat belts?
Car Seats Approved for Inflatable Seat Belt Use
Diono: Olympia, Pacifica, Rainier, Radian rXT, Radian r120 and Radian r100 convertible seats, and Cambria, Hip, Monterey and Solana booster seats, which are currently being sold, may be used with Ford’s inflatable seat belts.
Does the 2016 Ford Explorer have inflatable seat belts?
2011-2019 Ford Explorer
There are now two seating capacity options – a 6 seater model and a 7 seater model. Within the 7 seater model, there are 2 versions of the 2nd row bench – one with inflatable seat belts, one with regular seat belts.
What’s the point of an inflatable seat belt?
The inflatable seat belts have two advantages: First, they spread the crash force over a wider area of the body, potentially reducing the risk of injury to the chest. Second, deployment of the bag tightens the belt, reducing forward movement and reducing the potential for head injury.
Are car seats safe with inflatable seat belts?
All of the manufacturer’s harnessed car seats and boosters can be used with inflatable seat belts if the manufacture date is after May 2014. However, specific shoulder-belt routing is required on rear-facing-only car seats.