Skip to main content

Inflatable rear seatbelts were first introduced in the USA in 2010 on the Ford Explorer. Since then, Ford have introduced
these seatbelts in other Ford models in the USA including; the Ford Fusion, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ and, in 2015, the
Ford F-Series.

Ford has introduced their latest Mondeo vehicle in Australia and New Zealand with inflatable seatbelts on the two outboard rear seating positions. This seatbelt works by inflating a tubular airbag built into the seatbelt webbing, using a compressed gas. The inflation is initiated using sensors that can detect a car crash occurring.

Potential fitment issues with some child restraints are:

  • Gated 3 bar slides or locking clips cannot be fitted to the sash belt of an inflatable seat belt.
  • Child safety harness cannot be used because the gated 3 bar slides cannot be used to create a de-facto lap belt.
  • The additional thickness of the sash belt means that the lock-offs and seat belt guides fitted to some child restraints cannot be used.
  • The seat belt routing used to install some child restraints means that an inflatable seat belt may interact with the child in the seat or with the seat hardware in an unfavourable manner.In these situations Britax
  • Australia does not recommend the use of these restraints with the inflatable seat belt.

NOTE - If the centre seating position of the vehicle is not equipped with an inflatable seatbelt device and the child seat is fitted in this position, then the above considerations do not apply. The Mondeo is also fitted with ISOFIX low anchorages on the rear outboard seating positions. Thus there are options for fitting child restraints without the use of the inflatable seatbelts. Prior to purchasing your child restraint, please check that it is suitable for your vehicle. The following is intended to advise which Britax manufactured child restraints are suitable for usewith the inflatable seatbelts in the Ford Mondeo.

COMMENTS ON SPECIFIC TYPES OF CHILD RESTRAINTS:

At this point in time, Britax Australia only recommends the use of booster seats in combination with the inflatable seat belt.

  • Where the sash belt cannot be fitted through the booster seat sash guide, Britax does not recommend the use of the inflatable seat belt with the booster seat.
  • Where the sash belt can be fitted through the sash guide and the inflatable section of the belt interacts with the belt guide, Britax does not recommend the use of the inflatable seat belt with the booster seat.
     

Britax does not recommend the use of any of its other accessory products with the inflatable seat belt. Including the Child Safety Harness.

For Isofix compatible child restraints, Britax recommends the use of the vehicle Isofix anchors to install these restraints in these vehicles.

For all other non-Isofix child restraints, Britax recommends fitting the child restraint in the centre seating position providing that this position is not equipped with an inflatable seat belt.

IMPORTANT:

  • Refer to vehicle manual for more information regarding inflatable seat belts and other vehicle manufacturers warnings and instructions.
  • Always install your child restraint exactly as shown in the child restraint user manual.
  • Please contact Britax Customer Service for any questions with regard to the use of Britax Child Restraints.


PLEASE NOTE:
Britax regularly reviews its policies to ensure the safest possible outcome for our customers. This means that policies can be subject to change.

A vehicle equipped with ISOFIX will have lower anchors (metal bars in the seat bight, where the upper and lower cushions meet) and a tether anchor for securing the child restraint to the vehicle.

Not always, as the number of anchor points varies for each type of vehicle. Changes can be carried out by an Authorised Fitting Station.

If there is no anchor point/anchor fitting then that seating position may not be suitable for a child seat.

Consult the vehicle owner’s handbook for location of anchor fittings or anchorage points and the possible use of spacers. Some vehicles may have an anchor fitting fitted by the vehicle manufacturer. If anchorage points cannot be found refer to car manufacturer or local child restraint fitting station or traffic authority for optimum position of anchorage point and the use of spacers.

If there is only an anchor point but no fitting it may be concealed by a plastic plug. You will need to fit an anchor fitting. All child seats that allow for upper tether attachment are supplied with an anchor fitting.

Yes, you can install your child restraint as every restraint comes with a comprehensive instruction manual. Please also refer to our YouTube channel for instructional videos – www.youtube.com/britaxaustralia

After your car seat / baby capsule (infant carrier) / convertible seat is securely installed rear-facing, you may move the front vehicle seat back JUST until contact is made with the child restraint car seat.

The safest place for your child in any vehicle is in the back seat.  The center of the rear seat is preferable to outboard positions, as long as you can achieve a tight installation, because it is the furthest from a side impact.