Seat Belt Systems: Description and Operation
SAFETY BELT SYSTEMWARNING: All safety belt components (including retractors, belt tension sensor [BTS], buckles, front seat belt buckle support assemblies [slide bar] if equipped, shoulder belt height adjusters if equipped, child safety seat tether bracket assemblies, if equipped and attaching hardware) should be inspected after any collision. All new belt assemblies should be installed unless a qualified technician finds the assemblies show no damage and operate correctly. Safety belt assemblies not in use during a collision should also be inspected and new assemblies installed if either damage or incorrect operation is noted.
The automatic locking retractor (ALR) feature of the safety belt retractor must be checked by a qualified technician to verify that the ALR feature for a child seat is 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's "automatic locking retractor" feature, or any other safety belt function, is not operating correctly when inspected according to the functional inspection procedure. Failure to install a new belt and retractor assembly could increase the risk of injury in a collision.
The active restraint system consists of the following components:
- Front safety belt buckles, attached to the inboard side of the seats
- Front safety belt retractors and pretensioners, located behind the lower B-pillar trim panels
- Belt tension sensor (BTS), serviced as an assembly with the safety belt buckle of the passenger front seat
- Rear outboard safety belt retractors, located in the package tray area (3-door, 4-door and 5-door vehicles) or behind the load space upper trim panel (wagon vehicles)
- Rear center safety belt retractor on 3-door, 5-door and wagon vehicles, located in back of the seat backrest, mounted to the back panel (includes the LH safety belt buckle)
- Rear center safety belt retractor on 4-door vehicles, located and mounted to the package tray (includes the LH safety belt buckle)
- Rear safety belt buckle assembly (double buckle includes the RH and center safety belt buckles), attached to the floor pan
- Second row child safety seat tether anchors, at all 3 seating positions, either located under a cover marked with the tether anchor symbol or recessed bars on the back side of the seatback
- Rear lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH) at the 2 outboard seating positions, attached to the floor pan
Fastening Safety Belts
WARNING: Do not introduce slack into the safety belt system because the belt locks upon impact where it is positioned. Use the shoulder safety belt on the outside shoulder only. Never wear the shoulder safety belt under the arm. Never swing the shoulder safety belt around the neck over the inside shoulder. Never use a single belt for more than one person. Make sure the lap portion of the belt is fitted snugly and as low as possible around the hips, not the waist. Failure to follow these precautions could increase the chance and severity of injury in a collision.
Always follow the preceding safety precautions when fastening the safety belts.