Lap/Shoulder Belts

All seating positions in your vehicle are equipped with lap and shoulder seat belts.

The seat belt retractor locks only during very sharp stops or collisions. This feature allows the shoulder portion of the seat belt to move freely with you under normal conditions. However, in a collision, the seat belt will lock and reduce the risk of striking the interior of the vehicle or being ejected from the vehicle.

• Relying on air bags alone may result in more serious injury in a collision. Air bags work with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In some collisions, air bags will not deploy at all. Always wear your seat belt, even if you have air bags.
• In a collision, you and your passengers can be injured much more severely if you are not properly buckled up. You can strike the vehicle interior or other occupants, or you can be thrown from the vehicle. Always make sure you and others in your vehicle are properly buckled up.
• It is dangerous to ride in a cargo area inside or outside of a vehicle. In a crash, people riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously injured or killed.
• Do not allow people to ride in any area of your vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seat belts.
• Make sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and properly belted. Passengers, including the driver, should always be secured with seat belts and seat belts should be used even if an air bag is provided at their seating position, to minimize the risk of serious injury or death in the event of a crash.
• Improper seat belt use can result in much more severe injury in a crash. You can suffer internal injuries or even slide out of the seat belt. Follow these instructions to properly buckle your seat belt and to keep your passengers safe.
• Two people should never be belted with one seat belt. People belted together can strike each other in a crash, causing serious injury to each other. Never use a lap/shoulder belt or lap belt for more than one person, regardless of their size.
• A lap belt positioned too high can increase the risk of injury in a crash. The seat belt forces will act not on the strong hip and pelvic bones, but on your abdomen. Always position the lap portion of the seat belt as low as possible and keep it snug.
• A twisted seat belt may not protect you properly. In a crash, it may even cut into you. Make sure the seat belt lies flat against your body, without twists. If you cannot straighten the seat belt in the vehicle, take it to an authorized dealer and have it repaired immediately.
• A seat belt buckled into the wrong buckle will not protect you properly. The lap portion may sit too high on your body, which may result in internal injuries. Always buckle the seat belt into the buckle nearest to you.
• A seat belt that is too loose will not protect you properly. In a sudden stop, you may move too far forward, increasing the risk of injury. Fasten the seat belt snugly.
• A seat belt worn under the arm is dangerous. Your body may strike the interior surfaces of the vehicle in a collision, increasing the risk of head and neck injury. A seat belt worn under the arm may cause internal organ injuries. Ribs are not as strong as the shoulder bones. Wear the shoulder belt over your shoulder so that your strongest bones absorb the force of a collision.
• A shoulder belt positioned behind you will not protect you from injury during a collision. You are more likely to strike your head in a collision if you do not wear the shoulder belt. The lap and shoulder belts are designed to be used together.
• A worn or torn seat belt may tear in a collision and leave you unprotected. Periodically inspect the seat belt system for cuts, abrasion, or loose parts. Damaged components must be replaced immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the seat belt system. Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a collision.