Seat Belts with Pretensioners (Vehicles with Airbags)

Your Hyundai vehicle is equipped with seat belt pretensioners for the driver and front passenger. Their purpose is to firmly secure the occupant in certain frontal collisions. The seat belt pretensioners may activate independently, as well as together with the airbags in a frontal impact of sufficient severity.

Front Seat Belts with Pretensioners

The seat belt pretensioner operates in the same way as a seat belt with an automatic locking inertia retractor. In the event of sudden vehicle stopping, or when the occupant pulls the belt out too quickly, the retractor automatically locks the seat belt. However, in a frontal impact of medium or high severity, the seat belt pretensioner instantly retracts the seat belt.

Layout of the seat belt pretensioner system components:

1 – SRS warning lamp;
2 – seat belt pretensioner assembly;
3 – SRS control unit.

For the seat belt pretensioner to work at maximum effectiveness: the seat belt must be properly fastened; the seat belt must be properly adjusted.

The driver and front passenger seat belt pretensioners activate in a frontal impact of sufficient severity. The seat belt pretensioners may activate independently, as well as together with the airbags in a frontal impact of sufficient severity. The seat belt pretensioners activate in a severe frontal impact, even if the seat belt is not fastened.

When the seat belt pretensioners activate, a small amount of smoke is released and a loud bang occurs. These phenomena are normal and not dangerous.

Although this smoke is not toxic, do not inhale it, as it may cause irritation, coughing, or choking if inhaled for a prolonged period. After the seat belt pretensioners have activated, thoroughly wash your face and hands.

Because the sensor that activates the SRS airbags is connected to the seat belt pretensioner circuit, the SRS warning lamp in the instrument cluster will flash for 6 seconds after the ignition switch is turned to the "ON" or "ACC" position, after which it should go off.

If the seat belt pretensioners are not functioning normally, the warning lamp will remain on, even if the SRS airbag system is in good working condition.

Have the system inspected immediately by an authorized Hyundai dealer if, when the ignition switch is turned to the "ON" or "ACC" position, the SRS (airbag) warning lamp does not come on, does not go off after approximately 6 seconds, or comes on while the vehicle is being driven.

Seat belt pretensioners are designed for single use. Once the seat belt pretensioners have activated, they will not activate again. All seat belts must be replaced after a traffic accident, regardless of the type of seat belt.
After the seat belt pretensioner assembly has activated, some pretensioner components will be hot. Do not touch them for several minutes after activation.

Do not attempt to inspect or replace the seat belt pretensioner mechanisms yourself. This must be performed by an authorized Hyundai dealer.

Do not strike the seat belt pretensioner assemblies.

Do not attempt to service or repair the seat belt pretensioner system yourself.

Improper handling of seat belts with pretensioners, failure to observe the prohibitions on impacts, modification, inspection and replacement, servicing or repair of seat belts with pretensioners may result in malfunction of the belts or accidental deployment of the belts and serious injury.
Always fasten your seat belt before starting the vehicle.