Seat Belt Pretensioner

Your vehicle is equipped with driver and front passenger seat belt pretensioners (pretensioners with EFD (Emergency Locking Retractor)). Seat belt pretensioners may be activated in a frontal collision severe enough to deploy the airbags.

When the vehicle stops suddenly, or if the occupant attempts to lean forward quickly, the seat belt retractor may lock in position. In certain frontal collisions the pretensioner will activate and pull the seat belt into closer contact against the occupant's body.

(1) Retractor Pretensioner

The purpose of the retractor pretensioner is to ensure that the shoulder belts fit snugly against the upper body of the occupant in certain frontal collisions.

(2) EFD (Emergency Locking Retractor)

The purpose of the EFD is to ensure that the lap belts fit snugly against the lower body of the occupant in certain frontal collisions.

If the system detects excessive tension on the driver or passenger seat belt when the pretensioner activates, the load limiter inside the retractor pretensioner will release some pressure on the restrained occupant's seat belt.

✽ NOTICE

When the seat belt pretensioners are activated, a loud noise may be heard and fine dust, which may resemble smoke, may be visible in the passenger compartment. These are normal operating conditions and are not hazardous.

The seat belt pretensioner system consists mainly of the following components. Their locations are shown in the illustration:

(1) SRS Airbag Warning Lamp
(2) Front Pretensioner Assembly
(3) SRS Control Module
(4) Emergency Locking Retractor (EFD)

WARNING - Skin Irritation

Thoroughly wash all exposed skin after an accident in which the seat belt pretensioners were activated. Dust from pretensioner activation may cause skin irritation and should not be breathed in for extended periods.

✽ NOTICE

• Both the driver and front passenger seat belt pretensioner system may be activated not only in certain frontal collisions, but also in certain side collisions or rollovers if the vehicle is equipped with side or curtain airbags.
• Because the sensor that activates the SRS airbag is linked to the seat belt pretensioner, the SRS Airbag Warning Lamp on the instrument panel will illuminate for approximately 6 seconds after the Engine Start/Stop button is turned to the ON position, and then it should turn off.

If the seat belt pretensioner system is not functioning properly, this warning light will illuminate even if there is no SRS airbag malfunction. If the SRS airbag warning light does not come on when the engine Start/Stop button is turned on, or if it remains illuminated after coming on for approximately 6 seconds, or if it illuminates while driving, have the seat belt pretensioners and SRS airbag system inspected by an authorized Kia dealer as soon as possible.

✽ NOTICE

Do not attempt to service or repair the seat belt pretensioner system in any way. Do not attempt to inspect or replace the seat belt pretensioners yourself. This must be done by an authorized Kia dealer.

WARNING. Hot pretensioner

Do not touch the seat belt pretensioner assemblies for several minutes after they have been activated. When the seat belt pretensioner mechanism is activated in a collision, the pretensioner becomes hot and may burn you.

Pretensioners are designed to function only once. After activation, seat belt pretensioners must be replaced. If a pretensioner must be replaced, contact an authorized Kia dealer.