Seat Belt Pretensioner

Your vehicle is equipped with driver and front passenger seat belt pretensioners.

1. Retractor Pretensioner

The retractor pretensioner is a supplemental part of the seat belt system. The purpose of the retractor pretensioner is to tighten the shoulder belt against the upper body of the passenger in some frontal collisions.

Seat belt pretensioners may be activated in a severe collision, together with the airbags.

When the vehicle stops suddenly, or if the passenger leans forward too quickly, the seat belt retractor may lock in position. In some frontal collisions (or side collisions), the pretensioner may activate and pull the seat belt tighter against the passenger's body.

If the system detects excessive load on the driver's seat belt when the seat belt pretensioner activates, the load limiter inside the retractor will release some of the pressure on the affected seat belt.

2. Emergency Fastening Device (EFD, for driver's seat)

The Emergency Fastening Device (EFD) is an additional seat belt system. The purpose of the EFD is to tighten the passenger's lap belt in certain collisions.

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

1. SRS Airbag Warning Light

2. Retractor Pretensioner

3. SRS Control Module

4. Emergency Fastening Device (EFD)

To get the maximum benefit from the seat belt pretensioner:

1. The seat belt must be worn correctly and adjusted to the proper position. Please read and follow all important information and precautions regarding your vehicle's occupant safety features, including seat belts and airbags, provided in this manual.

2. Make sure that you and your passengers always wear seat belts correctly.

✽ 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.

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.

Because the sensor that activates the SRS airbag is connected to the seat belt pretensioner, the SRS airbag warning light () on the instrument panel will illuminate for approximately 6 seconds after the ignition switch is turned to ON, and then it should turn off. If the seat belt pretensioner does not operate properly, this warning light will illuminate even if the SRS airbag has not malfunctioned.

If the SRS airbag warning light does not illuminate when the ignition switch is turned ON, if it remains illuminated after approximately 6 seconds, or if it illuminates while the vehicle is being driven, have an authorized Kia dealer inspect the seat belt pretensioner or the SRS airbag system 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.