Seat Belts with Seat Belt Pretensioners (if equipped)

Your vehicle is equipped with seat belt pretensioners on the front seats and the outboard rear seats. The seat belt pretensioners are designed to keep the belts snug against the occupant's upper body in certain collisions. The seat belt pretensioners can be activated in collisions above a certain impact severity.

If the vehicle decelerates suddenly or an occupant tries to lean forward too quickly, the seat belt retractor locks. In certain frontal collisions, the seat belt pretensioner is activated and it pulls the belt tighter against the occupant's body.

If the system detects excessive tension on the driver's or front passenger's seat belt after the seat belt pretensioner has been activated, a load limiter in the seat belt pretensioner partially reduces the tension of the affected belt. (if equipped)

WARNING

For your safety, make sure the seat belt is not loose or twisted, and always sit properly in the seat.

WARNING

The seat belt pretensioner is activated not only in a frontal collision but also in a side collision when the vehicle is equipped with side airbags or curtain airbags.

The seat belt pretensioner system consists essentially of the following components. Their location is shown in the illustration:

1. SRS airbag warning

2. Gurtrolle mit Gurtstraffer

3. SRS-Steuermodul

WARNING

To get the maximum benefit from the seat belt pretensioners:

1. Seat belts must be correctly worn and adjusted. Please read and observe all important information and safety warnings about your vehicle's safety equipment, including seat belts and airbags, listed in this owner's manual.

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

WARNING

• The seat belt pretensioners on the front seats and outboard rear seats are activated in certain collisions. The seat belt pretensioners may be activated together with the airbags at a certain impact severity.
• When the seat belt pretensioners are activated, a loud explosive noise may be heard and a fine dust resembling smoke may appear in the vehicle interior. These are normal side effects but are not dangerous.
• Although this is harmless, the fine dust may cause skin irritation and should therefore not be inhaled over a long period. Wash all skin areas exposed to the dust thoroughly if a seat belt pretensioner is activated in an accident.
• Because the sensor that triggers the airbags is connected to the seat belt pretensioners, the SRS airbag warning light on the instrument cluster illuminates for approx. 6 seconds after the ignition is turned on. The warning light must then go off.

WARNING

If a seat belt pretensioner has a malfunction, the SRS airbag warning light illuminates even though the airbags are functioning properly. If the SRS airbag warning light does not illuminate when you turn the ignition switch to the ON position, or if it remains illuminated after 6 seconds, or if it illuminates while driving, have the system inspected by an authorized service facility. Kia recommends visiting a Kia dealer/service partner.

WARNING

• Seat belt pretensioners are designed to be activated only once. After activation, the belts with pretensioners must be replaced. All seat belts (with and without pretensioners) must always be replaced if you are involved in a collision.
• A seat belt pretensioner becomes very hot during activation. Therefore, do not touch the seat belt pretensioner/retractor assembly for several minutes after activation.
• Do not attempt to inspect or replace seat belts with pretensioners yourself. Have the system inspected by a qualified service facility. Kia recommends visiting a Kia dealer/service partner.
• Do not strike the seat belt retractor with the pretensioner.
• Never attempt to modify or repair a seat belt with pretensioner in any way.
• Improper handling of seat belts with pretensioners, and failure to observe the safety warnings not to strike the retractor/pretensioner, not to modify, inspect, service or repair the components, may cause the pretensioners to malfunction or activate unexpectedly, resulting in serious injury.
• Schnallen Sie sich immer an, wenn Sie mit einem Auto fahren oder in einem Auto mitfahren.
• If the vehicle or a seat belt with pretensioner must be scrapped, contact a qualified service facility. Kia recommends visiting a Kia dealer/service partner.

WARNING

Body repair work in the front area of the vehicle may damage the seat belt pretensioner system. Therefore, have the system serviced by a qualified service facility. Kia recommends visiting a Kia dealer/service partner.