Seat Belt Precautions

WARNING

• All occupants of the vehicle must always wear seat belts. Seat belts and child restraint systems reduce the risk of serious or fatal injury to all occupants in a collision or sudden stop. Without a seat belt, occupants may be moved too close to the deploying airbag, strike the interior structure, or be ejected from the vehicle. Properly worn seat belts significantly reduce these hazards. Always observe the precautions regarding seat belts, airbags and occupant safety contained in this manual.
• Never place fragile objects under the seat belt. In the event of sudden braking or impact, the seat belt may damage them.

Infant or Small Child

You must know the specific requirements in your country. The child and/or child seats must be properly positioned and installed in the rear seat. For more information on using these restraint systems, see "Child Restraint Systems" on page 3-27 in this section.

WARNING

Every person in your vehicle needs to be properly restrained every time, including infants and children. Never hold a child in your arms or on your lap while riding in the vehicle. The violent forces created in a collision will tear the child from your arms and throw the child into the passenger compartment. Always use a child restraint system appropriate for your child's height and weight.

NOTICE

Small children are best protected from injury in an accident when properly restrained in the rear seat by a child restraint system that meets the safety standards of your country. Before purchasing any child restraint system, make sure it has a label certifying that it meets the safety standards of your country. The restraint must be appropriate for your child's height and weight. Check the label on the child restraint for this information. See "Child Restraint Systems" on page 3-27 in this section.

Older children

Children who are too large for a child restraint system should always occupy the rear seat and use the lap/shoulder belts. The lap portion of the belt must be fastened and worn snugly across the hips and as low as possible. Check periodically whether the belt fits properly. If the child squirms, the belt may come out of position. Children are safest in an accident when they are restrained by a proper restraint system in the rear seat. If a larger child (over 12 years old) must sit in the front seat, the child must be securely restrained by the available lap/shoulder belt, and the seat must be moved to the rearmost position. Children 12 years old and under must be secured in the rear seat. NEVER place a child under 12 years old in the front seat. NEVER install a rear-facing child seat in the front seat of the vehicle.

If the shoulder belt portion touches the child's neck or face, try moving the child closer to the center of the vehicle. If the shoulder belt still touches their face or neck, they should return to the child restraint system.

WARNING

Shoulder belts on small children

• Never allow the shoulder belt to contact the child's neck or face while the vehicle is in motion.
• If seat belts are not worn properly and adjusted for children, there is a risk of death or serious injury.

Pregnant Women

It is recommended that pregnant women use a seat belt to reduce the possibility of injury in an accident. When a seat belt is used, the lap portion of the belt should be positioned as low and snug as possible across the hips, not across the abdomen. For specific recommendations, consult your doctor.

WARNING

Pregnant women

Pregnant women should never place the lap portion of the seat belt over the abdominal area where the fetus is located, or above the abdomen where the belt could crush the fetus during an impact.

Injured Person

A seat belt should be used whenever an injured person is transported. When necessary, consult a doctor for recommendations.

One person per belt

Never allow two people (including children) to use one seat belt. This may increase the severity of injuries in an accident.

Do not recline

To reduce the risk of injury in an accident and to achieve maximum effectiveness of the restraint system, all passengers must sit upright, and both front and rear seatbacks must be in the upright position while the vehicle is moving. The seat belt cannot provide proper protection if a person is lying across the rear seat or if the front or rear seatbacks are reclined.

WARNING

Riding with the seatback reclined increases your chance of serious or fatal injury in a collision or sudden stop. The protective effect of the safety system (seat belts and airbags) is significantly reduced by reclining your seat. Seat belts must lie snugly against the hips and chest to work properly. The more the seatback is reclined, the greater the chance that the passenger's hips will slide under the lap belt, causing serious internal injuries, or that the passenger's neck may strike the shoulder belt. Drivers and passengers should always sit properly in their seats, be properly restrained, and keep their seatbacks upright.