Seat Belt Passive Safety System

WARNING

• For the passive safety system to provide maximum protection, always keep your seat belts fastened while driving.
• Seat belts are most effective when the seatback is in the upright position.
• Children up to 12 years of age must always sit in the rear seats. Never let children sit in the front seat. If a child over 13 years of age must sit in the front seat, they must fasten the seat belt with the seat moved back as far as possible.
• Never route the shoulder portion of the seat belt under the arm or behind the back. If the shoulder portion of the seat belt is not positioned correctly, it may cause serious injury in an accident. The shoulder portion must be adjusted so that it crosses the center of the shoulder and the collarbone.
• Never place fragile objects under the seat belt. In an impact or sudden braking, the belt could damage them.
• Do not wear a twisted seat belt. A twisted seat belt cannot perform its protective function. In a collision, it could even cut into the body.

Make sure the belt webbing is flat and not twisted.

Take care not to damage the webbing or the metal parts of the seat belt. Replace the webbing or metal parts if they are damaged.

CAUTION Seat belts are designed to restrain the skeletal structure of the body and must be worn so that they pass, depending on the type, across the front of the pelvis or across the pelvis, chest and shoulders. The lap portion of the seat belt must never pass over the abdomen.

Adjust the seat belts to be as snug as possible while still comfortable, so that they can perform their intended function.

A loose seat belt provides the occupant with a much lower level of protection.

Take care to avoid contaminating the belt webbing with wax, oil, chemicals and, in particular, battery acid. Clean only with water and mild soap. If the webbing is frayed, contaminated or damaged, replace the seat belt. Seat belts that were in use when the vehicle was involved in an accident of a certain severity must be replaced in full, even if they show no visible signs of damage. Do not wear seat belts with the webbing twisted. Each seat belt must be used by one occupant only; it is very dangerous to fasten the seat belt while holding a child in your arms.

WARNING

• Never modify or add anything to the seat belts, as such actions could compromise the operation of the belt tensioning mechanisms.
• When fastening the belt, take care not to latch it into the buckles of other seats. The belt would not protect you adequately and would be very dangerous in an accident.
• Do not unfasten the seat belt, and do not repeatedly fasten and unfasten it while driving. You could lose control and cause an accident, with a risk of serious or fatal personal injury and property damage.
• When fastening the seat belt, make sure it does not pass over hard objects or objects that could break easily.

• Make sure there are no foreign objects in the buckle. The seat belt may not be properly latched.

Seat belt warning light

Type A To remind the driver to fasten the seat belt, each time the ignition switch is turned to ON the light flashes for about 6 seconds, regardless of whether the belt is fastened or not.

If the driver's seat belt is not fastened when the ignition switch is turned to ON, the seat belt warning light flashes for another 6 seconds or so.

If the driver's seat belt is not fastened when the ignition switch is turned to ON, or if it is unfastened after the ignition switch has been turned to ON, the seat belt buzzer sounds for about 6 seconds. At this point, if the seat belt is fastened, the buzzer stops sounding immediately. (if equipped)

Type B Front To remind the driver and front passenger to fasten their seat belts, each time the ignition switch is turned to ON the corresponding lights come on for about 6 seconds, regardless of whether the belts are fastened or not.

If the driver's or front passenger's seat belt is not fastened when the ignition switch is turned to ON, or if it is unfastened after the ignition switch has been turned to ON, the corresponding light remains on until the belt is fastened.

If the belt is not fastened or if the vehicle is driven at a speed above 9 km/h, the warning light will start flashing, or remain on, until the speed drops below 6 km/h.

If the belt is not fastened or if the vehicle is driven at a speed above 20 km/h, the seat belt buzzer will sound for about 100 seconds and the corresponding light will start flashing.

NOTE

• The front passenger seat belt warning light is located in the center of the instrument panel.
• If the front passenger seat is unoccupied, the corresponding light still comes on for 6 seconds.
• If luggage is placed on the front passenger seat, the seat belt warning light may come on.

WARNING Sitting in an improper position will adversely affect the seat belt warning system.

It is important that the driver properly instructs the passenger on the correct seating position, as described in this manual.