Seat Belt Pretensioner

Your vehicle is equipped with pretensioners for the driver and front passenger seat belts.

1. Retractor Pretensioner

The seat belt pretensioner is a supplemental seat belt system. The purpose of the retractor pretensioner is to tighten the shoulder belt against the occupant's upper body in certain frontal collisions.

Seat belt pretensioners may be activated in sufficiently severe collisions together with the airbags.

When the vehicle stops suddenly or the occupant leans forward rapidly, the seat belt retractor may lock in place. In certain frontal collisions (or side collisions), the pretensioner may activate and tighten the seat belt against the occupant's body.

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

2. Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR)

The Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) is a supplemental seat belt system. The purpose of the ELR is to tighten the lap belt against the occupant's pelvis 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 Lamp
2. Retractor Pretensioner
3. SRS Control Module
4. Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR)

To get the maximum benefit from the seat belt pretensioner:

1. The seat belt must be worn correctly and properly adjusted. Read and observe all important information and precautions regarding your occupant safety system, including seat belts and airbags, provided in this manual.

2. Always make sure that you and your passengers are wearing seat belts correctly.

✽ NOTICE

When the seat belt pretensioners activate, a loud noise may be heard and fine dust may be visible in the cabin, which may appear to be smoke. This is normal and not hazardous.

WARNING - Skin irritation.

Thoroughly wash all exposed skin after an accident in which the seat belts have deployed. Fine dust from pretensioner activation may cause skin irritation and should not be inhaled for extended periods.

Because the sensor that activates the SRS airbag is connected to the seat belt pretensioner, the SRS airbag warning light () The airbag warning light on the instrument panel illuminates for approximately 6 seconds after the ignition switch is turned to the ON position, and then it should go off. If the seat belt pretensioner is not operating properly, this warning light illuminates even though the SRS airbag is not faulty. If the SRS airbag warning light does not illuminate when the ignition switch is turned ON, or if it remains on after approximately 6 seconds, or if it illuminates while driving, have the seat belt pretensioner or the 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 pretensioners for several minutes after they have been activated. When the seat belt pretensioner activates during a collision, the pretensioner becomes hot and may cause burns.

Pretensioners are designed for one-time use. After activation, the seat belt pretensioners must be replaced. If a pretensioner needs to be replaced, contact an authorized Kia dealer.