1994 BUICK CENTURY Owners Manual

A few crashes are mild, and some crashes can be so
serious that even buckled up a person wouldn't survive.
But most crashes are
in between. In many of them,
people who buckle up can survive and sometimes walk
away. Without belts they could have been badly hurt
or killed.
After more than
25 years of safety belts in vehicles, the
facts are clear. In most crashes buckling up does matter
... a lot!
Why Safety Belts Work
When you ride in or on anything, you go as fast as it
goes.
For example, if the bike is going 10 mph (16 km/h), so
is the child.
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When the bike hits the block, it stops. But the child
keeps going! Take the
simplest vehicle. Suppose it's just a seat on
wheels.
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Put someone on it.
.-__ Y7 -
Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle. The rider
doesn't stop.
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The person keeps going until stopped by something.
In
a real vehicle, it could be the windshield ...
or the instrument panel ...
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B
or the safety belts!
With safety belts,
you slow down as the vehicle does.
You get more time to stop. You stop over more distance,
and your strongest bones take the forces. That’s why
safety belts make such good sense.
Here Are Questions Many People Ask
About Safety Belts -- and the Answers
@ Won’t I be trapped in the vehicle after an
accident if
I’m wearing a safety belt?
A: You could be -- whether you’re wearing a safety
belt or
not. But you can easily unbuckle a safety
belt, even if you’re upside down. And your chance
of being conscious during and after an accident,
so
you can unbuckle and get out, is much greater if
you are belted.
Q: Why don’t they just put in air bags so people
won’t have to wear safety belts?
A: Air bags, or Supplemental Restraint Systems, are in
some vehicles today and will be in more of them in
the future. But they are supplemental systems only
-- so they work with safety belts, not instead of
them. Every air bag system ever offered for sale
has required the use of safety belts. Even
if you’re
in a vehicle that has air bags, you still have to
buckle up to get the most protection. That’s true not
only in frontal collisions, but especially in side and
other collisions.
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&: If I’m a good driver, ana 1 never drive far from
home, why should I wear safety belts?
A: You may be an excellent driver, but if you’re in an
accident
-- even one that isn’t your fault -- you and
your passengers can be hurt. Being a good driver
doesn’t protect you from things beyond your
control, such as bad drivers.
Most accidents occur within
25 miles (40 km) of
home. And the greatest number
of serious injuries
and deaths occur at speeds
of less than 40 mph
(65 km/h).
Safety belts are for everyone.
Safety Belt Warning Light
When the key is turned
to “Run” or “Start,”
a
chime will come on for
about eight seconds to
remind people to fasten
their safety belts, unless
the driver’s safety belt
is already buckled.
The safety belt light will also come
on and stay on for
20 seconds, then it will flash for an additional 55
seconds. If the driver’s belt is already buckled, neither
the chime nor the light will come on.
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How To Wear Safety Belts Properly
Adults
This section is only for people of adult size.
Be aware that there are special things to know about
safety belts and children. And there are different rules for
smaller children and babies.
If a child will be riding in
your Buick, see the section after this one, called
“Children.” Follow those rules for everyone’s protection.
First, you’ll want
to know which restraint systems your
vehicle has.
We’ll start with the driver position.
Vehicles First Sold In Canada
Was your Buick first sold, when new, in Canada? (If it
was, a sticker
on the driver’s door will say “conforms to
all applicable Canada motor vehicle...’’ etc.) If so, then
the rest
of Part 1 does not apply to your vehicle.
To learn how to use your safety belts, please read
the
Owner’s Manual Safety Belt Supplement. It comes with
every new Buick first sold
in Canada.
Driver Position
This section describes the driver’s restraint system.
u
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Automatic Lap-Shoulder Belt
E
This safety belt is called “automatic” because you don’t
have to buckle up when
you get into your vehicle. And you
don’t have to unbuckle when
you get out.
Just get into your vehicle. Then close and lock the door.
Adjust the seat
(to see how, see “Seats” in the Index) so
you can sit up straight.
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