1994 PONTIAC FIREBIRD Owners Manual

Seats and Restraint Systems
Put someone on it.
Get it up to speed. Then stop the vehicle.
The rider doesn't stop. The
person keeps going until stopped by
something.
In
a real vehicle, it could be the
windshield
. . .
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or the instrument panel ... x- 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
gtrongest bones take the forces. That's
why safety belts make such good sense.
H&e &e Questions
Many People Ask about
Safety Belts - and the
Amswers
'Q: Won't I be trapped in tlie vehicle
after an aecidemt 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.
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Seats and Restraint Systems
Q: Why don’t they just put in air bags
so people won’t have to wear safety
belts?
A: Air bags, or Supplemental Inflatable
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.
Q: If I’m a good driver, and I 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 Reminder
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
until the driver’s belt is buckled.
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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 Pontiac, see the section
after this one, called “Children.” Follow
those rules for everyone’s protection.
I
First, you’ll want to know which restraint
systems your vehicle has.
We’ll start with the driver position.
Driver Position
This section describes the driver’s
restraint system.
Lap-Shoulder Belt
The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here’s
how to wear it properly.
1. Close and lock the door.
2. Adjust the seat (to see how, see
“Seats” in the Index)
so you can sit up
straight.
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Seats and Restraint Systems
&e ,,, " &
3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the
belt across you. Don't let it get
twisted.
4. Push the latch plate into the buckle
until it clicks.
Pull up on the latch plate to make sure
it
is secure. If the belt isn't long
enough, see "Safety Belt Extender" at
the end of this section.
Make sure the release button on the
buckle is positioned
so you would be
able to unbuckle the safety belt
quickly if you ever had to.
I L-> I'
L
5. To make the lap part tight, pull down
on the buckle end of the belt as you
pull up
on the shoulder belt. The
lap part
of the belt should be worn
ow and snug on the hips, just touching
he thighs. In a crash, this applies force to
he strong pelvic bones. And you'd be
ess likely to slide under the lap belt. If
rou slid under it, the belt would apply
orce at your abdomen. This could cause
;erious or even fatal injuries. The
Ihoulder belt should go over the shoulder
tnd across the chest. These
parts of the
lady are best able to take belt restraining
.orces.
The safety belt locks if there's a sudden
;top or crash.
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Q: What’s wrong with this?
A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It won’
give nearly as much protection this
way.
Q: What’s wrong with this?
A: The belt is buckled in the wrong
place.
2: What’s wrong with this? ,’.,
k The shoulder belt is worn u&er the
arm. It should be worn over the
shoulder at all times.
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Seats and Restraint Systems
~~
Q: What’s wrong with this?
A: The belt is twisted across the body.
To unlatch the belt, just push the button
on the buckle. The belt should go back
out of the way.
Before you close the door, be sure the belt
is out of the way. If you slam the door on
it, you can damage bott the belt and your
vehicle.
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This vehicle has AIR BAGS for front occupants.
A CAUTION: YOU NEED YOUR SAFETY BELT, EVEN WITH AN AIR BAG.
AND HERE’S WHY
Air bags are not designed to inflate in rollovers or in rear, side or low-speed frontal crashes.
Air bags inflate with great force, faster than the blink of an eye. If you’re too close to an inflating
air bag, it could seriously injure you. Safety belts help keep you in position for air bag inflation
in a crash.
An inflating air bag can seriously injure small children. Follow t\
he instructions on the passenger
safety belt Caution label.
REGULAR MAINTENANCE OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IS NOT REQUIRED. If the
air bag readiness light comes on while you are driving, or doesn’t come on when you first start
your vehicle, see your dealer for service.
PRINTED IN USA. See your Owner’s Manual for more information. PART NO C20-30-355
Supplemental Inflatable
Restraint System
(Air Bags)
Here are the most important things to
know:
rhis section explains the Supplemental
[nflatable Restraint (SIR), or “air bag,”
system. Your Pontiac has an air bag
For both the driver and the right-front
Jassenger.
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