Page 25 of 342
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The person keeps going until stopped by something.
In a real vehicle,
it could be the windshield ...
or the instrument
panel
...
or the safety belts!
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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
0: Won’t I be trapped in the vehicle after an accident if I’m wearing a
A: You could be - whether you’re wearing a safety belt or not. But you
can 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.
safety belt?
0: Why don’t they just put in air bags so people won’t have to wear
A: Air bags are in many 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.
safety belts?
Q If I’m a good driver, and I never drive far from home, why should I
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.
wear safety belts?
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.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
Adults
This part 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 vehicle, see the part of this manual 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.
Driver Position
This part 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.
3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you. Don’t let it get
4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
twisted.
Pull up
on the latch plate to make sure it is secure.
If the belt
isn’t long enough, see “Safetv Belt Extender” at the end of
this section.
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Page 28 of 342
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
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 low and snug on the hips, just
touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the strong pelvic bones.
And you’d be less likely
to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the
belt would apply force at your abdomen. This could cause serious or even
fatal injuries. The shoulder belt should
go over the shoulder and across the
chest. These parts of the body are best able
to take belt restraining forces.
The safety belt locks if there’s a sudden stop or a crash.
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Page 29 of 342
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster
Before you begin to drive, move the shoulder belt adjuster to the height that
is right for you.
To move it down, push in at the top of the arrows and move the height
adjuster to the desired position. You can move the adjuster up just by
pushing up
on the shoulder belt guide. After you move the adjuster to where
you want it, try to move it down without pushing in to make sure it has
locked into position.
Adjust the height
so that the shoulder portion of the belt is centered on your
shoulder. The belt should be away from your face and neck, but
not falling
off your shoulder.
Q: What’s wrong with this?
I I I I
8
A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It won’t give nearly as much protection
this way.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Q: What’s wrong with this?
A: The belt is over an armrest.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Q: What's wrong with this?
A: The shoulder belt is worn under the arm. It should be worn over the
shoulder at all times.
A CAUTION:
, .. .. . , , a-,- ._ . ." . : . -.. .
You can be seriously injured if youp wear the shoulder belt under
your arm. In
a crash, your body would move too far forward,
which would increase the chance of head and neck injury.
Also,
the belt would apply too much force to the ribs, which aren't as
strong as shoulder bones. You could also severely injure internal
organs like your liver or spleen.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Q: What's wrong with this?
A: The belt is twisted across the body.
A CAUTION:
I
You can be seriously injured by a twisted belt. In a crash, you
wouldn't have the full width
of the belt to spread impact forces.
If a belt is twisted, make it straight so it can work properly, or
ask your dealer to
fix it.
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 both the belt and your vehicle.
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