1996 PONTIAC PONTIAC Owners Manual

@ If I’m a good driver, and I never drive far from First, you’ll want to know which restraint systems your
home, why should I wear safety belts? vehicle has.
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
fiom 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 1- . -, .. - .. .- * :.I, (65 km/h). ,.: -. .. -8 , ,. . 6 ‘F:, - ,. . .I_ Safety belts are for everyone.
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly
Adults
This part is only for people o’f 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 part of this manud called “Children.”
Follow those rules for everyone’s protection. We’ll start with the driver position,
Driver Position (2-Door Models)
This part describes the driver’s restraint system. If you
have a four-door model, see “Driver Position
(4-Door
Models)” later i.n this. section.
Lap-Shoulder Belt (2-Door Models)
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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3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
4. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
Don’t let
it get twisted.
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.
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 crash.
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Q: What's wrong with this?
You can be seriously hurt if your shoulder belt is
too loose. In a crash, you would move forward
too much,' which could increase injury. The '
shoulder belt should fit against your body.
A: The shoulder belt is too loose. It won't give nearly
as much protection this way.
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Q: what's wrong with this?
.. . . .
'1- .. '.' ,. .. :. A: The belt is buckled in the wrong place. . #' '
You can be seriously injured if your belt is
buckled in the wrong place like this. In a crash,
the belt would go up over your abdomen. The
belt forces would be there, not at the pelvic
bones. This could cause serious internal injuries.
Always buckle your .belt into the buckle
nearest you.
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12: 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:
You can be seriously injured if you wear the
shoulder belt under your arm.
In a crash, your
body would move
.too far fdrward, 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.
. ,r ; I. '. . . ' r -'
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Q: What's wrong with this?
I I' .~
A: The belt is twisted across the body.
A CAUTION:
You can be seriously inpred 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.
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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.
Driver Position (4-DOOr Models)
This part describes the driver’s restraint system. If you
have a two-door model, see “Drives Position (2-Door
Models)” earlier in this section.
Lap-Shoulder Belt (4-Door Models)
The driver has a lap-shoulder belt. Here’s how to wear
it properly.
I. 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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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.
3. Pick up the latch plate and pull the belt across you.
Don’t let
it get twisted.
The shoulder belt may lock if you pull the belt across
you very quickly.
If this happens, let the belt go back
slightly to unlock it. Then pull the belt across
you
more slowly.
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