2006 KIA PICANTO Owners Manual

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Headrest adjustment (if equipped)
Adjusting the height up and down
The headrest not only provides com-
fort for the driver and passengers,
but also helps to protect the head
and neck in the event of a collision.
To raise the headrest, pull it up to the desired position (➀). To lower the
headrest, push and hold the release
button ( ➁) on the headrest support
and lower the headrest to the desiredposition ( ➂). For best protection,
adjust the headrest so its center is as
high as your ears. Also adjust theheadrest so its distance from the
head is as wide as your fist. Removal
To remove the headrest, raise it as
far as it can go then press the
release lever (
➀) while pulling
upward ( ➁).
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WARNING
To reduce the risk of head and
neck injuries, do not drive the
vehicle with the headrest
removed or improperly posi-tioned.
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Pre-tensioner seat belt (if equipped)
Your vehicle is equipped with driver’s
and front passenger’s pre-tensioner
seat belts. The purpose of the pre-
tensioner is to make sure that theseat belts fit tightly against the occu-
pant’s body in certain frontal colli-
sions. The pre-tensioner seat belts
can be activated together with the
airbags, where the frontal collision is
severe enough. The seat belt pre-tensioner system
consists mainly of the following com-
ponents. Their locations are shown in
the illustration. ➀
SRS airbag warning light
➁ Seatbelt pre-tensioner assembly
➂ SRS airbag control module
SAFETY BELTS
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CAUTION
Both the driver's and front pas-
senger's pre-tensioner seatbelts will be activated in certainfrontal collisions. The pre-ten- sioner seat belts can be activat-ed, where the frontal collision issevere enough, together with the airbag. The pre-tensionerswill be activated under theseconditions even if there is no one on the seat at the time ofthe collision.
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➀
➁
➂

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WARNING
To obtain maximum benefit from a pre-tensioner seat belt:
 The seat belt must be worn correctly.
 The seat belt must be adjusted to the correct position.CAUTION
When the pre-tensioner seat
belts are activated, a loud noise may be heard and fine dust,which may appear to be smoke,may be visible in the passenger compartment and are not toxic.
Although, it is harmless, the finedust may cause skin irritationand should not be breathed forprolonged periods. Wash your hands and face thoroughly afteran accident in which the airbagsand/or pre-tensioner seat belts were activated.
CAUTION
 Because the sensor that acti- vates the SRS airbag is con-nected with pre-tensioner seatbelt, the SRS airbag warninglight on the instrument panel will blink or illuminate forapproximately 6 seconds afterthe ignition key has beenturned to the “ON” position, then the light should go off.
 If the pre-tensioner seat belt is not working properly, thiswarning light will illuminateeven if there is no malfunction of SRS airbag system. If theSRS airbag warning light doesnot illuminate when the igni- tion key is turned to “ON” , orif it remains illuminated afterblinking or illuminating for approximately 6 seconds, or ifit illuminates while the vehicleis being driven, please have an authorized Kia dealerinspect the pre-tensioner seatbelt or SRS airbag system as soon as possible.

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WARNING
 Pre-tensioners are designed to operate once. After activa-
tion, pre-tensioner seat belts
must be replaced. All seat
belts, of any type, should
always be replaced after they
have been worn during a colli-sion.
 Do not attempt to inspect or replace the pre-tensioner seat
belts yourself. This must be
done by an authorized Kia
dealer.CAUTION
The pre-tensioner seat belt
assembly mechanisms becomehot during activation. Do nottouch the pre-tensioner seat belt assembly for several min-utes after they have been acti-vated.
WARNING
 Do not strike the pre-tensioner seat belt assemblies.
 Do not attempt to service or repair the pre-tensioner seat
belt system in any manner.
 Improper handling of the pre- tensioner seat belt assem-
blies, and failure to heed the
warnings not to strike, modify,
inspect, place, service orrepair the pre-tensioner seat
belt assemblies may lead to
improper operation or inad-
vertent activation causing
serious injury.
Always wear the seat belts when driving or riding in a
motor vehicle.

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Safety belt restraint system We strongly recommend that the
driver and all passengers be proper-
ly restrained at all times by using the
safety belts provided with the vehi-
cle. Proper use of the safety belts
decreases the risk of severe injury or
death in accidents or sudden stops.
All seats (including or except the
center rear seat) have lap/shoulder
belts. Inertial locks in the safety belt
retractors allow all of the lap/shoul-
der safety belts to remain unlocked
during normal vehicle operation. This
allows the occupants some freedom
of movement and increased comfort
while using the safety belts. If a force
is applied to the vehicle, such as a
strong stop, a sharp turn, or a colli-
sion, the safety belt retractors will
automatically lock the safety belts.Since the inertial locks do not require
a collision in order to lock up, you
may become aware of the safety
belts locking while braking or going
around sharp corners.
Always use the rear seat position(s)
to install your child restraint(s).
Never install a child restraint system in the front passenger position, as an
inflating airbag could cause serious
or fatal injury to a child in that posi-tion.
WARNING
- Safety belts
To minimize the risk of serious
or fatal injury in an accident, the
driver and all passengers
should use the appropriate
safety restraints for their age
and size. The presence of
airbags does not change the
need to be properly restrained
by a safety belt or size-appropri-
ate child restraint. In fact,
airbags are designed to work
the best when passengers are
correctly restrained in the vehi-
cle. Be sure you are familiar
with the information in this sec-
tion, including the information
on infant and child restraints.
Read the safety warnings on the
sun visors of your vehicle also.

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WARNING - Belt use
Safety belts must be used cor-
rectly to work properly in an
accident. Each seating position
in your vehicle has a specific
safety belt assembly that
includes a buckle and tongue
designed to be used together.
For greatest effectiveness, fol-
low these guidelines in using
safety belts:
 Use the shoulder portion of the safety belt on the outside
shoulder only. Never wear the
shoulder portion under thearm.
 Never swing the safety belt around your neck to fit over
the inside shoulder.
 Never wear the shoulder por- tion of the safety belt across
the neck or face.
(Continued)Safety belts provide the best restraint when:
 The seatback is upright.
 The occupant is sitting upright (notslouched).
 The lap belt is snug across the hips.
 The shoulder belt is snug across the chest.
 The knees are straight forward.
To help you remember to fasten your
safety belt, a warning light will come
on. See Safety Belt Warning Light onpage 3-38.
WARNING - After a colli-
sion
 Lap/shoulder belt assemblies may be stretched or damaged when subjected to the stress
and forces of a collision.
 The entire restraint system should be inspected following
any collision. All belts, retrac-
tors, anchors and hardware
damaged by a collision should
be replaced before the vehicle
is operated again.
WARNING - Cargo area
Passengers should never be
allowed to ride in the cargo area
of a vehicle. No safety belts are
provided for the cargo area.
Persons riding in the vehicle
without a fastened safety belt
are much more likely to suffer
serious bodily injury or deathduring an accident.
WARNING - Twisted belts
A twisted or jammed safety belt
cannot restrain you properly. If
you cannot untwist or unjam the
safety belt, have an authorized
Kia dealer it immediately. Neverdrive or ride with a twisted or
jammed safety belt.

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(Continued)
 Wear the lap portion as low aspossible. Be sure that the lap
belt fits snugly around the
hips. Never wear a lap portion
of a lap/shoulder belt over
your waist; it should always
go over the stronger area of
your hips.
 Never use a single safety belt for more than one person.
 The front seatbacks should always remain in a comfort-
able, upright position when
the vehicle is moving.WARNING - Safety belt
care
 A damaged belt may not give you the protection you need in an accident.
 Inspect your safety belts peri- odically for excessive wear or
damage. Pull out each belt
fully and look for fraying, cuts,
burns or other damage. Pull
the safety belt out and let it
retract a number of times.Make sure that the lap/shoul-
der belts return smoothly and
easily into the retractor.
 Check the latches to make sure they latch and release
without interference or delay.
 Never close the doors on any part of the lap or shoulderbelt.
 Any belt not in good condition or in good working order
should be promptly replaced.CAUTION
Never close the doors on any
part of the lap or shoulder belt.It can damage the safety belt or buckle which could increase therisk of injury in case of an acci-dent.

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Safety belt warning light and
chime
Type A
As a reminder to the driver and pas-
senger, safety belt warning light will
blink for approximately 6 seconds
each time you turn the ignition switchON.
If the driver’s lap/shoulder belt is not
fastened when the key is turned ON,
the safety belt warning light blinks for
approximately 6 seconds.(if equipped) Type B (for Europe)
As a reminder to the driver and pas-
senger, safety belt warning light will
blink or illuminate for approximately 6
seconds each time you turn the igni-
tion switch ON.
If the driver's lap/shoulder belt is not
fastened when the key is turned ON
or if it is disconnected after the key is
turn ON, the safety belt warning light
will blink or illuminate until the belt is
fastened.
If the driver's lap/shoulder belt is not
fastened when the key is turned ON
and you drive over 9km/h, the safety
belt warning chime will sound for
approximately 100 seconds after the
warning light blinks for approximately
one minute.
If the driver's lap/shoulder belt is dis-
connected after the key is turn ON
and you drive over 9km/h, the safety
belt warning chime will sound for
approximately 100 seconds.
But, if the driver's lap/shoulder belt is connected and disconnected twice
within 9 seconds after the belt is fas-
tened, the safety belt warning light
and chime will not operate.Type C
If the driver's lap/shoulder belt is not
fastened when the key is turned ON
or if it is disconnected after the key is
turn ON, the safety belt warning light
illuminates until the belt is fastened.
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