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3. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.If you find that the latch plate will not go fully intothe buckle, see if you are using the correct buckle.
Pull up on the latch plate to make sure it is secure.If the belt is not long enough, seeSafety BeltExtenderon page 2!48.
Position the release button on the buckle so thatthe safety belt could be quickly unbuckled ifnecessary.
4. If equipped with a shoulder belt height adjuster,move it to the height that is right for you. See“Shoulder Belt Height Adjustment”later in thissection for instructions on use and important safetyinformation.
5. To make the lap part tight, pull up on theshoulder belt.
It may be necessary to pull stitching on the safetybelt through the latch plate to fully tighten the lapbelt on smaller occupants.
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To unlatch the belt, push the button on the buckle.The belt should return to its stowed position.
Before a door is closed, be sure the safety belt is out ofthe way. If a door is slammed against a safety belt,damage can occur to both the belt and the vehicle.
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster
The vehicle has a shoulder belt height adjuster for thedriver and right front passenger positions.
Adjust the height so that the shoulder portion of the beltis centered on the shoulder. The belt should be awayfrom the face and neck, but not falling off the shoulder.Improper shoulder belt height adjustment could reducethe effectiveness of the safety belt in a crash.
Squeeze the buttons (A)on the sides of the heightadjuster and move theheight adjuster to thedesired position.
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The adjuster can be moved up just by pushing up onthe shoulder belt guide.
After the adjuster is set to the desired position, try tomove it down without squeezing the buttons to makesure it has locked into position.
Safety Belt Pretensioners
This vehicle has safety belt pretensioners forfront outboard occupants. Although the safety beltpretensioners cannot be seen, they are part of thesafety belt assembly. They can help tighten the safetybelts during the early stages of a moderate to severefrontal, near frontal, or rear crash if the thresholdconditions for pretensioner activation are met.And, if the vehicle has side impact airbags, safety beltpretensioners can help tighten the safety belts in a sidecrash or a rollover event.
Pretensioners work only once. If the pretensionersactivate in a crash, they will need to be replaced, andprobably other new parts for the vehicle's safety beltsystem. SeeReplacing Restraint System Parts After aCrash on page 2!92.
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides
This vehicle may have rear shoulder belt comfortguides. If not, they are available through yourdealer/retailer. The guides may provide added safetybelt comfort for older children who have outgrownbooster seats and for some adults. When installed andproperly adjusted, the comfort guide positions the beltaway from the neck and head.
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There is one guide, if equipped, for each outsidepassenger position in the second row seat and the thirdrow, if the vehicle has one. Here is how to install acomfort guide to the safety belt:
Second Row
1. For the second row, remove the guide from itsstorage clip on the interior body.
Third Row
If your vehicle has a third row, remove the guidefrom its storage pocket on the side of the seat.
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2. Place the guide over the belt, and insert thetwo edges of the belt into the slots of the guide.3. Be sure that the belt is not twisted and it lies flat.The elastic cord must be under the belt and theguide on top.
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{WARNING:
A safety belt that is not properly worn may not
provide the protection needed in a crash. The
person wearing the belt could be seriously injured.
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.
4. Buckle, position, and release the safety belt asdescribed previously in this section. Make sure thatthe shoulder belt crosses the shoulder.
To remove and store the comfort guide, squeeze thebelt edges together so that the safety belt can beremoved from the guide. Slide the guide into its storageclip on the interior body or storage pocket on the side ofthe seat.
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Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy
Safety belts work for everyone, including pregnantwomen. Like all occupants, they are more likely to beseriously injured if they do not wear safety belts.
A pregnant woman should wear a lap-shoulder belt, andthe lap portion should be worn as low as possible,below the rounding, throughout the pregnancy.
The best way to protect the fetus is to protect themother. When a safety belt is worn properly, it is morelikely that the fetus will not be hurt in a crash. Forpregnant women, as for anyone, the key to makingsafety belts effective is wearing them properly.
Lap Belt
This part is only for the lap belt. To learn how to wear alap-shoulder belt, seeLap-Shoulder Belt on page 2!39.
The vehicle may have a center seating position. Whenyou sit in the center front seating position, you have alap safety belt, which has no retractor.
To make the belt longer, tilt the latch plate and pull italong the belt.
Buckle, position and release it the same way as the lappart of a lap-shoulder belt.
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To make the belt shorter, pull its free end as shown untilthe belt is snug.
If the belt is not long enough, seeSafety Belt Extenderon page 2!48.
Make sure the release button on the buckle ispositioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safetybelt quickly if necessary.
If you find that the latch plate will not go fully into thebuckle, see if you are using the correct buckle. Be surethat the latch plate clicks when inserted into the buckle.
Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle's safety belt will fasten around you, youshould use it.
But if a safety belt is not long enough, your dealer/retailer will order you an extender. When you go in toorder it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so theextender will be long enough for you. To help avoidpersonal injury, do not let someone else use it, and useit only for the seat it is made to fit. The extender hasbeen designed for adults. Never use it for securing childseats. To wear it, attach it to the regular safety belt. Formore information, see the instruction sheet that comeswith the extender.
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