Page 78 of 498

Black plate (14,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual - 2011
3-14 Seats and Restraints
Rear Seat
Pass-Through Door
Some vehicles have a rear seat
pass-through door in the center of
the rear seatback. Fold down the
center armrest and push down on
the latch to open the door.
Safety Belts
This section of the manual
describes how to use safety belts
properly. It also describes some
things not to do with safety belts.
{WARNING
Do not let anyone ride where
a safety belt cannot be worn
properly. In a crash, if you or
your passenger(s) are not
wearing safety belts, the injuries
can be much worse. You can hit
things inside the vehicle harder
or be ejected from the vehicle.
You and your passenger(s) can
be seriously injured or killed.
In the same crash, you might
not be, if you are buckled up.
Always fasten your safety belt,
and check that your passenger(s)
are restrained properly too.
{WARNING
It is extremely dangerous to ride
in a cargo area, inside or outside
of a vehicle. In a collision, people
riding in these areas are more
likely to be seriously injured or
killed. Do not allow people to ride
in any area of your vehicle that
is not equipped with seats and
safety belts. Be sure everyone in
your vehicle is in a seat and using
a safety belt properly.
This vehicle has indicators as a
reminder to buckle the safety belts.
See Safety Belt Reminders on
page 5‑15 for additional information.
Page 83 of 498
Black plate (19,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual - 2011
Seats and Restraints 3-19
worn low and snug on the hips,
just touching the thighs. In a crash,
this applies force to the strong
pelvic bones and you would be
less likely to slide under the lap
belt. If you slid under it, the belt
would apply force on 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 shoulder belt locks if there is a
sudden stop or crash.Q: What is wrong with this?
A:
The shoulder belt is too loose.
It will not give as much
protection this way.
{WARNING
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 snugly against
your body.
Page 84 of 498
Black plate (20,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual - 2011
3-20 Seats and Restraints
Q: What is wrong with this?
A:The lap belt is too loose. It will
not give nearly as much
protection this way.
{WARNING
You can be seriously hurt if your
lap belt is too loose. In a crash,
you could slide under the lap
belt and apply force on your
abdomen. This could cause
serious or even fatal injuries.
The lap belt should be worn
low and snug on the hips,
just touching the thighs. Q: What is wrong with this?
A:
The belt is buckled in the wrong
buckle.
Page 85 of 498
Black plate (21,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual - 2011
Seats and Restraints 3-21
{WARNING
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 on the pelvic bones.
This could cause serious internal
injuries. Always buckle your belt
into the buckle nearest you.Q: What is wrong with this?
A:
The belt is over an armrest.
{WARNING
You can be seriously injured if
your belt goes over an armrest
like this. The belt would be much
too high. In a crash, you can slide
under the belt. The belt force
would then be applied on the
abdomen, not on the pelvic
bones, and that could cause
serious or fatal injuries. Be sure
the belt goes under the armrests.
Page 86 of 498
Black plate (22,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual - 2011
3-22 Seats and Restraints
Q: What is wrong with this?
A:The shoulder belt is worn under
the arm. It should be worn over
the shoulder at all times.
{WARNING
You can be seriously injured if
you 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 are not
as strong as shoulder bones.
You could also severely injure
internal organs like your liver or
spleen. The shoulder belt should
go over the shoulder and across
the chest. Q: What is wrong with this?
A:
The belt is behind the body.
Page 87 of 498
Black plate (23,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual - 2011
Seats and Restraints 3-23
{WARNING
You can be seriously injured by
not wearing the lap-shoulder
belt properly. In a crash, you
would not be restrained by the
shoulder belt. Your body could
move too far forward increasing
the chance of head and neck
injury. You might also slide
under the lap belt. The belt
force would then be applied right
on the abdomen. That could
cause serious or fatal injuries.
The shoulder belt should go over
the shoulder and across the
chest.Q: What is wrong with this?
A:
The belt is twisted across
the body.
{WARNING
You can be seriously injured by a
twisted belt. In a crash, you would
not 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.
Page 91 of 498
Black plate (27,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual - 2011
Seats and Restraints 3-27
3. Be sure that the belt isnot twisted and it lies flat.
The elastic cord must be under
the belt and the guide on top.
{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 releasethe safety belt as described
previously in this section. Make
sure the shoulder portion of the
belt is on the shoulder and not
falling off of it. The belt should
be close to, but not contacting,
the neck.
Page 93 of 498

Black plate (29,1)Cadillac SRX Owner Manual - 2011
Seats and Restraints 3-29
Safety System Check
Now and then, check that the
safety belt reminder light, safety
belts, buckles, latch plates,
retractors, and anchorages are
working properly. Look for any
other loose or damaged safety
belt system parts that might keep
a safety belt system from doing
its job. See your dealer to have
it repaired. Torn or frayed safety
belts may not protect you in a crash.
They can rip apart under impact
forces. If a belt is torn or frayed,
get a new one right away.
Make sure the safety belt reminder
light is working. SeeSafety Belt
Reminders on page 5‑15 for more
information.
Keep safety belts clean and dry.
See Safety Belt Care on page 3‑29.
Safety Belt Care
Keep belts clean and dry.
{WARNING
Do not bleach or dye safety belts.
It may severely weaken them.
In a crash, they might not be able
to provide adequate protection.
Clean safety belts only with mild
soap and lukewarm water.
Replacing Safety Belt
System Parts After a
Crash
{WARNING
A crash can damage the safety
belt system in the vehicle.
A damaged safety belt system
may not properly protect the
person using it, resulting in
serious injury or even death in
a crash. To help make sure the
safety belt systems are working
properly after a crash, have them
inspected and any necessary
replacements made as soon as
possible.
After a minor crash, replacement of
safety belts may not be necessary.
But the safety belt assemblies that
were used during any crash may
have been stressed or damaged.