2013 Hyundai Elantra GT Owner's Manual

Safety features of your vehicle
22 3
To release the seat belt:
The seat belt is released by pressing
the release button (1) in the locking
buckle. When it is released, the belt
should automatically draw back into
the retractor.
If this does not happen, check the
belt to be sure it is not twisted, then
try again.Pre-tensioner seat belt
Your vehicle is equipped with driver's
and front passenger's pre-tensioner
seat belts.
1. Retractor pre-tensioner
The retractor pre-tensioner, which is
a supplement system of the seat
belts, helps the driver and front pas-
senger’s upper body to be fastened
surely to the seat by pulling the
shoulder belt in certain frontal colli-
sions.2. Emergency Fastening Device
(EFD)
Emergency Fastening Device, which
is a supplement system of the seat
belts, protects the driver and front
passenger’s lower body by pulling the
lap belt in certain frontal collisions.
The pre-tensioner seat belts may be
activated in crashes where the
frontal collision (or side collision) is
severe enough.
When the vehicle stops suddenly, or
if the occupant tries to lean forward
too quickly, the seat belt retractor will
lock into position. In certain frontal
collisions (or side collisions), the pre-
tensioner will activate and pull the
seat belt into tighter contact against
the occupant's body.
If the system senses excessive ten-
sion on the driver or passenger's
seat belt when the pre-tensioner acti-
vates, the load limiter inside the
retractor pre-tensioner will release
some of the pressure on the affected
seat belt.
B210A01NF-1/HOED030300

323
Safety features of your vehicle
The seat belt pre-tensioner system
consists mainly of the following com-
ponents. Their locations are shown in
the illustration:
1. SRS air bag warning light
2. Retractor pre-tensioner assembly
3. SRS control module
4. Emergency fastening device (EFD)
WARNING
Do not put anything near the
buckle. Placing objects near
the buckle may increase the
risk of personal injury in the
event of a collision.
For your safety, be sure that
the belt webbing is not loose
or twisted and always sit
properly on your seat.
OMD030051N-1
WARNING
To obtain maximum benefit
from a pre-tensioner seat belt:
1. The seat belt must be worn
correctly and adjusted to the
proper position. Please read
and follow all of the important
information and precautions
about your vehicle’s occupant
safety features – including
seat belts and air bags – that
are provided in this manual.
2. Be sure you and your passen-
gers always wear seat belts
properly.

Safety features of your vehicle
24 3
✽
✽
NOTICE
• Both the driver's and front pas-
senger's pre-tensioner seat belts
may be activated in certain frontal
or side collisions.
• 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.
These are normal operating condi-
tions and are not hazardous.
• Although it is harmless, the fine
dust may cause skin irritation and
should not be breathed for pro-
longed periods. Wash all exposed
skin areas thoroughly after an
accident in which the pre-tension-
er seat belts were activated.
• Because the sensor that activates
the SRS air bag is connected with
the pre-tensioner seat belt, the
SRS air bag warning light on
the instrument panel will illumi-
nate for approximately 6 seconds
after the ignition switch has been
turned to the ON position, and
then it should turn off.WARNING
Pre-tensioners are designed
to operate only one time. After
activation, 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.
The pre-tensioner seat belt
assembly mechanisms
become hot during activation.
Do not touch the pre-tension-
er seat belt assemblies for
several minutes after they
have been activated.
Do not attempt to inspect or
replace the pre-tensioner seat
belts yourself. This must be
done by an authorized
HYUNDAI dealer.
Do not strike the pre-tension-
er seat belt assemblies.
Do not attempt to service or
repair the pre-tensioner seat
belt system in any manner.
(Continued)
CAUTION
If the pre-tensioner seat belt is
not working properly, this warn-
ing light will illuminate even if
there is no malfunction of the
SRS air bag. If the SRS air bag
warning light does not illumi-
nate when the ignition switch is
turned ON, or if it remains illumi-
nated after illuminating for
approximately 6 seconds, or if it
illuminates while the vehicle is
being driven, have an authorized
HYUNDAI dealer inspect the pre-
tensioner seat belt and SRS air
bag system as soon as possible.

325
Safety features of your vehicle
Seat belt precautionsInfant or small child
All 50 states have child restraint laws.
You should be aware of the specific
requirements in your state. Child
and/or infant seats must be properly
placed and installed in the rear seat.
For more information about the use of
these restraints, refer to “Child
restraint system” in this section.(Continued)
Improper handling of the pre-
tensioner seat belt assem-
blies, and failure to heed the
warnings not to strike, modify,
inspect, replace, service or
repair the pre-tensioner seat
belt assemblies may lead to
improper operation or inad-
vertent activation and serious
injury.
Always wear the seat belts
when driving or riding in a
motor vehicle.
If the vehicle or pre-tensioner
seat belt must be discarded,
contact an authorized
HYUNDAI dealer.
WARNING
All occupants of the vehicle
must wear their seat belts at all
times. Seat belts and child
restraints reduce the risk of
serious or fatal injuries for all
occupants in the event of a col-
lision or sudden stop. Without a
seat belt, occupants could be
shifted too close to a deploying
air bag, strike the interior struc-
ture or be thrown from the vehi-
cle. Properly worn seat belts
greatly reduce these hazards.
Even with advanced air bags,
unbelted occupants can be
severely injured by a deploying
air bag.
Always follow the precautions
about seat belts, air bags and
occupant seating contained in
this manual.
WARNING
Every person in your vehicle
needs to be properly restrained
at all times, including infants
and children. Never hold a child
in your arms or lap when riding
in a vehicle. The violent forces
created during a crash will tear
the child from your arms and
throw the child against the inte-
rior. Always use a child restraint
appropriate for your child's
height and weight.

Safety features of your vehicle
26 3
✽
✽
NOTICE
Small children are best protected
from injury in an accident when
properly restrained in the rear seat
by a child restraint system that
meets the requirements of the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards. Before buying any child
restraint system, make sure that it
has a label certifying that it meets
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213. The restraint must be
appropriate for your child's height
and weight. Check the label on the
child restraint for this information.
Refer to “Child restraint system” in
this section.
Larger children
Children who are too large for child
restraint systems should always
occupy the rear seat and use the
available lap/shoulder belts. The lap
portion should be fastened snug on
the hips and as low as possible.
Check belt fit periodically. A child's
squirming could put the belt out of
position. Children are afforded the
most safety in the event of an acci-
dent when they are restrained by a
proper restraint system in the rear
seat. If a larger child (over age 12)
must be seated in the front seat, the
child should be securely restrained
by the available lap/shoulder belt and
the seat should be placed in the rear-
most position. Children age 12 and
under should be restrained securely
in the rear seat. NEVER place a child
age 12 and under in the front seat.
NEVER place a rear facing child seat
in the front seat of a vehicle.If the shoulder belt portion slightly
touches the child’s neck or face, try
placing the child closer to the center
of the vehicle. If the shoulder belt still
touches their face or neck they need
to be returned to a child restraint sys-
tem.
WARNING - Shoulder
belts on small children
Never allow a shoulder belt to
be in contact with a child’s
neck or face while the vehicle
is in motion.
If seat belts are not properly
worn and adjusted on chil-
dren, there is a risk of death or
serious injury.

327
Safety features of your vehicle
Pregnant women
The use of a seat belt is recom-
mended for pregnant women to
lessen the chance of injury in an
accident. When a seat belt is used,
the lap belt portion should be placed
as low and snugly as possible on the
hips, not across the abdomen. For
specific recommendations, consult a
physician.
Injured person
A seat belt should be used when an
injured person is being transported.
When this is necessary, you should
consult a physician for recommenda-
tions.
One person per belt
Two people (including children)
should never attempt to use a single
seat belt. This could increase the
severity of injuries in case of an acci-
dent.
Do not lie down
To reduce the chance of injuries in
the event of an accident and to
achieve maximum effectiveness of
the restraint system, all passengers
should be sitting up and the front and
rear seats should be in an upright
position when the car is moving. A
seat belt cannot provide proper pro-
tection if the person is lying down in
the rear seat or if the seats are in a
reclined position.
WARNING - Pregnant
women
Pregnant women must never
place the lap portion of the
safety belt over the area of the
abdomen where the unborn
child is located or above the
abdomen where the belt could
seriously injure or even cause
the death of the unborn child
during an impact.
WARNING
Riding with a reclined seatback
increases your chance of seri-
ous or fatal injuries in the event
of a collision or sudden stop.
The protection of your restraint
system (seat belts and air bags)
is greatly reduced by reclining
your seat. Seat belts must be
snug against your hips and
chest to work properly. The
more the seatback is reclined,
the greater the chance that an
occupant's hips will slide under
the lap belt causing serious
internal injuries or the occu-
pant's neck could strike the
shoulder belt. Drivers and pas-
sengers should always sit well
back in their seats, properly
belted, and with the seatbacks
upright.

Safety features of your vehicle
28 3
Care of seat belts
Seat belt systems should never be
disassembled or modified. In addi-
tion, care should be taken to assure
that seat belts and belt hardware are
not damaged by seat hinges, doors
or other abuse.
Periodic inspection
All seat belts should be inspected
periodically for wear or damage of
any kind. Any damaged parts should
be replaced as soon as possible.
Keep belts clean and dry
Seat belts should be kept clean and
dry. If belts become dirty, they can be
cleaned by using a mild soap solu-
tion and warm water. Bleach, dye,
strong detergents or abrasives
should not be used because they
may damage and weaken the fabric.
When to replace seat belts
Entire in-use seat belt assembly or
assemblies should be replaced if the
vehicle has been involved in an acci-
dent. This should be done even if no
damage is visible. Additional ques-
tions concerning seat belt operation
should be directed to an authorized
HYUNDAI dealer.
WARNING - Pinched
seat belt
Make sure that the webbing
and/or buckle does not get
caught or pinched in the rear
seat when returning the rear
seatback to its upright position.
A caught or pinched webbing/
buckle may become damaged
and could fail during a collision
or sudden stop resulting in seri-
ous injury or death.

329
Safety features of your vehicle
Children riding in the car should sit in
the rear seat and must always be
properly restrained to minimize the
risk of injury in an accident, sudden
stop or sudden maneuver. According
to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained in the
rear seats than in the front seat.
Larger children not in a child restraint
should use one of the seat belts pro-
vided.
You should be aware of the specific
requirements in your state. Child
and/or infant safety seats must be
properly placed and installed in the
rear seat. You must use a commer-
cially available child restraint system
that meets the requirements of the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards (FMVSS).
Child restraint systems are designed
to be secured in vehicle seats by lap
belts or the lap belt portion of a
lap/shoulder belt, or by a LATCH sys-
tem (if equipped).Children could be injured or killed in
a crash if their restraints are not
properly secured. For small children
and babies, a child seat or infant seat
must be used. Before buying a par-
ticular child restraint system, make
sure it fits your car seat and seat
belts, and fits your child. Follow all
the instructions provided by the man-
ufacturer when installing the child
restraint system.
CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM
WARNING
A child restraint system must
be placed in the rear seat.
Never install a child or infant
seat on the front passenger's
seat. Should an accident
occur and cause the passen-
ger-side air bag to deploy, it
could severely injure or kill an
infant or child seated in an
infant or child seat. Thus only
use a child restraint in the
rear seat of your vehicle.
(Continued)
(Continued)
A seat belt or child restraint
system can become very hot
if it is left in a closed vehicle
on a sunny day, even if the
outside temperature does not
feel hot. Be sure to check the
seat cover and buckles before
placing a child there.
When the child restraint sys-
tem is not in use, store it in
the luggage area or fasten it
with a seat belt so that it will
not be thrown forward in the
case of a sudden stop or an
accident.
Children may be seriously
injured or killed by an inflating
air bag. All children, even
those too large for child
restraints, must ride in the
rear seat.