Seat Belts And Pregnant Women
Seat belts must be worn by all occupants
including pregnant women: the risk of injury
in the event of an accident is reduced for the
mother and the unborn child if they are
wearing a seat belt.
Position the lap belt snug and low below the
abdomen and across the strong bones of the
hips. Place the shoulder belt across the chest
and away from the neck. Never place the
shoulder belt behind the back or under the
arm.
Seat Belt Pretensioner
The front outboard seat belt system is
equipped with pretensioning devices that are
designed to remove slack from the seat belt
in the event of a collision. These devices may
improve the performance of the seat belt by
removing slack from the seat belt early in a
collision. Pretensioners work for all size oc-
cupants, including those in child restraints.
NOTE:
These devices are not a substitute for proper
seat belt placement by the occupant. The
seat belt still must be worn snugly and posi-
tioned properly.
The pretensioners are triggered by the Occu-
pant Restraint Controller (ORC). Like the air
bags, the pretensioners are single use items.
A deployed pretensioner or a deployed air bag
must be replaced immediately.
Energy Management Feature
The front outboard seat belt system is
equipped with an Energy Management fea-
ture that may help further reduce the risk of
injury in the event of a collision. The seat belt
system has a retractor assembly that is de-
signed to release webbing in a controlled
manner.
Switchable Automatic Locking Retractor
(ALR) — If Equipped
The seat belts in the passenger seating posi-
tions may be equipped with a Switchable
Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) which is
used to secure a child restraint system. For
additional information, refer to “Installing
Child Restraints Using The Vehicle Seat
Belt” under the “Child Restraints” section of
this manual. The figure below illustrates the
locking feature for each seating position.Pregnant Women And Seat Belts
SAFETY
106
If the passenger seating position is equipped
with an ALR and is being used for normal
usage, only pull the seat belt webbing out far
enough to comfortably wrap around the occu-
pant’s mid-section so as to not activate the
ALR. If the ALR is activated, you will hear a
clicking sound as the seat belt retracts. Allow
the webbing to retract completely in this case
and then carefully pull out only the amount of
webbing necessary to comfortably wrap
around the occupant’s mid-section. Slide the
latch plate into the buckle until you hear a
"click."
In Automatic Locking Mode, the shoulder
belt is automatically pre-locked. The seat
belt will still retract to remove any slack in the
shoulder belt. Use the Automatic Locking
Mode anytime a child restraint is installed in
a seating position that has a seat belt with
this feature. Children 12 years old and under
should always be properly restrained in the
rear seat of a vehicle with a rear seat.WARNING!
• NEVER use a rearward facing child re-
straint on a seat protected by an ACTIVE
AIRBAG in front of it, DEATH or SERI-
OUS INJURY to the CHILD can occur.
• It is advisable to always carry children in
a child restraint system on the rear seat,
which is the most protected position in
the event of a collision.
• Should it be necessary to carry a child on
the passenger side front seat in a rear-
facing child restraint system, the pas-
senger side front air bag must be deac-
tivated. Always make sure the airbag
deactivation indicator light is illumi-
nated when using a child restraint sys-
tem. The passenger seat must also be
positioned backward as far as possible to
avoid the child restraint system from
coming into contact with the dashboard.
• A deploying passenger front air bag can
cause death or serious injury to a child
12 years or younger, including a child in
a rear-facing child restraint.
ALR — Switchable Automatic Locking
Retractor (Two-Door Models)
ALR — Switchable Automatic Locking
Retractor (Four-Door Models)
107
How To Engage The Automatic Locking Mode
1. Buckle the combination lap and shoulder
belt.
2. Grasp the shoulder portion and pull down-
ward until the entire seat belt is extracted.
3. Allow the seat belt to retract. As the seat
belt retracts, you will hear a clicking
sound. This indicates the seat belt is now
in the Automatic Locking Mode.
How To Disengage The Automatic Locking Mode
Unbuckle the combination lap/shoulder belt
and allow it to retract completely to disen-
gage the Automatic Locking Mode and acti-
vate the vehicle sensitive (emergency) lock-
ing mode.
WARNING!
• The seat belt assembly must be replaced
if the switchable Automatic Locking Re-
tractor (ALR) feature or any other seat
belt function is not working properly
when checked according to the proce-
dures in the Service Manual.
WARNING!
• Failure to replace the seat belt assembly
could increase the risk of injury in colli-
sions.
• Do not use the Automatic Locking Mode
to restrain occupants who are wearing
the seat belt or children who are using
booster seats. The locked mode is only
used to install rear-facing or forward-
facing child restraints that have a har-
ness for restraining the child.
Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS)
Some of the safety features described in this
section may be standard equipment on some
models, or may be optional equipment on
others. If you are not sure, ask an authorized
dealer.
The air bag system must be ready to protect
you in a collision. The Occupant Restraint
Controller (ORC) monitors the internal cir-
cuits and interconnecting wiring associated
with the electrical Air Bag System Compo-
nents. Your vehicle may be equipped with the
following Air Bag System Components:
Air Bag System Components
• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
• Air Bag Warning Light
• Steering Wheel and Column
• Instrument Panel
• Knee Impact Bolsters
• Driver and Front Passenger Air Bags
• Seat Belt Buckle Switch
• Supplemental Side Air Bags
• Front and Side Impact Sensors
• Seat Belt Pretensioners
Air Bag Warning Light
The ORC monitors the readiness of the
electronic parts of the air bag system when-
ever the ignition switch is in the START or
ON/RUN position. If the ignition switch is in
the OFF position or in the ACC position, the
air bag system is not on and the air bags will
not inflate.
SAFETY
108
• As the air bags deflate, you may see some
smoke-like particles. The particles are a
normal by-product of the process that gen-
erates the non-toxic gas used for air bag
inflation. These airborne particles may irri-
tate the skin, eyes, nose, or throat. If you
have skin or eye irritation, rinse the area
with cool water. For nose or throat irritation,
move to fresh air. If the irritation continues,
see your doctor. If these particles settle on
your clothing, follow the garment manufac-
turer’s instructions for cleaning.
Do not drive your vehicle after the air bags
have deployed. If you are involved in another
collision, the air bags will not be in place to
protect you.
WARNING!
Deployed air bags and seat belt preten-
sioners cannot protect you in another col-
lision. Have the air bags, seat belt preten-
sioners, and the seat belt retractor
assemblies replaced by an authorized
dealer immediately. Also, have the Occu-
pant Restraint Controller System serviced
as well.NOTE:
• Air bag covers may not be obvious in the
interior trim, but they will open during air
bag deployment.
• After any collision, the vehicle should be
taken to an authorized dealer immediately.
Enhanced Accident Response System
In the event of an impact, if the communica-
tion network remains intact, and the power
remains intact, depending on the nature of
the event, the ORC will determine whether to
have the Enhanced Accident Response Sys-
tem perform the following functions:
• Cut off fuel to the engine (If Equipped)
• Cut off battery power to the electric motor
(If Equipped)
• Flash hazard lights as long as the battery
has power
• Turn on the interior lights, which remain on
as long as the battery has power or for 15
minutes from the intervention of the En-
hanced Accident Response System.
• Unlock the power door locks.Your vehicle may also be designed to perform
any of these other functions in response to
the Enhanced Accident Response System:
• Turn off the Fuel Filter Heater, Turn off the
HVAC Blower Motor, Close the HVAC Circu-
lation Door
• Cut off battery power to the:
– Engine
– Electric Motor (if equipped)
– Electric power steering
– Brake booster
– Electric park brake
– Automatic transmission gear selector
– Horn
– Front wiper
– Headlamp washer pump
NOTE:
After an accident, remember to cycle the
ignition to the STOP (OFF/LOCK) position
and remove the key from the ignition switch
to avoid draining the battery. Carefully check
the vehicle for fuel leaks in the engine com-
partment and on the ground near the engine
compartment and fuel tank before resetting
the system and starting the engine. If there
are no fuel leaks or damage to the vehicle
119
shown. Always install your child restraint
system according to the child restraint
manufacturer’s instructions, which must be
included with this type of restraint system.
• See the section “Installing Child Restraints
Using the Vehicle Seat Belt” for the steps to
properly lock the seat belt over the child
restraint.
• Child restraint systems with ISOFIX anchor-
ages are available for installing the child
restraint system to the vehicle without us-
ing the vehicle’s seat belts.
Group 0 And 0+
Safety experts recommend that children ride
rearward facing in the vehicle as long as
possible. Infants up to 13 kg must be re-
strained in a rear-facing seat like the child
seat shown in fig. A. This type of child re-
straint supports the child’s head and does not
induce stress on the neck in the event of
sudden decelerations or a crash.
The rear-facing child restraint is restrained by
the vehicle’s seat belts, as shown in fig. A.
The child seat restrains the child with its own
harness.
WARNING!
• Never place a rear-facing child restraint
in front of an active air bag. A deploying
passenger Front Air Bag can cause death
or serious injury to a child 12 years or
younger, including a child in a rear-
facing child restraint.
• Always deactivate the front air bag when
using a rear-facing child restraint in the
front seat.
Group 1
Children who weigh between 9 kg and 18 kg
may be carried in a Group 1, forward facing
seat like the one in fig. B. This type of child
restraint is for older children who are too big
for a Group 0 or 0+ child restraint.
Fig. A
Fig. B
123
Mass Group Size Class FixtureFront Passen-
gerRear Outboard Rear CenterIntermediate
OutboardIntermediate
CenterOther Sites
I-9to18kgD ISO/R2 X IUF X X X X
C ISO/R3 X IUF X X X X
B ISO/F2 X IUF X X X X
B1 ISO/F2X X IUF X X X X
A ISO/F3 X IUF X X X X
(1)XXXXXX
II-15to
25 kg(1)XXXXXX
III-22to
36 kg(1)XXXXXX
Key of letters used in the table above
(1) = For the CRS which do not carry the
ISO/XX size class identification (A to G), for
the applicable mass group, the car manufac-
turer shall indicate the vehicle specific ISO-
FIX child restraint system(s) recommended
for each position.
• IUF = Suitable for ISOFIX forward child
restraint systems of universal category ap-
proved for use in the mass group.• IL = Suitable for particular ISOFIX child
restraint systems (CRS) given in the at-
tached list. These ISOFIX CRS are those of
the “Specific vehicle”, “restricted”, or
“semi-universal” categories.
• X = ISOFIX position not suitable for ISOFIX
child restraint systems in this mass group
and/or this size class.
Always follow the directions of the child re-
straint manufacturer when installing your child
restraint. Not all child restraint systems will be
installed as described here. When using a Uni-
versal ISOFIX child restraint system, you canonly use approved child restraint systems with
the marking ECE R44 (release R44/03 or supe-
rior) “Universal ISOFIX”.
To Install An ISOFIX Child Restraint
If the selected seating position has a Switch-
able Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) seat
belt, stow the seat belt, following the instruc-
tions below. See the section “Installing Child
Restraints Using the Vehicle Seat Belt” to
check what type of seat belt each seating
position has.
SAFETY
132
two posts. If not possible, lower the head
restraint and pass the tether strap around
the outboard side of the head restraint.
3. Attach the tether strap hook of the child
restraint to the top tether anchorage as
shown in the diagram.
4. Remove slack in the tether strap accord-
ing to the child restraint manufacturer’s
instructions.WARNING!
• An incorrectly anchored tether strap
could lead to increased head motion and
possible injury to the child. Use only the
anchorage position directly behind the
child seat to secure a child restraint top
tether strap.
• If your vehicle is equipped with a split
rear seat, make sure the tether strap
does not slip into the opening between
the seatbacks as you remove slack in the
strap.
How To Stow An Unused Switchable-ALR
(ALR) Seat Belt:
When using the ISOFIX attaching system to
install a child restraint, stow all ALR seat
belts that are not being used by other occu-
pants or being used to secure child restraints.
An unused belt could injure a child if they
play with it and accidentally lock the seat belt
retractor. Before installing a child restraint
using the ISOFIX system, buckle the seat belt
behind the child restraint and out of the
child’s reach. If the buckled seat belt inter-
feres with the child restraint installation,instead of buckling it behind the child re-
straint, route the seat belt through the child
restraint belt path and then buckle it. Do not
lock the seat belt. Remind all children in the
vehicle that the seat belts are not toys and
that they should not play with them.
Installing Child Restraints Using The Ve-
hicle Seat Belt
Child restraint systems are designed to be
secured in vehicle seats by lap belts or the
lap belt portion of a lap/shoulder belt.
WARNING!
• Improper installation or failure to prop-
erly secure a child restraint can lead to
failure of the restraint. The child could
be badly injured or killed.
• Follow the child restraint manufactur-
er’s directions exactly when installing an
infant or child restraint.
The seat belts in the rear passenger seating
positions are equipped with a Switchable
Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) that is
designed to keep the lap portion of the seat
belt tight around the child restraint. The ALR
Tether Strap Mounting (Two-Door Models)
Tether Strap Anchorages (Four-Door
Models)
SAFETY
134
retractor can be “switched” into a locked
mode by pulling all of the webbing out of the
retractor and then letting the webbing retract
back into the retractor. If it is locked, the ALR
will make a clicking noise while the webbing
is pulled back into the retractor. Refer to the
“Automatic Locking Mode” description in
“Switchable Automatic Locking Retractors
(ALR)” under “Occupant Restraint Systems”
for additional information on ALR.
Installing A Child Restraint With A Switch-
able Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)
Child restraint systems are designed to be
secured in vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap
belt portion of a lap/shoulder belt.
WARNING!
• Improper installation or failure to prop-
erly secure a child restraint can lead to
failure of the restraint. The child could
be badly injured or killed.
• Follow the child restraint manufacturer’s
directions exactly when installing an in-
fant or child restraint.1. Place the child seat in the center of the
seating position. For some second row
seats, you may need to recline the seat
and/or raise the head restraint (if adjust-
able) to get a better fit. If the rear seat can
be moved forward and rearward in the
vehicle, you may wish to move it to its
rear-most position to make room for the
child seat. You may also move the front
seat forward to allow more room for the
child seat.
2. Pull enough of the seat belt webbing from
the retractor to pass it through the belt
path of the child restraint. Do not twist the
belt webbing in the belt path.
3. Slide the latch plate into the buckle until
you hear a “click.”
4. Pull on the webbing to make the lap
portion tight against the child seat.
5. To lock the seat belt, pull down on the
shoulder part of the belt until you have
pulled all the seat belt webbing out of the
retractor. Then, allow the webbing to re-
tract back into the retractor. As the web-bing retracts, you will hear a clicking
sound. This means the seat belt is now in
the Automatic Locking mode.
6. Try to pull the webbing out of the retractor.
If it is locked, you should not be able to
pull out any webbing. If the retractor is not
locked, repeat step 5.
7. Finally, pull up on any excess webbing to
tighten the lap portion around the child
restraint while you push the child restraint
rearward and downward into the vehicle
seat.
8. Test that the child restraint is installed
tightly by pulling back and forth on the
child seat at the belt path. It should not
move more than 25 mm in any direction.
Any seat belt system will loosen with time, so
check the belt occasionally, and pull it tight if
necessary.
Suitability of Passenger Seats for i-Size
Child Restraint System Use
The rear outboard seats of the vehicle are
type-approved to house the state-of-the-art
i-Size child restraint systems.
135