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Suzuki XL7 (2007 year). Manual - part 3

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SEATS AND RESTRAINT SYSTEMS

to Put the Restraint” in this section for

additional information.

WARNING

Children can be seriously injured or

Securing a Child Restraint

strangled if a shoulder belt is

Designed for the LATCH System

wrapped around their neck and the

safety belt continues to tighten.

WARNING

Secure any unused safety belts

If a LATCH-type child restraint is not

behind the child restraint so children

attached to anchors, the restraint will

cannot reach them. Pull the shoulder

not be able to protect the child cor-

belt all the way out of the retractor to

rectly. In a crash, the child could be

set the lock, if your vehicle has one,

seriously injured or killed. Make sure

after the child restraint has been

that a LATCH-type child restraint is

installed. Be sure to follow the

properly installed using the anchors,

instructions of the child restraint

1252139

or use the vehicle’s safety belts to

manufacturer.

A. Passenger’s side rear seat lower

secure the restraint, following the

anchors

instructions that came with that

CAUTION

B. Center rear seat lower anchors

restraint, and also the instructions in

C. Driver’s side rear seat lower anchors

this manual.

Contact between the child restraint or

the LATCH attachment parts and the

Make sure to attach the child restraint at

vehicle’s safety belt assembly may

WARNING

the proper anchor location.

cause damage to these parts. Make

Each top tether anchor and lower

sure when securing unused safety

This system is designed to make installa-

anchor in the vehicle is designed to

belts behind the child restraint that

tion of child restraints easier. When using

hold only one child restraint. Attach-

there is no contact between the child

lower anchors, do not use the vehicle’s

ing more than one child restraint to a

restraint or the LATCH attachment

safety belts. Instead use the vehicle’s

single anchor could cause the anchor

parts and the vehicle’s safety belt

anchors and child restraint attachments to

or attachment to come loose or even

assembly.

secure the restraints. Some restraints also

break during a crash. A child or oth-

Folding an empty rear seat with the

use another vehicle anchor to secure a top

ers could be injured if this happens.

safety belts secured may cause dam-

tether.

To help prevent injury to people and

age to the safety belt or the seat.

1) Attach and tighten the lower attach-

damage to your vehicle, attach only

When removing the child restraint,

ments to the lower anchors. If the child

one child restraint per anchor.

always remember to return the safety

restraint does not have lower attach-

belts to their normal, stowed position

ments or the desired seating position

before folding the rear seat.

does not have lower anchors, secure

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SEATS AND RESTRAINT SYSTEMS

the child restraint with the top tether

There are no top tether anchors in the third

and the safety belts. Refer to your child

row seating positions. Do not secure a

restraint manufacturer instructions and

child restraint in the third row if a national

the instructions in this manual.

or local law requires that a top tether be

anchored or if the instructions that come

1. Find the lower anchors for the

with the restraint say that the top tether

desired seating position.

must be anchored.

2. Put the child restraint on the seat.

1549824

3. Attach and tighten the lower attach-

If your child restraint does not have the

ments on the child restraint to the

If the position you are using has an adjust-

LATCH system, you will be using the lap-

lower anchors.

able head restraint and you are using a

shoulder belt to secure the child restraint in

single tether, raise the head restraint and

this position. Be sure to follow the instruc-

2)

If the child restraint manufacturer rec-

route the tether under the head restraint

tions that came with the child restraint.

ommends that the top tether be

and in between the head restraint posts.

Secure the child in the child restraint when

attached, attach and tighten the top

and as the instructions say.

tether to the top tether anchor, if your

3) Push and pull the child restraint in dif-

vehicle has one. Refer to the child

If you are using a rear-facing child restraint

ferent directions to be sure it is secure.

restraint instructions and the following

in the second row center position, install

steps:

the armrest retention strap.

Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear

1. Find the top tether anchor.

Seat Position

1)

Put the child restraint on the seat.

2. Route, attach and tighten the top

There is limited space in the third row rear

2)

Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap

tether according to your child

seating area. If you want to secure a child

and shoulder portions of the vehicle’s

restraint instructions and the follow-

restraint in a rear seating position in the

safety belt through or around the

ing instructions:

third row, be sure to study the instructions

restraint. The child restraint instructions

that came with your child restraint to see if

will show you how.

there is enough room to secure your seat

properly. If the length of the seat cushion is

too short for your child restraint and you

cannot install it in accordance with the

child restraint manufacturers instructions,

secure it in the second row.

1549926

If your child restraint has the LATCH sys-

If the position you are using has an adjust-

tem, refer to “Lower Anchors and Tethers

able head restraint and you are using a

for Children (LATCH)” in this section.

dual tether, route the tether around the

head restraint.

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SEATS AND RESTRAINT SYSTEMS

the belt, and feed the shoulder belt

back into the retractor. If you are using

a forward-facing child restraint, you

may find it helpful to use your knee to

push down on the child restraint as you

tighten the belt.

6) If your child restraint has a top tether,

and the position that you are using has

a top tether anchor, attach and tighten

the top tether to the top tether anchor.

Refer to the instructions that came with

the child restraint and to

“Lower

Anchors and Tethers for Children

(LATCH)” in this section.

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7) Push and pull the child restraint in dif-

ferent directions to be sure it is secure.

3)

Buckle the belt. Make sure the release

4)

Pull the rest of the shoulder belt all the

To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle

button is positioned so you would be

way out of the retractor to set the lock.

the vehicle's safety belt and let it go back

able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly

all the way. The safety belt will move freely

if you ever had to.

again and be ready to work for an adult or

larger child passenger.

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5) To tighten the belt, push down on the

child restraint, pull the shoulder portion

of the belt to tighten the lap portion of

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SEATS AND RESTRAINT SYSTEMS

Securing a Child Restraint in the

Right Front Seat Position

WARNING

WARNING

Your vehicle has a right front passenger's

A child in a rear-facing child restraint

A child in a rear-facing child restraint

airbag. A rear seat is a safer place to

can be seriously injured or killed if

can be seriously injured or killed if

secure a forward-facing child restraint.

the right front passenger's airbag

the right front passenger's airbag

Refer to “Where to Put the Restraint” in

inflates. This is because the back of

inflates. This is because the back of

this section.

the rear-facing child restraint would

the rear-facing child restraint would

In addition, your vehicle has a passenger

be very close to the inflating airbag.

be very close to the inflating airbag.

sensing system. The passenger sensing

Even though the passenger sensing

Be sure the airbag is off before using

system is designed to turn off the right

system is designed to turn off the

a rear-facing child restraint in the

front passenger’s frontal airbag when an

right front passenger's frontal airbag

right front seat position.

infant in a rear-facing infant seat or a small

if the system detects a rear-facing

Even though the passenger sensing

child in a forward-facing child restraint or

child restraint, no system is fail-safe,

system is designed to turn off the

booster seat is detected. Refer to “Passen-

and no one can guarantee that an air-

passenger's frontal airbag if the sys-

ger Sensing System” in this section and

bag will not deploy under some

tem detects a rear-facing child

“Passenger Airbag Status Indicator” in

unusual circumstance, even though it

restraint, no system is fail-safe, and

“Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators” in

is turned off. We recommend that

no one can guarantee that an airbag

the

“Instrument Panel” section for more

rear-facing child restraints be

will not deploy under some unusual

information on this including important

secured in the rear seat, even if the

circumstance, even though it is

safety information.

airbag is off.

turned off. We recommend that rear-

If you need to secure a forward-fac-

facing child restraints be transported

A label on your sun visor says, “Never put

ing child restraint in the right front

in vehicles with a rear seat that will

a rear-facing child seat in the front.” This is

seat, always move the front passen-

accommodate a rear-facing child

because the risk to the rear-facing child is

ger seat as far back as it will go. It is

restraint, whenever possible.

so great, if the airbag deploys.

better to secure the child restraint in

If you need to secure a forward-fac-

a rear seat.

ing child restraint in the right front

seat, always move the front passen-

If your vehicle does not have a rear seat

ger seat as far back as it will go. It is

that will accommodate a rear-facing child

better to secure the child restraint in

restraint, never put a child in a rear-facing

a rear seat.

child restraint in the right front passenger

seat unless the passenger airbag status

If you need to secure a forward-facing

indicator shows off and the airbag is off.

child restraint in the right front seat posi-

Here is why:

tion, move the seat as far back as it will go

before securing the forward-facing child

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SEATS AND RESTRAINT SYSTEMS

restraint. Refer to “Manual Seats” in this

ger’s frontal airbag, the off indicator in

section.

the passenger airbag status indicator

should light and stay lit when you turn

If your child restraint has the LATCH sys-

the ignition to RUN or START. Refer to

tem, refer to “Lower Anchors and Tethers

“Passenger Airbag Status Indicator” in

for Children (LATCH)” in this section.

“Warning Lights, Gages, and Indica-

There is no top tether anchor at the right

tors” in the “Instrument Panel” section.

front seating position. Do not secure a

2)

Put the child restraint on the seat.

child seat in this position if a national or

3)

Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap

local law requires that the top tether be

and shoulder portions of the vehicle’s

anchored or if the instructions that come

safety belt through or around the

with the child restraint say that the top

restraint. The child restraint instructions

tether must be anchored. Refer to “Lower

will show you how.

Anchors and Tethers for Children

(LATCH)” in this section if the child

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restraint has a top tether.

5)

Pull the rest of the shoulder belt all the

You will be using the lap-shoulder belt to

way out of the retractor to set the lock.

secure the child restraint in this position.

Be sure to follow the instructions that came

with the child restraint. Secure the child in

the child restraint when and as the instruc-

tions say.

1) Your vehicle has a right front passen-

ger’s frontal airbag. Refer to “Passen-

ger Sensing System” in this section. We

recommend that rear-facing child

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restraints be secured in a rear seat,

even if the airbag is off. If your child

4)

Buckle the belt. Make sure the release

button is positioned so you would be

restraint is for ward-facing, move the

seat as far back as it will go before

able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly

if you ever had to.

1379355

securing the child restraint in this seat.

Refer to “Manual Seats” in this section.

6)

To tighten the belt, push down on the

When the passenger sensing system

child restraint, pull the shoulder portion

has turned off the right front passen-

of the belt to tighten the lap portion of

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SEATS AND RESTRAINT SYSTEMS

WARNING

WARNING

WARNING

You can be severely injured or killed

(Continued)

Both frontal and roof-mounted roll-

in a crash if you are not wearing your

Roof-mounted rollover airbags are

over airbags inflate with great force,

safety belt - even if you have airbags.

designed to inflate in moderate to

faster than the blink of an eye. If you

Wearing your safety belt during a

severe crashes where something hits

are too close to an inflating airbag, as

crash helps reduce your chance of

the side of your vehicle, during a

you would be if you were leaning for-

hitting things inside the vehicle or

vehicle rollover, or in a severe frontal

ward, it could seriously injure you.

being ejected from it. Airbags are

impact. They are not designed to

Safety belts help keep you in position

“supplemental restraints” to the

inflate in rear crashes. If your vehicle

for airbag inflation before and during

safety belts. All airbags are designed

has roof-mounted airbags, they are

a crash. Always wear your safety belt

to work with safety belts but do not

designed to provide both side impact

even with frontal airbags. The driver

replace them.

protection and rollover protection.

should sit as far back as possible

Frontal airbags for the driver and

Everyone in your vehicle should wear

while still maintaining control of the

right front passenger are designed to

a safety belt properly - whether or

vehicle. Occupants should not lean

deploy in moderate to severe frontal

not there is an airbag for that person.

on or sleep against the door in the

and near frontal crashes. They are

first or second row seats, or the rear

not designed to inflate in rollover,

windows in the third row seat, if your

rear crashes, or in many side

vehicle has roof-mounted rollover air-

crashes. And, for some unrestrained

bags.

occupants, frontal airbags may pro-

vide less protection in frontal

crashes than more forceful airbags

have provided in the past.

(Continued)

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SEATS AND RESTRAINT SYSTEMS

deploy is not based on how fast your vehi-

• If the vehicle hits a narrow object (like a

WARNING

cle is traveling. It depends largely on what

pole) the airbags could inflate at a differ-

you hit, the direction of the impact and how

ent crash speed than if the vehicle hits a

If something is between an occupant

quickly your vehicle slows down.

wide object (like a wall).

and an airbag, the bag might not

• If the vehicle goes into an object at an

inflate properly or it might force the

In addition, your vehicle has “dual-stage”

angle the airbags could inflate at a differ-

object into that person causing

frontal airbags, which adjust the restraint

ent crash speed than if the vehicle goes

severe injury or even death. The path

according to crash severity. Your vehicle

straight into the object.

of an inflating airbag must be kept

has electronic frontal sensors which help

clear. Do not put anything between

the sensing system distinguish between a

The frontal airbags (driver and right front

an occupant and an airbag, and do

moderate frontal impact and a more severe

passenger) are not intended to inflate dur-

not attach or put anything on the

frontal impact. For moderate frontal

ing vehicle rollovers, rear impacts, or in

steering wheel hub or on or near any

impacts, these airbags inflate at a level

many side impacts.

other airbag covering. And, if your

less than full deployment. For more severe

vehicle has roof-mounted rollover

frontal impacts, full deployment occurs. If

Your vehicle has roof-mounted rollover air-

airbags, never secure anything to the

the front of your vehicle goes straight into a

bags and a rollover sensor. Refer to “Air-

roof of your vehicle by routing the

wall that does not move or deform, the

bag System” in this section. These

rope or tie down through any door or

threshold level for the reduced deployment

“rollover capable” airbags are intended to

window opening. If you do, the path

is about 11 to 16 mph (17 to 26 km/h), and

inflate in moderate to severe side crashes,

of an inflating side impact airbag will

the threshold level for a full deployment is

during a rollover or in a severe frontal

be blocked. The path of an inflating

about 20 to 25 mph (32 to 40 km/h). The

impact. A roof-mounted rollover airbag will

airbag must be kept clear.

threshold level can vary, however, with

inflate if the crash severity is above the

specific vehicle design, so that it can be

system’s designed “threshold level.” The

When Should an Airbag Inflate?

somewhat above or below this range.

threshold level can vary with specific vehi-

cle design. Roof-mounted rollover airbags

The driver’s and right front passenger’s

Frontal airbags may inflate at different

frontal airbags are designed to inflate in

are not intended to inflate in rear impacts.

crash speeds. For example:

Both roof-mounted rollover airbags will

moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal

crashes. But they are designed to inflate

• If the vehicle hits a stationary object, the

deploy when either side of the vehicle is

airbags could inflate at a different crash

struck or during a rollover, or in a severe

only if the impact exceeds a predetermined

deployment threshold. Deployment thresh-

speed than if the vehicle hits a moving

frontal impact.

olds take into account a variety of desired

object.

In any particular crash, no one can say

deployment and non-deployment events

• If the vehicle hits an object that deforms,

whether an airbag should have inflated

and are used to predict how severe a crash

the airbags could inflate at a different

simply because of the damage to a vehicle

is likely to be in time for the airbags to

crash speed than if the vehicle hits an

or because of what the repair costs were.

inflate and help restrain the occupants.

object that does not deform.

For frontal airbags, inflation is determined

Whether your frontal airbags will or should

by what the vehicle hits, the angle of the

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SEATS AND RESTRAINT SYSTEMS

impact, and how quickly the vehicle slows

plement the protection provided by safety

roof-mounted side impact airbags - may

down. For roof-mounted rollover airbags,

belts. Airbags distribute the force of the

be hot for a short time. The parts of the air-

inflation is determined by the location and

impact more evenly over the occupant's

bag that come into contact with you may

severity of the impact or a rollover event.

upper body, stopping the occupant more

be warm, but not too hot to touch. There

gradually. But the frontal airbags would not

may be some smoke and dust coming from

What Makes an Airbag Inflate?

help you in many types of collisions,

the vents in the deflated airbags. Airbag

In an impact of sufficient severity, the air-

including rollovers, rear impacts, and many

inflation does not prevent the driver from

bag sensing system detects that the vehi-

side impacts, primarily because an occu-

seeing out of the windshield or being able

cle is in a crash. In the case of a roof-

pant's motion is not toward the airbag.

to steer the vehicle, nor does it prevent

mounted rollover airbag, the sensing sys-

Roof-mounted rollover airbags would not

people from leaving the vehicle.

tem detects that the vehicle is about to roll

help you in many types of collisions,

over or has been in a severe frontal or side

including many frontal or near frontal colli-

WARNING

impact. The sensing system triggers a

sions, and rear impacts.

When an airbag inflates, there may be

release of gas from the inflator, which

Airbags should never be regarded as any-

dust in the air. This dust could cause

inflates the airbag. The inflator, airbag, and

thing more than a supplement to safety

breathing problems for people with a

related hardware are all part of the airbag

belts, and then only in moderate to severe

history of asthma or other breathing

modules inside the steering wheel and in

frontal or near-frontal collisions for the

trouble. To avoid this, everyone in the

the instrument panel in front of the right

driver's and right front passenger’s frontal

vehicle should get out as soon as it is

front passenger. For vehicles with roof-

airbags, and only in moderate to severe

safe to do so. If you have breathing

mounted rollover airbags, the airbag mod-

side collisions or rollovers for vehicles with

problems but cannot get out of the

ules are located in the ceiling of the vehi-

roof-mounted rollover airbags.

vehicle after an airbag inflates, then

cle, near the side windows.

get fresh air by opening a window or

If your vehicle has a third row seat with

What Will You See After an Airbag

a door. If you experience breathing

roof-mounted rollover airbags, the airbag

Inflates?

problems following an airbag deploy-

modules are located inside the rear-most

After a frontal airbag inflates, it quickly

ment, you should seek medical atten-

pillar trim and above in the ceiling above

deflates, so quickly that some people may

tion.

the fixed rear glass.

not even realize an airbag inflated. Roof-

mounted rollover airbags may still be at

Your vehicle has a feature that may auto-

How Does an Airbag Restrain?

least partially inflated minutes after the

matically unlock the doors, turn the interior

In moderate to severe frontal or near fron-

vehicle comes to rest. Some components

lamps on, and flash the hazard warning

tal collisions, even belted occupants can

of the airbag module - the steering wheel

flashers when the airbags inflate. You can

contact the steering wheel or the instru-

hub for the driver's airbag, the instrument

lock the doors again, turn the interior

ment panel. In moderate to severe side

panel for the right front passenger's airbag,

lamps off, and turn off the hazard warning

collisions, even belted occupants can con-

and the area along the ceiling of the vehi-

flashers by using the controls for those

tact the inside of the vehicle. Airbags sup-

cle near the side windows for vehicles with

features.

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SEATS AND RESTRAINT SYSTEMS

In many crashes severe enough to inflate

United States

are designed to detect the presence of a

the airbag, windshields are broken by vehi-

properly seated occupant and determine if

cle deformation. Additional windshield

the passenger’s frontal airbag should be

breakage may also occur from the right

enabled (may inflate) or not.

front passenger airbag.

Accident statistics show that children are

•

Airbags are designed to inflate only

safer if they are restrained in the rear

once. After an airbag inflates, you will

rather than the front seat. We recommend

need some new parts for your airbag

1476572

that child restraints be secured in a rear

system. If you do not get them, the air-

seat, including an infant riding in a rear-

Canada

bag system will not be there to help pro-

facing infant seat, a child riding in a for-

tect you in another crash. A new system

ward-facing child seat, and an older child

will include airbag modules and possibly

riding in a booster seat.

other parts. The service manual for your

There is a label on your sun visor that

vehicle covers the need to replace other

says, “Never put a rear-facing child seat in

parts.

the front.” This is because the risk to the

•

Your vehicle has a crash sensing and

rear-facing child is so great, if the airbag

diagnostic module which records infor-

1476529

deploys.

mation after a crash.

The words ON and OFF, or the symbol for

•

Let only qualified technicians work on

on and off, will be visible during the system

the airbag system. Improper service can

check. When the system check is com-

mean that an airbag system will not work

plete, either the word ON or the word OFF,

properly. See your dealer for service.

or the symbol for on or the symbol for off,

will be visible. Refer to “Passenger Airbag

Passenger Sensing System

Status Indicator” in

“Warning Lights,

Your vehicle has a passenger sensing sys-

Gages, and Indicators” in the “Instrument

tem for the right front passenger. The pas-

Panel” section.

senger airbag status indicator will be

visible when you start your vehicle in the

The passenger sensing system will turn off

instrument panel.

the right front passenger’s frontal airbag

under certain conditions. The driver’s air-

bags are not part of the passenger sensing

system.

The passenger sensing system works with

sensors that are part of the right front pas-

senger’s seat and safety belt. The sensors

1-39

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SEATS AND RESTRAINT SYSTEMS

The passenger sensing system is

WARNING

WARNING

designed to turn off the right front passen-

ger’s frontal airbag if:

A child in a rear-facing child restraint

A child in a rear-facing child restraint

can be seriously injured or killed if

can be seriously injured or killed if

•

The right front passenger seat is unoc-

the right front passenger’s airbag

the right front passenger’s airbag

cupied.

inflates. This is because the back of

inflates. This is because the back of

•

The system determines that an infant is

the rear-facing child restraint would

the rear-facing child restraint would

present in a rear-facing infant seat.

be very close to the inflating airbag.

be very close to the inflating airbag.

•

The system determines that a small child

Even though the passenger sensing

Be sure the airbag is off before using

is present in a forward-facing child

system is designed to turn off the

a rear-facing child restraint in the

restraint.

passenger’s frontal airbag if the sys-

right front seat position.

•

The system determines that a small child

tem detects a rear-facing child

Even though the passenger sensing

is present in a booster seat.

restraint, no system is fail-safe, and

system is designed to turn off the

•

A right front passenger takes his/her

no one can guarantee that an airbag

passenger’s frontal airbag if the sys-

weight off of the seat for a period of time.

will not deploy under some unusual

tem detects a rear-facing child

•

The right front passenger seat is occu-

circumstance, even though it is

restraint, no system is fail-safe, and

pied by a smaller person, such as a child

turned off. We recommend that rear-

no one can guarantee that an airbag

who has outgrown child restraints.

facing child restraints be secured in

will not deploy under some unusual

•

Or, if there is a critical problem with the

the rear seat, even if the airbag is off.

circumstance, even though it is

airbag system or the passenger sensing

If you need to secure a forward-fac-

turned off. We recommend that rear-

system.

ing child restraint in the right front

facing child restraints be trans-

seat, always move the front passen-

ported in vehicles with a rear seat

When the right front passenger’s frontal

ger seat as far back as it will go. It is

that will accommodate a rear-facing

airbag has been turned off by the passen-

better to secure the child restraint in

child restraint, whenever possible.

ger sensing system, the off indicator will

a rear seat.

If you need to secure a forward-fac-

light and stay lit to remind you that the air-

ing child restraint in the right front

bag is off.

If your vehicle does not have a rear seat

seat, always move the front passen-

If a child restraint has been installed and

that will accommodate a rear-facing child

ger seat as far back as it will go. It is

the on indicator is lit, turn the vehicle off.

restraint, never put a child in a rear-facing

better to secure the child restraint in

Remove the child restraint from the vehicle

child restraint in the right front passenger

a rear seat.

and reinstall the child restraint following the

seat unless the passenger airbag status

child restraint manufacturer’s directions

indicator shows off and the airbag is off.

and refer to “Securing a Child Restraint in

Here is why:

the Right Front Seat Position” in this sec-

tion.

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SEATS AND RESTRAINT SYSTEMS

Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-

Restraint System Check

WARNING

Equipped Vehicle

Checking the Restraint Systems

Stowing of articles under the passen-

Question:

Now and then, make sure the safety belt

ger’s seat or between the passen-

Is there anything I might add to the front

reminder light and all your belts, buckles,

ger’s seat cushion and seatback may

or sides of the vehicle that could keep

latch plates, retractors and anchorages are

interfere with the proper operation of

the airbags from working properly?

working properly. Look for any other loose

the passenger sensing system.

Answer:

or damaged safety belt system parts. If you

Yes. If you add things that change your

see anything that might keep a safety belt

Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped

vehicle’s frame, bumper system, height,

system from doing its job, have it repaired.

Vehicle

front end or side sheet metal, they may

Keep safety belts clean and dry. Refer to

Airbags affect how your vehicle should be

keep the airbag system from working prop-

“Care of Safety Belts” in

“Appearance

serviced. There are parts of the airbag

erly. Also, the airbag system may not work

Care” in the

“Service and Appearance

system in several places around your vehi-

properly if you relocate any of the airbag

Care” section for more information.

cle. You do not want the system to inflate

sensors. If you have any questions about

Torn or frayed safety belts may not protect

while someone is working on your vehicle.

this, you should contact Customer Assis-

Your dealer and the service manual have

you in a crash. They can rip apart under

tance before you modify your vehicle.

impact forces. If a belt is torn or frayed, get

information about servicing your vehicle

and the airbag system.

a new one right away.

Question:

Because I have a disability, I have to get

Also look for any opened or broken airbag

WARNING

my vehicle modified. How can I find out

covers, and have them repaired or

whether this will affect my airbag sys-

replaced. The airbag system does not

For up to 10 seconds, after the igni-

tem?

need regular maintenance.

tion is turned off and the battery is

disconnected, an airbag can still

Answer:

inflate during improper service. You

Changing or moving any parts of the front

can be injured if you are close to an

seats, safety belts, the airbag sensing and

airbag when it inflates. Avoid yellow

diagnostic module, rollover sensor module,

connectors. They are probably part of

steering wheel, instrument panel, over-

the airbag system. Be sure to follow

head console, ceiling headliner, ceiling

proper service procedures, and make

and pillar garnish trim, roof-mounted roll-

sure the person performing work for

over airbag modules, or airbag wiring can

you is qualified to do so.

affect the operation of the airbag system. If

you have questions, call Customer Assis-

The airbag system does not need regular

tance.

maintenance.

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SEATS AND RESTRAINT SYSTEMS

If you have had a crash, do you need new

collision, or if your airbag readiness light

CAUTION

belts or LATCH system parts?

stays on after you start your vehicle or

while you are driving. Refer to

“Airbag

If you damage the covering for the

After a very minor collision, nothing may be

Readiness Light” in

“Warning Lights,

driver’s or the right front passenger’s

necessary. But if the belts were stretched,

Gages, and Indicators” in the “Instrument

airbag, or the side impact airbag cov-

as they would be if worn during a more

Panel” section.

ering on the ceiling near the side win-

severe crash, then you need new parts.

dows, the airbag may not work

If the LATCH system was being used dur-

properly. You may have to replace the

ing a more severe crash, you may need

airbag module in the steering wheel,

new LATCH system parts.

both the airbag module and the

instrument panel for the right front

If belts are cut or damaged, replace them.

passenger’s airbag, or side impact

Collision damage also may mean you will

airbag module and ceiling covering

need to have LATCH system, safety belt or

for roof-mounted rollover airbags. Do

seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts

not open or break the airbag cover-

and repairs may be necessary even if the

ings.

belt or LATCH system was not being used

at the time of the collision.

Replacing Restraint System Parts

If an airbag inflates, you will need to

After a Crash

replace airbag system parts. See the part

on the airbag system earlier in this section.

WARNING

If the frontal airbags inflate you will also

A crash can damage the restraint

need to replace the driver and front pas-

systems in your vehicle. A damaged

senger’s safety belt retractor assembly. Be

restraint system may not properly

sure to do so. Then the new retractor

protect the person using it, resulting

assembly will be there to help protect you

in serious injury or even death in a

in a collision.

crash. To help make sure your

After a crash you may need to replace the

restraint systems are working prop-

erly after a crash, have them

driver and front passenger’s safety belt

retractor assemblies, even if the frontal air-

inspected and any necessary

replacements made as soon as pos-

bags have not deployed. The driver and

front passenger’s safety belt retractor

sible.

assemblies contain the safety belt preten-

sioners. Have your safety belt pretension-

ers checked if your vehicle has been in a

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