Pre-tensioner seat belt
The pre-tensioner seat belts may be activated, when a frontal collision is severe enough, together with the air bags.
When the vehicle stops suddenly, or if the occupant tries to lean forward too quickly, the retractor pre-tensioner seat belt may lock into position. In certain frontal collisions, the pre-tensioner seat belt will activate and pull the seat belt into tighter contact against the occupant's body.
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Retractor pre-tensioner seat belt
The purpose of the retractor pre-tensioner seat belt is to make sure that the shoulder belts fit in tightly against the occupant's upper body in certain frontal collisions.
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EFD
The purpose of the EFD is to make sure that the lap belts fit tightly against the occupant's lower body in certain frontal collisions.
If the system senses excessive tension on the driver or passenger's seat belt when the pre-tensioner seat belt activates, the load limiter inside the retractor pre-tensioner seat belt will release some of the pressure on the affected seat belt.
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 conditions and are not hazardous.
The pre-tensioner seat belt consists mainly of the following components. Their locations are shown in the illustration:
* The actual position of pre-tensioner seat belt components may differ from the illustration.
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Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) air bag warning light
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Retractor pre-tensioner seat belt assembly
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SRS control module
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EFD
Skin Irritation
Wash all exposed skin areas thoroughly after an accident in which the pre-tensioner seat belts were activated. The fine dust from the pre-tensioner seat belt activation may cause skin irritation and should not be inhaled for prolonged periods.
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Both the driver's and front passenger's pre-tensioner seat belt may activate not only in certain frontal collisions, but also in certain side collisions or rollovers, if the vehicle is equipped with a side or curtain air bag.
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The sensor that activates the SRS air bag is connected to the pre-tensioner seat belt. The SRS air bag warning light
on the instrument panel will appear for approximately 6 seconds after the ignition switch has been turned to the ON position,
and should then turn off.
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If the pre-tensioner seat belt is not working properly, this warning light will appear even if there is not a malfunction of the SRS air bag. If the SRS air bag warning light does not illuminate when the ignition switch has been turned to the ON position, or if it remains illuminated after approximately 6 seconds, or if it illuminates while the vehicle is being driven, have an authorized Kia dealer inspect the pre-tensioner seat belt and SRS air bag system as soon as possible.
Do not attempt to service, repair, the pre-tensioner seat belt in any manner. Do not attempt to inspect or replace the pre-tensioner seat belts yourself. This must be done by an authorized Kia dealer.
Hot pre-tensioner seat belt
Do not touch the pre-tensioner seat belt assemblies for several minutes after they have been activated. When the pre-tensioner seat belt mechanism fires during a collision the pre-tensioner seat belt becomes hot and can burn you.
Pre-tensioners operate only one time. After activation, pre-tensioner seat belt seat belts must be replaced. If the pre-tensioner must be replaced, contact an authorized Kia dealer.