Pre-tensioner seat belt
Your vehicle is equipped with pre-tensioner seat belts for the front driver and passenger, as well as the second row passengers (except the center).
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 seat belt retractor may lock into position. In certain frontal collisions, the pre-tensioner will activate and pull the seat belt tighter.
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Retractor pre-tensioner
The purpose of the retractor pre-tensioner is to make sure that the shoulder belts fit in tightly against the occupant's upper body in certain frontal collisions.
If the system senses excessive tension on the driver or passenger's seat belt when the pre-tensioner system activates, the load limiter inside the retractor pre-tensioner 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 seat belt pre-tensioner system consists mainly of the following components. Their locations are shown in the illustration:
* The actual position of seat belt pre-tensioner system components may differ from the illustration.
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SRS (supplemental restraints system) air bag warning light
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Front retractor pre-tensioner assembly
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SRS control module
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2nd row retractor pre-tensioner assembly
Skin Irritation
Wash all exposed skin areas thoroughly after an accident when the pre-tensioner seat belts were activated. The fine dust from the pre-tensioner 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 seat belt pre-tensioner systems may activat not only in certain frontal collisions, but also in certain side collisions or rollovers if the vehicle is equipped with side/curtain air bags, and/or the front center side air bag.
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The sensor that activates the SRS air bag operates with the pre-tensioner seat belt. The SRS air bag warning light (
) on the instrument panel will appear for approximately 3~6seconds after the EV button has been changed to the ON position,
and should then turn off.
If the pre-tensioner seat belt system 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 appear when the EV button is changed to ON, or if it remains illuminated after approximately 3~6seconds, or if it appears while the vehicle is being driven, have an authorized Kia dealer inspect it as soon as possible.
Hot Pre-tensioner
Do not touch the pre-tensioner seat belt assemblies for several minutes after they have been activated. When the pre-tensioner seat belt mechanism activates during a collision, the pre-tensioner becomes hot and can burn you.
Pre-tensioners operate only one time. After activation, pre-tensioner seat belts must be replaced. If the pre-tensioner must be replaced, contact an authorized Kia dealer.