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 center).

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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 into tighter contact against the occupant’s body.

If the system senses excessive tension on the front driver, front passenger, and rear passenger seat belts (except center) 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.

NOTE

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 pretensioner system consists of the following components. Their locations are shown in the illustration:

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The actual position of seat belt pre-tensioner system components may differ from the illustration.

  1. SRS air bag warning light

  2. Front retractor pretensioner assembly

  3. SRS control module

  4. 2nd row retractor pre-tensioner assembly

WARNING

Skin Irritation

Wash all exposed skin areas thoroughly after an accident in which the pretensioner seat belts were activated. The fine dust from the pretensioner activation may cause skin irritation and should not be inhaled for prolonged periods.

NOTE

  • Both the driver’s and front passenger’s and rear (except center seating position) passenger’s seat belt pre-tensioner systems may be activated, 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.

  • 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 appear for approximately 6 seconds after the EV button has been changed to the POWER ON or DRIVE READY position, and then it should 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 with the SRS air bag. If the SRS air bag warning light does not appear when EV button has been changed to POWER ON or DRIVE READY, or if it remains on after appearing for approximately 6 seconds, or if it appears 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.

WARNING

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 fires during a collision, the pre-tensioner becomes hot and can burn you.

NOTE

Do not attempt to service or repair the pretensioner seat belt system in any manner. Do not attempt to inspect or replace the pretensioner seat belts yourself. This must be done by an authorized Kia dealer.

Pretensioners are designed to operate only once. After activation, pretensioner seat belts must be replaced. Contact an authorized Kia dealer.