Restraints and Safety Systems: Description and Operation

RESTRAINT SYSTEM

Seat belts are the primary means of occupant restraint.

Seat belts help to keep occupants inside the passenger compartment and to gradually reduce the impact forces.

All seat belt retractors have emergency locks. The retractors remain unlocked during normal operation and under normal driving conditions. The retractors remain unlocked during normal conditions in order to allow free movement of the upper body of each occupant.

A pendulum locks the seat belt webbing into position. The pendulum causes a locking bar to engage a cog on the spool of the retractor mechanism when the following conditions occur:
- A rapid extraction of the seat belt webbing from the retractor
- An abrupt change in the vehicle speed
- An abrupt change in the vehicle direction
- Operation of the vehicle on a steep upgrade
- Operation of the vehicle on a steep downgrade

The seat belts, except for the driver seat belt, have an automatic locking feature, or a cinch feature. The cinch feature is recommended for securing a child seat. The cinch feature is engaged by fully extending the seat belt from the retractor. Once engaged, the seat belt can retract, but cannot be extended again until the cinch feature is cancelled. The cinch feature is cancelled when the seat belt has fully retracted.

This vehicle is also equipped with a supplemental inflatable restraint (SIR) system. Refer to SIR System Description and Operation in Restraint Systems.