2-24
BEFORE DRIVING
79MH0-74E
Lap-Shoulder Belt
Emergency locking retractor (ELR)
The seat belt has an emergency locking
retractor (ELR), which is designed to lock
the seat belt only during a sudden stop or
impact. It also may lock if you pull the belt
across your body very quickly. If this hap-
pens, let the belt go back to unlock it, then
pull the belt across your body more slowly.
Safety reminder
60A038
60A040
To reduce the risk of sliding under the belt
during a collision, position the lap portion
of the belt across your lap as low on your
hips as possible and adjust it to a snug fit
by pulling the shoulder portion of the belt
upward through the latch plate. The length
of the diagonal shoulder strap adjusts itself
to allow freedom of movement.
WARNING
(Continued)
• Never use the same seat belt on more
than one occupant and never attach a
seat belt over an infant or child being
held on an occupant’s lap. Such seat
belt use could cause serious injury in
the event of an accident.
• Periodically inspect seat belt assem-
blies for excessive wear and damage.
Seat belts should be replaced if web-
bing becomes frayed, contaminated,
or damaged in any way. It is essential
to replace the entire seat belt assem-
bly after it has been worn in a severe
impact, even if damage to the assem-
bly is not obvious.
• Children age 12 and under should
ride properly restrained in the rear
seat.
• Infants and small children should
never be transported unless they are
properly restrained. Restraint sys-
tems for infants and small children
can be purchased locally and should
be used. Make sure that the system
you purchase meets applicable
safety standards. Read and follow all
the directions provided by the manu-
facturer.
• For children, if the shoulder belt irri-
tates the neck or face, move the child
closer to the center of the vehicle.
(Continued)
WARNING
(Continued)
• Avoid contamination of seat belt
webbing by polishes, oils, chemicals,
and particularly battery acid. Clean-
ing may safely be carried out using
mild soap and water.
• Do not insert any items such as
coins, clips, etc. into the seat belt
buckles, and be careful not to spill
liquids into these parts. If foreign
materials get into a seat belt buckle,
the seat belt may not work properly.
• All seatbacks should always be in an
upright position when driving, or seat
belt effectiveness may be reduced.
Seat belts are designed to offer maxi-
mum protection when seatbacks are
in the upright position.
Sit up straight and
fully back
Low on hips
EXAMPLE
Low on hips
EXAMPLE
