Suzuki VITARA Series, Owner'S Manual

Page: 71 / 482

2-49
BEFORE DRIVING
54P00-01E
To determine if your vehicle is equipped
with a seat belt pretensioner system at the
front or rear seating positions, check the
label on the seat belt at the bottom part. If
the letters “p” and/or “PRE” appear as illus-
trated, your vehicle is equipped with the
seat belt pretensioner system. You can use
the pretensioner seat belts in the same
manner as ordinary seat belts.
Read this section and “Supplemental
restraint system (air bags)” section to learn
more about the pretensioner system.
The seat belt pretensioner system works
with the supplemental restraint system (air
bags). The crash sensors and the elec-
tronic controller of the air bag system also
control the seat belt pretensioners. The
pretensioners are triggered only when
there is a frontal or side crash severe
enough to trigger the air bags and the seat
belts are fastened. For precautions and
general information including servicing the
pretensioner system, refer to “Supplemen-
tal restraint system (air bags)” section in
addition to this “Seat belt pretensioner sys-
tem” section, and follow all those precau-
tions.
The pretensioner is located in each front
seat belt and both side of the rear seat belt
retractor. The pretensioner tightens the
seat belt so the belt fits the occupant’s
body more snugly in the event of a frontal
or side crash. The retractors will remain
locked after the pretensioners are acti-
vated. Upon activation, some noise will
occur and some smoke may be released.
These conditions are not harmful and do
not indicate a fire in the vehicle.
The driver and all passengers must be
properly restrained by fastening seat belts
at all times, whether or not a pretensioner
is equipped at their seating position, to
minimize the risk of severe injury or death
in the event of a crash.
Sit fully back in the seat; sit up straight; do
not lean forward or sideways. Adjust the
belt so the lap portion of the belt is worn
low across the pelvis, not across the waist.
Please refer to “Seat adjustment” section
and the instructions and precautions about
the seat belts in this “Seat belts and child
restraint systems” section for details on
proper seat and seat belt adjustments.
Please note that the pretensioners along
with the air bags will activate in severe
frontal or side crashes. They are not
designed to activate in rear impacts, roll-
overs, or minor frontal side crashes. The
pretensioners can be activated only once.
If the pretensioners are activated (that is, if
the air bags are activated), have the pre-
tensioner system serviced by an autho-
rized SUZUKI dealer as soon as possible.
If AIR BAG light on the instrument cluster
does not blink or come on briefly when the
ignition switch is turned to “ON” position or
the engine switch is pressed to change the
ignition mode to “ON”, stays on for more
than 10 seconds, or comes on while driv-
ing, the pretensioner system or the air bag
system may not work properly. Have both
systems inspected by an authorized
SUZUKI dealer as soon as possible.
Service on or around the pretensioner sys-
tem components or wiring must be per-
formed only by an authorized SUZUKI
dealer who is specially trained. Improper
service could result in unintended activa-
tion of pretensioners or could render the
pretensioner inoperative. Either of these
two conditions may result in personal
injury.
To prevent damage or unintended activa-
tion of the pretensioners, check that the
battery is disconnected and the ignition
switch has been in “LOCK” position or the
ignition mode has been “LOCK” (OFF) for
at least 90 seconds before performing any
electrical service work on your SUZUKI
vehicle.
Do not touch pretensioner system compo-
nents or wiring. The wires are wrapped
with yellow tape or yellow tubing, and the
couplers are yellow. When scrapping your
SUZUKI vehicle, ask your SUZUKI dealer,
body repair shop, or scrap yard for assis-
tance.