Seat Belt Systems: Service Precautions
WARNING:- BELT ASSEMBLIES MUST BE INSTALLED IN MATCHED SETS AS RECEIVED AND MUST NOT BE INTERCHANGED BETWEEN VEHICLES. IF A COMPONENT PORTION OTHER THAN THE REMOVABLE D-RING COVER (BUCKLE PORTION, RETRACTOR PORTION, ETC.) OF A SAFETY BELT OR SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLY IS NON-FUNCTIONAL OR DAMAGED, THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY (BUCKLE, TONGUE AND SHOULDER HARNESS PORTIONS) MUST BE REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT ASSEMBLY MUST BE INSTALLED AS A MATCHED SET AND THE MANUFACTURER'S IDENTIFICATION ON THE LABEL OF THE RETRACTOR WEBBING MUST MATCH THE MANUFACTURER'S IDENTIFICATION ON THE BUCKLE BASE. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE SAFETY BELT OR SHOULDER BELT COMPONENTS TO BE REPLACED AS SEPARATE COMPONENTS.
- CHILDREN HAVING A SEATING HEIGHT GREATER THAN 71 cm (28 INCHES), WHICH IS THE MAXIMUM HEIGHT FOR USE OF THE TOT-GUARD, SHOULD USE THE SAFETY BELTS PROVIDED WITH THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE SHOULDER BELT PORTION OF THE LAP SHOULDER SAFETY BELT SHOULD NOT BE USED IF IT CONTACTS THE CHILD'S FACE, CHIN, NECK OR THROAT. IF THE SHOULDER PORTION OF THE SAFETY BELT EITHER TOUCHES OR HANGS IN FRONT OF THE CHILD'S FACE, CHIN, NECK OR THROAT, MOVE THE CHILD CLOSER TO THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE OR USE A BOOSTER SEAT TO HELP PROVIDE A GOOD SHOULDER BELT FIT. IF THE SHOULDER BELT STILL DOES NOT FIT, MOVE THE CHILD TO A SEAT WITH A LAP BELT ONLY. IF THE SAFETY BELTS ARE NOT ADJUSTED PROPERLY, THE CHILDS'S CHANCES OF BEING INJURED IN A COLLISION INCREASE.
- ALL VEHICLE OCCUPANTS, INCLUDING PREGNANT WOMEN, SHOULD WEAR SAFETY BELTS FOR MAXIMUM PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. ALL VEHICLE OCCUPANTS, INCLUDING PREGNANT WOMEN, SHOULD BE SURE THE LAP SAFETY BELT, OR LAP SAFETY BELT PORTION OF THE LAP-SHOULDER BELT, IS FITTED SNUGLY AND AS LOW AS POSSIBLE AROUND THE HIPS, NOT THE WAIST. FAILURE TO PROPERLY UTILIZE THE SAFETY BELTS MAY INCREASE THE CHANCES AND/OR SEVERITY OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. ACCORDING TO ACCIDENT STATISTICS, PROPERLY RESTRAINED CHILDREN ARE SAFER IN THE REAR SEAT THAN IN THE FRONT SEAT. FOR YOUNG CHILDREN, INFANT AND CHILD RESTRAINTS SHOULD BE OBTAINED AND USED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER OF THE INFANT AND CHILD RESTRAINT. CHILD RESTRAINT USE IS REQUIRED BY LAW.