Seat Belt Systems: Adjustments
FASTENING BELTS
Lap/Shoulder Safety Belts, Front
After entering vehicle, adjust the front seat to obtain the best position for driving comfort and visibility. Then, use these procedure for fastening belts:
Pull the lap/shoulder safety belt from the retractor so that the shoulder portion of the belt crosses the shoulder and chest and insert the belt tongue into the proper buckle until a snap is heard and a latch is felt. The inertia reel allows freedom of movement, locking tight only on hard braking, steep grades, rollovers, or impacts of approximately 8 km/h (5 mph) or more. The reel cannot be locked by pulling quickly on the webbing.
Lap Safety Belts, Rear
Pull the belt out of the retractor with a steady motion and insert the tongue into the buckle. Adjust belt snugly around the hips (never across the waist) by allowing slack to return to the retractor. Failure to do so may result in unnecessary injury in the event of a collision or sudden stop.
SHOULDER PORTION ADJUSTMENT
The shoulder restraint portion of the safety belt adjusts automatically to a snug position.
To relieve belt pressure on the shoulder after the belt is fastened, a shoulder harness comfort regulator has been installed in the shoulder retractor. This regulator allows for adjustment of the shoulder belt to a position for a comfortable shoulder harness length. This comfort regulator operates similar to a window shade mechanism, and is used in the following manner:
1. Close the door.
2. Pull several inches of shoulder belt away from body and release.
3. Pull down a small amount of shoulder safety belt and release.
WARNING: NEVER ALLOW MORE THAN 3.8 CM (1.5 INCHES) OF SLACK TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE SAFETY BELT SYSTEM BECAUSE THE BELT LOCKS UPON IMPACT WHERE IT IS POSITIONED. WEARING THE BELT TOO LOOSE WILL NEGATE ANY REAL SAFETY PROTECTION. USE THE SHOULDER SAFETY BELT ON THE OUTSIDE SHOULDER ONLY. NEVER WEAR THE SHOULDER BELT UNDER THE ARM. NEVER SWING IT AROUND THE NECK OVER THE INSIDE SHOULDER. NEVER USE A SINGLE BELT FOR MORE THAN ONE PERSON. ENSURE THE LAP PORTION OF THE BELT IS FITTED SNUGLY AND AS LOW AS POSSIBLE AROUND THE HIPS, NOT ON THE WAIST. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE PRECAUTIONS COULD INCREASE THE CHANCE AND/OR SEVERITY OF INJURY IN AN ACCIDENT.
COMFORT REGULATOR RELEASE
The comfort regulator is designed to automatically release when the respective front door is opened. As the safety belt is unbuckled, it should be hand- guided back to the retractors to prevent the belt tongue from striking nearby occupants or objects.
To set the comfort regulator, the shoulder belt initially should be positioned snugly against the chest. If the belt is not positioned snugly, the comfort regulator may already be engaged. Disengagement is accomplished by the following procedure:
1. Pull the shoulder belt outward 10-13 cm (4-5 inches), then release it and allow belt to fully retract. Repeat procedure if belt is not snug to the chest.
2. Now the belt tension may be adjusted by pulling down slightly on the shoulder belt and releasing. The least amount of slack needed to relieve tension, but not more than 3.8 cm (1-1/2 inches), should be pulled out when using the comfort regulator system.
- If the desired setting is not achieved or excess slack develops as you change seat position, repeat the above procedure.
- When the door is opened, the comfort regulator will release automatically, permitting the lap-shoulder belt to retract. After unbuckling the belt it is recommended that care is taken during retraction to prevent it from striking other passengers, hitting trim panel or painted door opening surfaces.
LAP PORTION ADJUSTMENT
The lap portion of the belt adjusts automatically. Pull up on the shoulder portion of the belt to tighten the lap portion to a snug fit. Be sure the belt is as low on hips as possible. If the shoulder belt is uncomfortably tight, a comfort regulator is provided in the shoulder belt retractor to reduce belt pressure against chest. The shoulder belt can be adjusted much like a window shade to maintain a small amount of slack in the belt. The adjacent door must be closed to use this comfort regulator feature.