Kia Picanto: Seat belts / Pre-tensioner seat belt: (if equipped)

Where fitted, your Kia Picanto has seat belt pre-tensioners at the front and rear outboard seating positions. These devices work with the seat belts to help restrain occupants during certain collisions.

The driver’s seat belt also incorporates an EFD (Emergency Fastening Device), which acts on the lap section of the restraint.

Pre-tensioners tighten the belts against the occupants’ bodies during qualifying impacts. Activation depends on the collision being sufficiently severe; the devices are intended to provide additional restraint when the relevant crash conditions are detected.

The seat belt retractor locks when the vehicle stops suddenly or an occupant leans forwards too quickly. In certain frontal collisions, the pre-tensioner provides an additional action: it retracts the belt to bring the webbing into tighter contact with the body.

1. Retractor pre-tensioner

   The retractor pre-tensioner tightens the shoulder section against the occupant’s upper body during certain frontal collisions, helping reduce slack in the restraint.

2. EFD — Emergency Fastening Device, for the driver’s seat belt

   The EFD tightens the lap section against the driver’s pelvis and lower body during certain frontal collisions.

If excessive tension is detected in the driver’s or passenger’s belt during pre-tensioner activation, the load limiter within the pre-tensioner releases some of the force on the affected belt. This limits the restraint load applied through the webbing.

WARNING

Always sit correctly and wear the belt without slack or twists. The pre-tensioner cannot compensate for an improperly positioned belt or an unsuitable seating posture.

NOTE

If equipped with a rollover sensor

On vehicles fitted with a rollover sensor and side or curtain air bags, pre-tensioners may activate during qualifying side collisions or rollovers as well as frontal collisions.

NOTE

Without a rollover sensor

On vehicles without a rollover sensor but equipped with side or curtain air bags, pre-tensioners may activate during qualifying side collisions in addition to frontal collisions.

The main components of the Kia Picanto seat belt pre-tensioner system are listed below. Their locations are identified in the accompanying illustrations.

1. SRS air bag warning light: The instrument panel warning associated with the restraint system.

2. Retractor pre-tensioner assembly: The assembly that tightens the shoulder belt.

3. SRS control module: The control module identified in the system diagram.

4. Emergency Fastening Device (EFD): The additional tightening device for the driver’s lap belt.

5. Rear retractor pre-tensioner assembly*: The rear outboard pre-tensioner equipment, where fitted.

* If equipped. Rear pre-tensioner equipment depends on the vehicle specification.

WARNING

To obtain the intended protection from a pre-tensioner seat belt, follow both of these requirements:

1. Wear the seat belt correctly and adjust it to the proper position. Read and follow all instructions and precautions in this manual concerning occupant protection, including the sections covering seat belts and air bags.

2. Make sure you and every passenger wear the appropriate seat belt correctly on every journey. Pre-tensioners supplement correct belt use and do not replace it.

NOTE

• Pre-tensioners at the front and rear outboard seating positions activate during certain collisions. In sufficiently severe impacts, they can activate together with the air bags.

• Activation may produce a loud noise and release fine dust into the passenger compartment. The dust can resemble smoke; the noise and visible dust are normal effects of deployment and do not, by themselves, indicate a hazardous condition.

• The fine dust may irritate the skin, and prolonged inhalation should be avoided. After an accident in which the pre-tensioners have activated, thoroughly wash all skin areas exposed to the dust.

• The sensor used to activate the SRS air bags is connected to the seat belt pre-tensioner system. Accordingly, the SRS air bag warning light illuminates for approximately six seconds after the ignition is switched to ON, then should go out.

CAUTION

A pre-tensioner fault can illuminate the SRS air bag warning light even when the air bag system itself has no malfunction. Have the restraint system inspected if the light fails to illuminate when the ignition is switched ON, remains on beyond the approximately six-second check period, or comes on while driving. Kia recommends inspection by an authorised Kia dealer or service partner.

WARNING

• Pre-tensioners are single-use devices. Once activated, the pre-tensioner seat belts must be replaced. Seat belts of any type must also be replaced after being worn during a collision.

• Activation makes the pre-tensioner mechanisms hot. Do not touch the assemblies for several minutes after deployment, as contact can cause injury.

• Do not inspect or replace pre-tensioner seat belts yourself. Have the system examined by a professional workshop; Kia recommends an authorised Kia dealer or service partner.

• Do not strike or subject the pre-tensioner assemblies to impact.

• Do not attempt any servicing or repair of the pre-tensioner system yourself.

• Improper handling, including striking, modifying, inspecting, replacing, servicing or repairing the assemblies without the required expertise, can cause incorrect operation or unintended activation. Disregarding these precautions can result in serious injury.

• Always wear your seat belt when driving or travelling in a motor vehicle, whether or not pre-tensioners are fitted.

• If the vehicle or a pre-tensioner assembly requires disposal, contact a professional workshop for the appropriate handling arrangements. Kia recommends an authorised Kia dealer or service partner.

CAUTION

Body repairs around the front of the vehicle can damage components of the seat belt pre-tensioner system. The restraint equipment must be considered when this work is carried out.

Have the system serviced by a professional workshop. Kia recommends visiting an authorised Kia dealer or service partner.