Kia Niro: Seat belts / Pre-tensioner seat belt

Your vehicle is equipped with driver's and front passenger's and rear side passenger’s (if equipped) pre-tensioner seat belts (retractor pre-tensioner). The pre-tensioner seat belts can be activated, where the frontal collision is severe enough, together with the air bags.

When the vehicle stops suddenly, or if the occupant tries to lean forward too quickly, the seat belt retractor will lock into position. In certain frontal collisions, the pre-tensioner will activate and pull the seat belt into tighter contact against the occupant's body.

- Retractor Pretensioner

The purpose of the retractor pretensioner is to make sure that the shoulder belts fit in tightly against the occupant's upper body in certain frontal collisions.

If the system senses excessive tension on the driver or passenger's seat belt when the pre-tensioner system activates, the load limiter inside the retractor pre-tensioner will release some of the pressure on the affected seat belt. (if equipped)

WARNING

For your safety, be sure that the belt webbing is not loose or twisted and always sit properly on your seat.

The seat belt pre-tensioner system consists mainly of the following components. Their locations are shown in the illustration:

(1) SRS air bag warning light
(2) Retractor pre-tensioner assembly
(3) SRS control module

WARNING

To obtain maximum benefit from a pre-tensioner seat belt:

1. The seatbelt must be worn correctly and adjusted to the proper position. Please read and follow all of the important information and precautions about your vehicle’s occupant safety features – including seat belts and air bags – that are provided in this manual.

2. Be sure you and your passengers always wear seat belts properly.

✽ NOTICE

• When the pre-tensioner seat belts are activated, a loud noise may be heard and fine dust, which may appear to be smoke, may be visible in the passenger compartment. These are normal operating conditions and are not hazardous.
• Although it is harmless, the fine dust may cause skin irritation and should not be breathed for prolonged periods. Wash all exposed skin areas thoroughly after an accident in which the pre-tensioner seat belts were activated.
• Because the sensor that activates the SRS air bag is connected with the pre-tensioner seat belt, the SRS air bag warning light on the instrument panel will illuminate for approximately 6 seconds after the ignition switch has been turned to the "ON" position, and then it should turn off.

CAUTION

If the pre-tensioner seat belt is not working properly, the SRS air bag warning light will illuminate even if there is no malfunction of the SRS air bag. If the SRS air bag warning light does not illuminate when the ignition key is turned to ON, or if it remains illuminated after illuminating for approximately 6 seconds, or if it illuminates while the vehicle is being driven, we recommend that the system be inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.

WARNING

• Pre-tensioners are designed to operate only one time. After activation, pre-tensioner seat belts must be replaced. All seat belts, of any type, should always be replaced after they have been worn during a collision.
• The pre-tensioner seat belt assembly mechanisms become hot during activation. Do not touch the pre-tensioner seat belt assemblies for several minutes after they have been activated.
• Do not attempt to inspect or replace the pre-tensioner seat belts yourself.We recommend that the system be inspected by an authorized Kia dealer.
• Do not attempt to service or repair the pre-tensioner seat belt system in any manner.
• Improper handling of the pretensioner seat belt assemblies, and failure to heed the warnings not to strike, modify, inspect, replace, service or repair the pre-tensioner seat belt assemblies may lead to improper operation or inadvertent activation and serious injury.
• Always wear the seat belts when driving or riding in a motor vehicle.
• If the vehicle or pre-tensioner seat belt must be discarded, we recommend that you contact an authorized Kia dealer.

CAUTION

Body work on the front area of the vehicle may damage the pretensioner seat belt system.

Therefore, we recommend that the system be serviced by an authorized Kia dealer.