Fasten Safety Belt Indicator
The IPC illuminates the fasten safety belt indicator when the following
occurs:
| • | The body control module (BCM) detects that the driver seat
belt is unbuckled. The IPC receives a class 2 message from the BCM
requesting illumination. The IPC illuminates the indicator for 20 seconds
and then flashes the indicator for 55 seconds. The BCM also activates
an audible warning. |
| • | The IPC detects a loss of class 2 communications with the
BCM. |
Restraint System
Seat belts are the primary means of occupant restraint. Seat belts help
to keep the occupant(s) inside the passenger compartment and to gradually
reduce the impact forces during the following events:
| • | Frontal impact type crashes |
| • | Rear impact type crashes |
| • | Side impact type crashes |
All seat belt retractors have emergency locks. The retractors remain
unlocked during normal operation and under normal driving conditions. The
retractors remain unlocked during normal conditions in order to allow free
movement of the upper body of each occupant. A pendulum locks the seat belt
webbing into position. The pendulum causes a locking bar to engage a cog on
the spool of the retractor mechanism when the following conditions
occur:
| • | A rapid extraction of the seat belt webbing from the retractor |
| • | An abrupt change in vehicle speed |
| • | An abrupt change in vehicle direction |
| • | Operation of the vehicle on a steep upgrade |
| • | Operation of the vehicle on a downgrade |
The seat belts have an automatic locking (cinch) feature. The cinch
feature is activated when the seat belt webbing is completely extended from
the retractor. The cinch feature prevents the webbing from extending
beyond the position from which it is allowed to retract. Use of the
cinch feature is recommended for securing a child seat. The cinch feature
may be cancelled by allowing the webbing to wind back completely into
the retractor. After the cinch feature is cancelled, the webbing is
unlocked. After the cinch feature is cancelled, the webbing will extend
from the retractor. This vehicle is also equipped with a supplemental
inflatable restraint (SIR) system. Refer to
SIR System Description and Operation
in SIR.
Front Seat Belt System
The front seat belts on sedans are equipped with an adjustable shoulder
belt guide loop. The shoulder belt can be adjusted to one of the four positions
by a release switch located at the center pillar. The release switch permits
adjustment of the shoulder belt to the height of the occupant. The front
passenger seat and the rear seat retractors are dual-mode type retractors
with emergency locking and automatic features. The automatic locking feature
is for use with a child seat. The front seat belt system includes the following
components:
| • | Driver and the passenger seat belt retractors-- The driver
and passenger seat belt retractors are located and attached on the center
pillar post in all coupes and sedans |
| • | The front seat center driver and passenger's buckle belts are
located between the two front seats. These buckle belts are attached to the
seat. |
| • | The driver seat belt system, includes a seat belt switch in the
driver seat belt buckle which controls the fasten safety belt indicator and
a tone alarm. |
Rear Seat Belt System
The rear seat belt system includes the following components:
| • | Rear seat belt retractors-- The rear seat belt retractors
are located under the rear deck trim panel. The rear seat belt retractors
are attached to the rear deck body panel. |
| • | Rear seat center and outer seat buckle belts-- The rear seat
center and outer seat buckle belts are located in the center of the lower
seat cushion. The rear seat center and outer seat buckle belts are attached
to the rear floor pan. |
