Fasten Safety Belt Indicator
The IPC illuminates the fasten safety belt indicator when the following
occurs:
| • | The inflatable restraint sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) detects
that the driver's seat belt is unbuckled. The IPC receives a class 2
message from the SDM requesting illumination. The IPC illuminates the
indicator for 20 seconds and then flashes the indicator for 55 seconds.
The IPC also sends a class 2 message to the radio in order to activate
the audible warning. |
| • | The IPC performs the displays test at the start of each ignition
cycle. The indicator illuminates for approximately 3 seconds. |
| • | The IPC detects a loss of class 2 communications with the
SDM. |
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 1 of the 4 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:
| • | The 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 buckle belts |
| | These buckle belts are located between the two front seats and are attached
to the seat. |
| • | The driver's seat belt switch |
| | The 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:
| • | The 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. |
| • | The 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 and are attached to the rear floor pan. |
