belts and anchors, Emergency Tensioning
Devices, seat belt force limiters or air
bags) or their wiring, as well as tampering
with interconnected electronic systems,
can lead to the restraint systems no longer
functioning as intended. Air bags or Emer-
gency Tensioning Devices, for example,
could deploy inadvertently or fail to
deploy in accidents in which they other-
wise should deploy (although the deceler-
ation threshold for air bag deployment is
exceeded). Therefore, never modify the
restraint systems. Do not tamper with elec-
tronic components or their software.
G
WARNING
In the event that the SRS indicator lamp
6 comes on while driving or does not
come on at all, the SRS self-check has
detected a malfunction. For your safety, we
strongly recommend that you immediately
but safely pull the vehicle off of the road-
way and stop driving. Contact an authorized
smart center immediately to have the sys-
tem checked; otherwise the SRS may not
deploy when needed in an accident, which
could result in serious or fatal injury, or
it might deploy unexpectedly and unneces-
sarily which could also result in injury.
In addition, improper repair work on the
SRS creates a risk of rendering the SRS
inoperative or causing unintended air bag
deployment. Work on the SRS must therefore
only be performed by qualified techni-
cians. Contact an authorized smart center.
If it is necessary to modify an air bag sys-
tem to accommodate a person with disabil-
ities, contact your local authorized smart
center.
Seat belts
The use of seat belts and infant and child
restraint systems is required by law in all
50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S.
territories and all Canadian provinces and
territories.
Even where this is not the case, all vehicle
occupants should have their seat belts fas-
tened whenever the vehicle is being oper-
ated.
For more information, see “Fastening the
seat belts” (Y page 62).
i
For information on infants and chil-
dren traveling with you in the vehicle
and restraint systems for infants and
children, see “Children in the vehicle”
(Y page 42).
G
WARNING
Always fasten your seat belt before driving.
Always make sure all of your passengers are
properly restrained.
Failure to wear and properly fasten and
position your seat belt greatly increases
your risk of injuries and their likely
severity in an accident. You and your
passenger should always wear seat belts.
If you are ever in an accident, your injuries
can be considerably more severe without
your seat belt properly buckled.
Without your seat belt buckled, you are
much more likely to hit the interior of the
vehicle or be ejected from it. You can be
seriously injured or killed.
In the same crash, the possibility of injury
or death is lessened if you are properly
wearing your seat belt. Air bags can only
protect you if you are properly wearing
your seat belt.
G
WARNING
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
backrest in an excessively reclined posi-
tion as this can be dangerous. You could
slide under the seat belt in a collision. If
you slide under it, the belt would apply
force at the abdomen or neck, causing ser-
ious or even fatal injuries. The seat back-
rest and seat belt provide the best
restraint when the wearer is in a position
Occupant safety
31
>> Safety.
Z
