Pretensioners - Fiat Bravo Owner's Handbook Manual

PRETENSIONERS

To increase the efficiency of the front and
rear (where provided) seat belts, the car
is fitted with pretensioners. These devices,
in the event of violent front and side crash,
rewind the seat belts a few centimetres.
In this way they ensure that the seat belt
adheres perfectly to the wearer before the
restraining action begins. The seat belt
locks to indicate that the device has in-
tervened; the seat belt cannot be drawn
back up even when guiding it manually.
IMPORTANT To obtain the highest de-
gree of protection from the action of the
pretensioning device, wear the seat belt
keeping it firmly close to the chest and
pelvis.
Pretensioner activation may produce a
small amount of smoke. This smoke is in
no way toxic and presents no fire hazard.
The pretensioner does not require any
maintenance or greasing. Anything that
modifies its original conditions invalidates
its efficiency. If due to unusual natural
events (floods, seas storm, etc.) the device
has been affected by water and mud, it
must necessarily be replaced.
WARNING
The pretensioner can only
be used once. After a colli-
sion that has triggered it, have it re-
placed at a Fiat Dealership. Preten-
sioner validity is written on the label
located inside the lower oddment
compartment. Pretensioners should
be replaced at Fiat Dealership as this
date approaches.
Operations which lead to
knocks, vibrations or localised
heating (over 100°C for a
maximum of 6 hours) in the
area around the pretensioners may
cause damage or trigger them. These
devices are not affected by vibrations
caused by irregularities of the road sur-
face or low obstacles such as kerbs, etc.
Contact a Fiat Dealership for any as-
sistance.
LOAD LIMITERS
To increase passenger's safety, the front
and rear (where provided) seat belt reels
contain a load limiter which allows con-
trolled sag in such a way as to dose the
force acting on the shoulders during the
belt restraining action in case of front
crash.
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