Inertia Reels And Belt Tensioners - Skoda RAPID Owner's Manual

Inertia reels and belt tensioners

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Introduction
This chapter contains information on the following subjects:
Inertia reels
Belt tensioners
Inertia reels
Each three-point seat belt is equipped with an inertia reel. When pulling slowly
on the seat belt, the belt can move freely.
When pulling sharply on the seat belt, the movement is locked by the inertia
reel. The belts also lock when full braking, when the car accelerates, when
driving downhill and when cornering.
WARNING
If the seat belt does not lock when pulling sharply on it, have it inspected
immediately by a specialist garage.
Belt tensioners
Safety for the driver and front passenger wearing their seat belts is enhanced
by the belt tensioners fitted to the inertia reels of the front seat belts.
If there is a collision, the seat belts are tightened by the belt tensioner so that
unwanted body motion is prevented.
The three-point seat belts are automatically tensioned in the event of a frontal
collision of a certain severity.
The front seat belts are automatically tensioned in the event of a side collision
of a certain severity.
Belt tensioners are not activated in the event of minor frontal, side or rear-
end collisions, if the vehicle overturns and also not in accidents in which no
major forces are produced.
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Safety
WARNING
Any work on the belt tensioner system including removal and installation
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of system components because of other repair work, must only be carried
out by a specialist garage.
If the belt tensioners have been deployed, it is then necessary to replace
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the entire system.
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Notice
The belt tensioners can also be deployed if the seat belts are not fastened.
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Smoke is generated when the belt tensioners are deployed. This is not an in-
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dication of a fire in the vehicle.