Pretensioners - Alfa Romeo Spider 2008 Owner's Manual

PRETENSIONERS

To increase the efficiency of the seat
belts, the car is fitted with pretension-
ers. These devices, in the event of a vi-
olent 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 be-
gins.
Pretensioners activation is indicated by
seat belt retractor locking; the seat belt
cannot be drawn back up when guid-
ing it manually.
IMPORTANT To obtain the highest
degree of protection from the action of
the pretensioning device, wear the seat
belt keeping it firmly close to the chest
and pelvis.
Pretensioners activate only if seat belts
are properly fitted into buckles.
A small amount of smoke may be pro-
duced. This smoke is in no way toxic and
presents no fire hazard.
Anything that modifies its original con-
ditions invalidates its efficiency. Anything
that modifies its original conditions in-
validates its efficiency. If due to unusu-
al natural events (floods, sea storms,
etc.) the device has been affected by
water and mud, it must necessarily be
replaced.
WARNING
The pretensioner can
only be used once. Af-
ter a collision that has trig-
gered it, have it replaced at Al-
fa Romeo Authorized Services.
Pretensioner validity is indi-
cated on the label on driver's
door. Pretensioners should be
replaced at Alfa Romeo Au-
thorized Services 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 dam-
age or trigger them. These de-
vices are not affected by vibra-
tions caused by irregularities of
the road surface or low obsta-
cles such as kerbs, etc. Contact
Alfa Romeo Authorized Services
for any assistance.
LOAD LIMITERS
To increase passenger's safety, the seat
belt reels contain a load limiter which al-
lows controlled sag in such a way as to
dose the force acting on the chest and
shoulders during the belt restraining ac-
tion in case of front crash.
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