Maserati Spyder Owner's Manual page 21

Load limiting devices
To increase the passive safety, the seat
belt retractors are equipped with load
limiting device which makes it possible
to control the belt reeling out so that
the force exerted on the shoulders
while the seat belt is in restraining
mode can be limited.
Pretensioners
To make the seat belts still more
efficient, the vehicle is equipped with
pretensioners.
These devices "are notified" by a
sensor that the vehicle is in a collision
and retract the belts by a few
centimeters. This ensures that the belt
perfectly adheres to the occupants'
bodies before it brakes their forward
motion.
When the belt locks, this indicates that
the pretensioners have been activated;
a small amount of smoke may be
visible.
The smoke is not toxic and is not
indicative of fire.
Following the pretensioner activation,
the seat belt can be normally released
by pressing the button on the buckle.
The pretensioners do not require
maintenance or lubrication.
Tampering with the devices will
compromise their efficient operation.
If, as a result of exceptional natural
circumstances (floods, heavy seas, etc.),
the device has been in contact with
water and sludge, it is absolutely
essential to replace it.
To ensure the best protection from the
pretensioners, secure the belt snugly
across your chest and pelvis.
The pretensioners will
operate only once, and will
operate even if the belts are
not fastened. Therefore, they must be
replaced by the Maserati Service
Network after operation. The units
have a ten year service life from the
date of manufacture; they must be
replaced when their service life is near
to expiry.
WARNING Work on the vehicle which
involves blows, vibrations or localized
heating (over 100°C for 6 hours max.)
in the area of the pretensioners may
damage or activate them: vibrations
due to bad road surfaces or mounting
the pavement, for instance, do not
affect the units. Please contact the
Maserati Service Network if
interventions must be carried out.
Do not tamper with the
pretensioner components.
Any intervention must be
carried out only by qualified and
authorized personnel. Always contact
Maserati Service Network.
Seat belts
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