Pretensioners - Fiat Bravo Owner's Handbook Manual

PRETENSIONERS

To increase the efficiency of the front and
rear (for versions/markets, where pro-
vided) seat belts, the car is fitted with pre-
tensioners. 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 per-
fectly to the wearer before the restrain-
ing action begins. The seat belt locks to in-
dicate that the device has intervened; 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.
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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 (for versions/markets, where
provided) seat belt reels contain a load
limiter which allows controlled sag in such
a way as to dose the force acting on the
shoulders during the belt restraining ac-
tion in case of front crash.