

42
Safe Driving
Seat Belts
About Your Seat Belts
Seat belts are the single most effective safety device because they keep you 
connected to the vehicle so that you can take advantage of many built-in safety 
features. They also help keep you from being thrown against the inside of the 
vehicle, against any passengers, or out of the vehicle. When worn properly, seat 
belts also keep your body properly positioned in a crash so that you can take full 
advantage of the additional protection provided by the airbags.
In addition, seat belts help protect you in almost every type of crash, including:
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frontal impacts
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side impacts
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rear impacts
-
rollovers
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Lap/shoulder seat belts
All five seating positions are equipped with lap/shoulder seat belts with emergency 
locking retractors. In normal driving the retractor lets you move freely while keeping 
some tension on the belt. During a collision or sudden stop the retractor locks to 
restrain your body.
The front passenger’s and rear seat belts also have a lockable retractor for use with 
child seats.
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Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt
P. 78
1
If you extend the seat belt too quickly, it will lock in 
place. If this happens, slightly retract the seat belt, 
then extend it slowly.
Seat belts cannot completely protect you in every 
crash. But in most cases, seat belts can reduce your 
risk of serious injury.
Most states and all Canadian provinces and territories 
require you to wear seat belts.
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WARNING
Not wearing a seat belt properly increases 
the chance of serious injury or death in a 
crash, even though your vehicle has 
airbags.
Be sure you and your passengers always 
wear seat belts and wear them properly.