Hyundai Sonata: Seat Belt Restraint System / Pre-tensioner seat belt (Driver and front passenger)

Retractor Pre-tensioner

Your vehicle is equipped with driver’s and front passenger’s Pre-tensioner Seat Belts. The purpose of the pretensioner is to make sure the seat belts fit tightly against the occupant’s body in certain frontal collisions. The pre-tensioner seat belts may be activated in crashes where the frontal collision is severe enough.

If the system senses excessive tension on the driver’s or passenger’s seat belt when the pre-tensioner activates, the load limiter inside the pretensioner will release some of the pressure on the affected seat belt.

When the vehicle stops suddenly, or if the occupant tries to lean forward too quickly, the seat belt retractor will lock into position. In certain frontal collisions, the pre-tensioner will activate and pull the seat belt into tighter contact against the occupant’s body.

Seat Belt Anchor Pre-tensioner

The purpose of the Seat Belt Anchor Pre-tensioner is to help the lap belt fit tightly against the occupant's lower body in certain frontal collisions. The Seat Belt Anchor Pre-tensioner may be activated in crashes where the frontal collision is severe enough.

WARNING

• Always wear your seat belt and sit properly in your seat.
• Do not use the seat belt if it is loose or twisted. A loose or twisted seat belt will not protect you properly in an accident.
• Do not place anything near the buckle. This may adversely affect the buckle and cause it to function improperly.
• Always replace your pre-tensioners after activation or an accident.
• NEVER inspect, service, repair or replace the pre-tensioners yourself. This must be done by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
• Do not hit the seat belt assemblies.

WARNING

Do not touch the pre-tensioner seat belt assemblies for several minutes after they have been activated. When the pre-tensioner seat belt mechanism deploys during a collision, the pre-tensioners become hot and can burn you.

The Pre-Tensioner Seat Belt System consists mainly of the following components. Their locations are shown in the illustration above:

1. SRS air bag warning light
2. Retractor pre-tensioner
3. SRS control module
4. Anchor Pre-tensioner

NOTICE

The sensor that activates the SRS air bag is connected with the pre–tensioner seat belts. The SRS air bag warning light on the instrument panel will illuminate for approximately 6 seconds after the ignition switch is in the ON position, and then it should turn off.

If the pre-tensioner is not working properly, the warning light will illuminate even if the SRS air bag is not malfunctioning. If the warning light does not illuminate, stays illuminated or illuminates when the vehicle is being driven, have an authorized HYUNDAI dealer inspect the pre-tensioner seat belts and SRS air bags as soon as possible.

NOTICE

• Both the driver's and front passenger's pre-tensioner seat belts may be activated in certain frontal or side collisions or rollovers.
• The pre-tensioners will not be activated if the seat belts are not worn at the time of the collision.
• When the pre-tensioner seat belts are activated, a loud noise may be heard and fine dust, which may appear to be smoke, may be visible in the passenger compartment. These are normal operating conditions and are not hazardous.
• Although it is non-toxic, the fine dust may cause skin irritation and should not be breathed for prolonged periods. Wash all exposed skin areas thoroughly after an accident in which the pre-tensioner seat belts were activated.