2006 Saab 9-5 Owner's Manual - Page 15

Safety Safety belt pretensioners The belts of the front seats are fitted with automatic pretensioners and force limiters. These are activated in the event of a severe frontal or rear-end crash and a side-on collision, provided that the safety belts are being worn. The pretensioners serve to reduce the forward movement of the body by tensioning the belt. The force limiters reduce belt loads on the body by "loosening" the safety belt to absorb the body's kinetic energy as gradually as possible. The safety belt pretensioners are not activated by vehicle rollover. 15 Safety belt, rear seat WARNING • Make sure that the belt does not become trapped when the backrest is folded down or raised (see page 130). • If cargo has to be placed on a seat, it must be properly secured with the safety belt. This reduces the risk of the cargo being thrown about during hard braking or a crash, which could cause personal injury. • Check that the belt is not twisted or lying against sharp edges. • Make sure you use the correct safety belt buckle. The buckles for the center and left-hand rear seats are close together. Safety belt use during pregnancy Pregnant women must always wear a safety belt to protect both themselves and the unborn child. The lap belt should be placed low, across the hips and over the upper thighs. IB414 WARNING If the car is involved in a crash, the safety belts, belt pretensioners and other components must be inspected by an authorized Saab dealer and replaced as necessary. Never make any alterations or repairs to the safety belt yourself. Visit an authorized Saab dealer for any necessary repairs.