2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup Owner Manual - Page 53

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 51 Seat Belt Pretensioners The seat belts for both front outboard seating positions are equipped with pretensioning devices that are designed to remove slack from the seat belt in the event of a collision. These devices improve the performance of the seat belt by assuring that the belt is tight about the occupant early in a collision. Pretensioners work for all size occupants, including those in child restraints. Enhanced Seat Belt Use Reminder System (BeltAlertா) If the driver's seat belt has not been buckled within 60 seconds of starting the vehicle and if the vehicle speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h), the BeltAlert௡ will alert the driver to buckle the seat belt. The driver should also instruct all other occupants to buckle their seat belts. Once the warning is triggered, the BeltAlert௡ will continue to chime and flash the Seat Belt Reminder Light for NOTE: These devices are not a substitute for proper seat 96 seconds or until the driver's seat belt is buckled. The belt placement by the occupant. The seat belt still must be BeltAlert௡ will be reactivated if the driver's seat belt is worn snugly and positioned properly. unbuckled for more than 10 seconds and the vehicle The pretensioners are triggered by the Occupant Re- speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h). straint Controller (ORC). Like the airbags, the pretensioners are single use items. After a collision deploys the airbags and/or pretensioners, a deployed airbag and/or pretensioner must be replaced immediately. 2