2003 Honda Civic Owner's Manual - Page 48

Additional Information About Your Seat Belts If the shoulder part of the belt is pulled all the way out, the locking mechanism will activate. The belt will retract, but it will not allow the passenger to move freely. To deactivate the locking mechanism, unlatch the buckle and let the seat belt fully retract. To refasten the belt, pull it out only as far as needed. See page 16 for instructions on how to wear the lap/shoulder belt properly. Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners The tensioners are designed to activate primarily in frontal collisions. The tensioners are independent of the airbag system, so they can be activated during a collision that might not cause the airbags to deploy. In this case, the airbags would not be needed but the additional seat belt tension can be helpful. The tensioners will be activated in a collision severe enough to cause the front airbags to inflate. For added protection, the front seat belts are equipped with automatic seat belt tensioners. When activated, the tensioners immediately tighten the belts to help hold the driver and a front passenger in place. 46 Driver and Passenger Safety