2009 Jeep Patriot Owner's Manual - Page 48

46 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE slide the latch plate down the webbing to allow the belt to retract fully. Insert the mini-latch plate into the slot provided in the trim panel. Seat Belt Pretensioners The seat belts for both front seating positions are equipped with pretensioning devices that are designed to automatically remove any slack from the seat belts in the event of a collision. These devices improve the performance of the seat belt system by assuring that the belt is tight about the occupant in a collision. Pretensioners work for all size occupants, including those in child restraints. NOTE: These devices are not a substitute for proper seat belt placement by the occupant. The seat belt still must be worn snugly and positioned properly. The pretensioners are triggered by the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) (refer to information on Airbags in this section). Like the front airbags, the pretensioners are single use items. After a collision that is severe enough to deploy the airbags and pretensioners, both must be replaced. Enhanced Driver Seat Belt Reminder System (BeltAlert ) 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 Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlert ) will alert the driver to buckle their seat belt. The driver should also instruct all other occupants to buckle their seat belts. Once the warning is triggered, BeltAlert will continue to chime and flash the Seat Belt Warning Light for 96 seconds or until the driver's seat belt is buckled. BeltAlert will be reactivated if the driver's seat belt is unbuckled for more than 10 seconds and the vehicle speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h).