1996 Lexus SC 400 Owners Manual - Page 77

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT Front seat belt pretensioners To connect the extender to the seat belt, insert the tab into the seat belt buckle so that the "PRESS" signs on the buckle release buttons of the extender and the seat belt are both facing outward as shown. You will hear a click when the tab locks into the buckle. When releasing the seat belt, press on the buckle release button on the extender, not on the seat belt. This helps prevent damage to the vehicle interior and extender itself. When not in use, remove the extender and store in the vehicle for future use. ! CAUTION S After inserting the tab, make sure the tab and buckle are locked and that the seat belt extender is not twisted. S Do not insert coins, clips, etc. in the buckle as this may prevent you from properly latching the tab and buckle. S If the seat belt does not function normally, immediately contact your Lexus dealer. The driver and front passenger's seat belts are equipped with a pretensioner which is designed to be activated in response to a severe frontal impact. The airbag system and each pretensioner operates independently because each has its own separate sensor. A pretensioner sensor is located in each front seat belt retractor assembly. When the pretensioner sensor detects the shock of a severe frontal impact, the front seat belt is quickly drawn back in by the retractor so that the belt snugly restrains the front seat occupant. When a seat belt pretensioner is activated, an operating noise may be heard and a small amount of smoke-like gas may be released. This gas is harmless and does not indicate that a fire is occurring. Once the seat belt pretensioner has been activated, the seat belt retractor remains locked. 63