2002 Mazda Protege Owner's Manual - Page 26

J39L(02MY).book Page 16 Thursday, November 1, 2001 10:49 AM Essential Safety Equipment Seat Belt Systems Front Seat Belt Pretensioner and Load Limiting Systems For optimum protection, the driver and front passenger seat belts are equipped with pretensioner and load limiting systems. In moderate or greater frontal or nearfrontal accidents, the front air bag and pretensioner systems deploy simultaneously. The pretensioners take up slack in the front seat belts as the air bags are expanding. The load limiting system releases belt webbing in a controlled manner to reduce belt force on the occupant's chest. WARNING Incorrect Positioning of the Driver and Front Passenger Seat Belts: Incorrect positioning of the driver and passenger seat belts is dangerous. Without proper positioning, the pretensioner and load limiting systems cannot provide adequate protection in an accident and this could result in serious injury. Wear seat belts only as recommended in this owner's manual. Modification or Testing of the Pretensioner System: Modifying the components or wiring of the pretensioner system, including the use of electronic testing devices is dangerous. You could accidentally activate it or make it inoperable which would prevent it from activating in an accident. The occupants could be seriously injured. Never modify the components or wiring, or use electronic testing devices on the pretensioner system. Pretensioner System Disposal: Improper disposal of the pretensioner system or a vehicle with nondeactivated pretensioners is dangerous. Unless all safety procedures are followed, injury could result. Ask an Authorized Mazda Dealer how to safely dispose of the pretensioner system or how to scrap a pretensioner-equipped vehicle. 2-16 Form No. 8Q36-EA-01F