2003 Mazda Tribute Owner's Manual - Page 98

Seating and Safety Restraints WARNING: Always wear the safety belt. Do not be tempted to sit on top of the belt to fool police or to defeat the warning system. The safety belt and safety belt warning system are there to protect your life. Safety belt maintenance Inspect the safety belt systems periodically to make sure they work properly and are not damaged. NOTE:If unsure about the proper procedures, bring your vehicle to an authorized Mazda dealership for inspection. Inspect the safety belts to make sure there are no nicks, tears or cuts, replacing if necessary. Check all automatic locking retractors on all outboard seating positions as well as the automatic locking mode for child safety seats on the passenger front belt. All safety belt assemblies, including retractors, buckles, front seat belt buckle assemblies, buckle support assemblies (slide bar-if equipped), shoulder belt height adjusters (if equipped), shoulder belt guide on seatback (if equipped), child safety seat tether bracket assemblies (if equipped), LATCH child seat tether anchors and lower anchors (if equipped), and attaching hardware, should be inspected after a collision. Mazda recommends that all safety belt assemblies used in vehicles involved in a collision be replaced. However, if the collision was minor and an authorized Mazda technician finds that the belts do not show damage and continue to operate properly, they do not need to be replaced. Safety belt assemblies not in use during a collision should also be inspected and replaced if either damage or improper operation is noted. The energy absorbing functions may have been activated in a collision so the restraints should be examined; if the front air bags have deployed, the pretensioners have also deployed and must be replaced - regardless of whether there was an occupant in the passenger seat or not. The optional side air bags are not connected to the pretensioners. WARNING: Failure to inspect and if necessary replace the safety belt assembly under the above conditions could result in severe personal injuries in the event of a collision. Refer to Interior in the Cleaning chapter. 98