Mazda RX-8 Automobile User Manual


 
Black plate (22,1)
WARNING
Have your seat belts changed immediately if the pretensioner or load limiter has been
expended:
One or both front air bags may deploy, and the corresponding pretensioner(s) may
also deploy at the same time. While it is safer to use a crash-used seat belt that was
used in an accident than no seat belt at all, using a seat belt with an expended
pretensioner or load limiter loaded reduces the safety available to you. Like the air
bags, the seat belt pretensioners will only function once. After they are expended, they
will not function again and must be replaced immediately. If the seat belt
pretensioners are not replaced, the risk of injury in a collision will increase. Always
have an Authorized Mazda Dealer inspect the seat belt pretensioners and air bags
after any collision. Expended seat belt pretensioners and air bags must be replaced
after any collision which caused them to deploy. Additionally, the load limiter will only
limit loads on the chest once in a collision and this is another reason to have the front
seat belts inspected.
Make sure the seat belt is not caught or pinched in the door:
Wearing a seat belt that is caught or pinched in the door is dangerous. The seat belt
could become loose and not provide adequate protection in a sudden stop or collision.
Make sure nothing is placed on the seat belt slide bar:
Placing your foot or other objects such as an umbrella on the seat belt slide bar is
dangerous. The front seat belt is built into the rear door, and the lower part of the seat
belt slides forward or backward along the seat belt slide bar as the rear door opens or
closes. If the seat belt slider is blocked, the seat belt could be improperly positioned
and would provide little or no protection in a collision.
CAUTION
Belt retraction may become difficult if the belts and rings are soiled, so try to keep them
clean. For more details about cleaning the seat belts, refer to Cleaning the Lap/Shoulder
Belt Webbing (page 8-47).
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Essential SafetyEquipment
Seat Belt Systems
RX-8_8V89-EA-06F_Edition1 Page22
Friday, May 19 2006 9:50 AM
Form No.8V89-EA-06F