Seat Belt Retractor: Description and Operation

The shoulder harness retractor is designed to let the webbing move freely in or out at all times, except during vehicle hard braking, hard cornering or an impact of 8 km/h (5 mph) or more, when it is automatically locked by a mechanically actuated inertia sensor.

DUAL LOCKING MODE RETRACTORS

NOTE: When replacing a dual locking mode retractor, the retractor should be checked to make sure it is not in the Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode after installation in the stowed position.

All outboard continuous-loop, three-point retractor systems, except the driver position, are equipped with the dual locking mode system.

The Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) mode will allow the occupant freedom of movement, locking tight only on hard braking, hard cornering, or an impact of approximately 8 km/h (5 mph). The ELR mode helps to reduce the forward movement of the driver and passengers. The ELR mode is continuously in operation at all seating positions.

The ALR portion of this system does not allow the occupant freedom of movement. The ALR mode is used when locking a child seat in an outboard seating position or when a tight belt fit is desired. The ALR mode is disengaged when the webbing is free to move in or out of the retractor. The ALR mode is automatically engaged when the webbing is fully extracted from the retractor and then allowed to retract. As the webbing is retracted back onto the spool, an audible clicking sound is made, indicating that the retractor is in ALR mode. The ALR mode is automatically disengaged when most of the webbing is retracted back onto the spool.

WARNING: AFTER ANY VEHICLE COLLISION, THE SAFETY BELT SYSTEM AT ALL OUTBOARD SEATING POSITIONS (EXCEPT DRIVER, WHICH HAS NO "AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR" FEATURE) MUST BE CHECKED BY A QUALIFIED TECHNICIAN TO VERIFY THAT THE "AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR" FEATURE FOR CHILD SEATS IS STILL FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, IN ADDITION TO OTHER CHECKS FOR PROPER SAFETY BELT SYSTEM FUNCTION. A BELT AND RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED IF THE SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLY'S "AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR" FEATURE OR ANY OTHER SAFETY BELT FUNCTION IS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY WHEN CHECKED ACCORDING TO THE PROCEDURES IN THE WORKSHOP MANUAL. FAILURE TO REPLACE THE BELT AND RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY IN COLLISIONS.

This vehicle has a safety belt system with an energy management feature at the front seating positions to help further reduce the risk of injury in the event of a head-on collision.

This safety belt system has a retractor assembly that is designed to pay out webbing in a controlled manner. This feature is designed to help reduce the belt force acting on occupant's chest.