Hyundai Accent (HC): Seat belts / Seat Belt Restraint System

In the Hyundai Accent, the seat belt restraint system is designed to hold occupants in the correct position during everyday driving and to help reduce injury risk in a sudden stop or collision. For the best protection, always wear your seat belt correctly and confirm every passenger is properly buckled up before the Hyundai Accent starts moving.

WARNING

Improperly positioned seat belts may increase the risk of serious injury in an accident. Take the following precautions when adjusting the seat belt:

• Position the lap portion of the seat belt as low as possible across your hips, not on your waist, so that it fits snugly. A low, tight lap belt helps manage crash forces more safely in your Hyundai Accent.
• Position one arm under the shoulder belt and the other over the belt, as shown in the illustration. This keeps the belt centered across the chest rather than riding too high.
• Always position the shoulder belt anchor into the locked position at the appropriate height. Set the anchor so the belt passes over the middle of the shoulder, not the neck.
• Never position the shoulder belt across your neck or face. If the belt touches your neck, adjust the Hyundai Accent anchor height and your seating position.

Seat Belt-Driver's 3-point system with emergency locking retractor

This 3-point system in the Hyundai Accent is designed to allow smooth movement during normal driving, then lock quickly during sudden braking or impact to help restrain the occupant.

To fasten your seat belt:

Pull the seat belt out of the retractor and insert the metal tab (1) into the buckle (2). There will be an audible "click" when the tab locks into the buckle. Gently tug on the belt to confirm it is latched securely before driving the Hyundai Accent.

You should place the lap belt (1) portion across your hips and the shoulder belt (2) portion across your chest. The shoulder belt should lie flat and should not be twisted.

The seat belt automatically adjusts to the proper length after the lap belt portion is adjusted manually so that it fits snugly around your hips. If you lean forward in a slow, easy motion, the belt will extend and move with you. This normal movement helps keep you comfortable while still maintaining light belt tension.

If there is a sudden stop or impact, the belt will lock into position. It will also lock if you try to lean forward too quickly. This emergency locking function is a core safety feature of the Hyundai Accent restraint system.

Verify the shoulder belt anchor is locked into position at the appropriate height. Never position the shoulder belt across your neck or face. Improperly positioned seat belts can cause serious injuries in an accident. Always re-check belt fit after adjusting the seat height or seatback angle.

NOTICE

If you are not able to smoothly pull enough of the seat belt out from the retractor, firmly pull the seat belt out and release it. After release, you will be able to pull the belt out smoothly.

Height adjustment

You can adjust the height of the shoulder belt anchor to one of the three different positions for maximum comfort and safety. In the Hyundai Accent, using the correct anchor height helps keep the belt centered on the shoulder during cornering and braking.

The shoulder portion should be adjusted so it lies across your chest and midway over your shoulder nearest the door, not over your neck. It should never be placed under your arm or behind your back.

To adjust the height of the seat belt anchor, lower or raise the height adjuster into an appropriate position.

To raise the height adjuster, pull it up (1). To lower it, push it down (3) while pressing the height adjuster button (2).

Release the button to lock the anchor into position. Try sliding the height adjuster to make sure that it has locked into position. A properly locked anchor helps ensure consistent belt fit for Hyundai Accent drivers and passengers.

To release your seat belt:

Press the release button (1) in the locking buckle.

When it is released, the belt should automatically draw back into the retractor. If this does not happen, check the belt to be sure it is not twisted, then try again. Keeping the belt untwisted helps it retract smoothly and sit flat on the body.

Rear Seat Belt – Passenger's 3- point system with convertible locking retractor

This type of seat belt combines the features of both an emergency locking retractor seat belt and an automatic locking retractor seat belt. Convertible retractor type seat belts are installed in the rear seat positions to help accommodate the installation of child restraint systems. Although a convertible retractor is also installed in the front passenger seat position, NEVER place any infant/child restraint system in the front seat of the vehicle. For Hyundai Accent family safety, always install child restraints in an appropriate rear seating position according to the child seat manufacturer instructions.

To fasten your seat belt:

Pull the seat belt out of the retractor and insert the metal tab into the buckle. There will be an audible "click" when the tab locks into the buckle. When not securing a child restraint, the seat belt operates in the same way as the driver's seat belt (Emergency Locking Retractor Type). It automatically adjusts to the proper length only after the lap belt portion of the seat belt is adjusted manually so that it fits snugly across your hips. Make sure the belt lies flat with no twists for best Hyundai Accent comfort and protection.

When the seat belt is fully extended from the retractor to allow the installation of a child restraint system, the seat belt operation changes to allow the belt to retract, but not to extend (Automatic Locking Retractor Type). Refer to the "Using a Child Restraint System" section in this chapter. This locking mode is intended to keep the child restraint tightly secured during driving.

NOTICE

Although the seat belt retractor provides the same level of protection for seated passengers in either emergency or automatic locking modes, the emergency locking mode allows seated passengers to move freely in their seat while keeping some tension on the belt. During a collision or sudden stop, the retractor automatically locks the belt to help restrain your body.

To deactivate the automatic locking mode, unbuckle the seat belt and allow the belt to fully retract.

To release your seat belt:

Press the release button (1) in the locking buckle.

When it is released, the belt should automatically draw back into the retractor. If this does not happen, check the belt to be sure it is not twisted, then try again. If the belt was previously set to automatic locking mode for a child restraint, allow it to fully retract to return to normal Hyundai Accent passenger operation.

Rear center seat belt

The rear center belt provides restraint for the middle seating position in the Hyundai Accent rear seat. Always verify you are using the correct buckle so the belt can lock properly.

When using the rear center seat belt, the buckle with the "CENTER" mark must be used.

Pre-tensioner seat belt (Driver and front passenger)

The Hyundai Accent is equipped with advanced pre-tensioner seat belts for the driver and front passenger to improve occupant protection during certain collisions. These systems are designed to remove slack and help position the seat belt correctly on the body at the moment it is needed most.

Your vehicle is equipped with driver's and front passenger's Pre-tensioner Seat Belts (Retractor Pretensioner and Emergency Fastening Device System). The purpose of the pre-tensioner is to make sure the seat belts fit tightly against the occupant's body in certain frontal or side collision(s). The Emergency Fastening Device System may be activated in certain crashes where the frontal or side collision( s) is severe enough, together with the air bags. In the Hyundai Accent, this tightening action helps reduce occupant movement and supports the correct interaction between seat belts and air bags.

When the vehicle stops suddenly, or if the occupant tries to lean forward too quickly, the seat belt retractor will lock into position. In certain frontal or side collision(s), the pre-tensioner will activate and pull the seat belt into tighter contact against the occupant's body. This quick response is intended to help the Hyundai Accent restraint system manage crash forces more effectively.

(1) Retractor Pretensioner

The purpose of the retractor pretensioner is to make sure that the shoulder belts fit in tightly against the occupant's upper body in certain frontal or side collision(s). By reducing slack at the upper torso, it helps keep the shoulder belt positioned correctly across the chest.

(2) Emergency Fastening Device System

The purpose of the Emergency Fastening Device System is to make sure that the pelvis belts fit in tightly against the occupant's lower body in certain frontal or side collision(s). A snug lap belt helps reduce the chance of sliding under the belt during a collision in your Hyundai Accent.

If the system senses excessive tension on the driver or passenger's seat belt when the pre-tensioner system activates, the load limiter inside the retractor pre-tensioner will release some of the pressure on the affected seat belt. This controlled release helps reduce the risk of belt-related injury while still providing strong restraint.

WARNING

• Always wear your seat belt and sit properly in your seat. In the Hyundai Accent, proper posture and belt fit are essential for the pre-tensioner to work as designed.
• Do not use the seat belt if it is loose or twisted. A loose or twisted seat belt will not protect you properly in an accident.
• Do not place anything near the buckle. This may adversely affect the buckle and cause it to function improperly.
• Always replace your pre-tensioners after activation or an accident. Even if damage is not visible, components may not perform correctly again.
• NEVER inspect, service, repair or replace the pre-tensioners yourself. This must be done by an authorized HYUNDAI dealer.
• Do not hit the seat belt assemblies.

WARNING

Do not touch the pre-tensioner seat belt assemblies for several minutes after they have been activated. When the pre-tensioner seat belt mechanism deploys during a collision, the pre-tensioners become hot and can burn you.

After any collision where the Hyundai Accent pre-tensioners may have activated, have the vehicle inspected promptly so the restraint system remains fully reliable for future driving.

The Pre-Tensioner Seat Belt System consists mainly of the following components. Their locations are shown in the illustration above:

1. SRS air bag warning light
2. Retractor pre-tensioner
3. SRS control module
4. Emergency Fastening Device System

NOTICE

The sensor that activates the SRS air bag is connected with the pre–tensioner seat belts. The SRS air bag warning light on the instrument panel will illuminate for approximately 6 seconds after the ignition switch is in the ON position, and then it should turn off.

If the pre-tensioner is not working properly, the warning light will illuminate even if the SRS air bag is not malfunctioning. If the warning light does not illuminate, stays illuminated or illuminates when the vehicle is being driven, have an authorized HYUNDAI dealer inspect the pre-tensioner seat belts and SRS air bags as soon as possible.

NOTICE

• Both the driver's and front passenger's pre-tensioner seat belts may be activated in certain frontal or side collisions or rollovers.
• When the pre-tensioner seat belts are activated, a loud noise may be heard and fine dust, which may appear to be smoke, may be visible in the passenger compartment. These are normal operating conditions and are not hazardous.
• Although it is non-toxic, the fine dust may cause skin irritation and should not be inhaled for prolonged periods. Wash all exposed skin areas thoroughly after an accident in which the pre-tensioner seat belts were activated.

WARNING

• Fasten your seat belt while sitting properly in an upright position to maximize the effectiveness of the pre-tensioner seat belt system. For Hyundai Accent safety, keep the lap belt low across the hips and the shoulder belt centered across the chest.
• A pre-tensioner seat belt system is designed to activate only once. Replace the pretensioner seat belt system, if it was activated in an accident.