Kia Seltos: Safety features of your Kia / Seat belts

Contents:

• Seat belt restraint system
• Driver's seat belt warning
• Front passenger's seat belt warning
• Seat belt - Driver's 3-point system with emergency locking retractor
• Seat belts - Front passenger and rear seat 3-point system with combination locking retractor
• Pre-tensioner seat belt
• Seat belt precautions
• Care of seat belts

Seat belts are designed to rest on the strong bony structure of the body. They should be worn low across the front of the pelvis, with the shoulder belt properly positioned across the chest and shoulder.

Correct seat belt use is one of the most important safety habits for every Kia Seltos driver and passenger.

Seat belt restraint system

For maximum restraint system protection, seat belts must always be worn whenever the Kia Seltos is moving.

• A properly positioned shoulder belt should lie midway over the shoulder and across the collarbone, not against the neck or face.

• Never allow children to ride in the front passenger seat. Refer to the child restraint and passenger safety information for more details.

WARNING

Twisted seat belt

Make sure the seat belt is not twisted when worn. A twisted belt may not spread crash forces correctly and could cut into the body during an accident.

WARNING

Shoulder belt

• Never wear the shoulder belt under your arm or behind your back. An incorrectly positioned shoulder belt cannot protect the occupant properly and may increase the risk of injury in a crash.

• Always wear both the shoulder portion and the lap portion of the lap/shoulder belt. The Kia Seltos restraint system is designed to work with both sections positioned correctly.

WARNING

Damaged seat belt

Damage to the seat belt webbing, buckle, latch plate, retractor, anchor, or other hardware may cause serious injury or death in an accident. Replace the entire seat belt assembly if any part is frayed, contaminated, worn, bent, cracked, or damaged.

Seat belts are designed to bear on the bony structure of the body and should be worn low across the front of the pelvis, with the shoulder portion across the chest and shoulder. The lap section should never be worn across the abdominal area.

Seat belts should be adjusted as firmly as possible while still remaining comfortable. A snug belt provides the best protection.

A loose or slack belt will greatly reduce the protection offered by the restraint system in the Kia Seltos.

Keep the seat belt webbing away from polishes, oils, chemicals, and especially battery acid. Clean the belt only with mild soap and water. Replace the belt if the webbing becomes frayed, contaminated, weakened, or damaged.

• No modifications or additions should be made by the user if they could prevent the seat belt adjustment devices from operating correctly or prevent the belt assembly from removing slack.

• When fastening the seat belt, be careful not to latch it into the buckle for another seat. This is dangerous and may prevent proper protection.

• Do not repeatedly fasten and unfasten the seat belt while driving. This can distract the driver, cause loss of control, and lead to an accident resulting in death, serious injury, or property damage.

• When fastening the seat belt, make sure it does not pass over hard, sharp, or easily breakable objects such as phones, glasses, pens, or keys.

WARNING

Seat belt buckle

Do not allow foreign material such as gum, crumbs, coins, small objects, liquids, or dirt to obstruct the seat belt buckle opening. If the buckle is blocked, the seat belt may not fasten securely.

Before driving the Kia Seltos, confirm that every occupant has fastened the correct seat belt and that each belt lies flat, low, and snug against the body.

Driver's seat belt warning

As a reminder to the driver, the driver's seat belt warning light (1) in the Kia Seltos will appear for approximately 6 seconds each time the ENGINE START/STOP button is turned ON, regardless of whether the seat belt is fastened. If the driver's seat belt is not buckled, a warning chime will also sound for about 6 seconds.

If you begin driving the Kia Seltos without fastening the driver's seat belt at a speed over 5 mph (9 km/h) and below 12 mph (20 km/h), the corresponding warning light will appear. The warning light will turn off when the vehicle speed drops below 5 mph (9 km/h).

If you start driving without the driver's seat belt fastened, or if you unfasten the seat belt while driving at 12 mph (20 km/h) or faster, the warning light will blink and the warning chime will sound for approximately 100 seconds. If the seat belt is unfastened while driving below 12 mph (20 km/h), the warning light will appear. At 12 mph (20 km/h) or faster, the warning light will blink and the chime will sound to remind the driver to buckle up.

Front passenger's seat belt warning

As a reminder to the front passenger, the front passenger's seat belt warning light (1) in the Kia Seltos will appear for approximately 6 seconds each time the ENGINE START/STOP button is turned ON, regardless of whether the belt is fastened.

If the vehicle starts moving while the front passenger seat belt is not fastened and the Kia Seltos is traveling over 5 mph (9 km/h) but below 12 mph (20 km/h), the corresponding warning light will appear. The warning light will turn off when the vehicle speed drops below 5 mph (9 km/h).

If the Kia Seltos starts moving without the front passenger seat belt fastened, or if the passenger unfastens the belt while the vehicle is traveling at 12 mph (20 km/h) or faster, the warning light will blink and the warning chime will sound for approximately 100 seconds. If the passenger seat belt is unfastened during driving below 12 mph (20 km/h), the warning light will appear. At 12 mph (20 km/h) or faster, the warning light will blink and the warning chime will continue for about 100 seconds.

NOTICE

• Even if the front passenger seat is unoccupied, the seat belt warning light may appear for approximately 6 seconds after the ENGINE START/STOP button is turned ON.

• The front passenger's seat belt warning in the Kia Seltos may operate if luggage, a bag, or another object is placed on the front passenger seat.

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

The following information explains how to fasten and adjust the driver's 3-point seat belt in the Kia Seltos. Always make sure the belt lies flat against the body, with the lap portion positioned low across the pelvis and the shoulder portion properly placed across the chest and shoulder.

Seat belts - Front passenger and rear seat 3-point system with combination locking retractor

The following information explains how to fasten and use the front passenger and rear seat belts. In the Kia Seltos, each passenger should use the correct seat belt for their seating position and confirm that the belt is securely latched before the vehicle begins moving.

Pre-tensioner seat belt

The Kia Seltos is equipped with pre-tensioner seat belts for the driver and front passenger. This system includes the retractor pre-tensioner seat belt and the Emergency Fastening Device (EFD), which are designed to help improve occupant protection during certain collisions.

The pre-tensioner seat belts may activate together with the air bags when a frontal collision is severe enough. Their purpose is to reduce slack in the seat belt and help hold the occupant more firmly in the proper seating position.

When the Kia Seltos stops suddenly, or when an occupant leans forward too quickly, the retractor may lock the seat belt in place. In certain frontal collisions, the pre-tensioner seat belt activates and pulls the belt tighter against the occupant's body for better restraint performance.

1. Retractor pre-tensioner seat belt

   The retractor pre-tensioner seat belt helps make sure the shoulder belt fits tightly against the occupant's upper body during certain frontal collisions.

2. EFD

   The Emergency Fastening Device helps make sure the lap belt fits securely against the occupant's lower body during certain frontal collisions.

If the system detects excessive tension on the driver or front passenger seat belt when the pre-tensioner activates, the load limiter inside the retractor pre-tensioner may release some belt pressure to help reduce the force applied to the occupant.

NOTICE

When the pre-tensioner seat belts are activated, a loud noise may be heard and fine dust may appear inside the passenger compartment. This dust may look like smoke, but it is a normal result of system operation and is not considered hazardous.

The pre-tensioner seat belt system in the Kia Seltos mainly consists of the following components. Their locations are shown in the illustration:

* The actual position of the pre-tensioner seat belt components in your Kia Seltos may differ from the illustration depending on vehicle specification and equipment.

1. Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) air bag warning light

2. Retractor pre-tensioner seat belt assembly

3. SRS control module

4. EFD

WARNING

Skin irritation

Fine dust released during pre-tensioner seat belt activation may cause temporary skin or eye irritation for some occupants. After an accident in which the pre-tensioner system has operated, wash exposed skin carefully and avoid rubbing your eyes.

If irritation continues, or if you notice discomfort after the restraint system activates in the Kia Seltos, seek medical attention and have the vehicle inspected by an authorized Kia dealer before driving again.

After an accident in which the pre-tensioner seat belts have activated, thoroughly wash all exposed skin areas. The fine dust released during pre-tensioner operation may cause skin irritation and should not be inhaled for an extended period.

If dust gets into your eyes or causes breathing discomfort, move to fresh air, rinse carefully, and seek medical attention if symptoms continue. After such an event, the Kia Seltos restraint system should be checked before the vehicle is used again.

NOTICE

• Both the driver's and front passenger's pre-tensioner seat belts may activate not only in certain frontal collisions, but also in certain side collisions or rollover situations if the Kia Seltos is equipped with side air bags or curtain air bags.

• The sensor that activates the SRS air bag system is connected to the pre-tensioner seat belt system. The SRS air bag warning light on the instrument panel will appear for approximately 6 seconds after the ignition switch is turned to the ON position, and should then turn off.

• If the pre-tensioner seat belt system is not working correctly, this warning light may appear even when there is no separate malfunction in the SRS air bag system. If the SRS air bag warning light does not illuminate when the ignition switch is turned ON, remains illuminated after approximately 6 seconds, or illuminates while the Kia Seltos is being driven, have an authorized Kia dealer inspect the pre-tensioner seat belt and SRS air bag system as soon as possible.

NOTICE

Do not attempt to service, repair, inspect, or replace the pre-tensioner seat belt system yourself. This system contains safety-related components and must be inspected or repaired only by an authorized Kia dealer.

WARNING

Hot pre-tensioner seat belt

Do not touch the pre-tensioner seat belt assemblies for several minutes after they have activated. When the pre-tensioner mechanism operates during a collision, the assembly can become very hot and may cause burns.

Pre-tensioners are designed to operate only once. After activation, the pre-tensioner seat belt assemblies in the Kia Seltos must be replaced. If replacement is required, contact an authorized Kia dealer for proper service.

Seat belt precautions ➤

Care of seat belts ➤