MITSUBISHI iMiEV 2012 1.G Owners Manual

2-22 Seat and restraint systems
2
The seat belt pre-tensioner system includes the following com-
ponents:
The airbag control unit monitors the readiness of the electronic
parts of the system whenever the electric motor switch is in the
“ON” or “START” position. These include all of the items
listed above and all related wiring.
The pre-tensioner seat belt system will operate only when the
electric motor switch is in the “ON” or “START” position.When the seat belt pre-tensioners activate, some smoke is
released and a loud noise will be heard. The smoke is not harm-
ful, but care should be taken not to intentionally inhale it, as it
may cause some temporary irritation to people with respiratory
problems.
The pre-tensioners activate in the event of a moderate-to-
severe front or side impact, even if the seat belt is not being
worn. The seat belt pre-tensioners may not activate in certain
frontal collisions, even though the vehicle may appear to be
severely damaged. Such non-activation does not mean some-
thing is wrong with the seat belt pre-tensioner system, but
rather that the collision forces were not severe enough or not of
the type to activate the system.
SRS warning light
N00408700124
This warning light tells you if there is a problem involving the
SRS airbags and/or the pre-tensioner seat belts. Refer to “SRS
warning light” on page 2-44.
1- SRS warning light
2- Front impact sensors
3- Seat belt pre-tensioners
4- Airbag control unit
WA R N I N G
!
The seat belt pre-tensioner system is designed to
work only once. After the seat belt pre-tensioners
have been activated, they will not work again. They
must promptly be replaced and the entire seat belt
pre-tensioner system inspected by a certified i-MiEV
dealer.
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Seat and restraint systems
2-23
2
Force limiter system
N00408900113
In the event of an accident, the seat belt force limiter system
will help reduce the force applied to the driver and front seat
passenger.
Child restraint systems
N00407100697
When transporting infants or small children in your vehicle, an
appropriate child restraint system must always be used. This is
required by law in the U.S. and Canada.
Child restraint systems specifically designed for infants and
small children are offered by several manufacturers. Choose
only a child restraint system with a label certifying that it com-
plies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 (FMVSS
213) or Motor Vehicle Restraint Systems and Booster Cushions
Safety Regulations (RSSR). Look for the manufacturer’s state-
ment of compliance on the box and child restraint system itself.
The child restraint system should be appropriate for your
child’s weight and height, and should properly fit your vehi-
cle’s seat.
For detail information, refer to the instruction manual accom-
panying the child restraint system.
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2-24 Seat and restraint systems
2
Guidelines for child restraint system selectionAll children should be properly restrained in a restraint device
that offers the maximum protection for their size and age.
Be sure to check local, state, or provincial requirements for
child size and age that may vary from the recommendations
listed below.

Children less than 1 year old and children less than 20
pounds (9 kg) MUST ride in a rear-facing child safety seat
that MUST ONLY be used in the rear seat.

Children older than 1 year of age and who weigh less than
40 pounds (18 kg) or who are less than 40 inches (100 cm)
tall must be in a forward-facing restraint used only in the
rear seat.

Children who weigh more than 40 pounds (18 kg) or who
are more than 40 inches (100 cm) tall, regardless of age,
should use a suitable child seat or a booster seat (including
a booster cushion) in the rear seat until the vehicle’s
lap/shoulder belt fits them properly.
WA R N I N G
!
All children must be seated in the rear seat, and
properly restrained.
Accident statistics show that children of all sizes and
ages are safer when properly restrained in the rear
seat, rather than in the front seat.

Any child who is too large to use a child restraint
system should ride in the rear seat and wear the lap
and shoulder belt properly. The shoulder belt must
be positioned over the shoulder and across the chest,
not across their neck, and with the lap belt posi-
tioned low on the child’s hips, not across their stom-
ach. If necessary, a booster seat (including a booster
cushion) should be used to help achieve a proper
seat belt fit. Follow the booster seat (including a
booster cushion) manufacturer’s instructions. Only
use a booster seat (including a booster cushion) that
is certified as complying with Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards or Motor Vehicle Restraint Sys-
tems and Booster Cushions Safety Regulations.
WA R N I N G
!
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Seat and restraint systems
2-25
2
WA R N I N G
!
Never hold an infant or child in your arms or on
your lap when riding in this vehicle, even when you
are wearing your seat belt. Never place any part of
the seat belt you are wearing around an infant or
child. Failure to follow these simple instructions cre-
ates a risk of serious injury or death to your child in
the event of an accident or sudden stop.
WA R N I N G
!
Your vehicle is also equipped with a front passenger
airbag.
Never put REAR-FACING CHILD RESTRAINT
SYSTEMS or INFANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS in
the front passenger seat. This places the infant too
close to the passenger airbag. During deployment of
the airbag, the infant can be seriously injured or
killed. Rear-facing child restraint systems or infant
restraint systems must only be used in the rear seat.
Airbag
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2-26 Seat and restraint systems
2
WA R N I N G
!
FRONT-FACING CHILD RESTRAINT SYS-
TEMS should be used in the rear seat whenever pos-
sible. If they must be used in the front passenger
seat, move the seat to the most rearward position
and make sure the child stays in the child restraint
system, properly restrained. Failure to follow these
instructions could result in serious injury or death to
the child.
WA R N I N G
!
It is important to use an approved rear-facing infant
restraint until the infant is one year old (unless the
infant outgrows the seat sooner). This allows the
infant’s neck and spine to develop enough to support
the weight of their head in the event of an accident.
When installing a child restraint system, follow the
instructions provided by the manufacturer and fol-
low the directions in this manual. Failure to do so
can result in serious injury or death to your child in
an accident or sudden stop.
After installation, push and pull the child restraint
system back and forth, and side to side, to see that it
is firmly secured. If the child restraint system is not
installed securely, it may cause injury to the child or
other occupants in the event of an accident or sud-
den stop.
When not in use, keep your child restraint system
secured with the seat belt, or remove it from the
vehicle, in order to prevent it from being thrown
around inside the vehicle during an accident.
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Seat and restraint systems
2-27
2
NOTE
Before purchasing a child restraint system, try installing it
in the rear seat to make sure there is a good fit. Because of
the location of the seat belt buckles and the shape of the
seat cushion, it may be difficult to securely install some
manufacturer’s child restraint systems.
If the child restraint system can be pulled forward or to
either side easily on the seat cushion after the seat belt has
been tightened, choose another manufacturer’s child
restraint system.
Depending on the seating position in the vehicle and the
child restraint system that you have, the child restraint
system can be attached using one of the following two
methods:
• To the lower anchorage in the rear seat ONLY if the
child restraint system is compatible with the LATCH
system (See page 2-27).
• To the seat belt (See page 2-31).
Installing a child restraint system using the
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for chil-
dren) system
N00418800144
Lower anchor locationsThe seating positions in the rear seat of your vehicle are
equipped with lower anchors for attaching child restraint sys-
tems compatible with the LATCH system.NOTE
The symbols on the seatback show the location of the
lower anchor points.
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2-28 Seat and restraint systems
2
Tether anchor locations
N00418900187
Your vehicle has 2 attachment points on the floor of the lug-
gage compartment. These are for securing a child restraint sys-
tem tether strap to each of the 2 rear seating positions in your
vehicle.
Examples of child restraint systems compatible with the
LATCH system
N00419000185
A- Rear-facing child restraint system
B- Front-facing child restraint system
C- Child restraint system lower anchor connectors
D- Tether strap
(These are only examples.)
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Seat and restraint systems
2-29
2
Using the LATCH system
N00419100229
1. In order to securely fasten the tether strap, remove the
head restraint from the location where you wish to install
the child restraint system.
2. Open the gap a little between the seat cushion (A) and the
seatback (B) with your hand to locate the lower anchor-
ages (C).
3. Push the anchor connectors (D) on the child restraint sys-
tem into the lower anchors (C) in accordance with the
instructions provided by the child restraint system manu-
facturer. Remember, the lower anchors provided with your
vehicle are designed to secure suitable child restraint sys-
tems compatible with the LATCH system in the outboard
positions of the rear seat only.
A- Vehicle seat cushion C- Lower anchor
B- Vehicle seatback D- Connector
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2-30 Seat and restraint systems
2
NOTE
In order to secure a child restraint system compatible with
the LATCH system, use the lower anchor points in the
rear seat. It is not necessary to use the vehicle’s seat belt. 4. Open the cover (E) for the tether anchor by pulling it back
with your hand as illustrated below (4).
5. Latch the tether strap hook (F) of the child restraint sys-
tem to the anchor (G) as illustrated below (5) and tighten
the top tether strap so it is securely fastened.
6. Push and pull the child restraint system in all directions to
be sure it is firmly secured.
WA R N I N G
!
If there is any foreign material in or around the
lower anchors, remove it before installing the child
restraint system. Also, make sure the seat belt is
away from, not looped through or otherwise inter-
fering with, the child restraint system. If foreign
matter is not removed and/or the seat belt interferes
with the child restraint system, the child restraint
system will not be secured properly, could detach
and move forward in the event of sudden braking or
an accident, and could result in injury to the child or
other vehicle occupants.
When the vehicle is moving, do not adjust the seat
where the child restraint system is installed.
WA R N I N G
!
Child restraint system tether anchors are designed
only to withstand loads from correctly fitted child
restraint systems. Under no circumstances are they
to be used for adult seat belts, harnesses, for attach-
ing other items, or equipment to the vehicle.
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Seat and restraint systems
2-31
2
Installing a child restraint system using the seat
belt (with emergency/automatic locking mecha-
nism)
N00407300442
With the exception of the driver, the seat belt in all other seat-
ing positions can be converted from normal Emergency Lock-
ing Retractor (ELR) mode to Automatic Locking Retractor
(ALR) mode. This means that when you pull the seat belt fully
out of the retractor, the retractor will switch to its ALR child
restraint installation function. Always use the ALR child
restraint installation function when you install a child restraint
system using the seat belt.
Children 12 years old and under should always be restrained in
the rear seat, whenever possible, although the front passenger
seat belt can also be converted to ALR mode.
Installation1. Place the child restraint system in the rear seating posi-
tion.
2. Route the seat belt through the child restraint system
according to the instructions provided by the child
restraint system manufacturer. Then insert the seat belt
latch plate into the buckle. Make sure you hear a “click”
when you insert the latch plate into the buckle.
WA R N I N G
!
When you install a child restraint system using the
seat belt, always make sure the retractor has been
switched to the ALR child restraint installation
function. The ALR function will keep the child
restraint system tightly secured to the seat.
Failure to convert the retractor to the ALR function
may allow the child restraint system to move for-
ward during sudden braking or an accident, result-
ing in serious injury or death to the child or other
occupants.
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