warning SUZUKI RENO 2008 1.G User Guide

1-13SEATS AND RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
85Z14-03E
To unlatch the belt, just push the button on
the buckle.
Safety Belt Pretensioner System
52D011
Your vehicle is equipped with a safety belt
pretensioner system at the front seating
positions. You can use the pretensioner
safety belts in the same manner as ordi-
nary safety belts.
The safety belt pretensioner system is acti-
vated based on crash severity. The crash
sensors and the electronic controller of the
air bag system also control the safety beltpretensioners. For precautions and gen-
eral information including servicing the
pretensioner system, refer to the “Supple-
mental Restraint System (air bags)” sec-
tion in addition to this “Safety Belt
Pretensioner System” section, and follow
all those precautions.
The pretensioner is located in each front
safety belt retractor. The pretensioner
tightens the safety belt so the belt fits the
occupant’s body more snugly in the event
of a frontal crash. The retractors will
remain locked after the pretensioners are
activated. Upon activation, some noise will
occur and some smoke may be released.
These conditions are not harmful and do
not indicate a fire in the vehicle.
The driver and all passengers must be
properly restrained by wearing safety belts
at all times, whether or not a pretensioner
is equipped at their seating position, to
minimize the risk of severe injury or death
in the event of a crash. Sit fully back in the
seat; sit up straight; do not lean forward or
sideways. Adjust the belt so the lap portion
of the belt is worn low across the pelvis,
not across the waist. Please refer to the
“Front Seats” section and the instructions
and precautions about the safety belts in
this “Safety Belts” section for details on
proper seat and safety belt adjustments.
Please note that the pretensioners will acti-
vate only in severe frontal collisions. They
are not designed to activate in rear
WARNING
You can be severely hurt if your
shoulder belt is too loose. In a crash,
you would move forward too much,
which could increase injury. The
shoulder belt should fit against your
body.
L3U1067A
WARNING
This section of the owner’s manual
describes your vehicle’s SAFETY
BELT PRETENSIONER SYSTEM.
Please read and follow ALL these
instructions carefully to minimize
your risk of severe injury or death.EXAMPLE
Safety Belts:

1-15SEATS AND RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
85Z14-03E
Child RestraintsOlder ChildrenOlder children who have outgrown booster
seats should wear the vehicle’s safety
belts.
Question: What is the proper way to
wear safety belts?
Answer: If possible, an older child should
wear a lap-shoulder belt and get the addi-
tional restraint a shoulder belt can provide.
The shoulder belt should not cross the face
or neck. The lap belt should fit snugly
below the hips, just touching the top of the
thighs. It should never be worn over the
abdomen, which could cause severe or
even fatal internal injuries in a crash.Accident statistics show that children are
safer if they are restrained in the rear seat.
In a crash, children who are not buckled up
can strike other people who are buckled
up, or can be thrown out of the vehicle.
Older children need to use safety belts
properly.
WARNING
Failure to follow these instructions
may increase the risk of injury in a
crash.
 Only use an extender for the per-
son, vehicle and seating position it
was provided for.
 A front safety belt extender must
only be used in a front seating
position, and a rear safety belt
extender must only be used in a
rear seating position.
 Safety belt extenders are not
intended for use by pregnant
women, and should only be used
upon approval by their medical
advisors.
 The extender has been designed
for adults. Never use it for securing
child seats.
 Do not use a safety belt extender if
the open end of the extender’s
buckle is within 152 mm (6 inches)
of the center of the occupant’s
body (See diagram).
 Remove and stow the extender
when it is not being used.
L3U1036A
WARNING
Never do this.
Here two children are wearing the
same belt. The belt can’t properly
spread the impact forces. In a crash,
the two children can be crushed
together and severely injured. A belt
must be used by only one person at a
time.
L3U1037A
Safety Belts:
Child Restraints:

1-16
SEATS AND RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
85Z14-03E
Question: What if a child is wearing a
lap-shoulder belt, but the child is so
small that the shoulder belt is very
close to the child’s face or neck?
Answer: If the child is sitting in a seat next
to a window, move the child toward the
center of the vehicle. If the child is sitting in
the center rear seat passenger position,
move the child toward the safety belt
buckle. In either case, be sure that the
shoulder belt still is on the child’s shoulder,
so that in a crash the child’s upper body
would have the restraint that belts provide.
If the child is so small that the shoulder belt
is still very close to the child’s face or neck,
you might want to place the child in a seat
that has a lap belt, if your vehicle has one.
Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of
the belt should be worn low and snug on
the hips, just touching the child’s thighs.
This applies belt force to the child’s pelvic
bones in a crash.
Infants and Young ChildrenEveryone in a vehicle needs protection!
This includes infants and all other children.
Neither the distance traveled nor the age
and size of the traveler changes the need
to use safety restraints. In fact, the law in
every state in the United States and in
every Canadian province says children up
to some age must be restrained while in a
vehicle.
Every time infants and young children ride
in vehicles, they should have the protection
provided by appropriate restraints. Young
children should not use the vehicle’s adult
safety belts alone, unless there is no other
choice. Instead, they need to use a child
restraint.
WARNING
Never do this.
Here a child is sitting in a seat that
has a lap-shoulder belt, but the
shoulder part is behind the child. If
the child wears the belt in this way, in
a crash the child might slide under
the belt. The belt’s force would then
be applied right on the child’s abdo-
men. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries.
L3U1038A
Child Restraints:

1-17SEATS AND RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
85Z14-03E
Question: What are the different types
of add-on child restraints?
Answer: Add-on child restraints, which are
purchased by the vehicle’s owner, are
available in four basic types. Selection of a
particular restraint should take into consid-
eration not only the child’s weight, height
and age but also whether or not the
restraint will be compatible with the motor
vehicle in which it will be used.
For most basic types of child restraints,
there are many different models available.
When purchasing a child restraint, be sure
it is designed to be used in a motor vehicle.
If it is, the restraint will have a label saying
that it meets federal motor vehicle safety
standards.
The restraint manufacturer’s instructions
that come with the restraint, state the
weight and height limitations for a particu-
lar child restraint. In addition, there are
many kinds of restraints available for chil-
dren with special needs.
WARNING
People should never hold a baby in
their arms while riding in a vehicle. A
baby doesn’t weigh much – until a
crash occurs. During a crash a baby
will become so heavy it is not possi-
ble to hold it. For example, in a crash
at only 25 mph (40 km/h), a 12-lb. (5.5
kg) baby will suddenly become a 240-
lb. (110 kg) force on a person’s arms.
A baby should be secured in an
appropriate restraint.
L3U1039A
WARNING
Children who are up against, or very
close to, any air bag when it inflates
can be severely injured or killed. Air
bags plus lap-shoulder belts offer
outstanding protection for adults and
older children, but not for young chil-
dren and infants. Neither the vehi-
cle’s safety belt system nor its air bag
system is designed for them. Young
children and infants need the protec-
tion that a child restraint system can
provide.
L3U1040B
Child Restraints:

1-18
SEATS AND RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
85Z14-03E
Child Restraint SystemsAn infant car bed (A), a special bed made
for use in a motor vehicle, is an infant
restraint system designed to restrain or
position a child on a continuous flat sur-
face. Make sure that the infant’s head rests
toward the center of the vehicle.A rear-facing infant seat (B) provides
restraint with the seating surface against
the back of the infant. The harness system
holds the infant in place and, in a crash,
acts to keep the infant positioned in the
restraint.
WARNING
Newborn infants need complete sup-
port, including support for the head
and neck. This is necessary because
a newborn infant’s neck is weak and
its head weighs so much compared
with the rest of its body. In a crash,
an infant in a rear-facing seat settles
into the restraint, so the crash forces
can be distributed across the stron-
gest part of an infant’s body, the back
and shoulders. Infants always should
be secured in appropriate infant
restraints.
WARNING
The body structure of a young child
is quite unlike that of an adult or
older child, for whom the safety belts
are designed. A young child’s hip
bones are still so small that the vehi-
cle’s regular safety belt may not
remain low on the hip bones, as it
should. Instead, it may settle up
around the child’s abdomen. In a
crash, the belt would apply force on a
body area that’s unprotected by any
bony structure. This alone could
cause serious or fatal injuries. Young
children always should be secured in
appropriate child restraints.
(A)
L3U1041A
(B)
L3U1042A
Child Restraints:

1-20
SEATS AND RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
85Z14-03E
child restraint instructions are important,
so if they are not available, obtain a
replacement copy from the manufacturer.Where to Put the RestraintAll child restraint systems are designed to
be secured in vehicle seats by either safety
belts (lap belts or the lap portion of lap-
shoulder belts) or by special rigid lower
anchor bars built into the seats. Whenever
possible, SUZUKI recommends that child
restraint systems be installed on the rear
seat. According to accident statistics, chil-
dren are safer when properly restrained in
rear seating positions than in front seating
positions. Never put a rear-facing child
restraint in the front passenger seat.
Here’s why:
Wherever you install it, be sure to secure
the child restraint properly.
Keep in mind that an unsecured child
restraint can move around in a collision or
sudden stop and injure people in the vehi-
cle. Be sure to properly secure any child
restraint in your vehicle – even when no
child is in it.
To p S t r a pSome child restraints have a top strap, or
“top tether.” It can help restrain the child
restraint during a collision. For it to work, a
top strap must be properly anchored to the
vehicle. Some top strap-equipped child
restraints are designed for use with or with-
out the top strap being anchored. Others
require the top strap always to be
anchored. Be sure to read and follow the
instructions for your child restraint. If yours
requires that the top strap be anchored,
don’t use the restraint unless it is anchored
properly.
If the child restraint does not have a top
strap, one can be obtained, in kit form, for
many child restraints. Ask the child
restraint manufacturer whether or not a kit
is available.
WARNING
A child in a rear-facing child restraint
can be severely injured or killed if the
right front passenger’s frontal air bag
inflates. This is because the back of
the rear-facing child restraint would
be very close to the inflating air bag.
(Continued)
WARNING
(Continued)
Even though the passenger sensing
system is designed to turn off the
passenger’s frontal air bag and side
air bag under certain conditions, no
system is fail-safe, and no one can
guarantee that an air bag will not
deploy under some unusual circum-
stance, even though it is turned off.
Always secure a rear-facing child
restraint in the rear seat, even if the
air bags are off.
If you need to secure a forward-fac-
ing child restraint in the right front
seat, always move the front passen-
ger seat as far back as it will go. It is
better to secure the child restraint in
a rear seat.
WARNING
Children could be endangered in a
crash if their child restraints are not
properly secured in the vehicle.
When installing a child restraint sys-
tem, be sure to follow the instruc-
tions below. Be sure to secure the
child in the restraint system accord-
ing to the manufacturer’s instruc-
tions.
Child Restraints:

1-21SEATS AND RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
85Z14-03E
In Canada, the law requires that forward-
facing child restraints have a top strap, and
that the strap be anchored. In the United
States, some child restraints also have a
top strap. If your child restraint has a top
strap, it should be anchored.
Anchor the top strap to an anchor point
specified in “Top Strap Anchor Location” in
this section. Be sure to use an anchor
point located on the same side of the vehi-
cle as the seating position where the child
restraint will be placed.Once you have the top strap anchored,
you’ll be ready to secure the child restraint
itself. Tighten the top strap when and as
the child restraint manufacturer’s instruc-
tions say.
Top Strap Anchor LocationTop strap anchors are already installed in
your vehicle for the three rear seating posi-
tions.
Do not use a child restraint with a top strap
in the right front passenger’s position
because there is no place to anchor the
top strap.Top strap anchors are located at both sides
and at the center of the lower rear tail
member in the rear cargo area.
Pull the front part of the plastic cover
downward to access the top strap anchors.
Securing a Child Restraint with Top
StrapInstall the child restraint system as follows:
1) Remove the luggage compartment
cover (if equipped).
2) Secure the child restraint on the rear
seat using the procedure described in
“Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Seat Position” of this section.
3) Pull the front part of the plastic cover
downward to access the top strap
anchors.
4) Hook the top strap to the anchor
bracket and tighten the top strap
S4U1010A
WARNING
Each top tether bracket is designed
to anchor only one child restraint.
Attaching more than one child
restraint to a single bracket could
cause the anchor to come loose or
even break during a crash. A child or
others could be injured if this hap-
pens. To help prevent injury to people
and damage to your vehicle, attach
only one child restraint per bracket.
N4U1011A
Child Restraints:

1-22
SEATS AND RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
85Z14-03E
according to the instructions provided
by the child restraint system manufac-
turer. Be sure to attach the top strap to
the corresponding anchor located
directly behind the child restraint.
5) When routing the top strap, be sure to
pass it between the head restraint and
the rear seatback as shown. (Refer to
“Head Restraints” in this section for
details on how to raise or lower the
head restraint.)
6) Make sure that cargo does not interfere
with routing of the top strap.
Lower Anchorages and Top Teth-
ers for Children (LATCH System)Your vehicle has a LATCH system. You’ll
find anchors (A) in the rear outside seat
positions.
To assist you in locating the lower anchors,
each seating position with the LATCH sys-
tem has a circular disk on the seatback at
each lower anchor position.The disks are located near the base of the
two rear outside seating positions.
Canada only
86Z004
WARNING
Each top tether bracket is designed
to anchor only one child restraint.
Attaching more than one child
restraint to a single bracket could
cause the anchor to come loose or
even break during a crash. A child or
others could be injured if this hap-
pens. To help prevent injury to people
and damage to your vehicle, attach
only one child restraint per bracket.
N5U1003A
N4U1009A
This symbol indicates the
presence of a lower connector
system on a child restraint
system or booster cushion.
Child Restraints:

1-23SEATS AND RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
85Z14-03E
In order to use the system, you need either
a forward-facing child restraint that has
attaching points (B) at its base and a top
tether anchor (C), or a rear-facing child
restraint that has attaching points (B), as
shown here.With this type of child restraint, use the
LATCH system instead of the vehicle’s
safety belts to secure the child restraint.
Securing a Child Restraint
Designed for the LATCH System
(Rear)1) Find the anchors for the seating posi-
tion you want to use, where the bottom
of the seatback meets the back of the
seat cushion.
2) Put the child restraint on the seat.
3) Attach the anchor points on the child
restraint to the anchors in the vehicle.
The child restraint instructions will show
you how.
4) If the child restraint is forward-facing,
attach the top strap to the top strap
anchor. See “Top Strap” in this section.
Tighten the top strap according to the
child restraint instructions.
5) Push and pull the child restraint in dif-
ferent directions to be sure it is secure.
To remove the child restraint, simply
unhook the top strap from the top tether
anchor and then disconnect the lower
anchor points.
L3U1047A
AB C
L3U1049A
WARNING
If a LATCH-type child restraint isn’t
attached to its anchorage points, the
restraint won’t be able to protect the
child correctly. In a crash, the child
could be severely injured or killed.
Make sure that a LATCH-type child
restraint is properly installed using
the anchorage points. If your child
restraint is not designed for the
LATCH system, use the vehicle’s
safety belts to secure the restraint,
following the instructions that came
with that restraint, and also the
instructions in this manual.AB
L3U1050A
Child Restraints:

1-25SEATS AND RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
85Z14-03E
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat PositionYour vehicle has a right front passenger air
bag. A rear seat is a safer place to secure
a child restraint. See “Where to Put the
Restraint” in this section.
In addition, your vehicle has a passenger
sensing system. The passenger sensing
system is designed to turn off the right
front passenger’s frontal and side air bag
when an infant or a small child is detected.
See “Passenger Sensing System” and
“Manual Seats” in this section for more
information on this including important
safety information.If you need to secure a forward-facing child
restraint in the right front seat position,
move the seat as far back as it will go
before securing the forward-facing child
restraint. See “Manual Seats” in this sec-
tion.
If you need to secure a forward-facing child
restraint in the right front seat, you will be
using the lap-shoulder belt to secure the
child restraint, even if the child restraint is
equipped with the LATCH system. Be sure
to follow the instructions that came with the
child restraint. Secure the child in the child
restraint when and as the instructions say.1) Your vehicle has a right front passen-
ger’s frontal air bag. See “Passenger
Sensing System” in this section. Always
secure a rear-facing child restraint in
the rear seat, even if the air bag is off. If
your child restraint is forward-facing,
move the seat as far back as it will go
before securing the child restraint in this
seat. See “Manual Seats” in this sec-
tion.
When the passenger sensing system
has turned off the right front passen-
ger’s frontal and side air bag, the pas-
senger air bag off indicator should light.
See “Passenger Sensing System” in
this section.
A thick layer of additional material such
as a blanket, or aftermarket equipment
such as seat covers heaters or mas-
sagers, located between the seat cush-
ion and the child restraint or small
occupant, can affect how the passenger
sensing system operates. Remove any
additional material from the seat cush-
ion before installing/securing the child
restraint or small occupant.
2) Put the child restraint on the seat.
3) Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap
and shoulder portions of the vehicle’s
safety belt through or around the
restraint. The child restraint instructions
will show you how.
L3U1068A
WARNING
A child in a rear-facing child restraint
can be severely injured or killed if the
right front passenger’s frontal air bag
inflates. This is because the back of
the rear-facing child restraint would
be very close to the inflating air bag.
Even though the passenger sensing
system is designed to turn off the
passenger’s frontal air bag under cer-
tain conditions, no system is fail-
safe, and no one can guarantee that
an air bag will not deploy under some
unusual circumstance, even though it
is turned off. Always secure a rear-
facing child restraint in the rear seat,
even if the air bag is off.
Child Restraints: