Seat Belt Retractor: Description and Operation

SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR

The safety belt retractors consist of the following features:
- Energy management (front only)
- Dual locking mode
- emergency locking retractor (ELR)
- automatic locking retractor (ALR) (all except driver seat and rear center)
- cinch tongue, rear center safety belt retractor only

- Belt tension sensor (BTS) (front passenger safety belt retractor only)

Energy Management Feature
The front safety belt retractors are equipped with the energy management feature that allows webbing to be pulled out of the retractor in a gradual and controlled manner in response to the occupant's forward momentum. This helps reduce the risk of force-related injuries to the occupant's chest by limiting the load on the occupant.

Dual Locking Mode Features
The emergency locking retractor (ELR) feature 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 automatic locking retractor (ALR) feature is used when locking a child seat in an outboard seating position or when a tight belt fit is desired. 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 into the spool, an audible clicking sound is made indicating the retractor is in ALR mode and the webbing will not pull back out of the retractor. To disengage the ALR mode, let the webbing retract back into the spool. The ALR mode is disengaged when the webbing is free to move out and back into the retractor. The automatic locking mode must be used when installing a child safety seat in the front or rear passenger seating positions where dual locking mode retractors are provided.

Cinch Tongue (rear center safety belt retractor)
The rear center safety belt retractor is equipped with a locking cinch tongue. The locking cinch tongue will slide up and down the safety belt webbing when it is in the stowed position or while putting the safety belt on. When the locking cinch tongue is latched into the buckle, the cinch tongue will allow the lap portion of the safety belt to become shorter, but locks the webbing in place to restrict it from becoming longer. Before latching a cinch tongue into the buckle, the lap portion of the safety belt may have to be lengthened. To lengthen the lap belt, pull some webbing out of the safety belt retractor. While holding the webbing below the tongue, grasp the tip (metal portion) of the tongue so that it is parallel to the webbing and slide the tongue upward. Provide enough lap belt length so the tongue can reach the buckle. To fasten a cinch tongue, pull the safety belt from the retractor so the shoulder belt portion of the safety belt crosses the occupant's shoulder and chest. Be sure the belt is not twisted. If the belt is twisted, remove the twist. For instructions on how to remove a twist, refer to Safety Belt Tongue Rotated on Belt. Insert the locking cinch tongue into the correct buckle for the seating position until a snap is heard and latching is felt. Make sure the tongue is securely fastened to the buckle by pulling on the tongue. Adjust the lap belt portion of the safety belt by pulling up on the shoulder belt until the lap belt fits snugly and as low as possible around the occupant's hips. Safety Belt Tongue Rotated On Belt

Belt Tension Sensor (BTS)
A belt tension sensor (BTS) is part of the passenger safety belt retractor anchor.