Tribute 2WD V6-3.0L DOHC (2003)
Seat Belt Buckle: Description and Operation
Safety Belt Buckle and Pretensioner Assembly - Front
The driver and front outboard passenger safety belt buckle and pretensioner are secured to the front seat cushion frame assembly. This allows the front
safety belt buckle end to move with the front seat. The belt and buckle assembly pretensioner is a pyrotechnic device that removes excess webbing from
the safety belt system. The belt and buckle assembly pretensioner uses the same crash sensor system as the air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS).
When the belt and buckle assembly pretensioner deploys, the buckle moves downward, pulling excess webbing from the lap and shoulder safety belts. If
the safety belt buckle and pretensioner assembly is deployed, a new assembly must be installed.
Safety Belt, Lap/Shoulder - Dual Locking Mode
WARNING: Rear-facing infant seats should never be placed in the front seats.
The dual locking mode retractor on the shoulder belt portion of the combination lap/shoulder safety belt for the front outboard passenger and both rear
outboard seating positions, operates in two ways. The driver single locking mode retractor on the shoulder belt portion of the combination lap/shoulder
safety belt works only in the vehicle sensitive mode.
1. In the vehicle-sensitive (emergency locking) mode, the shoulder belt retractor allows the occupant freedom of movement, locking tight only on
hard braking, hard cornering or impacts of approximately 8 km/h (5 mph) or more. The front and rear outboard seat belt retractors can also be
made to lock by pulling/jerking on the belt.
2. In the automatic locking mode, the shoulder belt retractor automatically locks and remains locked when the combination lap/shoulder safety belt is
buckled and does not allow the occupant freedom of movement. This mode provides tight lap/shoulder belt fit on the occupant and on a child
safety seat.
3. When the combination lap/shoulder belt is unbuckled and allowed to retract completely, the retractor switches to the vehicle sensitive (emergency)
locking mode.
The automatic locking mode must be used when installing a child safety seat in the front outboard passenger and both rear outboard passenger seating
positions.
Safety Belt Extension
A safety belt that is too short even when fully extended can be lengthened. The safety belt extension is available. This assembly will add approximately
20 cm (8 inches) to the length of the safety belt. Use the safety belt extension only if the safety belt is too short when fully extended. Do not use the
safety belt extension to change the fit of the shoulder belt across the torso. Safety belt extensions are available at no cost from any authorized Mazda
dealer.
