Safety Belt Pretensioners

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Mercury Monterey and 2004 Ford Freestar. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The front safety belt buckles use a safety belt pretensioner system. This works in conjunction with the front air bag system mounted in the steering wheel and instrument panel. The pretensioner is a pyrotechnic device that removes excess webbing slack from the safety belt. When the pretensioner deploys in the buckle, excess slack is removed from the lap and shoulder safety belt. The pretensioners are activated when the restraints control module (RCM) detects a frontal impact force exceeding a programmed limit.

If the vehicle is involved in a collision that results in deployment of the safety belt pretensioners, a new driver and passenger seat belt system (including safety belt buckle and pretensioners or safety belt retractor and pretensioners, safety belt retractors, safety belts, buckles and height adjusters), must be installed.

For additional information on diagnostic and disposal of pretensioners, refer to AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS .