Safety Belt Retractor Pretensioner
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Ford Pickup, 2003 Ford F550 Super Duty, 2003 Ford F450 Super Duty, 2003 Ford Excursion, and 2003 Ford Cab & Chassis. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
All vehicles without seat integrated restraints (SIR) are equipped with safety belt retractor pretensioners, for the front outboard occupants. To identify a SIR seat, refer to Seat Integrated Restraints (SIR) Identification.
When the front air bag system is deployed, the pretensioner in the retractor deploys, causing the retractor spool to rotate. The rotating spool action removes excess webbing from the safety belt assembly, tightening the webbing around the occupant.