Sedan and Wagon have a front seat belt system (left and right) that consist of a retractor, a latch plate, buckle, turning loop and a height adjuster. The front seat belt system incorporates an emergency locking retractor (ELR), which is designed to lock the seat belt webbing in place during emergency vehicle maneuvers. During all normal driving conditions, however, the seat belt is free to unwind. The ELR system will lock the seat belt webbing under the following conditions:

In addition the ELR system, the passenger belt system (Sedan and Wagon) incorporates a CHOM which is designed to lock the seat belt webbing in place while using a child seat. To activate the CHOM system, feed the latch plate through the child seat and into the buckle. Pull the seat belt all the way out of the retractor, then feed back in until the child seat is secure. While the CHOM is activated, a slight clicking sound will be audible when the belt is fed into the retractor. to de-activate the CHOM system, simply unbuckle the seat belt and feed it all the way into the retractor.

The rear seat is equipped with three seat belt systems. The two outboard seat belt systems incorporate an emergency locking retractor (ELR), which is designed to lock the seat belt webbing in place during emergency vehicle maneuvers. However, during all normal driving conditions, the seat belt is free to unwind. the ELR system will lock the seat belt webbing under the following conditions:

In addition to the ELR system, the two outboard seat belt systems (Sedan and Wagon) incorporates a CHOM which is designed to lock the seat belt webbing in place while using a child seat. To activate the CHOM system simply unbuckle the seat belt and feed it all the way into the retractor.

On the LW, the center seat belt system is equipped only with a lap belt which is adjusted manually. The LW center seat belt does not incorporate and ELR. The rear center belt on the LS has a three-point belt.

Caution: The following precautions must be observed to avoid damage to the seat belt system. If these precautions are not taken, the seat belt system may not provide proper restraint in the unlikely event of an accident and may result in personal injury.

The seat belt system includes front seat outboard shoulder seat belts, rear seat outboard shoulder seat belts and center lap seat belts. A child tether bracket is standard on all models.

The driver's seat belt includes a reminder lamp and tone alarm to warn the driver that the seat belt is not buckled when the ignition is turned to the RUN position. If the driver's seat belt is buckled, the tone alarm will not operate and the reminder lamp will turn off.

If the driver's seat belt is not buckled, the sound signal will provide an audible reminder for 8 seconds. The seat belt telltale will remain on for 30 seconds followed by 1 minute of flashing after which the lamp will turn off.

Front and rear seat belt retractors will lock if the vehicle exceeds 15 ° angle, exceeds 0.60 g of deceleration force, or the webbing is pulled out of the retractor rapidly. Both the front and the rear retractors will lock under hard cornering or while descending a winding downhill grade. The retractors may also lock while braking to stop at a downhill intersection.

All retractors will unlock when 25.4 mm (1 in) of the belt is fed back into the retractor.

Important: Conduct this test only in a safe area. Do not conduct this test on the open road. A large empty parking lot is suitable.

1. Fasten the seat belt.
2. Drive the vehicle at 16 km/h (10 mph) and apply brakes firmly.
3. Verify that the seat belt locks and does not allow your body to move forward.
4. If the belt does not lock during this test, remove the retractor and perform a static test.

1. Remove the retractor assembly.

Refer to Front Seat Belt System.

2. Tilt the retractor slowly.

Front Passenger Seat and Rear Outboard Seats

1. Pull the seat belt all the way out of the retractor.
2. Feed a few inches of belt back into the retractor and listen for audible clicking of the child hold-out mechanism (CHOM) system.
3. Verify that the belt cannot be pulled out of the retractor.
4. Feed the seat belt all the way into the retractor and verify that it returns to normal operating conditions.

Front and Rear Restraints

The Saturn front seats and rear outboard seats have a three-point seat belt system with a seat belt retractor. The rear seat latch plate should move up and down easily on the belt. An audible CLICK should be heard when the front or rear latch plate is inserted into the buckle. check the attachment of the latch plate to the buckle by grasping the belt and pulling firmly. The belt should disconnect easily when the button on the buckle is pushed in.

The Saturn Sedan and Wagon models have a rear seat center belt that is a lap belt only. It does not retract automatically, and must be adjusted manually to fit the occupant. The latch plate should move on the belt easily. but not slip when attached to the buckle and adjusted properly to the occupant. When the latch plate is attached to the buckle, and audible CLICK should be heard. Check the attachment of the latch plate to the buckle by grasping the belt and pulling on it firmly. The belt should not disconnect from the buckle. The belt should disconnect easily when the button on the buckle is pushed in.