Replacing Restraint System PartsAfter a Crash{CAUTION:A crash can damage the restraint systems inyour vehicle. A damaged restraint system maynot properly protect the person using it,resulting in serious injury or even death in acrash. To help make sure your restraintsystems are working properly after a crash,have them inspected and any necessaryreplacements made as soon as possible.If you have had a crash, do you need new belts orLATCH system parts?After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.But if the belts were stretched, as they would be if wornduring a more severe crash, then you need new parts.If the LATCH system was being used during a moresevere crash, you may need new LATCH system parts.If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collisiondamage also may mean you will need to have LATCHsystem, safety belt or seat parts repaired or replaced.New parts and repairs may be necessary even if thebelt or LATCH system was not being used at the time ofthe collision.If an airbag inflates, you will need to replace airbagsystem parts. See the part on the airbag system earlierin this section.If the frontal airbags inflate, you will also need toreplace the driver’s and right front passenger’s safetybelt buckle assembly. Be sure to do so. Then thenew buckle assembly will be there to help protect youin a collision.After a crash you may need to replace the driver andfront passenger’s safety belt buckle assemblies,even if the frontal airbags have not deployed. The driverand front passenger’s safety belt buckle assembliescontain the safety belt pretensioners. Have your safetybelt pretensioners checked if your vehicle has beenin a collision, or if your airbag readiness light stays onafter you start your vehicle or while you are driving.See Airbag Readiness Light on page 3-45.1-59
