Safety Features Of Your Vehicle Hyundai 2009-Elantra

When choosing a vehicle, safety should be one of the most important factors to consider. The Hyundai Elantra 2009 is one of the vehicles that provides various safety features to protect the driver and passengers. From braking systems to collision avoidance technology, the Elantra 2009 has a range of features designed to provide optimal levels of safety. In this article, we will discuss some of the key safety features of the Hyundai Elantra 2009 and how they can help protect you and your passengers during your travels.

SEAT

Front seat

1 Forward and backward (driver seat)
2 Seatback angle (driver seat)
3 Seat cushion height (driver seat)*
4 Seat warmer (driver seat)*
5 Headrest (driver seat)
6 Forward and backward (passenger seat)
7 Seatback angle (passenger seat)
8 Headrest (passenger seat)
9 Seat warmer (passenger seat)*

Rear seats

10 Center armrest*
11 Headrest
12 Seatback folding lever

⚠ WARNING -Loose objects

Loose objects in the driver’s foot area could interfere with the operation of the foot pedals, possibly causing an accident. Do not place anything under the front seats.

⚠ WARNING – Uprighting seat

When you return the seatback to its upright position, hold the seatback and return it slowly and be sure there are no other occupants around the seat. If the seatback is returned without being held and controlled, the back of the seat could spring forward resulting in accidental injury to a person struck by the seatback.

⚠ WARNING – Driver’s seat

• Never attempt to adjust seat while the vehicle is moving. This could result in loss of control, and an accident causing death, serious injury, or property damage.
• Do not allow anything to interfere with the normal position of the seatback. Storing items against a seatback or in any other way interfering with proper locking of a seatback could result in serious or fatal injury in a sudden stop or collision.
• Always drive and ride with your seatback upright and the lap portion of the seat belt snug and low across the hips. This is the best position to protect you in case of an accident.
• In order to avoid unnecessary and perhaps severe air bag injuries, always sit as far back as possible from the steering wheel while maintaining comfortable control of the vehicle. It is recommended that your chest is at least 10 inches (250 mm) away from the steering wheel.

Front seat adjustment

Forward and backward

To move the seat forward or backward:

1. Pull the seat slide adjustment lever under the front edge of the seat cushion up and hold it.
2. Slide the seat to the position you desire.
3. Release the lever and make sure the seat is locked in place.

⚠ WARNING

After adjusting the seat, always check that it is securely locked into place by attempting to move the seat forward or reverse without using the lock release lever. Sudden or unexpected movement of the driver’s seat could cause you to lose control of the vehicle resulting in an accident.

Seatback angle

To recline the seatback:

1. Lean forward slightly and lift up on the seatback recline lever located on the outside of the seat at the rear.
2. Carefully lean back on the seat and adjust the seatback of the seat to the position you desire.
3. Release the lever and make sure the seatback is locked in place. (The lever MUST return to its original position for the seatback to lock.)

⚠ WARNING – Driver responsibility for front seat passenger

Riding in a vehicle with a front seatback reclined could lead to serious or fatal injury in an accident. If a front seat is reclined during an accident, the occupant’s hips may slide under the lap portion of the seat belt applying great force to the unprotected abdomen. Serious or fatal internal injuries could result. The driver must advise the front passenger to keep the seatback in an upright position whenever the vehicle is in motion.

Seat cushion height (for driver’s seat)

To change the height of the seat cushion, push the lever located on the outside of the seat cushion up or down.

• To lower the seat cushion, push the lever down several times.
• To raise the seat cushion, pull the lever up several times.

Headrest

The driver’s and front passenger’s seats are equipped with a headrest for the occupant’s safety and comfort.
The headrest not only provides comfort for the driver and front passenger, but also helps to protect the head and neck in the event of a collision.

⚠ WARNING

• For maximum effectiveness in case of an accident, the headrest should be adjusted so the middle of the headrest is at the same height of the center of gravity of an occupant’s head. Generally, the center of gravity of most people’s head is similar with the height of the top of their eyes. Also, adjust the headrest as close to your head as possible. For this reason, the use of a cushion that holds the body away from the seatback is not recommended.
• Do not operate the vehicle with the headrests removed as severe injury to the occupants may occur in the event of an accident. Headrests may provide protection against neck injuries when properly adjusted.
• Do not adjust the headrest position of the driver’s seat while the vehicle is in motion.

Active headrest (if equipped)

The active headrest is designed to move forward and upward during a rear impact. This helps to prevent the driver’s and front passenger’s head from moving backward and thus helps prevent neck injuries.

Forward and backward adjustment (if equipped)

The headrest may be adjusted forward to three different positions by pulling the headrest forward. To adjust the headrest backward, pull it fully forward to the farthest position and release it. Adjust the headrest so that it properly supports the head and neck.

Adjusting the height up and down

To raise the headrest, pull it up to the desired position (1). To lower the headrest, push and hold the release button (2) on the headrest support and lower the headrest to the desired position (3).

Removal

To remove the headrest, raise it as far as it can go then press the release button (1) while pulling upward (2). To reinstall the headrest, put the headrest poles (3) into the holes while pressing the release button (1). Then adjust it to the appropriate height.

⚠ WARNING

Make sure the headrest locks in position after adjusting it to properly protect the occupants.

Seat warmer (if equipped)

The seat warmer is provided to warm the front seats during cold weather. With the ignition switch in the ON position, push either of the switches to warm the driver’s seat or the front passenger’s seat. During mild weather or under conditions where the operation of the seat warmer is not needed, keep the switches in the
“OFF” position.

NOTICE

With the seat warmer switch in ON position, the heating system in the seat turns off or on automatically depending on the seat temperature.

⚠ CAUTION

• When cleaning the seats, do not use an organic solvent such as thinner, benzene, alcohol and gasoline. Doing so may damage the surface of the heater or seats.
• To prevent overheating the seat warmer, do not place blankets, cushions or seat covers on the seats while the seat warmer is in operation.
• Do not place heavy or sharp objects on seats equipped with seat warmers. Damage to the seat warming components could occur.

⚠ WARNING – Seat warmer burns

Passengers should use extreme caution when using seat warmers due to the possibility of excess heating or burns. In particular, the driver must exercise extreme care for the following types of passengers:

1. Infants, children, elderly or handicapped persons, or hospital outpatients
2. Persons with sensitive skin or those that burn easily
3. Fatigued individuals
4. Intoxicated individuals
5. Individuals taking medication that can cause drowsiness or sleepiness (sleeping pills, cold tablets, etc.)

⚠ WARNING

For proper operation of the occupant classification system:

• Do not place any items cumulatively weighing over 2.2 lbs (1 kg) in the seatback pocket or on the seat.
• Do not hang onto the front passenger seat.

Rear seat adjustment

Headrest

The rear seat is equipped with headrests in the outboard seating positions (except center seating position) for the occupant’s safety and comfort. The headrest not only provides comfort for passengers, but also helps to protect the head and neck in the event of a collision.

Adjusting the height up and down

To raise the headrest, pull it up to the desired position (1). To lower the headrest, push and hold the release button (2) on the headrest support and lower the headrest to the desired position (3).

Removal

To remove the headrest, raise it as far as it can go then press the release button (1) while pulling upward (2). To reinstall the headrest, put the headrest poles (3) into the holes while pressing the release button (1). Then adjust it to the appropriate height.

⚠ WARNING

Make sure the headrest locks in position after adjusting it to properly protect the occupants.

⚠ WARNING

• For maximum effectiveness in case of an accident, the headrest should be adjusted so the middle of the headrest is at the same height of the center of gravity of an occupant’s head. Generally, the center of gravity of most people’s head is similar with the height of the top of their eyes. Also, adjust the headrest as close to your head as possible. The use of a cushion that holds the body away from the seatback is not recommended.
• Do not operate the vehicle with the headrests removed as severe injury to an occupant may occur in the event of an accident. Headrests may provide protection against severe neck injuries when properly adjusted.

Armrest (if equipped)

To use the armrest, pull it forward from the seatback.

⚠ CAUTION

• Make sure the engine is off, the automatic transaxle is in P or the manual transaxle is in neutral and the parking brake is applied whenever loading or unloading cargo. Vehicle may move if shift lever is inadvertently moved to another position.
• Be careful when loading cargo into the rear passenger seats to prevent damage to the vehicle interior.
• When cargo is loaded into the rear passenger seats, ensure the cargo is properly secured to prevent it from moving while driving. Unsecured cargo in the passenger compartment can cause damage to the vehicle or injury to it’s occupants.

Folding the rear seat

The rear seatbacks may be folded to facilitate carrying long items or to increase the luggage capacity of the vehicle.

⚠ WARNING

The purpose of the fold-down rear seatbacks is to allow you to carry longer objects than could otherwise be accommodated. Never allow passengers to sit on top of the folded down seatback while the car is moving as this is not a proper seating position and no seat belts are available for use.

This could result in serious injury or death in case of an accident or sudden stop. Objects carried on the
folded down seatback should not extend higher than the top of the front seats. This could allow cargo
to slide forward and cause injury or damage during sudden stops.

To fold down the rear seatback:

1. Set the front seatback to the upright position and if necessary, slide the front seat forward.
2. Lower the rear headrests to the lowest position.
3. Pull out the seatback locking knob in the trunk, then fold the seat toward the front of the vehicle.

4. For center shoulder belt, insert the belt webbing in the right side rear shoulder belt guide to prevent the belt from being trapped under the seat.
5. When you return the seatback to its upright position, always be sure it has locked into position by pushing on the top of the seatback.

⚠ WARNING

When you return the rear seatback to its upright position after being folded down:

Be careful not to damage the seat belt webbing or buckle. Do not allow the seat belt webbing or buckle to get caught or pinched in the rear seat. Ensure that the seatback is completely locked into its upright position by pushing on the top of the sea back. Otherwise, in an accident or sudden stop, the seat could fold down and allow cargo to enter the passenger compartment, which could result in serious injury or death.

⚠ CAUTION – Rear seat belts

When returning the rear seatbacks to the upright position, remember to return the rear center shoulder belt to its proper position.

⚠ WARNING – Cargo

Cargo should always be secured to prevent it from being thrown about the vehicle in a collision and causing injury to the vehicle occupants. Special care should be taken of objects placed in the rear seats, since those may hit the front seat occupants in a frontal collision.

⚠ WARNING – Cargo loading

Make sure the engine is off, the automatic transaxle is in P or the manual transaxle is in neutral and the parking brake is applied whenever loading or unloading cargo. Failure to take these steps may allow the vehicle to move if shift lever is inadvertently moved to another position.

SEAT BELTS

Seat belt restraint system

⚠ WARNING

• For maximum restraint system protection, the seat belts must always be used whenever the car is moving.
• Seat belts are most effective when seatbacks are in the upright position.
• Children age 12 and under must always be properly restrained in the rear seat. Never allow children to ride in the front passenger seat. If a child over 12 must be seated in the front seat, he/she must be properly belted and the seat should be moved as far back as possible.
• Never wear the shoulder belt under your arm or behind your back. An improperly positioned shoulder belt can cause serious injuries in a crash. The shoulder belt should be positioned midway over your shoulder across your collarbone.
• Avoid wearing twisted seat belts. A twisted belt can’t do its job as well. In a collision, it could even cut into you. Be sure the belt webbing is straight and not twisted.
• Be careful not to damage the belt webbing or hardware. If the belt webbing or hardware is damaged, replace it.

Seat belt warning

Seat belt warning light

If the driver’s seat belt is not fastened when the ignition key is turned ON, the seat belt warning light blinks for approximately 6 seconds. And if the vehicle speed exceeds 10km/h with the seat belt unfastened, the seat belt warning light blinks with the pattern of 6 seconds on and 24 seconds off for 11 times. The seat belt warning light will stop if the seat belt is fastened or the vehicle speed is reduced to below 5km/h.

Seat belt warning chime

If the driver’s seat belt is not fastened when the ignition key is turned ON, the seat belt warning chime sounds for approximately 6 seconds. And if the vehicle speed exceeds 10km/h with the seat belt unfastened, the seat belt warning chime sounds with the pattern of 6 seconds on and 24 seconds off for 11 times. The seat belt warning chime will stop if the seat belt is fastened or the vehicle speed is reduced to below 5km/h.

Seat belt – Driver’s 3-point system with emergency locking retractor To fasten your seat belt:

To fasten your seat belt, pull it out of the retractor and insert the metal tab (1) intothe buckle (2). There will be an audible “click” when the tab locks into the buckle. The seat belt automatically adjusts to the proper length only after the lap belt portion is adjusted manually so that it fits snugly around your hips. If you lean forward in a slow, easy motion, the belt will extend and let you move around. If there is a sudden stop or impact, however, the belt will lock into position. It will also lock if you try to lean forward too quickly.

✽ NOTICE

If you are not able to pull out the seat belt from the retractor, firmly pull the belt out and release it. Then you will be able to pull the belt out smoothly.

You can adjust the height of the shoulder belt anchor to one of 4 positions for maximum comfort and safety.
If the height of the adjusting seat belt is too near your neck, you will not be getting the most effective protection. The shoulder portion should be adjusted so that it lies across your chest and midway over your shoulder nearest the door and not your neck. To adjust the height of the seat belt anchor, lower or raise the height adjuster into an appropriate position.

To raise the height adjuster, pull it up (1). To lower it, push it down (3) while pressing the height adjuster button (2). Release the button to lock the anchor into position. Try sliding the height adjuster to make sure that it has locked into position.

⚠ WARNING

• Verify the shoulder belt anchor is locked into position at the appropriate height. Never position the shoulder belt across your neck or face. Improperly positioned seat belts can cause serious injuries in an accident.
• Failure to replace seat belts after an accident could leave you with damaged seat belts that will not provide protection in the event of another collision leading to personal injury or death. Replace your seat belts after being in an accident as soon as possible.

⚠ WARNING

You should place the lap belt portion as low as possible and snugly across your hips, not on your waist. If the lap belt is located too high on your waist, it may increase the chance of injury in the event of a collision. Both arms should not be under or over the belt. Rather, one should be over and the other under, as shown in the illustration. Never wear the seat belt under the arm nearest the door.

Seat belts – Front passenger and rear seat 3-point system with combination locking retractor

To fasten your seat belt

Combination retractor type seat belts are installed in the rear seat positions to help accommodate the installation of child restraint systems. Although a combination retractor is also installed in the front
passenger seat position, we strongly recommend that children always be seated in the rear seat. NEVER place any infant restraint system in the front seat of the vehicle.

This type of seat belt combines the features of both an emergency locking retractor seat belt and an automatic locking retractor seat belt. To fasten your seat belt, pull it out of the retractor and insert the metal tab into the buckle. There will be an audible “click” when the tab locks into the buckle. When not securing a child restraint, the seat belt operates in the same way as the driver’s seat belt (Emergency Locking Retractor Type). It automatically adjusts to the proper length only after the lap belt portion of the seat belt is adjusted manually so that it fits snugly around your hips.

When the seat belt is fully extended from the retractor to allow the installation of a child restraint system, the seat belt operation changes to allow the belt to retract, but not to extend (Automatic Locking
Retractor Type). Refer to “Using a child restraint system” in this section.

✽ NOTICE

Although the combination retractor provides the same level of protection for seated passengers in either emergency or automatic locking modes, it is recommended that seated passengers use the emergency locking feature for improved convenience. The automatic locking function is intended to facilitate child restraint installation. To convert from the automatic locking feature to the emergency locking operation mode, allow the unbuckled seat belt to fully retract.

To release the seat belt:

The seat belt is released by pressing the release button (1) in the locking buckle. When it is released, the belt should automatically draw back into the retractor. If this does not happen, check the belt to be sure it is not twisted, then try again.

Pre-tensioner seat belt

Your vehicle is equipped with driver’s and front passenger’s pre-tensioner seat belts. The purpose of the pre tensioner is to make sure that the seat belts fit tightly against the occupant’s body in certain frontal collisions. The pre-tensioner seat belts can be activated, where the frontal collision is severe enough, together with the air bags.

When the vehicle stops suddenly, or if the occupant tries to lean forward too quickly, the seat belt retractor will lock into position. In certain frontal collisions, the pre-tensioner will activate and pull the seat belt into tighter contact against the occupant’s body.

If the system senses excessive seat belt tension on the driver or passenger’s seat belt when the pre-tensioner activates, the load limiter inside the pre-tensioner will release some of the pressure on the affected seat belt.

The seat belt pre-tensioner system consists mainly of the following components. Their locations are shown in the illustration:

1. SRS air bag warning light
2. Retractor pre-tensioner assembly
3. SRS control module

⚠ WARNING

To obtain maximum benefit from a pre-tensioner seat belt:

1. The seatbelt must be working correctly and adjusted to the proper position. Please read and follow all of the important information and precautions about your vehicle’s occupant safety features – including seat belts and air bags – that are provided in this manual.
2. Be sure you and your passengers always wear seat belts and wear them properly.

✽ NOTICE

• Both the driver’s and front passenger’s pre-tensioner seat belts will be activated in certain frontal collisions. The pre-tensioner seat belts can be activated where the frontal collision is severe enough, together with the air bags. The pre-tensioners will not be activated if the seat belts are not being worn at the time of the collision.
• When the pre-tensioner seat belts are activated, a loud noise may be heard and fine dust, which may appear to be smoke, may be visible in the passenger compartment. These are normal operating conditions and are not hazardous.
• Although it is harmless, the fine dust may cause skin irritation and should not be breathed for prolonged periods. Wash all exposed skin areas thoroughly after an accident in which the pre-tensioner seat belts were activated.

⚠ CAUTION

• Because the sensor that activates the SRS air bag is connected with the pre-tensioner seat belt, the SRS air bag warning light on the instrument panel will illuminate for approximately 6 seconds after the ignition key has been turned to the “ON” position, and then it should turn off.
• If the pre-tensioner seat belt is not working properly, this warning light will illuminate even if there is no malfunction of the SRS air bag. If the SRS air bag warning light does not illuminate when the ignition key is turned to “ON”, or if it remains illuminated after illuminating for approximately 6 seconds, or if it illuminates while the vehicle is being driven, please have an authorized Hyundai dealer inspect the pre-tensioner seat belt or SRS air bag system as soon as possible.

⚠ WARNING

• Pre-tensioners are designed to operate only one time. After activation, pre-tensioner seat belts must be replaced. All seat belts, of any type, should always be replaced after they have been worn during a collision.
• The pre-tensioner seat belt assembly mechanisms become hot during activation. Do not touch the pre-tensioner seat belt assemblies for several minutes after they have been activated.
• Do not attempt to inspect or replace the pre-tensioner seat belts yourself. This must be done by an authorized Hyundai dealer.
• Do not strike the pre-tensioner seat belt assemblies.
• Do not attempt to service or repair the pre-tensioner seat belt system in any manner.
• Improper handling of the pre-tensioner seat belt assemblies, and failure to heed the warnings not to strike, modify, inspect, replace, service or repair the pre-tensioner seat belt assemblies may lead to improper operation or inadvertent activation and serious injury.
• Always wear the seat belts when driving or riding in a motor vehicle.
• If the vehicle or pre-tensioner seat belt must be discarded, contact an authorised Hyundai dealer.

Seat belt precautions

⚠ WARNING

All occupants of the vehicle must wear their seat belts at all times. Seat belts and child restraints reduce the risk of serious or fatal injuries for all occupants in the event of a collision or sudden stop. Without a seat belt, occupants could be shifted too close to a deploying air bag, strike the interior structure or be thrown from the vehicle. Properly worn seat belts greatly reduce these hazards. Even with advanced air bags, unbelted occupants can be severely injured by a deploying air bag. Always follow the precautions about seat belts, air bags and occupant seating contained in this manual.

Infant or small child

All 50 states have child restraint laws.You should be aware of the specific requirements in your state. Child and/or infant seats must be properly placed and installed in the rear seat. For more information about the use of these restraints, refer to “Child restraint system” in this section.

⚠ WARNING

Every person in your vehicle needs to be properly restrained at all times, including infants and children. Never hold a child in your arms or lap when riding in a vehicle. The violent forces created during a crash will tear the child from your arms and throw the child against the interior. Always use a child restraint appropriate for your child’s height and weight.

✽ NOTICE

Small children are best protected from injury in an accident when properly restrained in the rear seat by a child restraint system that meets the requirements of the the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Before buying any child restraint system, make sure that it has a label certifying that it meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213. The restraint must be appropriate for your child’s height and weight. Check the label on the child restraint for this information. Refer to “Child restraint system” in this section.

Larger children

Children who are too large for child restraint systems should always occupy the rear seat and use the available lap/shoulder belts. The lap portion should be fastened snug on the hips and as low as possible. Check belt fit periodically. A child’s squirming could put the belt out of position. Children are afforded the most safety in the event of an accident when they are restrained by a proper restraint system in the rear seat.

If a larger child (over age 12) must be seated in the front seat, the child should be securely restrained by the available lap/shoulder belt and the seat should be placed in the rearmost position. Children under the age of 12 should be restrained securely in the rear seat. NEVER place a child under the age of 12 in the front seat. NEVER place a rear facing child seat in the front seat of a vehicle.

If the shoulder belt portion slightly touches the child’s neck or face, try placing the child closer to the center of the vehicle. If the shoulder belt still touches their face or neck they need to be returned to a child restraint system.

⚠ WARNING – Shoulder belts on small children

• Never allow a shoulder belt to be in contact with a child’s neck or face while the vehicle is in motion.
• If seat belts are not properly worn and adjusted on children, there is a risk of death or serious injury.

Pregnant women

The use of a seat belt is recommended for pregnant women to lessen the chance of injury in an accident. When a seat belt is used, the lap belt portion should be placed as low and snugly as possible on the hips, not across the abdomen. For specific recommendations, consult a physician.

Injured person

A seat belt should be used when an injured person is being transported. When this is necessary, you should consult a physician for recommendations.

One person per belt

Two people (including children) should never attempt to use a single seat belt. This could increase the severity of injuries in case of an accident.

Do not lie down

To reduce the chance of injuries in the event of an accident and to achieve maximum effectiveness of the restraint system, all passengers should be sitting up and the front seats should be in an upright position when the car is moving. A seat belt cannot provide proper protection if the person is lying down in the rear seat or if the front seat is in a reclined position.

⚠ WARNING

Riding with a reclined seatback increases your chance of serious or fatal injuries in the event of a collision or sudden stop. The protection of your restraint system (seat belts and air bags) is greatly reduced by reclining your seat. Seat belts must be snug against your hips and chest to work properly. The more the seatback is reclined, the greater the chance that an occupant’s hips will slide under the lap belt causing serious internal injuries or the occupant’s neck could strike the shoulder belt. Drivers and passengers should always sit well back in their seats, properly belted, and with the seatbacks upright.

Care of seat belts

Seat belt systems should never be disassembled or modified. In addition, care should be taken to assure that seat belts and belt hardware are not damaged by seat hinges, doors or other abuse.

⚠ WARNING

When you return the rear seatback to its upright position after the rear seatback was folded down, be careful not to damage the seat belt webbing or buckle. Be sure that the webbing or buckle does not get caught or pinched in the rear seat. A seat belt with damaged webbing or buckle will not be as strong and could possibly fail during a collision or sudden stop, resulting in serious injury.