Buick Encore: Seat Belts / How to Wear Seat Belts Properly

Follow these rules for everyone's protection.

There are additional things to know about seat belts and children, including smaller children and infants. If a child will be riding in the vehicle, see Older Children or Infants and Young Children. Review and follow the rules for children in addition to the following rules.

It is very important for all occupants to buckle up. Statistics show that unbelted people are hurt more often in crashes than those who are wearing seat belts.

There are important things to know about wearing a seat belt properly.

• Sit up straight and always keep your feet on the floor in front of you (if possible).
• Always use the correct buckle for your seating position.
• Wear the lap part of the belt low and snug on the hips, just touching the thighs. In a crash, this applies force to the strong pelvic bones and you would be less likely to slide under the lap belt. If you slid under it, the belt would apply force on your abdomen. This could cause serious or even fatal injuries.
• Wear the shoulder belt over the shoulder and across the chest. These parts of the body are best able to take belt restraining forces. The shoulder belt locks if there is a sudden stop or crash.

Warning

You can be seriously injured, or even killed, by not wearing your seat belt properly.

Never allow the lap or shoulder belt to become loose or twisted.

Never wear the shoulder belt under both arms or behind your back.

Always use the correct buckle for your seating position.

Never route the lap or shoulder belt over an armrest.

Warning

The seat belt can be pinched if it is routed under plastic trim on the seat, such as trim around the rear seatback folding handle or side airbag. In a crash, pinched seat belts might not be able to provide adequate protection. Never allow seat belts to be routed under plastic trim pieces.