Question: Seat belt

[English Guy]

Hi all, I was wondering how the seat belt system works on modern American cars as when using a uk car pulling a seat belt across your self too quick makes the belt lock and you know that if you were to be thrown forward you would be safely restrained in your seat. when I have tried this on American cars I have owned the belt wont lock. So how do the belts prevent you from hitting the dash/wind sheild? Thanks for any info on this in advance. The reason i'm asking after all these years is I watched a programme on cable last night about when people did'nt have or use belts when driving and it was horrific what happened to these poor souls.

 

[Chas]

Hi all, I was wondering how the seat belt system works on modern American cars as when using a uk car pulling a seat belt across your self too quick makes the belt lock and you know that if you were to be thrown forward you would be safely restrained in your seat. when I have tried this on American cars I have owned the belt wont lock. So how do the belts prevent you from hitting the dash/wind sheild? Thanks for any info on this in advance. The reason i'm asking after all these years is I watched a programme on cable last night about when people did'nt have or use belts when driving and it was horrific what happened to these poor souls.

Try stopping and pulling on the belt at the same time in an American car. Its the same concept as a uk car...the forward motion of your body created when the brake is applied engages the stop mechanisim...maybe American cars have a diffrent sensitivity.

Chas

 

[John Robinson]

There is a motion lock on the seat belt. When the car is decelerating quickly a pawl swings forward and locks the seat belt ratchet. On the C4 (at least on my 93) there is a button that you press to lock the seat belt after you have fastened it around you. It is on the left or right side of the seat depending on which side of the car you are sitting in.

 

[English Guy]

There is a motion lock on the seat belt. When the car is decelerating quickly a pawl swings forward and locks the seat belt ratchet. On the C4 (at least on my 93) there is a button that you press to lock the seat belt after you have fastened it around you. It is on the left or right side of the seat depending on which side of the car you are sitting in.

Thank you both for that. On uk cars belt locks even if you try to grab something out of glove box too fast, I was miffed because uk belts lock if car is static and wether the brakes are on or not. Now I know it's that simple I feel a bit stupid, I probably should'nt be let out on my own.

 

[roger longman]

Hi, My '88 had the same symptom. I discovered through this forum, that there was a recall for faulty seat belts. When checking I found my VIN. was one of those concerned. The Corvette dealer replaced them, at no charge, about 8 months ago. Look and you should find the thread here and check against your VIN. There is no expiration date for this......Roger...( formerly lived in Purley, Surrey. 30 years.)

 

[English Guy]

Hi, My '88 had the same symptom. I discovered through this forum, that there was a recall for faulty seat belts. When checking I found my VIN. was one of those concerned. The Corvette dealer replaced them, at no charge, about 8 months ago. Look and you should find the thread here and check against your VIN. There is no expiration date for this......Roger...( formerly lived in Purley, Surrey. 30 years.)

Hi Roger, thanks for that. I will try to find thread and check it out, my vet is off the road at the moment getting ready for mot so I can't try the brakes on/belt operation ok thing at the moment but I need to be sure before I go any where in it. I think it should be alright tho as my 80's Firebird was the same.