Seatbelt buckle receiver length question

[SLTA]

Ok folks,

I'm shopping for a new car and it seems like the receiver part for the seatbelt is much shorter on the new cars than on the current cars we have(2012 and 2013 models). I've tried several models of Honda and Ford. The current length means that the seatbelt buckle digs hard into my hip, no matter what position the seat is in.

So: two questions...
1. Why are the seatbelt buckle receivers shorter now? and
2. Is there a way to extend this or switch it out for an older model's longer receiver?

Cheers from structural-land!

Please remember: we're not all guys!

 

[MikeHalloran]

1. No idea, other than cost, or some damn Federal law.
2. You can't be the only person with the problem. Your dealer should be able to provide you with an extender.


Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[IRstuff]

They make extenders for overweight drivers; I'm not saying you're one ;-)

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

faq731-376 forum1529

 

[tbuelna]

Many possible reasons. Does your vehicle have active belt tensioning systems?

The portion of the restraint system connecting the latch to structure is not adjustable like the belt strap section is. Making sure the belt strap is positioned properly for every size/shape passenger to prevent them from sliding forward under the lap belt during a frontal impact is a big concern.

 

[Timelord]

Probably does have active tensioning, my 02 Civic (14 years old) has squib pre-tensioners on both the belt and the buckle.

 

[IRstuff]

It may just be a scaling thing; my recollection of big seat belts seems to go along with bench seats of the 60s and early 70s. When the smaller, fuel efficient cars were developed in response to the oil embargo and and demand for better gas mileage, I'm sure that the seat belt engineering department was tasked to figure out the minimum material required to still have a safe seat belt to minimize the overall weight of the cars.

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

faq731-376 forum1529

 

[GregLocock]

It could be an unintended consequence of side impact testing - I imagine the buckle would cause soft tissue damage.

Cheers

Greg Locock


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