How should shoulder belts be adjusted?

[Kestas]

I'm talking about the belts that are adjusted up-and-down at the B-pillar. What is the proper way to fit them? I'm tall, so I thought leaving it at the top is better. But I find it more comfortable (and I think safer) if I adjust them level with my shoulder.

 

[Chris Meutsch]

Originally Posted By: Kestas
I'm talking about the belts that are adjusted up-and-down at the B-pillar. What is the proper way to fit them? I'm tall, so I thought leaving it at the top is better. But I find it more comfortable (and I think safer) if I adjust them level with my shoulder.


This is what I do, put them even with the shoulder.

 

[DBMaster]

It needs to lay across your shoulder, not in front of it. Also, it should not touch your neck.

 

[shiny]

How do you adjust them up or down the B-pillar? I'm short; my belt always cuts me in the neck. I'd love to move it down!

 

[BRZED]

Originally Posted By: shiny
How do you adjust them up or down the B-pillar? I'm short; my belt always cuts me in the neck. I'd love to move it down!


You need a booster seat.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: shiny
How do you adjust them up or down the B-pillar? I'm short; my belt always cuts me in the neck. I'd love to move it down!

My torso is short and my legs are long, so I have the same problem. I, too, need a booster seat. I believe that your generation Crown Vic will have the adjustable retractor loop. Before you splurge on a booster seat, check if there's a button up there, and it might move up and down then.

See the button up by the head rest? This is a 2003, and I assume they haven't de-contented the thing.

 

[ls1mike]

I am short...the Trans Am has no adjuster so I have something like this.

Seat belt adjuster

Mine works great.

 

[ffhdriver]

I adjust mine so it stays off my neck.

 

[Vikas]

In a real accident, would that clip be enough to hold the massive amount of force?

 

[mjoekingz28]

Just tuck it under the cuff of your shirt. The truck's belts are narrow, ie sharp, and are very bothersome unless Im wearing a polo type shirt with a neck that I can tuck under.

 

[ls1mike]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
In a real accident, would that clip be enough to hold the massive amount of force?

The way they work, or at least the way I understand, is that during an accident they are not supposed to hold the force. This allows the seatbelt to do it's job.

 

[shiny]

Thanks for pointing out the button adjuster for the shoulder harness. Never noticed it before! Unfortunately it's already as low as it will go, so I'm going to try one of those belt bracket thingies. Or a seat cushion. Or both.

 

[shiny]

Originally Posted By: ls1mike
Originally Posted By: Vikas
In a real accident, would that clip be enough to hold the massive amount of force?

The way they work, or at least the way I understand, is that during an accident they are not supposed to hold the force. This allows the seatbelt to do it's job.

But if the belt in its natural state is in a dangerous position, i.e. cutting into the person's neck instead of lying over their shoulder, then it isn't doing it's job as intended. It's a potential source of injury. I found one of those belt clippies that's made out of metal. Maybe it won't break under stress. Gonna try it. Thanks for the suggestion!

Safety engineers and car designers really need to make equipment that's adjustable for the heights of all drivers. Probably because it's a male-dominated field that it just doesn't occur to them. Maybe if more women go into engineering fields we'll eventually see a change in how cars are designed.

 

[Kestas]

There are more women in engineering than you may imagine... at least here in Detroit. And yes, they are helping design cars.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: shiny
Thanks for pointing out the button adjuster for the shoulder harness.

You should drive my G37. I never had a problem adjusting properly in a CV or a Town Car. My G37 is more of a pain in the behind that way.

 

[Nick1994]

I have my Camry's seatbelt all the way up, still doesn't touch my neck (I'm 6'2")