Seatbelt wrinkled - damaged?

Hazelandlucy · Sep 24, 2016

So I went to a SafeKids stop yesterday because I saw it on the side of the road and my DD1 is always screaming about her harness being too tight and I thought maybe it really was and I could have someone look at it.

Anyway, while I was there they asked if I wanted seats checked and I thought I might as well switch my Britax G4 to a seatbelt install as my DD1 is approaching 40 lbs and I have never done a forward facing seat belt installation.

She could not get it tight using the lock off, which to me seems bizarre, aren't these seats generally very easy? The rear facing lock off sure was for me. Anyway she put it in by just tightening and locking the seat bet. There was a wrinkle in the seat belt afterwards, right where it came out of the belt path, but she said it was fine. It kind of bothered me and I figured I could do a better job and use the lock off and when I uninstalled it this morning, the belt is quite wrinkled/crimpled even when released. Is that ok??

katymyers · Sep 24, 2016

Very few seats I've owned over the years haven't wrinkled the seatbelt. I'm not sure I can actually think of a single one that hasn't to be honest. They work themselves out in a few days after uninstalling the seat and I've never had reason to worry about it. As for your Britax, I've never been a fan of the forward facing lock off, in every single vehicle I've ever installed my seat in (with the exception of my brother's car that's without locking seatbelts) I've not used them because they ALWAYS make the installation harder. The rear facing ones are absolutely fantastic and definitely increase the ease of use and installation but the forward facing ones just don't, I consider them completely unnecessary and more trouble than they're worth unless the seatbelt doesn't lock any other way. I did receive confirmation from Britax that the lock offs aren't required for seatbelt installs, especially if the seat installs better without them.

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ketchupqueen · Sep 24, 2016

Yes, it should work its way out.

If it doesn't within a few weeks you might want to get your belts inspected as it may be a sign they have fiber wear or damage.