my seatbelt is backward

pj2rc

New member
I recently moved my oldest's seat to the 3rd row for a roadtrip so she could sit next to her cousin and she decided she wants it to stay there. Anyway -- I've had to take the seat out a few times or had other seats thre when other kids were riding w/ me and it is a PITA to install w/ the seat belt in that position. The seatbelt is all kinkd semi-permanently -- as in, it appears to need ironed (not that I would ever do that!). And it gets all twisted and stuck trying to install the seat. Today, I finally retracted it back and looked at it, then all he other belts in the car ...... it's backward! in a resting, unbuckled position the male end faces the outside of the car instead of the inside - so when it buckles it gets all twisted. --- for those that will ask :), I was using the belt because I didn't feel I was getting a good install w/ the LATCH at the time. ..... but, since I realized the buckle is wrong, I tried the LATCH again today and feel I got it this time.

So, do you think the dealer will fix the belt?
 
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wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor
Staff member
Can you just untwist the buckle yourself by folding the belt in half and pushing the latchplate down over it? I've seen that quite a bit, and I will often just fix it for parents.

Wendy
 

pj2rc

New member
I tried briefly - but seemed like it would be a battle and possibly not doable. It was currently about 98 degrees (at 8pm - lol), so I didn't really stick around. I may look at it again on a cooler day!
 

Judi

CPST/Firefighter
Yeah, what Wendy said. It is simple to fix. I pull the belt out, before I start.
 

Keeanh

Well-known member
If I'm understanding you correctly, it's your latchplate that is backwards, not the seatbelt. Take a good look at the back of your latchplate. Once you see how it works (locks/unlocks) you'll have an easier time with it. Get it in the unlocked position, with the locking pieces apart. Twist your seatbelt a half turn, crease it in that position, and then carefully slide it through the latchplate.
 

flipper68

Senior Community Member
What vehicle?

Can you access the anchor on the floor of the vehicle?

. . . I'm thinking of the middle row (2 seat bench) in a minivan. That belt is often a twisted mess but it can often be untwisted by rotating it around the floor anchor point. . .

If it had many twists, a trip to the dealer or a mechanic will be in order. They can remove the anchor bolt, untwist the belt and reinstall in just a few minutes.
 

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