Driver's seat belt has ELR and non-locking latch plate

U

Unregistered

Guest
I have a ford Windstar and I notice that while all the other seat belts have big heavy locking latch plates, the driver's seat does not. This is a used van so I don't know if this is how it was built or if it was altered.

Is this safe? The lap belt slides right through if you pull on it while it's buckled and it loosens over time while you drive. Every so often I have to pull it tight at the shoulder to get it snug again.
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Keeanh

Well-known member
I don't know about the Windstar specifically. But that sounds normal to me. Driver's seats do not have pre-locking mechanisms (locking latchplate or retractor) because you're not installing a car seat there. If the belt is loosening while you drive, it probably means the spring in the recoiler is getting worn out. Not a safety hazard on its own as long as it's maintaining decent tension and the emergency lock still works. But if it's not retracting at all after you shoulder check and is getting slack, you could replace the driver's belt. If it's an older Windstar (ie. around 20yo) you should probably be replacing belts soon anyways.
 

Dillipop

Well-known member
The drivers belts in all the cars I've driven are the same as yours. They don't lock pre-crash. I find myself tightening the belt across my lap in all cars. I think my movement while driving loosens things up a little and I like it to feel tight.


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lgenne

New member
I have seen at least one vehicle with a switchable retractor in the driver's seat (I can't remember which one I tried, but I've only tried one).
 

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