Gen 3 seatbelts

henrietta said:

"Well if that is the case my mom has Gen 3 belts in her '01 PT Crusier that both my girls ride in regularly."

Jennah,

If you look at www.unsafebelts.com you can see a picture of the Gen 3 belts. It's actually pretty simple. If the red release button sticks up above the shell, it's a Gen 3. I don't remember reading about the PT Cruiser, so maybe they had Gen 4's right from the start (or maybe even Gen 2's).

hths

henrietta

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Thanks I will check them out on Sunday when I see my mom. I would think twisting the belt stalk a half twist help reduce the chance of anything hitting it during a crash. This way the button is some what covered and protected from releasing. I'll have to read all the info posted. I must admit I haven't really read indepth on the Gen 3 belts. I better getting reading to see what is the issues. Thanks for the link.

"I would think twisting the belt stalk a half twist help reduce the chance of anything hitting it during a crash. This way the button is some what covered and protected from releasing."

I actually think from looking at them, that if the buckle stalks are twisted, the chances of the carseat itself releasing the buckle on a sharp turn or in an accident is much greater, and while the chance of projectiles hitting it is less likely w/buckle twisted, the carseat releasing it seems a greater danger than potential projectiles.

Just my thoughts, and I am not a tech.

henrietta

henrietta said:

"I would think twisting the belt stalk a half twist help reduce the chance of anything hitting it during a crash. This way the button is some what covered and protected from releasing."

I actually think from looking at them, that if the buckle stalks are twisted, the chances of the carseat itself releasing the buckle on a sharp turn or in an accident is much greater, and while the chance of projectiles hitting it is less likely w/buckle twisted, the carseat releasing it seems a greater danger than potential projectiles.

Just my thoughts, and I am not a tech.

henrietta

Click to expand...

From everything I have read in the previous posts the biggest concern is projectiles hitting the buckle. And, With the release button sitting higher and not as protected this is the biggest concern. By twisting the belt buckle 1/2 twists it covers the release button from projectiles or simple a diaper bags bumping it and releasing it.

If your car seat is tipping during a sharp turn to cause it to release then you don't have a solid install. That is another can of worms. If the seat is close to the release button then twists the buckle up to 3 twists to get the belt stalk down away from the seat and then flip the buckle backwards.

"From everything I have read in the previous posts the biggest concern is projectiles hitting the buckle. And, With the release button sitting higher and not as protected this is the biggest concern. By twisting the belt buckle 1/2 twists it covers the release button from projectiles or simple a diaper bags bumping it and releasing it.

If your car seat is tipping during a sharp turn to cause it to release then you don't have a solid install. That is another can of worms. If the seat is close to the release button then twists the buckle up to 3 twists to get the belt stalk down away from the seat and then flip the buckle backwards."

Jennah,

Thanks for the explanation. Yes, our seats are tight--they don't tip *at all* ever. I guess I can still picture a seat in a really bad accident getting bounced over and bumping the buckle, even if it's installed correctly. I'm sure I'm overthinking it! But I see your point.

In our case, w/the Town and Country, the seatbelt buckles are about the shortest I've ever seen! The buckles are half buried inside the side of the seats inside a hard plastic sheath, so they are nowhere near the carseats. So, no need to twist them to keep them from interfering w/the carseats. But they also aren't able to be turned around to prevent them from being hit by objects in the car.



henrietta