Question locking seatbelts

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JamieB

New member

• Mar 15, 2009

• #1

My sister has a 2003 Sunfire and when I pull her seatbelts all the way out and then let them in slowly they don't lock. Same with my friends 2000 Caravan. Do they lock another way or do I need locking clips when I install car seats in there with the belt? I have a Boulevard and a True Fit and my friend has an Eddie Bauer 3 in 1 and an Apex.

 

Andie

New member

• Mar 15, 2009

• #2

All cars after 96/97 have seat belts that lock in some way. They probably lock at the latch plate. You should not need locking clips for these cars. You can find more information on how to figure out which type they are here:

http://www.carseatsite.com/lockingclips.htm

Make sure to read the Primer on Latchplates. Hope this helps!

 

snowbird25ca

Moderator - CPST Instructor

• Mar 15, 2009

• #3

Both the Caravan and the Sunfire will have lightweight locking latchplates.

In the case of your BLVD and the True Fit, you cannot ever use a locking clip in any vehicle because they both have built in lock-offs and don't allow it. :thumbsup:

 

J

JamieB

New member

• Mar 17, 2009

• #4

Thank you very much! Is it ok to use a locking clip with these types of seatbelts? I finally figured out how they lock but they don't stay locked it seems? If you pull on the lap belt you can tell it's locked but it comes loose if you tug at it enough. And I install the seat and by the time we get where we're going, it loosens. Every time. This is an Eddie Bauer 3 in 1 rfing. Am I missing something? This is in the Caravan, not the Sunfire.

 

Andie

New member

• Mar 17, 2009

• #5

JamieB said:

Thank you very much! Is it ok to use a locking clip with these types of seatbelts? I finally figured out how they lock but they don't stay locked it seems? If you pull on the lap belt you can tell it's locked but it comes loose if you tug at it enough. And I install the seat and by the time we get where we're going, it loosens. Every time. This is an Eddie Bauer 3 in 1 rfing. Am I missing something? This is in the Caravan, not the Sunfire.

Click to expand...

You can flip the male end over on belts with the lightweight latchplates to help them stay locked. So you buckle it in upside down basically. Sorry if this doesn't make sense. It's the end of my night and I can't think of how to word it.

 

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JamieB

New member

• Mar 17, 2009

• #6

Andie said:

You can flip the male end over on belts with the lightweight latchplates to help them stay locked. So you buckle it in upside down basically.

Click to expand...

I should have mentioned that we tried that too. Sorry about that. Thank you though.

 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

Staff member

• Mar 17, 2009

• #7

Well, if it doesn't stay locked even when you do that, then yeah, I'd use a locking clip. (Or built-in lockoffs if your seat has them.)

Here's a good page on locking clips and how to use them.

 

unityco

Ambassador - CPS Technician

• Mar 18, 2009

• #8

The slipping latch plates are a problem for us in our '99 Caravan too. I use locking clips with our seats in that vehicle (we have a Radian and Nautilus, neither seat has built-in lock-offs.)

 

skaterbabs

Well-known member

• Mar 18, 2009

• #9

You cannot use a locking clip with your Blvd, but the other seats you mentioned allow them.

 

snowbird25ca

Moderator - CPST Instructor

• Mar 18, 2009

• #10

skaterbabscpst said:

You cannot use a locking clip with your Blvd, but the other seats you mentioned allow them.

Click to expand...

The True Fit doesn't allow them either, but it was mentioned earlier in the thread. :thumbsup:

 

skaterbabs

Well-known member

• Mar 18, 2009

• #11

AH, I missed that. Sorry!

 

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JamieB

New member

• Mar 19, 2009

• #12

Thanks everyone.