General Seatbelt Problem

[Aussie500nut]

Hi all

Just wondering if anyone else has this problem with the seatbelts in the 500

The wife complains that as passenger or driving, the seatbelt rubs the side of her neck and is quite uncomfortable.
On our previous cars, the seatbelt top anchorage point was adjustable, but not so on the 500

Back seatbelts are similar - the grandkids - 11yo and 8yo complain of the same thing and wife says that she has same problem when in the back seat as well

For me, no problem at all
So ????????
I'm about 5'-10" tall and she is about 5'-7" or 8". Obviously the grandkids are smaller than us

Only solution I can see is to get some of the lambs' wool sleeves that slip over the belt webbing
But curious to know with the 1,000,000 500s now running around out there if this is a common problem

 

[Boodajuda]

It's a problem on my Abarth, and every car I've had without adjustable belts.

I'm getting some seatbelt pads from eBay.

 

[306maxi]

Yeah, my wife has the same issue.

 

[jrkitching]

They're designed on the "One size fits all" philosophy. The problem with this philosophy is that we're not all one size.

And for anyone over about 5' 8", the steering column is effectivey non-adjustable too.

 

[Aussie500nut]

Yeah, my wife has the same issue.

Thanks 306maxi, and everyone else as well for your replies
What if anything have you done to minimise the problem ??

 

[306maxi]

Thanks 306maxi, and everyone else as well for your replies
What if anything have you done to minimise the problem ??

Tell her to be quiet

 

[Aussie500nut]

Tell her to be quiet

Tried that but it took me 10 minutes to prize myself back out of the wall

 

[306maxi]

You have to instill a sense of fear first otherwise it doesn't work

 

[Aussie500nut]

You have to instill a sense of fear first otherwise it doesn't work

Thanks for the heads up
Will try that next time (as soon as my head heals up a bit)

 

[RobinPJ]

Thanks 306maxi, and everyone else as well for your replies
What if anything have you done to minimise the problem ??

Job done.

 

[Boodajuda]

Seat belt pads, as mentioned above, are about the only option. That or buy another car!

 

[thedebonair]

I have had seat belt pads on mine from day one. I don't even know if the seat belt rubs as I've always had the pads on. I get tired of rub marks on my clothes from the belt!

But the pads are annoying as they stop the seatbelt from retracting so you have to mess about sliding the pad down the belt so it retracts fully. Either that or forget to do it and close the door to a huge 'clunk' where you've shut it on the belt clasp as the belt hasn't retracted :bang:

It's rather amusing though watching people who aren't familiar with seat belt pads getting all in a mucking fuddle with them!

 

[Mondaugen]

These are supposed to fit, don’t know if a good idea.

BMW Genuine Left + Right Headrest Seat Belt Holders Set (52 30 2 208 036): Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike

 

[Aussie500nut]

These are supposed to fit, don’t know if a good idea.

BMW Genuine Left + Right Headrest Seat Belt Holders Set (52 30 2 208 036): Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike

Thanks - they look good -
But - there is always a BUT

The manual say that the head restraints have some sort of mechanism that moves them forward in a rear ender and should only be removed a dealer.

Anyone know what this really means ??
Anyone actually removed theirs ??

 

[306maxi]

I never saw that in the manual, I don't think the head restraints in a 500 do that anyway.

 

[Aussie500nut]

I never saw that in the manual, I don't think the head restraints in a 500 do that anyway.

306maxi you are correct - sort of - I'm guessing yours doesn't and I checked my manual and mine don't either
But the US ones apparently do

Before we took delivery of our 500 I downloaded an owner's manual off the 'net, knowing it was for the US model but I found what I was looking for at the rime.
I also saw the bit about the head restraints
My BAD

This what the US Owners Manual says
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Active Head Restraints — Front Seats
The front driver and passenger seats are equipped with Active Head Restraints (AHR). In the event of a rear impact the AHRs will automatically extend forward minimizing the gap between the back of the occupant’s head and the AHR.

The AHRs will automatically return to their normal position following a rear impact.
If the AHRs do not return to their normal position, see your authorized dealer immediately.

NOTE:
The head restraints should only be removed by qualified technicians, for service purposes only.
If either of the headrestraints require removal, see your authorized dealer.

 

[306maxi]

Learn something new every day

 

[Aussie500nut]

Problem hasn't gone away LOL - I'm OK

So, looking at the differences between the 500 and other cars we have/had in the past, the biggest difference is that on the 500, the seat belt "buckle" is anchored to the seat and is a lot lower, relative to the seat sitting surface than on the other cars

Seem to recall in the early days of seat belts that they used to say "the buckle is supposed to be about level and to the side of your hip."
On the 500 it (buckle) is way below and somewhat behind. It is this location that determines the line that the belt will take across your chest to the upper anchorage point. In fact raising or lowering the upper point wouldn't make that much difference

On the other hand, moving the buckle up to beside your hip makes the belt take a much more forward line across your chest, easing the pressure on the side of your neck.

Have found these on eBay - come in type "A" and "B" which are 21 wide and 25 wide, Ours are 21 wide



They extend the buckle height about 20cm, which would be about right

Has anyone tried these things ?

 

[RobinPJ]

I suppose in theory it is a "bad thing" as you are introducing at least two more points of weakness into the chain. So in an extreme accident there must be a slightly higher chance of something breaking. I'm sure that in reality the chance of that happening is pretty close to zero, provided the extension is of good quality.

And that is where my problems start. For me, the words "Ebay" and "quality" rarely go in the same sentence. Well, unless the word "sh*te" is also in it. I would definitely not buy that product unless it is made by a well known and respected manufacturer of car parts (preferably seat belts specifically). If it has come out of some Chinese factory and has some dodgy name (or no name at all) then i would not take the risk.

 

[Aussie500nut]

I suppose in theory it is a "bad thing" as you are introducing at least two more points of weakness into the chain. So in an extreme accident there must be a slightly higher chance of something breaking. I'm sure that in reality the chance of that happening is pretty close to zero, provided the extension is of good quality.

Thanks RobynPJ
Agree with the "weakest link" scenario
But then everything in life has some sort of risk, to some degree
You can stay home, don't use gas or electricity, take every self preservation precaution known to mankind
and in the end "old age" will still get you !!
Not sure that you will actually live any longer, but it would be so boring it would seem a hell of a lot longer.
So buy making the seat belt more comfortable has to be weighed against the risk of "another link in the chain"

provided the extension is of good quality.

And that is where my problems start. For me, the words "Ebay" and "quality" rarely go in the same sentence. Well, unless the word "sh*te" is also in it. I would definitely not buy that product unless it is made by a well known and respected manufacturer of car parts (preferably seat belts specifically). If it has come out of some Chinese factory and has some dodgy name (or no name at all) then i would not take the risk.

Yes, agree with the oxy-moron "eBay quality"
The eBay add (USA) claims it comes with a certificate for "E4 Certified" - whatever that means ?
Did a search on Google and nothing came up - that's a worry
Do you have any idea ?

TIA