Check Points

Seatbelts, Inspecting

CAUTION: Seatbelt system is to be systematically checked after every accident. If damage has been found according to check points, customer is to be notified of necessity of a seatbelt replacement.

Check points
- Check belt webbing
- Check automatic retraction (locking effect)
- Visual check of belt latch
- Function check of belt latch
- Checking guide stops and seatbelt lock tongue
- Check anchoring components and anchoring points
- Checking lap belt automatic retractor.

NOTE: Make a note if customer refuses to allow replacement of damaged seatbelt.

Belt webbing, checking
- Check belt webbing for soiling, wash with mild soap solution if necessary.
- If one kind of damage (belt webbing cut, torn or chafed) or (webbing loops on belt edge torn) shown in following is detected on a vehicle which has been in an accident, replace seatbelt complete with belt lock.
- If one kind of damage described in following is detected on a vehicle which has not been in an accident, only damaged seatbelt needs to be replaced.

Possible damage







Belt webbing cut, torn or chafed







Webbing loops on belt edge torn.







Burned spots from cigarettes or similar.







One side of belt edge deformed or area of belt edge is wavy

Check automatic retraction (locking effect)
Automatic belt retractor has two locking functions.
- first locking function is triggered by quick unrolling of belt from automatic belt retractor (belt extraction acceleration).
Test
- Pull belt out of automatic belt retractor with firm jerk.
- No locking effect - replace seatbelt complete with belt latch.
- If there are malfunctions when belt is extracted or retracted, next check where position of automatic retractor has changed.
- Second locking function is initiated by change in vehicle movement sequence (vehicle-dependent locking function).

Checking
- Fasten seatbelt.
- Accelerate vehicle to 12 mph (20 km/h) and then perform full braking using foot brake.
- Replace seat belt complete with belt latch if seat belt is not locked by locking mechanism during braking procedure.

CAUTION: For safety reasons, road test should performed in traffic-free area to ensure that or motorists/pedestrians etc. are not endangered.

Visual check of belt latch
- Inspect belt latch for cracks and fracturing.
- If damaged, replace seatbelt complete with belt latch.

Function check of belt latch
Check belt latch:
- Insert belt tongue into belt latch until it engages audibly. Check whether lock mechanism is engaged by pulling forcefully on belt webbing.
- Replace seat belt complete with belt latch if belt tongue fails even only once to engage properly in belt latch during at least 5 tests.

Check release:
- Release seatbelt by pressing button on belt lock with finger.
- With seatbelt relaxed, lock tongue must spring out of belt lock without assistance.
- Test at least 5 times. Replace seatbelt completely with belt lock if lock tongue fails to spring out even once.

CAUTION: Under no circumstances may lubricant be used to eliminate noise or stiffness at belt latch buttons.

Checking guide stops and seatbelt lock tongue
Plastic coated guide stops face load (seatbelt on during accident) of belt system parallel to small grooves. (Chafing created by significant usage, in contrast, is recognizable in relation to smooth, stripe-free abrasion)

- Check plastic for deformation, rupture and tearing.
- For groove build-up and/or damage, replace seatbelt completely with lock.

Check anchoring components and anchoring points
- Lock strap deformed (stretched)
- Height adjuster not functioning
- Anchoring points (seat, pillar, vehicle floor) warped or threading damaged
- If damage is found at components, replace seatbelt completely with lock.
- Replace anchoring points.

NOTE: For damaging not resulting from accident, e.g. general wear, replace only damaged component.