There are two types of main seat belts. A two point seat belt, also know as a lap only belt and a three point seat belt that is also know as a shoulder/lap belt.
Parts of a Seat Belt
Webbing
The fabric part of the seat belt
Latch plate
The seat belt part that connects the webbing to a buckle into the vehicle. The male portion of the seat belt.
Buckle
The buckle accepts the latch plate and holds the seat belt in place. The female portion of the seat belt.
Buckle stalk
The fabric/webbing that is connecting the buckle to the vehicle
Retractor
Retractors gathers and stores the extra webbing of the seat belt.There are several different types of seat belts. Since 1996 vehicles have been required to have locking seat belts to help with the installation of child safety seats. Some lock at the latch plate and some lock at the retractor. When installing a car seat with a seat belt the seat belt must be locked in one of for ways; by the latch plate, by the retractor, by a locking clip, or by a belt shortening clip.
Types of Latch Plates
Locking Latch Plate
This is the type of latch plate that locks. The latch plate will lock either by a little bar mechanism that will not allow for the webbing to slide from the latch plate or a button on the latch plate that when turned will lock the latch plate not allowing the webbing to slide freely from the latch plate.
Swen on Latch Plate
This is a latch plate were it is sewn onto the belt. This type of latch plate does not lock.
Sliding Latch Plate
This is the type of latch plate that slides freely up and down on the seat belts webbing without locking.
Types of Retractor
Emergency locking retractor (ELR)
This is the type of retractor that locks only during an emergency. This seat belt will lock when you pull it too quickly, make a sudden stop, turn too quickly, or during a crash. But when you pull the webbing all the way out it will not switch over to a Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR). These types of seat belts are often found in the drivers seat.
Automatic Locking Retracor (ALR)
This is a type of retractor that locks automatically. Once you stop pulling the webbing out it automatically stops allowing you to pull any more webbing out, regardless if its the end of the webbing or not.
Switchable Retractor
A switchable retractor is an emergency locking retractor that when the webbing is pulled all the way out it becomes a automatic locking retractor.If you are unsure of what type of seat belt your car has you can always find that information in the vehicle's manual.
Installing with Automatic Locking Retractor
Always read both the vehicle and the car seats manuals to know exactly how to install your particular car seat in your vehicle.
Always read both the vehicle and the car seats manuals to know exactly how to install your particular car seat in your vehicle.
When installing with an automatic locking retractor (ALR) you thread the seat belt in one smooth motion through the car seats correct belt path and buckle the seat belt. Then press firmly down on the car seat. As you press down the webbing will feed into the retractor automatically locking. Continue to push down firmly on the car seat until there is less than 1" of movement when tugged firmly sided to side and front to back at the belt path.
Installing with a Switchable Retractor (video)
Always read both the vehicle and the car seats manuals to know exactly how to install your particular car seat in your vehicle.
Always read both the vehicle and the car seats manuals to know exactly how to install your particular car seat in your vehicle.
When installing with a switchable retractor thread the seat belt through the correct belt path and buckle it in. Pull the shoulder portion of the seat belt all the way out of the retractor. You will often hear it click. Start feeding the seat belt back into the retractor, trying pulling it out of the retractor a few times to make sure it is locked. Press firmly on the car seat and continue to feed the seat belt into the retractor, removing all slack. Continue to push down firmly on the car seat pulling the seat belt and feeding it into the retractor until there is less than 1" of movement when tugged firmly sided to side and front to back at the belt path.
Troubleshooting: If you can not get the car seat snug enough you can twist the buckle stalk. Some vehicles will have very long buckle stalks making it difficult to get a tight installation. You may twist the buckle stalk up to three times but you want to use as few twist as possible. Thread the seat belt through the correct belt path, twist the buckle stalk up to three times, and buckle it in. Pull the shoulder portion of the seat belt all the way out of the retractor. You will often hear it click. Start feeding the seat belt back into the retractor, trying pulling it out of the retractor a few times to make sure it is locked. Press firmly on the car seat and continue to feed the seat belt into the retractor, removing all slack. Continue to push down firmly on the car seat pulling the seat belt and feeding it into the retractor until there is less than 1" of movement when tugged firmly sided to side and front to back at the belt path.
Installing with a Locking Latch Plate (video)
Always read both the vehicle and the car seats manuals to know exactly how to install your particular car seat in your vehicle.
Always read both the vehicle and the car seats manuals to know exactly how to install your particular car seat in your vehicle.
When installing with a locking latch plate examine the latch plate to determine what type of locking latch plate your vehicle has; one with a button or one with a bar mechanism. If its the type with the button switch the button to the child position. Thread the seat belt through the correct belt path and buckle it. Push down firmly on the car seat and pull the webbing as tight as you can, removing all slack. Continue to push down firmly and pull the webbing as tight as you can until there is less than 1" of movement when tugged firmly sided to side and front to back at the belt path.
Troubleshooting: If you have a locking latch plate with a bar mechanism on a lap only belt and it will not lock because of the position the belt is laying you may flip the latch plate. Thread the seat belt through the correct belt path and buckle it. Push down firmly on the car seat (helps if you use your knee) and pull the webbing as tight as you can, removing all slack. Unbuckle the seat belt while continuing the push down on the car seat. Flip the latch plate to where the bar mechanism is facing outward. Buckle the seat belt back. Test the car seat for a tight install by tugging firmly side to side and front to back at the belt path. There should be less than 1" of movement in any direction. If there is more than 1" of movement unbuckle the seat belt and start over, this time pressing more firmly into the car seat.
What to do if neither the vehicles retractor or latch plate lock?
If you have a lap and should belt that does not lock at either the retractor or the latch plate then you will need to use a locking clip. (you may never use a locking clip on a lap belt only seat belt) All car seats come with a locking clip, if you have lost yours they can be purchased at Toys/Babies R Us or through the manufacture of the car seat.
To install a car seat with a locking clip you will need to thread the seat belt throught the correct belt path and buckle the seat belt. Press firmly down on the car seat and pull the seat belt to remove all slack. Pinch the seat belts webbing near the latch plate. Unbuckle the seat belt. Attach the locking clip within 1" of the latch plate. Rebuckle the seat belt. Then test the car seats tightness by pulling firmly at the belt path side to side and front to back. There should be less than 1" of movement in any direction. If there is more than 1" of movement remove the locking clip and start over pressing more firmly into the car seat removing more slack. Sometimes it can be easier to install a locking clip with two people. One person holds the car seat down and the other attaches the locking clip.
A locking clip is also used when a car seat has a tendency to tip or lean to the side. This happens sometimes with a lap and shoulder belt that locks at the retractor. The shoulder portion of the belt with continue to feed into the retractor locking and pulling the car seat to the side making it lean. To fix this problem instead of locking the seat belt at the retracor you would use the locking clip instead.
Some car seats are equipped with lock offs. Lock offs are claps attached to the car seat that will clamp over the seat belt locking it in place. To install a car seat with lock offs you start by opening the lock off. Thread the seat belt through the correct belt path and buckle the seat belt. Push down firmly on the car seat and pull the seat belt tight, removing any slack. Place the seat belt it the correct lock off (you'll need to read the car seat manual to know witch part of the seat belt goes into witch lock off). Clasp the seat belt with the lock off. Then test the car seats tightness by pulling firmly at the belt path side to side and front to back. There should be less than 1" of movement in any direction. If there is more than 1" of movement undo the lock offs and start over pressing more firmly into the car seat removing more slack.
A belt shortening clip looks very similar to a locking clip. You would purchase a belt shortening clip from the manufacture of your vehicle. You may never use a locking clip in the place of a belt shortening clip, you may however use a belt shortening clip in the place of a locking clip. A locking clip is not nearly as strong as a belt shortening clip and can not preform the job of a belt shortening clip. Belt shortening clips are used on Emergency Locking Retractors (ERL) with sown on latch plates. The seat belts are unable to lock in a way to install a car seat without the belt shortening clip. Luckily many seat belts are not made this way. It is unlikely that you will ever need to use a belt shortening clip.
If you find that you will need a belt shortening clip I would contact a very experienced Child Passenger Safety Technician/Instructor to help you.
These are a BIG NO NO! Do not use one of these. You don't need to. If installing your seat correctly you will be able to achieve a tight install. Seat belt tighteners can over tighten your seat belt, break parts of your seat belt or car seat, and can possible break free in a crash and become a heavy projectile. They are not tested with your car seat and you shouldn't use them, nor do you need them. Seek help from a Child Passenger Safety Technician if you aren't getting a tight installation.
You should ALWAYS read though your car seat's manual and your vehicle manual. Your car seat's manual will tell you exactly how to install your seat and your vehicle manual will tell you important information about its seat belts or LATCH. If you are having problems with installing your seat please visit a certified child passenger safety technician. You can find one at www.SeatCheck.org
Seat Belt Strangulation
Locking Clip (video)
Always read both the vehicle and the car seats manuals to know exactly how to install your particular car seat in your vehicle.
Always read both the vehicle and the car seats manuals to know exactly how to install your particular car seat in your vehicle.
If you have a lap and should belt that does not lock at either the retractor or the latch plate then you will need to use a locking clip. (you may never use a locking clip on a lap belt only seat belt) All car seats come with a locking clip, if you have lost yours they can be purchased at Toys/Babies R Us or through the manufacture of the car seat.
To install a car seat with a locking clip you will need to thread the seat belt throught the correct belt path and buckle the seat belt. Press firmly down on the car seat and pull the seat belt to remove all slack. Pinch the seat belts webbing near the latch plate. Unbuckle the seat belt. Attach the locking clip within 1" of the latch plate. Rebuckle the seat belt. Then test the car seats tightness by pulling firmly at the belt path side to side and front to back. There should be less than 1" of movement in any direction. If there is more than 1" of movement remove the locking clip and start over pressing more firmly into the car seat removing more slack. Sometimes it can be easier to install a locking clip with two people. One person holds the car seat down and the other attaches the locking clip.
A locking clip is also used when a car seat has a tendency to tip or lean to the side. This happens sometimes with a lap and shoulder belt that locks at the retractor. The shoulder portion of the belt with continue to feed into the retractor locking and pulling the car seat to the side making it lean. To fix this problem instead of locking the seat belt at the retracor you would use the locking clip instead.
Lock Offs (video)
Always read both the vehicle and the car seats manuals to know exactly how to install your particular car seat in your vehicle.
Always read both the vehicle and the car seats manuals to know exactly how to install your particular car seat in your vehicle.
Some car seats are equipped with lock offs. Lock offs are claps attached to the car seat that will clamp over the seat belt locking it in place. To install a car seat with lock offs you start by opening the lock off. Thread the seat belt through the correct belt path and buckle the seat belt. Push down firmly on the car seat and pull the seat belt tight, removing any slack. Place the seat belt it the correct lock off (you'll need to read the car seat manual to know witch part of the seat belt goes into witch lock off). Clasp the seat belt with the lock off. Then test the car seats tightness by pulling firmly at the belt path side to side and front to back. There should be less than 1" of movement in any direction. If there is more than 1" of movement undo the lock offs and start over pressing more firmly into the car seat removing more slack.
Belt Shortening Clip
Always read both the vehicle and the car seats manuals to know exactly how to install your particular car seat in your vehicle.
Always read both the vehicle and the car seats manuals to know exactly how to install your particular car seat in your vehicle.
A belt shortening clip looks very similar to a locking clip. You would purchase a belt shortening clip from the manufacture of your vehicle. You may never use a locking clip in the place of a belt shortening clip, you may however use a belt shortening clip in the place of a locking clip. A locking clip is not nearly as strong as a belt shortening clip and can not preform the job of a belt shortening clip. Belt shortening clips are used on Emergency Locking Retractors (ERL) with sown on latch plates. The seat belts are unable to lock in a way to install a car seat without the belt shortening clip. Luckily many seat belts are not made this way. It is unlikely that you will ever need to use a belt shortening clip.
If you find that you will need a belt shortening clip I would contact a very experienced Child Passenger Safety Technician/Instructor to help you.
Seat Belt Tightener
These are a BIG NO NO! Do not use one of these. You don't need to. If installing your seat correctly you will be able to achieve a tight install. Seat belt tighteners can over tighten your seat belt, break parts of your seat belt or car seat, and can possible break free in a crash and become a heavy projectile. They are not tested with your car seat and you shouldn't use them, nor do you need them. Seek help from a Child Passenger Safety Technician if you aren't getting a tight installation.You should ALWAYS read though your car seat's manual and your vehicle manual. Your car seat's manual will tell you exactly how to install your seat and your vehicle manual will tell you important information about its seat belts or LATCH. If you are having problems with installing your seat please visit a certified child passenger safety technician. You can find one at www.SeatCheck.org
Inflatable Seat Belts (video)
Inflatable seat belts are a new option in some Ford vehicles. Many car seat manufactures do not allow you to install their seats with inflatable seat belts. You will need to contact the manufacture of your car seat and ask before installing your car seat or booster with an inflatable seat belt.
Seat Belt Strangulation
Seat Belts with locking retractors can be dangerous. Sometimes children will play with the seat belt, pull the seat belt all the way out and switch it to locking mode. They will wrap the seat belt around themselves and the seat belt with tighten and tighten as its fed into the retractor. This has been know to strangle children. To learn more about seat belt strangulation and how to prevent them visit this link.
