How Often Should Seat Belts Be Inspected After Years of Use?
2 Answers
Seat belts should generally be inspected once every two years of use. Here are some precautions for using seat belts: Lap Belt: The lap belt should be fastened snugly across the lower part of the hip bones, making direct contact with the femur area. In the event of a collision, the impact force will be distributed to the pelvic bones, preventing the belt from tightening around the abdomen and causing serious injuries. Shoulder Belt: The shoulder belt should be positioned across the shoulder and over the chest. These areas of the body can effectively withstand the restraining force of the seat belt. General Usage: The seat belt should be positioned across the hips and chest, forming a horizontally placed V-shape over the pelvis and ribcage. It should be used by one person only; sharing with another person is strictly prohibited. Avoid twisting the seat belt during use.
Last time the mechanic told me it's best to do a simple seatbelt check annually. It's not difficult to DIY - pull it out to check if the webbing has cracks or frayed edges, test if the buckle has enough spring tension, and see if it retracts smoothly. Especially for older cars that have been driven for seven or eight years, the plastic buckles are prone to aging and becoming brittle. My SUV with 100,000 kilometers once had a jammed rear seatbelt, and upon disassembly, we found the retractor spring had rusted and broken. Don't spray strong alkaline cleaners on seatbelts when washing the car, as it can corrode the fibers. Actually, having the mechanic take a quick look during regular maintenance is the safest bet - after all, it can save lives in critical moments, so it's not something to be careless about.
