How to Check the Production Date of Seat Belts?
2 Answers
Seat belt production dates can be found on the vehicle's certificate of conformity and the vehicle's nameplate. You can also submit the VIN code to the manufacturer for inquiry. Below is relevant information: 1. Some seat belts have the date directly printed, making it very obvious and easy to identify. However, others may have cluttered labels with only English text, making it difficult to spot at a glance. In such cases, if you see the letters "MFD-DATE," the following information is the production date, as "MFD-DATE" stands for "Manufacturing Date." 2. If "MFD-DATE" is followed by a combination of letters and numbers, it indicates the use of a 17-digit coding rule, which is the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The 10th digit of the VIN is related to the date, following a 30-year cycle.
To be honest, I often check the production date of seat belts when helping friends with car repairs. The date is located on a small tag at the base of the seat belt, usually sewn in a very hidden spot. There's a numeric code on the tag, most commonly something like 2315, which means it was produced in the 15th week of 2023. To read it clearly, you need to pull the seat belt out and use your phone's flashlight. Why is the date important? Over time, seat belts can deteriorate, the material loses elasticity, and their protective capability decreases in a collision, so I always remind everyone to check periodically. If you find it's been over ten years, I strongly recommend replacing it—even if it looks fine, don't take chances. Checking every two years is a good habit, especially when buying a used car. Pay close attention to whether the date tag is intact—don’t skimp on this expense.
