How to Determine the Production Date of Car Seat Belts?
2 Answers
To determine the production date of car seat belts, follow these steps: locate the label on the seat belt, which typically features the car brand's logo and a QR code. The production date of the seat belt is also printed on this label. The function of seat belts is to: instantly tighten during a vehicle collision or when emergency braking is applied, securing the occupants firmly in their seats to prevent secondary collisions. The method for replacing seat belts is as follows: 1. Locate the wiring under the car seat to find the sensor wire for the seat belt buckle. 2. Remove the seat cushion, take out the airbag, find the bolt securing the seat belt, and remove the seat belt buckle. 3. Search for the seat cushion sensor within the seat cushion and remove it. 4. Install the new seat belt buckle onto the seat and insert the bolt. 5. Mount the weight sensor onto the car seat, then install the new retractor and tighten it with a wrench. 6. Reinstall the seat cushion onto the car seat and properly arrange the wiring at the bottom of the seat.
Last time I helped a friend inspect a used car, I specifically researched how to check the seatbelt date. For most vehicles, the seatbelt production date is hidden on a label—just pull the belt all the way out to see the white tag stitched on the side. Focus on the last line: if it says "MFD:0823," it means August 2023 production. Japanese cars often use codes, like "F3" for June 2023 (F is the 6th letter of the alphabet, and 3 is the year's last digit). Cross-check this date with the vehicle's nameplate—a significant discrepancy may indicate accident-related seatbelt replacement. Seatbelts last about ten years; replace them if the metal buckle rusts or the webbing stiffens.
