Whenever I am accelerating quickly like I am going to get on a freeeway, my seatbelt tightens up and it doesn't move around. When I get to a steady pace it loosens after a few seconds. But when I am accelerating onto a freeway I really want to move my body and look behind me out of the left side, and it is very hard to do if my seatbelt tightens like that.



Anyone have the same problem?

 

seat belt pretensioners are just doing their job. hard braking, hard accelerating, and getting into an accident will trigger that.

if you really want the slack to move around, try reaching up and pulling the belt out a little before you punch it, that way it will lock it up away from your body and you can still move a little.

but the car is doing what it is supposed to.

 

Personally, I like it when it tightens up. Since my '03 has so little side bolstering, it's good to have SOMETHING to keep in place because the seat sure doesn't.
I'd be worried if it DIDN'T do what you describe.

Jason

 

Well, I like it usually. But when I am accelerating onto a freeway and I have to look over my shoulder it makes it VERY hard and quite dangerous in my opinion in that situation.

It would also be hard to pull the seatbelt out as well, because I have a manual tranny and have to have one hand for steering.

 

My boss uses a quad folded business card stink into the seat loop thingy at the pillar to stop his from retracting.

My dad uses a clip he found somewhere that stops it from retracting.

I, on the other hand, don't use any of these, and have learned to use a shirt collar to cushion my neck. Works for me.

Every so often I will get in a car that retracts like crazy, and it really irritates me. Mostly they don't, though. In this case, I think I'd have to use a clip, if that were mine... The retractor shouldn't retract, but instead just lock in place. Then release when the car's back to "normal."

Maybe it's broke?

 

It doesn't retract. It just tightens.


Usually when I am getting onto the freeway by head is against the headrest if you get my drift. So I can't lean over and look over my shoulder.

 

Just thought of something. Adding a couple of those little round mirrors in the lower inside corners of the mirrors might help... They aren't pretty, but man, do they work!

They were on my 87 Mark VII. At first I hated them. They weren't pretty. And I couldn't get them off.

Then, I found they were highly useful, and since then, my cars will have them. Had to have them on my Mark VIII, will have them on all future cars. Including, sad to say, my Mustang...

When backing into a spot, surrounded by cars, you'll know their value... And no neck craning!

/just a thought. Don't shoot. You don't have to, ya know.

 

Dude, your side view mirror is alot larger for seeing whats behind and to your left and you have the power under the hood to do whatever is needed.
Do keep in mind all things equal, the vehicles already on the highway have the right of way.

Enjoy

 

I agree, you want to keep focused on traffic ahead of you slowing down, as it often does around an on-ramp. Train yourself to use the mirrors.

 

And watch out for Motorcyclists!

(Just a friendly reminder from a rider.)

joe

 

I know look in front of you but I usually look over to my left to find a spot to fit in. I guess I will have to use the mirrors more even though they are not as accurate.