Is It Time to Replace My Car’s Seat Belts?

Even the slightest damage to your webbing, mechanisms, and mounting hardware can jeopardize your safety. A 5mm cut in your seat belt webbing, for instance, can have a significant impact on its effectiveness in an accident. Meanwhile, you must ensure that your tongue and buckle assembly, as well as your retractor, all work correctly and be free of damage.

Replace the whole assembly if your seat belt webbing is frayed, drooping, or strained or if it has been cut. Damages may also indicate a faulty retraction mechanism. If the webbing is visibly faded or bleached, its tensile strength may be decreased. Sunlight exposure can also cause brittleness and significantly reduce the strength of your webbing over time.

That said, make sure to examine the smoothness with which your seat belt retracts, for this protects you in the case of a collision. The tongue and buckle component of your seat belt should fit tightly with no free play and expel with a springy motion. Furthermore, the mounting hardware or anchorage for your seat belt be secure in place without any corrosion or deformities.

Your car seat belts, however, may require more attention than you think. Consider this quick and easy guide to help you understand when it’s time for a replacement:

What to Do After a Crash

In a collision, retractors use a device known as a pretensioner to keep the seat belt in place. When sensors detect sudden deceleration, the pretensioner utilizes an explosive charge to push a piston. This piston swiftly spools the webbing of your seat belt, instantly eliminating any slack and keeping you tight in the event of an accident.

Accidents happen, but you can prevent further damage for future incidents by looking into webbing replacements. If your vehicle was involved in an accident in which the pretensioner of a seat belt was engaged, you must replace that seat belt. 

The seat belt stalk cover distortion, a sagging buckle that sits low, and an inoperable retractor mechanism are all signs of pretensioner activation. After an accident, old seat belts are rendered ineffective and must be replaced before you can safely return to the road.

The Usual Effects of Wear and Tear

Seatbelts can be damaged over time due to wear and tear. There are several more variables that might accelerate the degradation of your seat belts. Take note of the following:

• Fine dust and particles can damage exposed seat belt systems, especially if you frequently drive in off-road settings, along coasts, or in locations prone to sandstorms.

• Excessive light exposure can harm seat belt webbing and exposed plastic components. If you own an open-top car or park it outside, ensure your seat belt webbing isn't discolored or bleached and that your plastic buckles and retractor casing aren't getting brittle from the sun's UV rays.

• Seat belts that are often used to secure a vehicle seat might degrade at a faster pace than usual as improper tension for an extended length of time might harm retractors and strain webbing.

• Frequent usage might cause the locking mechanism to wear out. These parts will wear out quickly if you use your car for deliveries or if you are continually getting in and out of your seat for any other purpose.

Conclusion

Seat belts are often claimed to save lives, but they are one of any vehicle’s most overlooked safety features. Because it is impossible to predict when seat belts will just fail, it is vital to understand that they will ultimately fail. Perform frequent tests, inspect for faults and flaws caused by usual wear and tear, or simply call for professional help to secure your overall safety.

Do you need SRS repair services? RepairMySRS specializes in resetting airbag modules and seat belt repairs, all while providing excellent service nationwide. Give us a call today at call 855-552-7233 for a full vehicle accident restoration!