Seat Belts - Mandatory Seat Belt Legislation & Extenders
Bulletin: 85-10-19ADate: May 1985
Ref. No.: 85-095A-10
SUBJECT: MANDATORY SEAT BELT LEGISLATION AND SEAT BELT EXTENDERS
MODELS AFFECTED: ALL
NOTICE: This bulletin supersedes 85-10-19 dated April 1985 due to text changes. Please discard original bulletin and replace it with this one.
Several states are considering or have enacted mandatory seat belt legislation. The State of New York enacted a mandatory seat belt law effective January 1, 1985. Buick Motor Division and General Motors strongly endorse and support efforts to enact legislation requiring the use of seat belts and child restraint systems.
With this new legislation, there may be increased interest by dealers regarding the availability of seat belts to supply customer replacement needs. Seat belts are available as complete assemblies only and repairs (as opposed to replacements) are not recommended. Dealers should not attempt to stock seat belt assemblies for all model years covered by mandatory state laws, since there are too many variations. New seat belt assemblies should be ordered as needed from GMWDD in the normal manner.
In addition, special seat belt extenders are available to accommodate those people who cannot fit the seat belt around themselves. Parts and Accessories Information Bulletin No. 85-84 provides information about seat belt extenders.
Recent inquiries regarding seat belt extenders availability indicate that Service Managers, Body Shop Managers, Shop Foreman, Service Advisors or Sales Personnel were not fully aware Buick offered extenders. Please be certain all appropriate personnel in your dealership are informed. Both increased use of seat belts and improved customer satisfaction should result.
Inasmuch as GM vehicle restraint systems have sufficient belt length to accommodate most drivers and passengers, requests for belt extensions are infrequent. In the event a customer does make such a request, the "Questionaire" (reprinted in this bulletin) must be completed and sent to the GMWDD Flint Order Department, attention National Section, where it will be processed as a dealer order. Copies of the questionaire should be made as required.
The extension is available for most GM vehicles produced in recent years. The design is such that it can be coupled to the existing belts included in each vehicle. Since the extension makes the belt arrangement a "custom fit", use by anyone else, or in a different vehicle, may lessen the effectiveness afforded by the restraint system. Therefore, before the order for the extension can be processed, the "Questionaire" must be completed in every respect, particularly the signature of the person who will be using the extension.
A word of caution - orders for seat belt extensions should not be submitted if it is determined that the intent is simply to provide a vehicle occupant with more slack for the sake of comfort. Please note that orders will not be filled if the measurement called for is 12 inches or less.
Seat belt extenders will be a no charge item to all GM customers who request them for their specific vehicles effective January 1, 1985.
Since each extension is made up individually after receipt of order, the customer should expect to experience a reasonable delay in availability. The time will vary depending on the vendor and his inventory of materials.
QUESTIONNAIRE EXTENDED LENGTH SEAT BELT
We have received your request for a seat belt extension. In order to respond, specific information must be supplied regarding the individual and vehicle involved.
1. Dealership Code _______________ Applicant's Name and Address _______________
Name ______________________________ Name ________________________________________
Address ___________________________ Address ____________________________________
___________________________________ _____________________________________________
Attention _________________________
2. Write in the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the car or cars for which the seat belt extension is required. VIN _______________________________________________
YEAR_____________________ BODY TYPE______________
Label of the Seat Belt Assembly:
3. In the area provided, supply the part number, if shown, the manufacturer's name and model number that appears on the label of the seat belt assembly. The label which is stitched to the webbing is located either slightly above where the webbing attaches to the floor (near the door) or in the retractor. The label on the webbing stowed inside the retractor can be found by fully extracting the webbing from the retractor.
A. PART NO. _____________________________________________
B. MANUFACTURER'S NAME __________________________________
C. MODEL NO. ____________________________________________
4. Measurement Procedure (In Inches)
- Place the seat in the position used by the occupant when driving or riding in the car.
- With occupant in the seat, give the buckle a hard pull to insure it is extended as far through the seat as possible.
- Rest the buckle against the occupant's hip.
Lap Area:
- Measure from the lap area directly below navel to the front edge of the buckle (Fig.. 1) and note dimension below.
Belt Fully Extended:
- Measure from the leading edge of the latch plate with the belt fully extended to the front edge of the buckle (Fig. 2) and note dimension below.
Measurement ______________________ (*See Note) Measurement ___________________________
* Note:
If measurement is 12 inches (304.8 MM) or less, the seat belt extender will not be available due to design and construction features.
ATTENTION APPLICANT
CAUTION: To help lessen the chance and/or severity of injury in an accident, the seat belt extension must not be used:
^ By anyone but the person for whom it was made or, ^ In any vehicle other than the vehicle(s) for which it was made.
_________________________________ _______________________________
APPLICANT'S SIGNATURE DATE