Why fasten rear seatbelts with no one in the back?

[anonymous-user]

I've seen a few people do this, leave the rear seatbelts pulled across connected with no one sitting there, I think this is a bit odd, anyone explain the benefits of doing this?

[PigFilth]

Often come back from MOT or service with them like this.

[Funk]

Looks neater, stops them rattling around..?

[Greenpis]

Explanation I have seen is it will increase the rigidity of the rear seats through the belt mounting points.
Only benefit I can think of is from something heavy in the boot forcing it's way into the cabin during an impact.

[D188ERS]

was this on 5th gear (or suchlike) a while ago - iirc it relates to strengthening folding rear seats in the event of a rear end shunt?

edit-damn you greenp!

[Roop]

I do this in my car mainly because it stops the buckle from potentially knocking the crap out of the plastic trim at the sides.

[anonymous-user]

Roop said:

I do this in my car mainly because it stops the buckle from potentially knocking the crap out of the plastic trim at the sides.

Damn, this is a good reply, I'm going to do this myself now

By the way, checking your profile I see you are in Lausanne. I'm planning to stop off there on my Alps driving trip in May, what's it like?

[wackojacko]

PigFilth said:

Often come back from MOT or service with them like this.

Roop said:

I do this in my car mainly because it stops the buckle from potentially knocking the crap out of the plastic trim at the sides.

how heavy are your buckles to rattle around that much especially in the back ? enertia real seat belts should be fairly tought when not in use ? , I could understand with harnesses in the front as the clips and retainer rattle and clonk about alot.

[Funk]

I know why it is...

You're moving weight further toward the centre of the car, thereby reducing roll-inertia on turn-in. That's science, that is.

[Biker's Nemesis]

Funk said:

I know why it is...

You're moving weight further toward the centre of the car, thereby reducing roll-inertia on turn-in. That's science, that is.

You have to fold the rear seats down for the full effect.

[pits]

Mine pretty much stayed clipped in after it has been mot'd unless someone uses the rear seats,

[Risotto]

St John Smythe said:

Roop said:

I do this in my car mainly because it stops the buckle from potentially knocking the crap out of the plastic trim at the sides.

Damn, this is a good reply, I'm going to do this myself now

Depends on your car but a lot of models these days have a slot or clip in the plastic trim specifically to hold the buckle when not in use - you might have one and just don't realise it...

[redtwin]

I just know the next time I am driving I am going to be turning around to check if my buckles are moving around.

[The Tea Boy]

Could it be that if you put something heavy on th back seats it thinks there is a passenger so the belt stop the constant dong dong noises?

[HellDiver]

I keep mine locked for two reasons. One is the buckles fall down in to the guts of the side of the seat, so passengers can't find them. Second is to stop heavy items (bags of cement, pressure washers, lawn mowers etc) coming through the seats in an emergency situation. Or slow them down a bit at least.

[AllNines]

My employers have stipulated that company car drivers should always have their rear seatbelts fastened. I assumed it was because it added strength to the seats in case of an accident, especially as we have engineers driving around with tools and equipment in the boot.

[Roop]

St John Smythe said:

Roop said:

I do this in my car mainly because it stops the buckle from potentially knocking the crap out of the plastic trim at the sides.

Damn, this is a good reply, I'm going to do this myself now

By the way, checking your profile I see you are in Lausanne. I'm planning to stop off there on my Alps driving trip in May, what's it like?

Well I'm not actually in Lausanne. I am half way between there and Geneva at the side of the lake. Lausanne is quite a nice city really. Much better than Geneva IMHO.

[Roop]

wackojacko said:

PigFilth said:

Often come back from MOT or service with them like this.

Roop said:

I do this in my car mainly because it stops the buckle from potentially knocking the crap out of the plastic trim at the sides.

how heavy are your buckles to rattle around that much especially in the back ? enertia real seat belts should be fairly tought when not in use ? , I could understand with harnesses in the front as the clips and retainer rattle and clonk about alot.

Not very but the way they sit on the seats without being plugged means they sit virtually next to the plastic trim. As it's Ford trim, I don't expect it to take many knocks before looking tatty. It's prevention more than anything.

[Roop]

Risotto said:

St John Smythe said:

Roop said:

I do this in my car mainly because it stops the buckle from potentially knocking the crap out of the plastic trim at the sides.

Damn, this is a good reply, I'm going to do this myself now

Depends on your car but a lot of models these days have a slot or clip in the plastic trim specifically to hold the buckle when not in use - you might have one and just don't realise it...

Sadly not. My Honda had these and they worked great, but alas they were too expensive for Ford...!

[softtop]

AllNines said:

My employers have stipulated that company car drivers should always have their rear seatbelts fastened. I assumed it was because it added strength to the seats in case of an accident, especially as we have engineers driving around with tools and equipment in the boot.

makes a lot of sense