overly restrictive seatbelt
 

I recently noticed that wearing my seatbelt could cause more harm to me then when I didn't wear one. I know seat belts are supposed to be 'active' meaning if you jerk forward suddenly, the belt is supposed to restrain you. My belt keeps me back in my seat entirely even when I move up an inch or two SLOWLY. This make it extremely hard to check my blind spot in the mirror in emergency and none emergency applications. Also I noticed the belt keeps me restraint when getting on on/off ramps. To correct this I have to lean back so the belt loosens up and lean forward again so I can check my mirror to merge. Once again these are all SUBTLE movements of my torso, not quick a quick jerking motion.
Can someone shine some light on my issue because as much as I hate to say it, the belt AS OF NOW is doing more harm than good.

I experienced the overly-restrictive belt, too, when checking blind spots. That is all.

um.... are you wearing it over your head? :ugh2: wtf

I find myself wishing ht 370Z seat-belt locked like the one in domestic cars. Would be nice for spirited driving/track use. Seats are great, seatbelts are crap.

i drove a chevy van yesterday for work and you want your car to feel like that pos? :ugh2: wtf x2

OP what is your height and weight? And where are you in NY, maybe your seat belts are defective lol

No, I wished I had a seat-belt that held me into the seat like the one in my Z06 and my friend's Challenger. Not that I want a Z06 or Challenger, or I would have one.

The first problem is that you shouldn't have to be inching forward to get a good view of the cars in the next lanes. You don't have your mirrors configured correctly if you're hunching over to change the angle of your view in the mirror before a merge or lane change.

For driver's side: you're supposed to angle your mirror out until you can either no longer see your car or just BARELY see your car. The point of this is to reflect directly what's to the side of you, including the other lane - which will help you see if some jerk is switching into the same spot and lane as you.

For passenger side: same. Adjust your mirrors until you can just barely see the side of your car. And by barely, I do mean barely. I personally add an extra little push, you'll be able to see at least 2 lanes, as well as cars and even bikes that would normally be in your blind spots.

The bottom line is, you don't really need a reflection of your car in your mirrors. You should have them setup in a way that you'll only see your car and its wheel well when you're parallel parking - which normally involves you sticking your head toward the center of the car and looking into the passenger mirror.

Alright OP, I seriouly did a google search for you, see, it's 2:08am, WE ARE MATURE AND SERIOUS Z FELLOWS, ok? LOL

I found this video for ya:

Enjoy!!!

:tup: :tup:

21 Incher.
If you have a legit issue with your seat belt, then another person of similar size should be able to replicate the issue you're experiencing. Have someone sit in your driver seat and mimic the movements you described. Take it to the dealer. Not much we can do for you here.

Arnold, no matter how well configured your mirrors are. You will always need to scan them to ensure that there is absolutely no one in your blind spot. With a car such as ours with no useable back window this is just the case. No matter how well adjusted you think your mirrors are, you would always need to scan them no matter what.
Another sign that adds to the point that my belt is faulty is the fact that it does not take up the extra slack when I do take it off

The dealership. Have they assessed the situation?

I have blind spot mirrors. They may be ugly, but they are very useful.

I have issues with the belt like that once in a while when checking my blind spot. However, it's a tiny annoyance imo.

This is true, but the standard of fitness based on height/weight is ludicrously inapt. At 180 lbs, you could be 70% body fat or 20% body fat. height/weight takes none of that into account.

I only have to quickly glance to the side when switching lanes to make sure there is no one next to me - otherwise, my mirror setup covers 95% of things. I had the same in my 350Z and the 370Z. I never move my entire body forward.

Another suggestion, perhaps your seatbelt adjuster is too low? You can adjust it by raising the handle on the pillar.

Stay on Topic.......

^^^ Hope that wasn't directed at me? I'm pretty sure I was on topic. Unless that was directed at those with the silly weight comments.

Was disappointed at my first and only autocross event last summer because of this. Someone suggested it and was all excited I'd be like a pro, and then seatbelt fail!

i don't bother with seatbelts unless there's a cop checkpoint

You'll want to bother with them when you go flying out of your windshield, God Forbid. The airbag will not stop your body from catapulting out of the car or from flailing about inside the car in the event of a roll over or some sort of severe accident. I've heard and seen some crazy sh*t happen, all of which that could've been avoided with seatbelts.

Believe me, something so stupid is not worth it. Put the damn thing on.

I feel it restrict my waist and my lower back takes the toll

Only time I noticed was when my Blackberry fell into the abyss that is between the seat and center console...when trying to reach over I almost got choked lol, so in a way, I guess its pretty damn good...prefer that than it being too slack

My uncle was ejected from his car in an accident and the car landed on top of him... Long story short, please wear your seat belts regardless how restricted you feel...

Personally I'd like it more restrictive. I find that when I'm corning hard or breaking hard I need to hold onto the stearing wheel to keep my body stabilized. It's very annoying. Didn't have that problem in my last car. It had a 5-point harness and you didn't move around in the seat when you were driving it hard. To me it's just a better feel when your body is fully connected to the vehicle.

BTW, loved the video. That guy could ramble on man... Stopped it half way through cause I figured he wasn't going to come up with anything new after his custom clip! LOL

:iagree:

I also think there's something wrong with the seatbelt locking mechanism in your Z. I'm bigger than you, and the seat belt in my '11 doesn't lock up unless I give it a sharp tug. It takes a much more abrupt movement than when leaning forward to check a blind spot or to reach over to the glove box or something (when stopped, obviously).

And as far as making excuses to not wear a seat belt at all... :wtf2:

i hate how the seatbelt locks when i want to scatch my balls or something.

adding on to what arnold said... pretty much there shouldn't really be overlap between your mirrors. ie you shouldn't see the same car in the left side of your rear view mirror and the right side of your left side view mirror.

people forget that the mirrors on the sides are actually called 'side view mirrors' meaning they are supposed to actually allow you to see what is to the side of your car, not the back.

If you pass a car you should be able to see it enter your side view mirror, then pass into your rear view mirror without overlapping.

How To: Adjust Your Mirrors to Avoid Blind Spots - Feature - Car and Driver

I usually have to unbuckle my belt to check my blind spot, annoying. It locks wayyyy to easy.

Jeff has spoken, this thread can now be closed.

:icon18:

Shoot... I guess I'm the only one who feels like my seat belt is so comfortable I forget its on... but I'm of normal height and weight.:tup: