Except for the driver’s seat belt, there is a fabric loop at the buckle of the passenger seatbelt. It all comes down to making the passengers safer, and this is a common feature in newer cars.
Since the seatbelt has extra fabric, it tears when under stress or sudden impact. In the event of a crash, the loop will rip open, allowing you to gain a few more inches of seat belt length. This feature spreads the force and stops you from getting your seatbelt off and hurting yourself.
Another good thing about this loop is it stops the belt buckle from hitting the side of the car repeatedly as the car moves. It also keeps the buckle at a height easy to work with. This prevents it from sliding down the seatbelt and onto the floor.
While the passenger seat belts’ design makes passengers safer, having one on the driver’s seatbelt can be harmful to the driver. The driver’s side seatbelt doesn’t have a loop because it should be strapped in when the car is moving. Instead, a button makes sure the buckle doesn’t fall to the ground.
To understand seatbelt fabric loops better, here are three major purposes for a vehicle’s seatbelt fabric loop:
1. The Loop Spreads Out the Force from a Car Crash
When a car crashes, the impact is so powerful that it can rip the seatbelt away from the buckle. This is because the seatbelt is usually fixed to the vehicle and the buckle to the floor. If a car stops suddenly and there is an object in front of it, the seatbelt will tear.
Seat belts are fixed to the car’s side and buckles to the floor on older vehicles. The seatbelt fabric loop gives a few inches of extra length when a passenger gets stuck in the car due to an impact. This allows rescuers to cut the seatbelt and free the passenger. However, the loop will break with enough force and may need replacement.
2. The Loop Protects from the Buckle Hitting the Passenger
It is very annoying and uncomfortable when the seatbelt buckle hits you every time the car stops at a red light. The fabric loop prevents this from happening because it catches the belt buckle.
When the seatbelt is tightened, and the car reaches a full stop, the fabric loop will stop the buckle from hitting you as it is pulled up and away from your face. In case your seatbelt and its fabric loop get destroyed, you need to see a reliable seat belt repair service to get your seatbelt in top condition.
3. The Loop Keeps the Buckle at a Height That Is Easy to Use
Another significant purpose of the fabric loop is that it keeps the buckle at a height that is comfortable to use. The fabric loop is attached to the buckle and the back of the seat. The loop opens up when the seatbelt is pulled, and the buckle is lifted away from the seat.
However, fabric loops are sometimes hidden under the back of the seat, which makes them not easily visible. Check your vehicle to discover where the fabric loop is located, so you’ll know how to work them in case of an emergency.
Conclusion
Seatbelt fabric loops are essential for keeping the passengers safe in a car crash and helping them get out safely if they are trapped. While seemingly ordinary, the seatbelt fabric loop is a small feature that has saved thousands of lives.
At Safety Restore, we are experts in seat belt repairs and airbag module reset to ensure your car’s safety system is in impeccable condition. Our services also include instrument cluster repair and webbing replacement services. Bring your vehicle to us after an accident, and we will provide you with a lifetime warranty on our work. Contact us today!