Adapters for Safety Belts that are Incompatible with Child Restraints | Belt-Shortening Clips
Adapters for Safety Belts that are Incompatible with Child Restraints |
Many older vehicles (made before the 1996 model year) from certain manufacturers have safety belts in the front seat that are not designed to anchor child safety seats tightly. Some have buckles anchored very far forward. Many have automatic (passive) front safety belts either attached to the door of the vehicle or moving on a track above the door. Some have separate lap belts that do not lock tightly around child safety seats. Special parts may be ordered from the vehicle manufacturer to solve some of these problems.
Children should be buckled up in the back seat, if possible. However, it may be necessary to place a child safety seat in the front if all rear seating positions are in use by other children or the child safety seat cannot be firmly attached in the rear. Some manufacturers of cars with automatic belts have provided special child seat buckles or belts for anchoring a child safety seat tightly in the front seat, if necessary.The parts listed below should ONLY be used when installing a child safety seat in one of these specific vehicles, not for restraining an older child or adult passenger. Order them from your local dealership. Dealer parts departments may not be familiar with these parts, as they are not ordered frequently. Manufacturer customer service numbers are included, in case you wish to inquire further.
For more information about passenger safety:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Auto Safety Hotline
888-DASH-2-DOT or 800-424-9153 (tty)
www.nhtsa.gov
List of Add-On Vehicle Belts and Buckles by Manufacturer
Note: All retail prices are for parts only and do not include any dealer charges that may apply. Prices and information have been supplied by the manufacturer and are subject to change.
Ford Motor Company 800-392-3673
Make /Model |
Model Year(s) |
Retail Price |
Description |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ford Thunderbird |
1989-93 |
no charge |
Replacement
front seat buckle to be attached farther back than the standard buckle.
See owner's manual. |
|
Mercury Cougar |
1989-93 |
no charge |
||
General Motors Corporation
Buick |
800-521-7300 |
Oldsmobile |
800-442-6537 |
|---|---|---|---|
Cadillac |
800-458-8006 |
Pontiac |
800-762-2737 |
Chevrolet/GEO |
800-222-1020 |
Saturn |
800-555-6000 |
GMC |
800-462-8782 |
Make /Model |
Retail Price |
Description |
|---|---|---|
All with automatic lap-shoulder belts attached to the door |
no charge |
Separate lap belt to be attached to a special anchor next to the door. |
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) 800-999-1009
Make /Model |
Model Year(s) |
Retail Price |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Accord Coupe |
1988-89 |
$31.88 |
|
Accord Hatchback |
1988-89 |
$31.88 |
|
Civic Hatchback |
1990-91 |
$31.88 |
|
Prelude |
1988-91 |
$31.88 |
|
CRX (except HF) |
1989 |
$31.88 |
|
CRX |
1990-1991 |
$31.88 |
Nissan North America 800-647-7261
Make /Model |
Model Year(s) |
Retail Price |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
240SX |
1990-93 |
$15.95 |
Belt |
240SX Convertible |
1993-1994 |
$18.95 |
Belt |
300 ZX |
1990-93 |
$18.95 |
Belt |
G20 |
1991-93 |
$11.95 |
Buckle |
Axxess |
1990 |
$11.95 |
Buckle |
Maxima |
1987-88 |
$21.02 |
Buckle |
Maxima |
1989-92 |
$11.95 |
Buckle |
Sentra 2 door/4 door |
1989-90 |
$11.95 |
Buckle |
Sentra 2 door/4door |
1991-92 |
$15.95 |
Belt |
Sentra 2 door |
1993-94 |
$15.95 |
Belt |
Stanza |
1990-92 |
$11.95 |
Buckle |
None available:* Bentley Motors North America, DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Isuzu (American Isuzu), Mazda North America, Mitsubishi Motors North America, Porsche Cars North America, Saab Cars USA, Suzuki (American Suzuki Motor Corp.), Toyota Motor Corporation U.S.A., Volkswagen of America, Volvo
* In most cases, these manufacturers did not use technology requiring the types of special equipment mentioned above for compatibility with child safety seats.
Adapters for Safety Belts that are Incompatible with Child Restraints | Belt-Shortening Clips