Seat Belts

[Tom Burns]

I have read that the interior of the smart is large enough for really tall people, but how about the seat belts? Are they long enough for heavy passengers? I have a seat belt extender on my current car....will I need one for the smart?

[Dave777]

You'd probably best explain what you mean by "large," or just go by a dealer and try it on for size.

[Karl Roth]

Originally Posted by Tom Burns

I have read that the interior of the smart is large enough for really tall people, but how about the seat belts? Are they long enough for "large" passengers? I have a seat belt extender on my current car....will I need one for the smart?

based on previous posts probably yes and the one you have should work you should try it on by all means.
karl

[MCOjerry]

Hi, I'm new and don't own a Smart. Still thinking about it. I have not driven one, but I did go down to the dealership and try one out. I'm 6' tall and not a small person. I fit perfectly in the car, seat belt and all. Of course, I have not needed an extender on any other car. My only concern was the length of my legs and the way my right leg leaned onto the cup holder. I'm not sure how that will wear on me after a while.

I suggest you go out to a dealership ad get in one. They are really roomy. Other drawback I noticed was that the seat back does not recline, so you can't fine tune the angle. For me though, the angle it is at is perfect. Someone correct me if there is a recline option, I couldn't find the lever.

[astuto]

Other drawback I noticed was that the seat back does not recline, so you can't fine tune the angle. For me though, the angle it is at is perfect. Someone correct me if there is a recline option, I couldn't find the lever

The lever is on the right of the seat. I'm short and like my seat almost straight up. A friend of mine is a foot taller and likes the seat relined a lot. We're able to adjust it for either of us. Not only is he 6'2", he's also 290 lbs. and he fits just fine.

A trick from another thread. To recline the seats back farther then they now go, hold the lever up (as you do to change the recline) and press back REAL HARD with your shoulders. You'll get some more recline. Someone said the seats are on springs and this presses down on them tighter. They said it does no long term harm to the seats. I tried it on one of my seats and it worked. Of course, the farther to the front the seats are, the more room you have to recline and not hit the back of the car.

[AF6FB]

I found that the seat belts in the smart were a little short for me. I found this solution and have been very pleased.



To install, you just remove the bolt that holds the existing belt in place. Fasten the extender in it's place. Then using the bolt that comes with the extender fasten it to the original belt. They are available in 6" and 12" models. This picture is of the 6" version.

You can find them at Replacement seat belts for Cars, Trucks, Vans, Jeeps, Classic Cars, Vintage, Street Rods & RV's.


AF6FB / Michael

[jediknight36]

My wife is a bit large for the smart's seat belts. Shes about 420. Fits fine except for that. Smart offers a whole new belt, but thats expensive and this is my car, not hers. So we have to find an after market one.

[clisbeek]

Trying to follow the conversations. Gotta tell you all that the seat belt extender I used with no problem in my last 3 cars DOES NOT fit in my fortwo. I've tried twisting the belt near the latch and I've tried big binder clips to hold the lap and shoulder together enough to protect my neck.

So I'm getting by on my work-arounds (just barely). Definitely going to be a major issue here with New England winters! Once I dress for the cold there is NO WAY I'll be able to get myself AND my winter coat buckled in!

I tried the belt pads and the clip-on thingies for prior cars, that's how I finally ended up $40+ for one extender. I don't even know if my theory of raising the seat belt latch by the length of an extender will keep the belt from creeping up across my neck because the other car belts had height adjusters on the door pillars.

Let me know if you find smart extenders.

Thanks!

(by the way, 1st gas fillup last night - 34 mpg city!)

[jediknight36]

Originally Posted by clisbeek

Trying to follow the conversations. Gotta tell you all that the seat belt extender I used with no problem in my last 3 cars DOES NOT fit in my fortwo. I've tried twisting the belt near the latch and I've tried big binder clips to hold the lap and shoulder together enough to protect my neck.

So I'm getting by on my work-arounds (just barely). Definitely going to be a major issue here with New England winters! Once I dress for the cold there is NO WAY I'll be able to get myself AND my winter coat buckled in!

I tried the belt pads and the clip-on thingies for prior cars, that's how I finally ended up $40+ for one extender. I don't even know if my theory of raising the seat belt latch by the length of an extender will keep the belt from creeping up across my neck because the other car belts had height adjusters on the door pillars.

Let me know if you find smart extenders.

Thanks!

(by the way, 1st gas fillup last night - 34 mpg city!)

Go to your local toyota dealer and ask real nice like for an extender for a 2006 matrix. That will work like gang busters.

[wrumbarger]

Ford 2005 Taurus belt extenders

Ask your local FORD dealer and they should be FREE (what a lovely word)?