seatbelt issues

jhaddix - This car is really bugging you isn't it? Ask your dealer very nicely to disengage the bings - he will do it - and he'll reduce your revese beeps to 1 cheerful beep. Be warned that some dealers charge to do so.

I can not speak to the seatbelt issue. I recommend driving from the front seat, not the back. But I do appreciate the heads-up. I will be aware if I have someone larger than a papoose in the middle seat.

...oh and congrats on your car!!

 

I think the OP means the front passenger seat. Maybe?

 

Good lord - you're right - Doh! Hmmm. I thought baby seats were strictly back-seat things - that's what got me off track. Sorry 'bout that.

I've had adults in my passenger seat with no issues - the belts can move up and down the pillar - try adjusting at that point to see if it helps!

 

Hello Miss Maggie:

I think that the OP is refering to the "ALR" (Automatic Locking Retractor) function of the seat belts, where if they are extended all the way out, that they will only "ratchet" back into the retractor, without any further extension allowed, until the belt is fully retracted.

This function is so that infant seats can be snugly locked into place, something that used to be easily done years ago when "manual" seat belts were available, but today has to be done differently due to the "automatic adjusting" seatbelts that have become prevalent.

To the OP:

I don't know if this feature can be disabled or not. But the dealer should be able to tell you. It is very possible that the use of an extender belt may be the only solution.

Best wishes,

Frank

 

In case you do need a seat belt extender, please note that your dealer should give you one for free. According to the Owner's Manual:

If your seat belts cannot be fastened securely because they are not long enough, a personalized seat belt extender is available from your Toyota dealer free of charge.

I had to get a seat belt extender for a car once and I got a run around from the dealer (not Toyota). Eventually, I found that their Parts Department carried it and, of course, I had to pay for it.

Good luck.

 

Hoo yeah....got 'cha. I won't even mention toilet seats!!

 

Have you, or anyone reading, successfully gotten a Toyota dealer to give them their seat belt extender? I went to my dealer today, with my owner's manual open to page 88, and read it to him. He still told me to go buy one at an aftermarket shop mad.

Had I explained the reason I want it (so I can leave it plugged in when my dog is in the seat so the beeps go away), I could see them not wanting to give it to me, but for a "family member", it didn't seem like there should have been any questions asked.

 

And you can be killed just as easily on a short trip down the road as a long one, if you're in the car, wear the set belt! We had a safety campaign here many years back called 'Klunk Click EVERY trip'. The message being that a quick jaunt to the local shops is no safer than any other.