1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Center Rear Seat Belt 2016

Discussion in 'Prius v Main Forum' started by florab, Apr 29, 2021.

  1. florab

    florab New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2021
    2
    0
    0
    Location:
    NYC
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    V
    I need to put a rear facing car seat for a toddler in the center seat, but it looks like the belt may be broken. Is the shoulder belt supposed to have two parts that click into anchors on the bottom, and is there supposed to be a belt anchor on each side of the center seat? The manual shows this, but my car does not have it. I bought it certified pre-owned from a dealer, and feel somewhat betrayed, if that belt really is broken.
     
    #1 florab, Apr 29, 2021
  2. Centerpunch

    Centerpunch Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2019
    148
    137
    1
    Location:
    OH / NC
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Four
    Not sure I understand your question about the shoulder belt, but regarding the child seat attachment points, there are two for each rear outboard seat. The location is shown by little round plastic markers, but the anchor points are hidden behind zippers that are hidden by overlapping fabric flaps.

    You could probably use the inboard anchor points from the left and right seat and position the child seat in the center, but that would make things crowded for the other rear passengers.

    I’d suggest going back to the dealer to have them show you how the shoulder belt works if it seems broken or incomplete.
    .
    BDFA176D-6F6A-4BC2-8DB1-E65C7D17C645.jpeg
     
    #2 Centerpunch, May 4, 2021
  3. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2012
    4,037
    1,110
    0
    Location:
    New Yawk
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    The center shoulder belt is a single suspended belt and left-side latch that pulls across the wearer’s chest and lap, from right to left. When used to secure a car seat, it must go through and above the lower seat support from right to left to hold the seat down and hold it from sliding forward. Center seat belts are not ideal for this purpose.
     
    #3 Air_Boss, May 4, 2021
  4. Centerpunch

    Centerpunch Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2019
    148
    137
    1
    Location:
    OH / NC
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Four
    A couple videos that may be helpful.



     
    #4 Centerpunch, May 4, 2021
  5. florab

    florab New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2021
    2
    0
    0
    Location:
    NYC
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    V
    Turns out the seat belt is fine. I was misled by overzealous "helpers" on a Facebook page. The problem is that the car seat has huge openings for the rear facing belt path, so when the seat is installed, the shoulder belt pulls the car seat upward on one side, causing it to tilt significantly. It's a huge design flaw, IMO, but not Toyota's fault.
     
    #5 florab, May 6, 2021
  6. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2012
    4,037
    1,110
    0
    Location:
    New Yawk
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Correct, suspended center shoulder seat belts are not ideal for this purpose, nor is any seat with an integral shoulder lap belt.

    Only a traditional lap belt is ideal for child seat retention.

    There are belt clips that are sold to work as a kluge, but they are just that, a kluge.
     
    #6 Air_Boss, May 7, 2021
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)