Automatic Seatbelts?
 

I was thumbing through my owners manual today and I was reading the section about safety belts for the car. It says that the belts in these cars are automatic. Says that you need not unbuckle them every time you get in and out. Well needless to say I tried it and it's the stupidest thing i've ever heard of. Works but very very ackward for getting in and out of the car. Who writes those goofy manuals anyway. I'll stick to unbuckling and buckling each time I get in and out.

Automatic! LOL What engineer came up with putting the seatbelt on the door anyway. And I can't believe it took them 5 years to fix it. So what happens if the door comes open, you fall out because it is not securing you in the car. I mean come on how stupid could they be. Even all these cars with the automatice seat belts that run up the door frame still have to have the lap belt buckled. Wow was that a little to aggressive I think its time for bed had a long day. :twisted:

Re: Automatic Seatbelts?
 

The GM Accountants and Lawyers.

I believe the safty standard said that cars, beginning around 1986, had to have either Air Bags or an Automatic Seat Belt System for the Driver. The Air Bag option was too expensive, so most manufactures went with the automatic seat belt that was on a motorized track around the door frame. As most of you know, when you opened the door on these cars, the shoulder belt would zip along the door frame out of your way. And when you closed the door, it would zip back into place. The only thing you had to remember to do, was to fasten your lap belt. GM Accountants (disguised as mild mannered Engineers) had an even better....ahem....cheaper idea. So, most of us driving 1987 thru 1991 H-Bodys have GM's interpretation of what an Automatic Seat Belt System SHOULD be!(?) BTW, Do you feel safer with the seat belt mounted to the door frame or the the "B" pillar in other models?

Those same GM Accountants, that were promoted to Engineers, also "improved" the 1992 3800 engine by eliminating the EGR Valve for one year. DeathRat will remind us, once in awhile, what an improvement to his car that brought!!!

weird..
 

my 87 doesnt have air bags or automatic seat belts.. I believe there was an option for auto seat belts. luckly I dont have it..

nope.
 

bolted to the roof and the floor.

My Cutlass had those "automatic" seatbelts too, but of course no track just tied to the door. Well it is near imposibble to open the door normally adn get in and out while leaving them on, what a useless piece of crap. Now My fiance's parents have a van with the little track ones and I never put my lap belt on and they are also anoying.

Re: weird..
 

GM did start offering, a Drivers Side Air Bag as an option sometime during 1987-91 model years, BUT you still retained the Door Mounted Automatic Seat Belts.

If it were possible(and for insurance purposes, legal) I would love to get a set of front seat belts out of a 1992+ H-body(in grey) and install them to the floor/B-pillar.