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If your seat belt gets stuck in the car, there are a few simple tricks you can use to ensure that the belt retracts and extends smoothly again.
Seat belt stuck: What you can do now
When driving, the seat belt protects you in the event of an accident – there’s a good reason why seat belts are mandatory. However, in older vehicles, the belt can sometimes get stuck. You can solve this problem with a few simple tricks.
- First, pull the belt out as far as it will go and check whether it is twisted. Correct the position by smoothing out the belt.
- Occasionally, the mechanical spring mechanism that helps to retract the belt can also become tense or blocked. In this case, pull the strap as hard and quickly as possible. This will release the tension and the strap will no longer be stuck.
- To remove dirt that causes friction, carefully vacuum the area around the retractor with a vacuum cleaner or blow it out with compressed air. Clean the belt with a damp cloth and mild soapy water. Then allow the belt to dry completely.
- If the seat belt in older cars no longer works properly, this is often due to a lack of lubrication. You should therefore pull the seat belt out completely and spray the last section with silicone spray. Then slide the belt back several times and pull it out again.
- Check the belt webbing for cracks, fraying, or deformation. Also check that the retractor pulls the belt in evenly and without jerking.
Common causes of jammed seat belts
There are various reasons why a seat belt may no longer roll up or down smoothly. Often the cause is a simple everyday problem, but sometimes there is a technical defect behind it.
- Twisted belts: If the belt webbing does not roll up straight, it can become blocked.
- Dirty retraction mechanism: Dust, crumbs, or other foreign objects in the mechanism prevent smooth retraction.
- Moisture: If water gets into the belt retractor, rust can form and the belt can get stuck.
- Damaged belt straps: Small tears, fraying, or deformation can block the belt from running through the lock or retractor.
Seat belt sticks: When you should visit a repair shop
If you were unable to fix the problem using the tips mentioned above, this indicates a technical defect.
- This is often due to a misalignment or wear of the toothed pulley. This ensures that the seat belt can be easily wound up and unrolled. Since the misalignment cannot be corrected without completely removing the seat belt, you can only pull it out very carefully and let it roll up.
- If the belt is damaged or torn, the buckle does not lock or the belt is permanently blocked, you should also call in a professional. This also applies if the retractor does not work reliably despite cleaning and lubrication.
- As the belt is a safety-related component, you should always have repairs carried out by a specialist workshop. Otherwise, there is no guarantee that the belt will function properly in dangerous situations.
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