Our Standards

New Zealand Transport Agency recommends that the Seat Belts installation should be done by a trained seat belts installer/mechanic. What is described here is only a general guide-line and we will not take any responsibility of any incorrect installation done by anyone. Please also note that this is only a brief introduction to seat belts and not a comprehensive manual.

It is necessary to find out the details of the existing seat belt, when replacing with a new one. There are many factors to consider.

There are many factors to consider' Our Retailers will be able to assist you in this regard.Retailers

Firstly you have to find out whether it’s an Emergency Locking Retractor Belt (ELR) or a static seat belt. It’s mandatory to have ELR belts for the front seats, unless it is a classic car, pre 1979. Static lap & diagonal seat belts are used mostly in the rear seats. Newer cars have ELR belts even for rear seats. Seat belts can be categorised also as two point or three point. Two point belts are lap belts which are normally used in centre seats. Three point belts are Lap & Diagonal which goes around lap & chest.

Most of the new passenger vehicles come with air bags. In most cases they will have pre tensioner belts. These are not available in the ‘after market’ as they are vehicle specific. Some passenger cars with air bags had ‘webbing clamp’ belts also known as ‘webbing grabbers’. NZTA has specified when replacing seat belts of certain vehicles, which had normal ELR belts; it should be with a webbing clamp. (LTNZ info sheet #2.02)

When installing an ELR belt you have to find out at what angle it is mounted. In most of the trucks & vans the B pillar is at 90 degrees to the floor board. In these cases a 90/90 belt will fit. In four door sedans or five door station wagons B pillar slants slightly backwards. The angle is 80 degrees for driver’s seat & 100 degrees for passenger seat. In the case of two door coupes and three door hatch backs the reverse applies. Some new cars will have vehicle specific angles and you have to watch out for this. 

It becomes more complicated when replacing a rear seat ELR belt. The angle will vary from lying flat on parcel shelf (0/0) to 40, 60, 75 degrees to lying under parcel shelf #(180/180). 

Contact your nearest BVL seat belt retailer to find out the seat belt right for you.Contact Retailers

3 point retractors
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Wire Stalk buckles
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Web buckles
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Lap Belts
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