Seat belt retractor lock not working? Non existent in Australia?

[minniemousey]

Hi there, VW newbie here and loving it so far!

Just purchased a 2005 Multivan Comfortline. I've got 2 child seats in the individual rear seats and was reading the manual about engaging the seat belt retractor lock when child seats are used however... It won't engage and I'm wondering if this feature wasn't included in the Australian models? Or is it broken????

My rearward facing child seat seems awfully loose and has a lot of sideward movement. Obviously I have them secured to the anchor points at the rear of the seats but it still doesn't seem very secure.

Can anyone help please?

Thanks in advance!

[cdogg]

my mkV gti doesnt have them in the back either you gotta buy a little buckle thing from baby bunting or somewhere like that...
good luck

[minniemousey]

my mkV gti doesnt have them in the back either you gotta buy a little buckle thing from baby bunting or somewhere like that...
good luck

Thanks for the reply! Yep, we've got some of them on there now. Weird how it says in the manual that they are the switchable retractors but in fact they are only the Emergency Locking Retractors. I wonder why they were modified??

[Seano]

Your child seat should have seat belt clamps that may be able to grasp the belt itself....this negates the need for a locking retractor to some extent. Only our Subaru has the locking belt function...not the VW. You could purchase a replacement from Autoliv or Klippan if you are really concerned.

In rear facing mode, the seats do shift sideways a lot more than you might expect. It is a function of how the seats are mounted into the car. To minmise, put your weight onto the seat whilst pulling the belt tight...and then clamp the seat to the belt if you can.

If you are concerned then I suggest that you take your van to a licenced restraint inspection station and have them look over your installation...our local one charges $40...cheap piece of mind.