pingpongpo Posted September 14, 2007 Report Share Posted September 14, 2007 Ok. The missus is expecting our first child in about 2 weeks time so I thought I would go out and get a cheapish runabout for her to use whilst I'm at work as we only have 1 car. We just bought a 2nd hand Ford Focus 5 door (2000 W plate) and have just come back home to find that the rear seat belts are 2-3" too short to fit the baby seat in Anyhoooo, we checked it would fit in the Golf when we bought the seat so I was confident (silly me) it would fit properly in the Focus but it doesn't To cut a long story short, what do you think about seat belt extenders? Any good? Or should I try to find a complete longer seat belt? Answers on a postcard please to - Who is a silly twat C/o Tyresmoke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alastair_A3 Posted September 14, 2007 Report Share Posted September 14, 2007 Buy a new baby seat is probably the safest option.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pingpongpo Posted September 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2007 Thats what I thought but I don't think any other group 0+ baby seat will be much different to be honest, plus it comes as part of a package which can't be returned. I've seen some extenders (similar to those on an aeroplane) for sale (if they're ok in an aeroplane what about a car?) which are basically like an extension lead, male one end and female the other..... I'll find a picture. 2nd item from top of the page Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milo Posted September 14, 2007 Report Share Posted September 14, 2007 I had a similar problem with a Nissan we bought years ago. Front passenger airbag (not switchable) meant no baby seat up front but the rear belts would not accommodate a baby seat With it being a new car, we argued with Nissan and threatened to go to the press and they eventually relented and fitted a longer seatbelt. However we had to sign a disclaimer. Because the car is type tested with a certain type of belt, deviating such a safety critical item from standard is a no-no which is why they wouldn't help at first. So basically, I think Ford would not be any help if you asked them to fit a longer belt. I reckon your options are either fit a longer one yourself, use an extension or change the car. If you're happy that a one from say a Mondeo would locate on the same mountings etc and you can torque all the fasteners correctly then maybe that would be your preferred option. Whatever you do, remember you're talking about the safety of the most precious thing you'll ever have Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milo Posted September 14, 2007 Report Share Posted September 14, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Buy a new baby seat is probably the safest option.. [/ QUOTE ] All Group 0 baby seats these days are almost identical in size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pingpongpo Posted September 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2007 [ QUOTE ] I had a similar problem with a Nissan we bought years ago. Front passenger airbag (not switchable) meant no baby seat up front but the rear belts would not accommodate a baby seat With it being a new car, we argued with Nissan and threatened to go to the press and they eventually relented and fitted a longer seatbelt. However we had to sign a disclaimer. Because the car is type tested with a certain type of belt, deviating such a safety critical item from standard is a no-no which is why they wouldn't help at first. So basically, I think Ford would not be any help if you asked them to fit a longer belt. I reckon your options are either fit a longer one yourself, use an extension or change the car. If you're happy that a one from say a Mondeo would locate on the same mountings etc and you can torque all the fasteners correctly then maybe that would be your preferred option. Whatever you do, remember you're talking about the safety of the most precious thing you'll ever have [/ QUOTE ] I know what you mean about the most precious thing I'll ever have which is why I thought I should ask some people who have probably come across this before. I'm not worried about fitting it as I get torque wrenches etc from work. Do you think a Mondeo belt would be that much longer? I suppose I need to get my tape measure out and take a trip to the garage tomorrow.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_C Posted September 14, 2007 Report Share Posted September 14, 2007 [ QUOTE ] I reckon your options are either fit a longer one yourself, use an extension or change the car. [/ QUOTE ] Milo, Simon could just order a new car with isofix! Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pingpongpo Posted September 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2007 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I reckon your options are either fit a longer one yourself, use an extension or change the car. [/ QUOTE ] Milo, Simon could just order a new car with isofix! Ian [/ QUOTE ] Lets remember we're on a budget here!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milo Posted September 14, 2007 Report Share Posted September 14, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Do you think a Mondeo belt would be that much longer? [/ QUOTE ] I've no idea to be honest, just using that as an example I stood over the Nissan techies when they changed one of the 3 rear belts (they would only do one) so I was happy everything was done correctly. I've no idea whether they used a seatbelt off a different model or a standard one with a longer webbing. If you decide to modify the current arrangement in any way be it with an extension or a different seatbelt, just be sure you're happy with the end results Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_C Posted September 14, 2007 Report Share Posted September 14, 2007 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I reckon your options are either fit a longer one yourself, use an extension or change the car. [/ QUOTE ] Milo, Simon could just order a new car with isofix! [/ QUOTE ] Lets remember we're on a budget here!!! [/ QUOTE ] You missed the in-joke! Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milo Posted September 14, 2007 Report Share Posted September 14, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Milo, Simon could just order a new car with isofix! Ian [/ QUOTE ] Absolutely Why take any chances Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted September 14, 2007 Report Share Posted September 14, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Buy a new baby seat [/ QUOTE ] Or sell the baby... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pingpongpo Posted September 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2007 So is it a decision to see what longer belts fit my car and if not get an extender? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
max_b Posted September 14, 2007 Report Share Posted September 14, 2007 try calling the manufactuer(sp) of the seat and explaining, they may be able to offer some sort of seat extenders or further advice on how to fit most group 0 seats should fit most cars, it seemed the seat did not fit in our car early doors, until I called the manufacteur, who exlpained how to fit it slightly differently, just takes a bit of time to get used to things! worth a try Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted September 14, 2007 Report Share Posted September 14, 2007 I am not sure I would trust an extender. I know the rear facing baby carry seat/cot thing we had would only just fit in the Bora rear. The seat belt had about 2" movement left!!! Plenty of belt movement in the A6 though. Good luck in whatever your choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khutula Posted September 15, 2007 Report Share Posted September 15, 2007 Or give her the Golf - if the seat fits in there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lesK Posted September 15, 2007 Report Share Posted September 15, 2007 Have you e-mailed Ford to ask why they make a family car that the seatbelt doesn't fit a baby seat??? Strikes me as a bit stupid, but what do I know I would think that seatbelt extensions should be ok. I would probably get in touch with the makers of the babyseat and see what they suggest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khutula Posted September 15, 2007 Report Share Posted September 15, 2007 I got my Maxi-Cosi group 0 seat in the back of my brother in laws 3 door Focus - it was on an X plate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pingpongpo Posted September 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2007 Update for you fellas. I went to my local ford stealers today and enquired about buying a new seat belt for my car but a longer one. Perhaps from an Mondeo or something similar but he said it would be the same. This is the first time they've heard of this problem (yeah right) and suggested talking to mamas and papas about it as the daughter of one of the guys I spoke to said he recalled she purchased something from m&p's to sort the same problem out (contradicted himself in one conversation....) Anyhooo, went to my local motorfactors and saw a seat belt extender so I thought I'd give it a try and see how it fitted. Basically all I've done is plug the extender into the buckle and pulled it as short as it can be adjusted, (i'll post a picture tomorrow) this gives the seatbelt just enough length to go around the back of the babyseat and fit nicely. The extender looks like a quality product and I did some heath robinson tests on it to satisfy my paranoia. I am now happy that my precious cargo will be as safe as possible in the event of an accident (touch wood). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stooH Posted September 17, 2007 Report Share Posted September 17, 2007 We've got a mama's & papa's system which my wife fits in the back of her teeny tiny Seat Arosa so i'm surpised it doesn't fit in a Focus, well done Ford... Thing to be careful about with the extender is where the buckles are located, they're not supposed to touch against the seat or the base of the seat, I think it's to do with in the event of an accident the release being accidently triggered... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AvantSE Posted September 17, 2007 Report Share Posted September 17, 2007 My wife insisted on our little boy going in the front seat when he was in the initial car seat. Just be grateful you didn't have to fork out hundreds to Audi to have the airbag deactivation switch retrofitted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pingpongpo Posted September 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2007 I promised pictures and I haven't delivered. Yet.... Busy scraping paint off the walls before junior arrives. Missus not happy about dust in the house Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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