SEAT BELT EXTENDER ACCESS AND AVAILABILITY

MODELS/YEARS ALL OLDSMOBILE MODELS

This bulletin is a reprint of Parts and Accessories Information Bulletin No. 82-78 issued May 28, 1982.

Recent inquires regarding seat belt extender availability indicate that Service Managers, Body Shop Managers, Shop Foremen, Service Adivsors or Sales personnel may not be aware of this 'Custom service'. Please be certain all appropriate personnel in your dealership are informed. Both increased use of seat belts and improved customer satisfaction should result.

Copies of the two-page questionnaire should be made as required.

GM vehicle restraint systems have sufficient belt length to accommodate most vehicle occupants. Consequently, requests for belt extensions are minimal. In the event a customer does make such a request, the attached "Questionnaire" must be completed and sent to the Flint Order Department, attention National Section, where it will processed as a dealer order.

The extension is available for most GM vehicles produced in recent years, and can be coupled to the belts included in each vehicle. Since the extension makes the belt arrangement a "custom fit", use by anyone else, or in a different vehicle, will lessen or nullify the protection afforded by the restraint system. Therefore, before the order for the extension can be processed, the "Questionnaire" must be completed in every respect, particularly the signature of the person who will be using the extnesion. Orders for seat belt extensions SHOULD NOT BE submitted if it is determined that the intent is simply to provide a vehicle occupant with more slack for the sake of comfort.

Specific cost cannot be determined until the order is submitted to the supplier. The price to the customer will be in the area of $20.00.

Since each extension is made up individually after receipt of order, the customer should expect to experience a reasonable delay in availability. The time will vary depending on the vendor and his inventory of materials.

Questionnaire

Seat Belt Extender

We have received your request for a Seat Belt Extension. In order to respond, specific information must be supplied regarding the individual and vehicle involved.

Please answer the following questions.

1. Write in the Vehicle Identificaiton Number (VIN) of the car or cars in which you need the longer belt. The VIN is located on the left front top surface of the instrument panel and is visible from the outisde of the card. Note the VIN below.

2. Part number, if shown, Manufacturer's Name and Model Number that appears on the label of the seat belt assembly along with the color of the webbing.

The label (Figure 2) which is stitched to the webbing is located either slightly above where the webbing attaches to the floor (near the door) or in the retractor. The label on the webbing stowed inside the retractor can be found by fully extracting the webbing from the retractor. Note information below.

3. Measurement in Inches.

Place the seat in the position that it is in when you drive or ride in the car. With you sitting in the seat make sure that the buckle is extended as far through the seat as possible. This may be done by giving the buckle a hard pull. With the buckle resting against your hip measure from the lap area directly below the navel to the front edge of the buckle (Figure 3) and note dimension below.

Note:

If measurement is 12 inches (304.8mm) or less a seat belt extender is not available.

With this information, we can supply a seat belt extender tailored for your personal use that will maintain the proper seat belt orientation.

Body of letter to be included

with the Seat Belt Extender

Enclosed Seat Belt Extender was made according to the information you supplied on the Questionnaire. This extender will allow you to use your seat belt properly.

We must stress that this Seat Belt Extender was custom made for you and should be used by you in the particular vehicle for which is was made. As noted on the label affixed to the Seat Belt Extender, it must not be used by other persons because they may not be afforded the full protection of the seat belt restraint system. Also, its use by you in another vehicle may not offer you the full protection of thea vehicle's seat belt restraint system.

4. Customer Information

Name:

Address:

City, State:

Customer Signature:

5. Dealer Information

Name:

Address:

City, State: Dealer Parts Code: Parts Manager's Signature:

Mail completed questionnaire to:

GM Warehousing & Distribution Division 6060 West Bristol Road Flint, Michigan 48554 Attention: National Order Department

General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.