12 replies to this topic

[Qwerty12]

Would i need to buy them a special size for the mini or do any of them fit?

[mossy2a]

all the 3/4 and 5 point harnesses i have ever bought have all been fine to fit, they come quite long and you can simply adjust when bolted in.

it would be difficult for manufacturers to make them for different models i expect.

[Qwerty12]

Ok thank you. I read somewhere that the have an expiry date, would they still be legal to use on a road car?

[Dan]

  Harnesses that have an expriy date are highly unlikely to be E marked, so no.  I don't know of any vehicle harnesses that expire myself, climbing harnesses and safety harnesses do so I would guess that maybe some top line race harnesses do too.

Edited by Dan, 13 August 2013 - 08:12 PM.

[Qwerty12]

So theres no point in me buying some second hand ones that have a date thats expired on them?

[Dan]

  Absolutely not, don't even suggest it.  Second hand seat belts are a bad enough idea in the first place.  For god's sake what do you think the date means?  They aren't for show, they are to save your life.

[MINI MAD RKH]

None of the harnesses with the aircraft type buckle will be 'E' marked ie: road legal. The only road legal ones are the ones with a normal seatbelt type buckle at the waist.

Bod knows why, in my experience the Aircraft ones are much quicker to get out of

 

If you're buying 2nd hand you should check the harnesses over for any fraying or tears, also check the stitching near the mountings,, if they look perfect they should be ok.

 

The date thing is for racing only, if they're not within a certain amount of years the FIA won't allow you to use them in a race.

 

I dare say there's many a Mini seatbelt out there being used that are over 20years old, the webbing is made of pretty much the same stuff, if anything the material used in modern harnesses will be better

Edited by MINI MAD RKH, 13 August 2013 - 08:18 PM.

[Qwerty12]

Alright then :L sorry, im new to cars.

[MINI MAD RKH]

No worries Mate. Don't be sorry. We gain knowledge by asking questions & we all knew nothing when we were born

[Qwerty12]

I will definate have a load of stupid questions like this :)

[mossy2a]

try not to take any comments the wrong way, everybody starts somewhere and you'll find theres more than one answer that is practical.

 

keep the questions coming...

 

regarding the dates, there more likely due to racing specifications, that one type will be designed to a fia specification but they will change in time, with advances in materials and technology, so it may not be a case that the harnesses are poor or will not save your life, but they will not be allowed in a race car as better potentially safer ones are available.

 

for what they cost, it is worth spending the extra money on a new set and it will give you peace of mind

Edited by mossy2a, 13 August 2013 - 08:29 PM.

[Qwerty12]

Thank you for the responses :) another question i have is what sort of steering wheel would you recommend? I currently have a wood one thats falling to pieces and i dont like the look of it.

[Dan]

  Date expired belts can't be used in racing because they can't be guaranteed to work.  The materials have only been tested for a certain duration, they get affected by light and by time, all sorts of things.  They are NOT the same as road belts.  Road belts are designed to stretch for one thing (which is why you shouldn't buy second hand ones).  Much more is spent on the development and testing of road belts than on racing ones, even at 20 years old the webbing and stitching will still be fine.  Yes a racing belt will probably be OK after it's date has expired but it hasn't been tested and proved.

 

 

  Aircraft releases are not permitted for a couple of reasons.  Firstly if you crash and are trapped unconscious someone will likely put themselves in harms way to help you, either a Paramedic or a Fireman or a passer by.  If they don't recognise how your belt works because they haven't seen one they are more likely to end up getting hurt themselves, or leaving you behind.  Also some types of multi tab buckle don't release under load.  This is a good thing in the use they are designed for.  This is a bad thing if you are hanging upside down in a car that is on fire and your weight keeps you locked in the belt.  Further, any time it has been tested in large scale simulations it has been found that in panic situations people forget how to do things.  Even people who are very experienced in using aircraft harnesses forget how to do it when experiencing panic.  Even lift-tab passenger aircraft lap belts confuse people who are panicking and are far more used to getting out of their car.  I've seen this when I used to work at BA, in the cabin crew training rig they put volunteers through simulations and many people really do forget how to release the belt.  The simple, single action, bright red push button is almost foolproof.

 

  In all honesty harnesses in a road car are more hassle than they are worth IMHO.  I've seen lots of people using racing type harnesses with only a couple of the straps across because they are bored with all the buckles and straps, or want to be able to reach the stereo.  They think they are fine because it feels like a normal lap and diagonal belt.  In reality a half worn racing harness will injure you badly in a crash because they don't stretch.  That's why the webbing is wider and there are more straps, to spread the load over your body further.  If you must have one, ALWAYS wear it properly.

Edited by Dan, 13 August 2013 - 09:43 PM.