Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 10, 1990 TAG: 9005100081
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Joe Kennedy
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
But if the car has lap-only belts, they need to be positioned low on the child's hips and adjusted snugly. Lap-only belts are considered the least effective restraint device for a child, but far more protective than none at all.
If your car has lap-only rear seatbelts, you may want to replace them with lap and shoulder belts, which are available from manufacturers through their dealers.
General Motors offers lap and shoulder seatbelt kits for most of its models back to 1976 with a suggested retail price of $99 and estimated installation time of 1.5 to 2.5 hours. At $38 per hour, the labor charge at one Roanoke Valley GM dealership, installation of the two-belt systems would cost from $57 to $95.
GM is developing a how-to brochure for people who want to install the belts themselves, a company spokesman in Detroit said.
Lap and shoulder belts for the rear seats of older Ford cars cost about $50 plus installation. A Roanoke Valley Ford dealer said the labor fee would be likely to run from $28.80 to $64.80.
Chrysler Corp. sells retro-fit kits for trucks made since 1972 and for cars since 1977, a spokesman said. Prices range from $37 to $75.
A Roanoke Valley Dodge dealer said he had belts in stock to fit all models in production including the Caravan at a cost of $43 per pair with an installation charge of $50 to $100.
Honda dealers nationwide can obtain retro-fit belts for their customers' pre-1987 cars. The suggested retail price for a pair of the belts is about $85 plus installation, according to Kurt Antonius at American Honda headquarters in California.
The kits are available for Honda Civics from 1980 to 1987, Preludes from 1983-87 and Acura Integras from 1986-87.
Check with your dealer for details on the availability and prices of kits for other makes of cars.
If dealers say they don't carry the belts, call the manufacturer at the number listed in your owner's manual to see if they can be ordered.
by CNB