ThemisN

I have an 05 that I just brought in for my first service. I asked them to deactivate the seat belt chime, however, they claim there isn't a setting to do it. Something tells me they have never looked.

Anyone know where I can direct my wonderful serivce foreman to be able to deactivate it? Or are they telling the truth?

johna1

It is certainly supposed to be able to be disabled. Mine is (on an 03 though).

The intent is that owners who don't want it, should be able to have it disabled by the shop, for fear that otherwise they may be tempted to take matters into their own hands and mess up the safety systems.

I think they're just lazy or ignorant. I would persist, it is a very annoying 'feature' that drives me crazy every time I get a loaner.

BudC

With trial lawyers just salivating for some excuse to sue, I wouldn't touch this if I were a dealer.

All that has to happen is for you to get into an accident w/o your seatbelt attached and some lawyer could get you a bundle by accusing the dealer of removing a safety feature.

Don't blame the dealer, blame the pols for failing to pass tort reform legislation.

SAguirre

I would blame the dealer if they say it is not possible and it is. I can not stand lies like this. It assumes that one is stupid and can't reason. BUt, if they said that they can change it, but they refuse due to liability, then that is OK with me.

Steve

DWP

I realize that this thread is about seat belt chimes, not products liability litigation, but ... a reality check is in order.

A successful tort cause of action has to include a causal connection between the act or omission and the injury. The hypothetical plaintiff in a no-chime cause of action would have to establish (a) that but for the lack of a chime s/he would have been wearing a seatbelt, and (b) if s/he had been wearing a seatbelt, s/he would not have suffered the injury in question. That stretches the chain of causation to somewhere beyond the breaking point.

Apart from the causation problem, M-B could have good defenses to a no-chime suit: (a) waiver - even if the dealership did not extract an explicit written from the customer, the customer's request would be documented on the work order, and (b) in states with a mandatory seatbelt-use law (like California) the customer's failure to obey the law could absolve M-B of any liability for resulting injury.

Plaintiff's lawyers (and I am not one) don't salivate over cases that are obvious losers. So, in this case, there is no need to get agitated over the lack of "tort reform" (i.e., taking away the people's right to bring suit for injuries).

jangy

OK, legal boy. Contrary to your tarts, MBZ ain't getting sued over REMOVING a reminder to be safe! Come on guys, why not go in and ask them to remove the seat belts altogether? Then, there would be no problem, huh?

HELL ONA HARLEY

My car has never made this seatbelt chime...... ever.

marc777

My 02 doesn't have it. The 04 loaner I had this week was fitted with the chime and it was unpopular with my wife, who, like it or not, sometimes prefers not to belt up........

.......so to speak...........

It drove her mad! And guess what? She decided to belt up, but hated the car with a vengance!

Marc

Mattar

The second day after I got delivery of my car I went back to the dealer to get the seat belt chime deactivated. I told them at least keep the light but just take that stupid annoying noise off they told me that MB would be furious if that was done. Anyway I tried to persuade him to take it off for the passenger seat thinking that If I brought it in I could talk to the tech to take off both he was very rigid and said he can't but in the end he was nice enough to deactivate that annoying speed limit sound ( 120 km/h) . By the way, if u drive for several min the seat belt chime will start beeping faster and faster till it turns off but make sure not to come to a complete stop because it will come back again to haunt you.

NitroShredder

What is this chime you guys are referring to? The only "chime" I get is when a malfunction pops up in the Information Display, or when I enter/exit the car and get a "Don't Forget Key" chime due to the KG. If I don't fasten a seatbelt I don't get any bells or whistles.. though I notice the seatbelt "light" on... which then turns off after a few seconds if I remember correctly. I always buckle up.. but OCCASSIONALY when moving the car in the driveway I don't.

Peter

ATS

The 05's have an annoying chime that never shuts off. While the 04 dings three times and then the light stays on.

ThemisN

Yup...but does anyone know where in DAS this is found? I need something to go back to them with if the foreman says it cannot be changed. Can someone ask one of their overseas dealers?

HELL ONA HARLEY

Nope..... Not true, at least with my ride. I have nothing but the light and complete silence.

Mattar

you have an OPTION and peace of mind thats what u have

MBenzNL

In the variable setting menus of the instrument cluster...there is a possibility to switch on/off the chime AND there is a possibility to switch on/off the seatbelt warning light (and thus still have a warning but not have the sound)...

greetingz,

ATS

I am in Canada..

Barry45RPM

It chimes if you DONT buckle up the seat belt & drive.

Fastbuck

I agree. The chime does not kick in until about 15mph.

SAguirre

You know. . . ? I don't see what the big deal is! I just buckle up immediately after sitting in the car. I think that I even put it on before I put the key in the ignition. I catch myself putting my seatbelt on even when I am just pulling the car out of the driveway to wash it or park it outside. It might sound stupid, but it is a subconscious movement that has saved me from severe injury two times.

I have had a bruised collarbone, but I have never had a scratch on me. I could not even tell you what the chime sounds like!

Just put on your seat belt right away and save your own life! The sound of the chime is not as annoying as having facial reconstruction!

Steve Aguirre

etenn

I think the question was "how to turn off the chime?".
Not...."What is your opinion of seatbelts?"

SAguirre

I know what the question was, but why would the chime be chiming anyway? It should only be chiming because you are not wearing your seatbelt, right?

The best way to turn off the chime is then to "click it," "Buckle up," and/or put on your seatbelt. If you want to go into the system and take it off, then that is evading the purpose of the chime. They are supposed to be annoying, that way you will put the seatbelt on first.

The answer to the question is very simple. Isn't it?

Steve

Don't interpret my tome as being nasty. I know it might come across as *****y, but that is not how I mean it.

johna1

I certainly agree that this thread shouldn't turn into a merits of seatbelts debate... but I think that we should have a choice as to whether we get the chime or not.

If you want a reminder to fasten the belt, then leave the chime on. If you don't want a reminder then disable the chime. It's a free choice.

SAguirre

I know. . . I agree that it should be a free choice. But this thread went all over the place. The only things that should be known is that not all cars have it enabled and it can be set at the dealer (if they will do it).

Steve A

Fastbuck

What about the fat turds amongst us? Seat belts can be very uncomfortable you know. If you have a fat face like a donkey's a$$, facial reconstruction might appear an attractive option!!!

SAguirre

Good point Facial reconstruction is not a totally bad thing. A lot of people do it willingly I can stand to loose a few ponds, but I am not once of those big fat people that need butter to get in the car.

Steve