Seat Belt Protection for people under 5 feet
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 58
Likes: 6
From: Central NJ
2020 E450 Estate (currently negotiating order),2007 Lexus ES 350, 2010 Subaru Outback
Seat Belt Protection for people under 5 feet
Hi. In reviewing the 2019 E450 Estate owner's manual, on page 35 it states "persons under 5 feet (1.50 m) tall cannot wear the seat belt correctly without a suitable additional restraint system". My wife is 4 ft 8 inches tall. Does anyone know what the "suitable additional restraint system" is that MB is referencing?
NOTE: I'm in the process of completing my new car research, and the Estate is at the top of my short-list for purchase. My primary purchase goals are to maximize safety and comfort, particularly for my wife who has severe back issues, and provide some hauling/storage capability for me. Also, I need to stay away from SUVs due to their ground height.
NOTE: I'm in the process of completing my new car research, and the Estate is at the top of my short-list for purchase. My primary purchase goals are to maximize safety and comfort, particularly for my wife who has severe back issues, and provide some hauling/storage capability for me. Also, I need to stay away from SUVs due to their ground height.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 336
Likes: 27
05 W211 E500, 03 C215 CL55 AMG
I don't think anything is necessary when her height is that close.
Likely it is mandated because people under 5 feet will have the shoulder strap on their neck which possible could do damage when an accident occurs.
Something like this would keep the strap in the proper position
Likely it is mandated because people under 5 feet will have the shoulder strap on their neck which possible could do damage when an accident occurs.
Something like this would keep the strap in the proper position
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 58
Likes: 6
From: Central NJ
2020 E450 Estate (currently negotiating order),2007 Lexus ES 350, 2010 Subaru Outback
Thanks, Agent-A01. I have to laugh. I contacted MB and they said "You may consider utilizing the second row seats" to address my wife's height situation. Yea, I will tell my wife that, when I buy and drive our $80K+ new 2020 E450 Estate, she should only sit in the back seat (not sure how she would be able to drive the car from the back seat). I just passed our 43rd wedding anniversary, and don't think I'll reach year 44 if I mention my MB discussion to my wife.
I just placed an order from Amazon for the safety belt clip, along with the safety belt shoulder pad. Thank, again.
I just placed an order from Amazon for the safety belt clip, along with the safety belt shoulder pad. Thank, again.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 677
Likes: 126
From: South Carolina
2020 MB E450 Estate, 2019 Kia Niro Touring
Yeah, I can see that happening with my wife, in our ordered 2020 E450 Estate, too. She's 5', maybe a smidge less. Of course you've adjusted the upper seatbelt connection as low as possible, right? As long as that doesn't end up at her neck, you should be okay. She has used the padded shoulder pads in the past, although they get in the way for me. What safety belt clip did you get? In looking at some of them, I can see where they would keep the seat belt over further, away from the neck; my concern would be in the event of an accident that they would just slip, and end up going back against the neck, right where you don't want it to be. If that were the case, it would be comfortable, but giving a false sense of safety.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 677
Likes: 126
From: South Carolina
2020 MB E450 Estate, 2019 Kia Niro Touring
In looking at some of them, I can see where they would keep the seat belt over further, away from the neck; my concern would be in the event of an accident that they would just slip, and end up going back against the neck, right where you don't want it to be. If that were the case, it would be comfortable, but giving a false sense of safety.
Comfort can come at a cost.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 677
Likes: 126
From: South Carolina
2020 MB E450 Estate, 2019 Kia Niro Touring
The Automotive Safety Council recommends (https://www.automotivesafetycouncil....ty-for-adults/), even for pregnant women, that "The shoulder belt away from your neck (but not off your shoulder) and across your chest (between your breasts), making sure to remove any slack from your seat belt with the lap belt secured below your belly so that it fits snugly across your hips and pelvic bone." That is /not/ how many of the pictures on Amazon are shown. As long as the adjuster is used in this way, it should be fine.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 58
Likes: 6
From: Central NJ
2020 E450 Estate (currently negotiating order),2007 Lexus ES 350, 2010 Subaru Outback
Hi. Agent-A101 has the Amazon link in his reply. Agree about the "false sense of security" comment. However, short of having my wife sit in the back seat or have her use a kidde booster seat (actually, any padding would negate from the optional comfort features I had looked forward to purchasing), I guess I'll go with the seat belt clip and hope it will be at least marginally address this topic. All the more reason to go-heavy on the optional accident avoidance safety options, whenever possible. In reality, my guess is that 999 people out of a 1000, who fall below the minimum height requirement, don't even know about this potentially dangerous situation.
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Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2019
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2019 E450 Wagon
People have different geometries...perhaps best that she sit in the car before you purchase and see if the seatbelt position is an issue?
The seatbelts give you a little hug just as you drive off (PRE-SAFE function I think), wonder if that Amazon device would interfere with that. Personally I wouldn't mess with the functioning of the seatbelts.
The seatbelts give you a little hug just as you drive off (PRE-SAFE function I think), wonder if that Amazon device would interfere with that. Personally I wouldn't mess with the functioning of the seatbelts.
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Super Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 677
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From: South Carolina
2020 MB E450 Estate, 2019 Kia Niro Touring
Personally I wouldn't mess with the functioning of the seatbelts.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 677
Likes: 126
From: South Carolina
2020 MB E450 Estate, 2019 Kia Niro Touring
IMHO, the seatbelt position shown on this item, on a pregnant woman, while comfortable, is COMPLETELY UNSAFE!
Unlike the recommended procedure, the shoulder belt does not come across the woman's chest, let alone between her breasts. The small portion of belt over her left should will NOT keep her upper body from slamming forward, just as if she were only wearing a seat belt. And while her head and upper body are slamming forward, at the car's collision velocity, the air bag is moving toward her with that much more impact. PLEASE consider this before putting anyone in that position. It's your car, you wife, her life, but I would never do it (wear the belt as shown in this picture).
Now, if the device can be slid over, to allow the belt to lie across the chest, and isn't too loose when opened, it might be fine. But the picture /really/ bothers me.
Now, if the device can be slid over, to allow the belt to lie across the chest, and isn't too loose when opened, it might be fine. But the picture /really/ bothers me.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 58
Likes: 6
From: Central NJ
2020 E450 Estate (currently negotiating order),2007 Lexus ES 350, 2010 Subaru Outback
RRaisley, I agree with your comment about the seat belt positioning. Yes, I would only consider using provide the seat belt could be properly positioned.
