Buying a bolt-in seat belt extender vs. a click-in

Seat belt extensions are available in many different makes and models, colours, and styles. When purchasing a car seat belt extender, it is vital to think about safety first. There are two main varieties of seat belt extensions, the bolt-in and the click-in. Although they serve the same function, to add about a foot to the current belt and allowing drivers to travel in comfort and safety, they operate in two vastly different ways.

The bolt-in variety requires slightly more setup than the click-in. This type of auto seat belt extender actually bolts right into your car using the bolt next to the seat where the existing seat belt is fastened. This requires using a wrench to remove the existing bolt, then fastening the seat belt extender to the end of the existing seat belt, and re-installing it to the original place where the belt was fastened. For someone who is handy with tools, this process should not take too long. However, it is important that it is done properly, as the bolt is what keeps the seatbelt system stable and functioning.

The click-in seat belt extender is much simpler to install, as it has a female and a male buckle on either end of the belt. These buckles are meant to click into the existing buckles of your seat belt, providing installation within minutes. This model is certainly ideal for those without the means to install a bolt-in seat belt extender. This model does allow the belt to slide more easily of center on a driver’s body, so it is important to ensure that the belt is in the right position at all times. Additionally, the added buckles may cause some drivers discomfort. However, for drivers who are unable to complete the installation needed with the bolt-in extender, or who might worry that the bolt is not fastened properly, the click-in seat belt extender is an excellent choice.