In news:Xns992AD0A0B8357tegger@207.14.116.130,
Tegger <tegger@tegger.c0m> wrote:

>> I have a 1990 Civic 4-door 5-speed with those annoying automatic
>> shoulder harnesses which don't seem to be providing the restraint
>> that the lap belts and rear-seat shoulder harnesses provide. If I
>> tug on them quickly they don't lock in position, unlike the others.
>
> Try (in a safe place) spiking the brakes hard. Do the belts lock up
> then?

I'm not sure what you mean. I should slam on the brakes to see if the
harness keeps me out of the steering wheel? It sounds to be a rather absurd
and harsh test of the harness capabilities, given the fact that a simple tug
test doesn't lock them.

I can easily imagine some crash conditions where the brakes won't be
applied, such as waiting in an intersection to make a left turn and an
oncoming vehicle crosses the line and a head-on ensues.

It feels as if the entire design of these automated shoulder harnesses is
ill-conceived, and I'm glad they're no longer manufactured. I have to remind
the passenger to fasten the lap belt, as they have the illusion of being
belted in when the shoulder harness slides back.