Which Magazine Seatbelt Report

[MC Hammer]

Originally Posted by PTR

yes, would be good if you are right!!

(but the car is I think too old and the test was too new, wasn't it?)

There's nothing to say the test was new. I can't see how the seatbelt system has changed to make it un-safe.
Facing facts if it were unsafe it wouldn't pass any testing. It has managed a 4* NCAP rating, but I'm sure if the belts were released it would have been stated in the report and got a few less stars!

[Miggins]

Originally Posted by PTR

Honda Civic 1.8 seems like "newCivic", dosen't it?

Er that's what I was trying to say - doubt its the old one!

Having worked on Seat Belt Anchorage and Crash Worthiness Testing I can confirm it doesn't take much of a change for a mounting point / system to fail. It is not just the seat belt but the whole system/vehicle that is being tested.

Manufacturers test both development and production vehicles as well as competitors vehicles. Usually competitors vehicles are provided as an exchange. Desired vehicles that manufacturers are reluctant to provide are bought from mainstream dealers - I remember one which failed the legislative tests!! (no names)

Face lifts, engine or suspension mods all necessitate a new series of crash tests - failures can happen and major work required to get a pass. A different engine in a vehicle makes a big difference in a test.

[IWANTACIVIC]

o im supprised i thought the civic was basicly the same in cdti or 1,8 setup . simes a bit weard that the 1,8 is named the 2,2 not ? i bet volvo drivers are supprised they cars normaly get all the safety kit so wont expect then to make any errors .

[Miggins]

Originally Posted by IWANTACIVIC

o im supprised i thought the civic was basicly the same in cdti or 1,8 setup . simes a bit weard that the 1,8 is named the 2,2 not ? i bet volvo drivers are supprised they cars normaly get all the safety kit so wont expect then to make any errors .

Not the same vehicles when it comes to crash dynamics.

It costs a lot of money to do even a basic test and Which are only after a representative sample. Those in the know may be aware that the results are similar and advised it would be pointless to test the whole range - no guarantees! The same the other manufacturers as well.

They aren't going to test obscure and unpopular vehicles either

[IWANTACIVIC]

yer good point miggins

[l-noel]

So, what is the purpose of this test ? The safety of a vehicule is not the sum of individual safety system but in the integration of these systems in our vehicule... And with the Honda safety study center i don't think they will jeopardy our security with unadequate safety belt

[Miggins]

Originally Posted by l-noel

So, what is the purpose of this test ? The safety of a vehicule is not the sum of individual safety system but in the integration of these systems in our vehicule... And with the Honda safety study center i don't think they will jeopardy our security with unadequate safety belt

Which are putting the spotlight on a specific area and keeping within a budget!

You are right in what you state "...not the sum of individual safety system but in the integration of these systems in our vehicle... " but its easier and cheaper for the manufacturer to test the component parts first before committing to a full vehicle test. Even before physical testing is undertaken there will be computer modeling to validate the design prior to prototype manufacture - its an iterative process.

A full crash test for each vehicle and every scenario - ££££££££££££££££££. If memory serves: Simple test would cost Approx £20K + vehicle cost 10 years ago (all depends on the number of dummies) that's not including vehicle prep, transportation to test site, c*ck ups (), post analysis.