Mercedes to add heated seatbelts as a safety feature—it kind of makes sense.

[Packard]

Mercedes announced that it is adding heated seatbelts, which they consider a safety feature. It was also noted that they were early adopters of heated seats and remote start for that same reason.

To help understand that, they explained that seatbelts are most effective when fitted tightly against the torso. Heavy winter clothes works against that objective.

The remote start meant that the cabin could be reasonably warm when the driver arrived. The heated seats meant that removing the overcoat was now reasonable, but the ice-cold seatbelts worked against that idea. The heated seatbelts would close the loop and make driving wearing indoor-suitable clothing feasible.

I tested the premise (except for the seatbelts) this morning. It was 8 degrees F when I woke up this morning. Before going out, I hit the remote start. My van automatically turns on the heated seats at temperatures below 40 degrees F. I wore my easiest on/off jacket (a waist length down jacket), and shed it as soon as I entered the car.

First of all, heated seats are far more effective when I did not wear an overcoat. Against my shirt it seemed downright hot.

The cabin was reasonably warm when I entered.

The seatbelts were probably cold, but I took no notice.

I must say that driving with a shirt and no jacket is more pleasant than driving all bundled up. I’m sure that the seatbelts were more tightly applied (it’s all automatic). Almost all of my trips are 15 minutes or less in duration. I think the premise works better for people taking longer trips. (My to-work trip was an hour.)

I think a constant on/off of my jacket for short trips might be tiresome. But I am giving it a try.

When I was in college (Syracuse, NY) and I would drive home, I would always take off my overcoat for that trip. I did not have a down jacket back then and my coat was bulky and stiff. And the trip was about 6 hours, so worth the effort. But this is the first I am trying this tactic since then. I am curious as to how it works out.

 

[Cheese]

Oh boy...where to start?

This is just Mercedes marketing schtick at its worst. Justifying a $2500 upgrade for 4 heated seat belts by playing the "Safety Card".

I'll not be standing out in below zero temperatures with 15 mph winds to shed my coat and gloves to drive for 20 minutes to the Woodcraft store, then stand outside to put on the coat & gloves and 10 minutes later return to the car to again stand outside to remove the coat & gloves and then drive home to again put on the coat & gloves before I exit the garage.

Besides, the current offerings of heated seats can fry your bottom and backside and consequently you'll never notice a narrow 2" swath of cold crossing over your chest for 60 seconds.

Mercedes makes some nice cars but they have always overcomplicated their vehicles.

 

[Packard]

I don’t have the heated seat belts, but I do remember the taxi drivers in Syracuse always drove without a jacket, even in below zero temperatures. (I worked part time as a gas station jockey (4;00 pm to midnight) to help pay for school). I saw lots of taxi drivers because of that. So, I think there is something to the comfort aspect of heated seats. I am skeptical the heated seatbelts though.

I would point out that when I was just a wee tyke, the pediatrician would always warm up the stethoscope before placing it on my chest. (He would rub it back and forth on his sleeve; apparently the friction would warm it up.). So a warm seat belts might feel nice.

 

[luvmytoolz]

I must admit early winter mornings I do love my heated seats in the ute, but heated seatbelts, really?

Definitely a first world problem!

 

[Sparktrician]

Mercedes announced that it is adding heated seatbelts, which they consider a safety feature. It was also noted that they were early adopters of heated seats and remote start for that same reason.

Gingerbread, and so unnecessary. Seems like the manufacturers will do anything to drive prices up, but without apparent, tangible benefit to their customers.

 

[peter halle]

...and let me guess, the heated seatbelts will operate on the same relay and circuit as your fuel pump and the windshield washer fluid pump so that when something goes bad with your seat belts you won't be able to drive but if your windshield is dirty nobody will be able to see you pounding your head on the steering wheel. No.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I have had remote start on the last 3 vehicles that I have owned. I find it just as useful in the summer heat too, but I have never taken my coat off before getting in the driver's seat, no matter how cold.
I have experienced heated seats a few times, they always seem "too much". I assume that I jacket would block any effectiveness, that a seatbelt might produce, so.......no. No to the added initial purchase cost. No to the repair complexity and cost involved. No, because it just seems like a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

 

[Mini Me]

It seems to me that the primary reason for heated seat belts is not comfort at all, that seems to have escaped a few commentators here. There is a saying in the automotive industry that you can't sell safety and it is true judging from comments in this thread.

 

[pixelated]

I guess I’m an outlier here, I rarely wear a winter coat driving as I hate the extra bulk. Mostly, I tough out the 5 minutes or so that it takes for the heat to get going. Heated seats help though. It doesn’t seem like heated belts would make much of a comfort difference however. It sounds more like something to add to the feature list than anything else.

 

[ChuckS]

Oh boy...where to start?

This is just Mercedes marketing schtick at its worst. Justifying a $2500 upgrade for 4 heated seat belts by playing the "Safety Card".

I'll not be standing out in below zero temperatures with 15 mph winds to shed my coat and gloves to drive for 20 minutes to the Woodcraft store, then stand outside to put on the coat & gloves and 10 minutes later return to the car to again stand outside to remove the coat & gloves and then drive home to again put on the coat & gloves before I exit the garage.

Besides, the current offerings of heated seats can fry your bottom and backside and consequently you'll never notice a narrow 2" swath of cold crossing over your chest for 60 seconds.

Mercedes makes some nice cars but they have always overcomplicated their vehicles.

I live in one of the coldest cities in the world. But I never drive shirtless. Maybe Mercedes has its eyes on that kind of owner.

 

[ChuckS]

I have had remote start on the last 3 vehicles that I have owned. I find it just as useful in the summer heat too, but I have never taken my coat off before getting in the driver's seat, no matter how cold.

On Boxing Day, my wife and I saw a couple in their 60s or 70s ditching their jackets in their car before going into the shopping mall, which is properly heated for the winter. We looked at other, thinking the same thing. Are frozen jackets now a trendy fashion for seniors? Some teenagers do that, but seniors?

 

[Cheese]

On Boxing Day, my wife and I saw a couple in their 60s or 70s ditching their jackets in their car before going into the shopping mall, which is properly heated for the winter. We looked at other, thinking the same thing. Are frozen jackets now a trendy fashion for seniors? Some teenagers do that, but seniors?

Maybe the septuagenarians were just having one last fling at their youth?

 

[Packard]

So, not a real safety feature?

 

[Michael Kellough]

I don’t have the heated seat belts, but I do remember the taxi drivers in Syracuse always drove without a jacket, even in below zero temperatures. (I worked part time as a gas station jockey (4;00 pm to midnight) to help pay for school). I saw lots of taxi drivers because of that. So, I think there is something to the comfort aspect of heated seats. I am skeptical the heated seatbelts though.

I would point out that when I was just a wee tyke, the pediatrician would always warm up the stethoscope before placing it on my chest. (He would rub it back and forth on his sleeve; apparently the friction would warm it up.). So a warm seat belts might feel nice.

If I’ll be driving for more than 15 minutes I remove my coat at the start, if I was wearing one. The wind chill factor is pretty low in the car.

I wore a coat while driving this morning to a place that was right at the threshold of my 15 minute cut off rule. The bulk of the lower part of the coat interfered with both buckling and unbuckling the seatbelt. And yes, the seatbelt belt fit was loose and sloppy.

Winter is annoying attire-wise. Everywhere I go except for outdoor activities is heated. Including the car. I usually just wear a long sleeved shirt over a t-shirt to go to the store. If it is well below freezing outside I’ll wear a coat over the t-shirt and end up regretting it as I’m about to break into a sweat by the time I exit the store. Sometimes I can’t believe grew up in the Deep South.

 

[Cheese]

It seems to me that the primary reason for heated seat belts is not comfort at all, that seems to have escaped a few commentators here. There is a saying in the automotive industry that you can't sell safety and it is true judging from comments in this thread.

Maybe this is all lost on me, but what is the reason for heated seatbelts...a narrow 2" heat band that goes across your chest? And...why will that $700 expenditure make you feel better? It's like a warm rock in your hand...it makes that single hand feel good but the other hand is still freezing.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Winter is annoying attire-wise. Everywhere I go except for outdoor activities is heated. Including the car. I usually just wear a long sleeved shirt over a t-shirt to go to the store. If it is well below freezing outside I’ll wear a coat over the t-shirt and end up regretting it as I’m about to break into a sweat by the time I exit the store. Sometimes I can’t believe grew up in the Deep South.

I'm one of those "crazies" that wears shorts year-round. Most of the time, just a T-shirt and a flannel over it. If it's below 0 or exceptionally windy, I have an insulated flannel.
I'm not fully insane though, there is a pair of sweatpants behind the seat of my truck, just in case.
I stopped by my old workplace the other day while I taking my bike to one of the trails. It freaked out nearly everyone, they had never seen me with my legs covered. The few that have been there long enough to remember my bike commuting days have seen it, but that's only 3.
Wow, that's a weird realization. No one in the shop, except the delivery driver, has been there more than 5 years. Not one from the old building.

 

[leakyroof]

Oh boy...where to start?

This is just Mercedes marketing schtick at its worst. Justifying a $2500 upgrade for 4 heated seat belts by playing the "Safety Card".

I'll not be standing out in below zero temperatures with 15 mph winds to shed my coat and gloves to drive for 20 minutes to the Woodcraft store, then stand outside to put on the coat & gloves and 10 minutes later return to the car to again stand outside to remove the coat & gloves and then drive home to again put on the coat & gloves before I exit the garage.

Besides, the current offerings of heated seats can fry your bottom and backside and consequently you'll never notice a narrow 2" swath of cold crossing over your chest for 60 seconds.

Mercedes makes some nice cars but they have always overcomplicated their vehicles.

What,,, the brand I work on daily as my job is overcomplicated... NOW YOU TELL ME....
Yes, so far, I think they're the only vehicle that on SOME models, heats the Drivers Armrest on the door panel, as well as the top of the Center Console while heating your drivers seat. Haven't seen that on any other vehicle yet... Heated Seat belts, nope, Women will NOT be taking their coats off if they're cold just because of some belt warmth.... These German engineers have never met my wife in Winter...
Now if they'd offer a fitted Canadian Goose coat as part of the Car purchase, they'd make a lot of friends among Women buyers.....

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Now if they'd offer a fitted Canadian Goose coat as part of the Car purchase, they'd make a lot of friends among Women buyers.....

Those things are as nasty as rats, but even rats will not stand in the road and defy a car, like those geese will. It's almost like they know that it's illegal to mess with them.

 

[Cheese]

Now if they'd offer a fitted Canadian Goose coat as part of the Car purchase, they'd make a lot of friends among Women buyers.....

Hell, for the prices they charge...they should throw a His & Hers Canadian Goose in the trunk, a modern variation of the matching luggage they offered in the 300SL.

 

[Packard]

Before we criticize Mercedes too much…

I was stopped on Meadowbrook Parkway (Long Island) behind an accident. Mine was the last car to arrive before a drunk driver, traveling at the speed limit and having never touched his brakes, hit the read of my almost new 1987 Audi Quattro. The much heavier Chevy Blazer hit so hard that the seat back collapsed and I was completely supine when my head struck the seat back of the rear seat.

I was taken by ambulance to the hospital to have my neck X-rayed. Just soft tissue damage and pain. No structural damage.

I learned later that Mercedes had developed and patented a seat back latch designed to withstand that sort of impact. They offered the design for free to any car maker who wanted to use it. According to the article I read, it added about $5.00 to the manufacturing cost of the car.

Not one manufacturer took them up on that offer. I would have been much safer in a Mercedes than the Audi.

As an aside, in the early 1980s the P.I.T. Maneuver was developed to aid police in stopping fleeing cars. The technique involves having the police car pull alongside the fleeing vehicle, and using the front fender of the police car to push the rear fender of the fleeing car. This was designed to make the fleeing car spin out with minimal risk to the passengers.

Mercedes (with an assist from Bosch) thwarted that purpose and a few years later they developed the “Adavanced Stability Control” feature that applied the individual brakes to prevent spinning out. The purpose of ASC was to prevent spin outs, not to thwart PIT maneuvers.

The result of the ASC on the PIT maneuvers is that the fleeing car many times will flip over instead of spinning out. The ASC has gotten quite sophisticated and it might already be time for the PIT maneuvers to be retired. Unintended consequences.