[drchu]

There there a diagnostic tool available that will allow me to disable the seat belt warning alarm? I had a passat previously and there was a VAG-COM device that allowed me to modify certain settings on the car. Thanks

 

[TrailDust]

Yes, it can be done, but your dealer has to do it through their own computer interface.

In order to alleviate the inevitable rancor about legality, the following are U.S. Department of Transportation standards:

FMVSS No. 208 only requires a seat belt warning system for the driver’s seating position. There is no requirement for an audible or visual warning signal that applies to the front passenger seating positions. Therefore from a federal standpoint, there is no legal bar to the modification of the passenger seat warning system.

The attachment from the CFR (Code of Federal Regulations, the law when it comes to these things), said:

S7.3 (a) A seat belt assembly provided at the driver's seating position shall be equipped with a warning system that, at the option of the manufacturer, either—
(1) Activates a continuous or intermittent audible signal for a period of not less than 4 seconds and not more than 8 seconds and that activates a continuous or flashing warning light visible to the driver displaying the identifying symbol for the seat belt telltale shown in Table 2 of FMVSS 101 or, at the option of the manufacturer if permitted by FMVSS 101, displaying the words “Fasten Seat Belts” or “Fasten Belts”, for not less than 60 seconds (beginning when the vehicle ignition switch is moved to the “on” or the “start” position) when condition (b) exists simultaneously with condition (c) , or that
(2) Activates, for a period of not less than 4 seconds and not more than 8 seconds (beginning when the vehicle ignition switch is moved to the “on” or the “start” position), a continuous or flashing warning light visible to the driver, displaying the identifying symbol of the seat belt telltale shown in Table 2 of FMVSS 101 or, at the option of the manufacturer if permitted by FMVSS 101, displaying the words “Fasten Seat Belts” or “Fasten Belts”, when condition (b) exists, and a continuous or intermittent audible signal when condition (b) exists simultaneously with condition (c).
(b) The vehicle's ignition switch is moved to the “on” position or to the “start” position.
(c) The driver's lap belt is not in use, as determined, at the option of the manufacturer, either by the belt latch mechanism not being fastened, or by the belt not being extended at least 4 inches from its stowed position.

What is installed in today's vehicles my manufacturers are called "enhanced warning features" and can be legally deactivated (in the U.S.). This is what the custom features posted allow the dealer to do. Given that we live in a litigious age, some dealers may balk at changing this setting. At any rate, if your dealer does turn off the two settings the vehicle will still be legally compliant with the legal requirement of sounding the buzzer for not less than 4 seconds and not more than 8 seconds if the drivers seat belt is not fastened.

 

[robertag]

Of course, there's always the other option...wear your seatbelt

 

[Bronze x Two]

There there a diagnostic tool available that will allow me to disable the seat belt warning alarm? I had a passat previously and there was a VAG-COM device that allowed me to modify certain settings on the car. Thanks

I have not been very smart about wearing a seat belt. My primary ride is a GMC pickup and I {my bad} do not often wear the belt around town. However the alarm on the Venza is so loud, insistant and irritating that I automatically hook up the seat belt when I get in, just to shut the darn thing up. I sure do wonder why they have such a loud, insistant and irritating alarm in the Venza. Wyovenza

 

[Monster-4]

I always wear my seat belt but there are times when I'm just moving the Venza around my own driveway and the stupid thing dings and dings and dings until I bulk up. It's very annoying when you are just moving a vehicle around a couple hundred feet. I was hoping there was a way to do it myself like some vehicles I've owned. Oh well I guess I can ask the dealer the next time it's in for free service but I am sure they will charge me a full shop hour for this.

 

[TrailDust]

If the dealer is worth their salt they'll do it for free as a customer service, provided you're in for regular maintenance. I have a great dealer near me who does that sort of thing. Good dealers are out there, the difficult thing is finding them. :smokin:

 

[robertag]

I have not been very smart about wearing a seat belt. My primary ride is a GMC pickup and I {my bad} do not often wear the belt around town. However the alarm on the Venza is so loud, insistant and irritating that I automatically hook up the seat belt when I get in, just to shut the darn thing up. I sure do wonder why they have such a loud, insistant and irritating alarm in the Venza. Wyovenza

Wyovenza, you just answered your own question. They make it loud so that you'll wear you seatbelt just to shut it up.
FWIW, if you're patient enough, it will eventually shut-up even if you don't wear the seatbelt. Takes about 30 seconds.

 

[Bronze x Two]

Wyovenza, you just answered your own question. They make it loud so that you'll wear you seatbelt just to shut it up.
FWIW, if you're patient enough, it will eventually shut-up even if you don't wear the seatbelt. Takes about 30 seconds.

:gossip: Robertag.. I was joking, I fully understand why they have such a good alarm on the Venza. I was comparing it to the poor one on my GMC and how it does not make me put on my belt. I am not sure what FWIW means but FYI-- I was being facetious. Wyovenza

 

[jbollt]

I am not sure what FWIW means but FYI-- I was being facetious. Wyovenza

FWIW= For What It's Worth.

 

[robertag]

:gossip: Robertag.. I was joking, I fully understand why they have such a good alarm on the Venza. I was comparing it to the poor one on my GMC and how it does not make me put on my belt. I am not sure what FWIW means but FYI-- I was being facetious. Wyovenza

I thought you might have been, but I was still on my first coffee:snore:

 

[Bronze x Two]

FWIW= For What It's Worth.

jbolt.. Thanks a lot, I really did not know what FWIW meant. :whatthe: I do not text which is where I assume everyone learns these things. Ya learn something everyday. Much obliged! Wyovenza

 

[TrailDust]

jbolt.. Thanks a lot, I really did not know what FWIW meant. :whatthe: I do not text which is where I assume everyone learns these things. Ya learn something everyday. Much obliged! Wyovenza

Try life in the military, where everything is an acronym. :lol:

 

[umbg35]

Someone I know just bought some cheap aftermarket "male" clip for the seatbelt and just has been clipped in at all time. I just take it off and I can clip in the real seatbelt when I ride shotgun. It's a much cheaper alternative than going thru the hoops at the dealer.

 

[nhcycle]

Although I believe seat belt use is a personal choice/decision (I'm from the "Live Free or Die" state), there are a few points to consider when disabling a "safety device." I know that insurance companies are actively considering a variety of cost mitigation measures that will address the payout for injuries sustained from the lack or improper use of safety devices. In other words, if you are injured because you didn't use or disabled a safety device, your medical expenses would be denied or substantially reduced under a proportional liability term of policy. And they don't plan to stop there. That measure could/would be applied to "risky pursuits that pose an elevated risk of personal injury." They are viewing the possibility or requiring the purchase of additional insurance premiums to cover those activities.

Now with that all being said, a discussion on this related topic should be moved to the General Discussion or Off Topic Forums where there'd likely be an interesting TN wide discussion.

 

[Bensonc]

I am the kind that not feel comfortable driving without seat belt, but that ding ding ding on first start and coming back home was very loud to a level I want it deleted too. I used to use vag com on my last passat. And find there are 'toyota mini vci' on Ebay that do sort of the same thing. If my dealer charge me to reprogram my car to 'unlock all door with one press' when I do my 1st oil change due(only 2500km now), I will order the cable and report back.

I am against driving without the belt, but you may want this(this is common for driver in China) :
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Sliver-CARBO...Parts_Accessories&hash=item27ce648011&vxp=mtr