Date:         Tue, 17 Nov 1998 14:43:13 -0800
Reply-To:     YauMan Chan <YauMan@CCHEM.BERKELEY.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         YauMan Chan <YauMan@CCHEM.BERKELEY.EDU>
Subject:      Re: importing a van from canada part deux
Comments: To: DOINKS99@AOL.COM, vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

Ok.. Active Restraining system is the seat belt where you have to DO something, ie. put it on when you get in the car - hence ACTIVE

Passive Restraining System is the mechanical motorized seat belt that wraps you up when you close the door and start the car.  It can also be the dumb passive belt where one end is attached to the door and you are buckled in as soon as you close the door.

Air Bag is NOT considered passive restrain even though it is.. it is considered a Supplemental Restrain System (SRS)

The current rule for passenger car is that it must have Passive Restrain system OR Active Restrain WITH SRS...

..but..but .. Vanagon is considered a TRUCK for emmission control and safety purposes.. and the only requirement for trucks is still  ACTIVE restrain - NO SRS.


Yau-Man Chan
87 GL


>>> <DOINKS99@AOL.COM> 11/17 1:46 PM >>>
I found out that the safety standard this 88 crew cab  didn't meet was the
restraining system. I was told that it must have a passive restraining system
and that this one has an active system. When i drove the vehicle i noticed no
difference in the seat belts. Does anyone know of this difference in
restraining systems?

thanks
tyler