You do it every time you get in the car:
Slide the seat belt across your body… Click it into place… And go.
But have you ever noticed that small tab or lever near the bottom of the seat belt retractor — often along the door frame or near the floor?
It’s not a defect. It’s not a mistake. And it’s definitely not for adjusting the belt mid-drive.
That tiny feature is an emergency release mechanism — a last-resort tool built into your car’s safety system.
Let’s uncover what it really does — so you can understand your seat belt better, stay safe, and know exactly what to do in a crisis.
Because real safety isn’t about guessing. It’s about knowing — before you need it.
🔍 What Is That Button Called?
It goes by several names:
- Seat Belt Retractor Release
- Emergency Webbing Release
- Manual Retraction Override
📍 Located at the base of the shoulder belt retractor — usually on the B-pillar (between front and back doors) or near the floor.
⚠️ This is not for daily adjustment. It’s a mechanical backup — only to be used when the seat belt fails to retract or release after an accident.
✅ What It Actually Does
