I just bought a pair of CG-Locks for an upcoming track event, and decided since I haven't seen much information here on NAM, that it might be beneficial for others to see what it is and how it's installed.

CG Lock
Have you ever seen CG Lock? It's the poor mans alternative to a 4 point harness at a cost between $35 to $44 depending on when you buy it. It's essentially a ratcheting device that clamps onto your existing seatbelt by the way of two allen bolts, and it cinches your lap belt down to hold you firmly in the seat. The upper part of the belt is still loose, so your upper body is free to move about.

The CG-Lock website has plenty of good information on installation and use of their product, but none of it was specifically MINI, so that's why this article exists--to supplement existing instructions.


CG Lock Installed











Fastened



Ratchet Release



Releasing Ratchet to loosen/tighten lap belt

Just use your thumb to release ratchet





Backside



Off Mode

The CG-Lock is clamped in place, but a simple little cover that has the CG-Lock nameplate can be removed in seconds, releasing the ratcheting mechanism and allowing the seatbelt to be used in a completely normal fashion, without having to remove anything.





Ratchet Close Up

When installing the CG-Lock there are 2 sets of allen screws. Silver (longer) and Black (Shorter). You will use the Silver ones. Just insert them in place, tighten by hand a few threads--then insert assembly onto seat belt clip and tighten with included allen key. The allen screws won't protrude from the bottom--through these holes--if they did, you would have to use the shorter black screws.

Backside Closeup



Hope this little writeup gives you a bit more insight on this cool mod!

 

tell us how you feel about it... how well does it hold you in the seat, or perhaps the question is how well does it keep your lower body stationary ?

Do YOU like them ?

Thanks for the post and write up

 

Love your write ups Richard

I have a CG Lock and I think it's terrific! Now .... there's an aoutocross on Saturday .... I moved over the summer ... where did I put that CG Lock???

One thing to be carefull of with the CG Lock is not to lose the flat metal slider bar. They are very easy to misplace! When I lost mine, the folks at CG sent me another one quick as can be. Very fine folks at CG Lock!

 

Hey Madhatter
So far, I like it a lot--I wasn't sure what kind of impact it would have considering I have leather and sport seats which already is pretty supportive. With CG Lock cinched down tight--it's like a large weight placed in your lap. You have to push yourself tight against the seat, then cinch it down, and you end up staying in that position.

I can show you this Sunday on our next run if you still don't have yours.

Johnna
Thanks for the nice words.
I agree Johnna about not losing that nameplate part. I thought it should have a leash!!! Hmmm, thinking cap going on.

Also that allen key is something that I imagine is easily misplaced--of course it's only used for completely removing the CG Lock.

 

Well I've now driven for a week with my CG Lock and have some observations.

I've driven some twisty/curvy public streets (Sunset Blvd), various freeway/stop and go stuff, and today 260 miles of Angeles Crest Highway--lots of sweeping back and forth twisty turning MINI loving fun!!!

CG Lock is great!! Works as advertised. Easy to use!
If you carry anything on your waist like a cell phone, make sure to remove it cause it will get in the way of cinching the seat belt.

Make sure to scoot your butt all the way into the seat, then cinch belt as tight as possible. Make sure it goes across lap and not your tummy. Make sure the belt doesn't get twisted at any point.

CG Lock is the alternative to the harness and is the ONLY solution if you have backseat passengers! In fact, I just came across a set of MINI harnesses, but I will be keeping my CG Lock for those times a harness isn't appropriate!

 

had mine for a while...it snugs you down by the waist quite well. i guess it's comparable to the lap belts on the airplanes. cinch it down and you're stuck down onto the seat from the waist down.

 

Thank you for the write-up Richard. The CG-Lock is a product I have though of buying for a long while. I think I might take a closer look now.

 

I must be missing something...

From the picture it looks like it just latches like your factory seatbelt
(3 point) but just has a ratchet feature to adjust the upper strap....?


Im not sure what kind of benefit you can get from just that over
the factory seatbelts?


How is it a 4 point seatbelt? thanks! :smile: considering it's your life
at stake, why not just invest a few hundred more for a real 5 point
harness if you're going to race? (i must be really missing the
point)

 

Yeah you're MISSING the point!!!
It's not a 4 POINT seatbelt!

It's a ratchet that holds the lap belt down against you. The regular lap belt lays loose against you. With the CG Lock you pull the upper strap to tighten the lower lap portion. This holds you firmly against the seat. Yes your upper body is still free to move.

As the CG Lock people say..this isn't a safety device.

It won't make you any more or less safe than using the standard seatbelt system, but what it will do is keep you in your seat while driving spiritedly.

And until I experienced what it's like to be held tight in the seat, I never realized how much time I spent bracing myself from moving, when all of a sudden, I didn't need to. That kept my feet in the perfect position on the pedals. Heel and Toeing became easier as I entered turns because again, I wasn't using any energy to keep myself from moving out of the seat, and all concentration was on steering, and my feet on the pedals.

Hope that makes sense!

Richard

 

I got my CG-lock early in the summer hoping it might be half as good as a harness for a quarter the price...well, it works great, and I've very happy I saved the money!

To put it simply, it keeps your butt in place. No more sliding around.

I use it every day and rarely need to loosen it from its set position, unless I've been eating a lot lately.

I'm considering getting another for passengers.

 

Why can't a person use a child safety seat clip on the belt? It is a piece that looks like ][ (sort of). The lap portion of the belt clips to the lower shoulder part of the belt making it unable to move. I think that that would work also and it only costs $10 (or less). I think that new cars are supposed to come with them in fact - don't know for sure 'cause the last new car that I had was in '77.

drewffff

 

I just put on my CG-Lock and it seems to work great. Really holds me in place. The only question I have is whether its okay to leave it on all the time. It seems like constant use will prevent the belt from retracting fully. Won't that wear out the seat belt retractor over time? I'm thinking of just hitting the release and moving it down so the belt retracts fully each time I use it. Hopefully the weight of the ratchet won't affect the seat belt retractor. Any thoughts from other owners out there?

 

Yes it works just like the child safty seat clip. However, the clip would be hard to get on and adjust properly, and certainly a pain to loosen all the time.

New cars did come with them for awhile, but now that cars have the LATCH system, they don't need them anymore.

Also for those of you not aware all safty belts in the MINI with the exception of the driver will ratchet tight and lock when pulled out completely, allowing car seats to be put in with out the clip, or passengers to be held tight on the DRAGON.

Not as good but when nothing else is available it's better than nothing. Ask my wife!!

Steve

 

ok, oh... thanks, it makes sense now. dummy me.

 

With the CG-Lock, I think I threw the SRS light... had the Lock on, same locked position for over a week, tugged on the belt to tighten it one evening and in less than 20hrs the SRS light came on. Brought it in a few days later, found to be the driver side belt tensioner having high resistance. Fault occured once.

 

Strange..I've had my CG Lock on and in use since I wrote the article--haven't experienced any SRS or other issues. Even did a track day with only the CG Lock.

 

Maybe I pulled too hard... I've taken it off for now, will see how the next few weeks go without. It was nice to have it on full time.

 

Strange. It's not locking the top part of the belt so it should have no effect on the tensioner. I'm surprised to hear we even have a monitoring system on those tensioners!

 

What is the advantage to the CG Lock over the method of pushing your seat back all the way, jerking the seatbelt til it locks, and then scooting your seat into position, so that the top belt is snug?

 

The CG Lock will allow you to tighten the lap portion of the belt while not over-tightening the shoulder portion. Allows free movement of upper body with a tight lap restraint.
I use it often but, only drawback is, extra weight of CG Lock doesn't allow the belt to retract easly when exiting the car. Not a big deal but can be a PIA under everyday driving.

 

It was the tensioner in the buckle I was referring to.

Whether or not having the seatbelt locked into the buckle, with CG-Lock in the lock position, and tugging on the belt really hard caused the SRS light or not is hard to say... coincidence? However, that's the only thing that I had done prior to the light going on in the driver side area (no seat adjustments or anything).

 

So, it doesn't matter if your upper torso shifts? Only your butt? My husband has been hinting that he wants a 4-point harness for christmas. (we frequently autocross). It would be nice if I could convince him that a CG lock is all we need.

 

The point is it is not a 4 or 5 point harness. But for $45, it gives you something in between. And you can legally use it every day too.

You don't have to do that crazy dance...and you can still breathe when you're done!

 

CG Lock is a huge step up from the standard seat belts--even with Sport Seats. A 4 point harness is another huge step or leap above that with the additional advantage of locking your upper torso in place.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both.

For me, I have both and will continue to have both because the 4 point harnesses means no back seat passengers--and I like wearing my Schroths for everyday driving. When I got people back there, my CG Lock works perfectly. I personally don't find the weight of the CG Lock a problem.

Sometimes the extra restraint a harness provides isn't all that convenient for daily driving---can't close door (hard to reach), or open glove box, or reach into door pocket on passenger side when strapped in...

 

For the 40 or so dollars it costs, buy one for your hubby to try and if he doesn't like it I'll buy it from you and you can get him the 4 point for xmas. Its a win win situation.