How your car’s seatbelt could save your life (and it’s not in the way that you think)

An auto expert has revealed several ways he thinks a seatbelt can “save” you – and it’s not like you think.

The majority of people are aware that wearing a seat belt is mandatory for your safety, but one expert has argued that there are other lesser-known features of the seat belt.

TikTok user @chequanlaosi explains a helpful tip that involves checking the seat belt label to see when the car was made.

If the production date is earlier than the seatbelt, it could be a sign the car has been in an accident, he says.

In the video titled “These Hidden Secrets of Seat Belts Can Save Your Life at Critical Moments,” the expert begins, “90 percent of people only know to wear seat belts, but I bet you don’t know that a seat belt can four hidden functions.

“If the car breaks down, first pull the seatbelt all the way out, close the door, and hang on the shoulder so you can control the direction with one hand.

“And then use your whole body to push the car.”

Describing another tip, he continued, “Second, when you buy a car, to avoid buying a flooded car, pull the seat belt all the way down.

“Look at the bottom of the seatbelt, and if there’s mud or a moldy smell, it’s probably a car with water bubbles.”

After explaining the tag trick, he moves on to his final tip: in the event of an accident and getting stuck in the car, you can use the metal belt buckle to hit the edge of the car window to escape.

Some people thought his advice was “nothing new,” but others were less convinced that his ideas would work safely. One TikTok user said, “Should get your facts straight before posting videos.”

Several commentators tried to claim a fifth use of the seatbelt, saying, “You can also open a bottle of beer with it.”