Car Seat in Center with 40% Side Down ?

[bcb97]

Sorry to dredge up an old thread, but I'm going through the same dilemma now. I originally had the car seat behind the passenger front seat, but the car seat is so big, the passenger has to sit up more vertical and the passenger seat is pushed up uncomfortably to the dash. Then my wife read that it is safest for a car seat to be in the middle of the back seat. I looked in my manual and I cannot find it to say if you use the middle of the back seat to not use the latches and only use the middle seat belt. My wife's Altima's manual says do not use a child restraint system in the middle of the back seat using latches, only the middle seat belt. Therefore I installed them with the middle seat belt but the car seat does not seem as secure as it did when it was sitting behind the passenger seat using the latch system. We have the Diomo Ranier 3 in 1 car seat if that makes a difference. It's a big sucker. Anybody have any more luck with the placement of their car seats or any lessons learned?

For those who use the latches in the middle of the back seat, do people who sit on either side of the car seat have issues buckling their own seatbelt?

Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

[pbstriker38]

I have the car seat in the center seat with the latch system. The passengers on either side of the seat have no problem buckling their seat belts. It's not possible to fold down the 40 side though, since the latch is in the seat.

 

[4OYOTER]

I was under the impression the LATCH anchors should not be used on the middle seat because the distance between the two is too far and it's not meant to be used that way. I used the middle seatbelt personally. If it doesn't seem secure, try putting your body weight on top of the base while pulling the seat belt all the way out and tight and then letting it fully retract to lock.

We also Got a different Graco base that has a "seat belt lock" on it. Basically instead of letting the seat belt fully extend and retract to lock, there is instead a locking mechanism on the base itself that keeps the belt secure. Not all models have this feature though. Either way try putting your weight on top of the base while tightening for a more secure install.

 

[RedMagik]

I was under the impression the LATCH anchors should not be used on the middle seat because the distance between the two is too far and it's not meant to be used that way. I used the middle seatbelt personally. If it doesn't seem secure, try putting your body weight on top of the base while pulling the seat belt all the way out and tight and then letting it fully retract to lock. l.

No you are not suppose to use the latch system, it's a connivence thing people do.

I highly recommend this seat:

Clek

A picture was posted earlier in this thread about it's latch system. The seat frame is made of steel and has multiple crumple zones. It's one of two forward facing car seats that utilize the latch system and can exceed the 40lb threshold of safety purposes. It by no means is a inexpensive car seat, but my child's life is worth it more. About to buy a second one so we can both have one in our car to trade off drop off/pick up times. This is why I don't have $$$ for a lift or bumpers, but it's more important. All my extra cash goes towards by daughter really.

We had a local fire department install the seat when it was rear facing and it was disturbing the difference in how tight they got it compared to how most parents, including us, install seats. Our family used to think we were nuts when we would bring the car seat on vacation to visit them because we would always try to replicate how tight of a fit that fire fighter got it.