Using lap belt to install car seat?

jerseygirly

I have the latch system but only outboard in my car and the middle seat is a lap belt. I'll have a booster on one side (since I need the shoulder belt) and need to install a toddler car seat and infant carseat on the rest, however, the toddler car seat (radian) does not allow to 'borrow' latches from the sides and I only have a lap belt in the middle. Since the lap belt slides loose easily, I have no idea what to do. I've been looking around on the internet and can't find a definite answer to this. Anyone know more about this or know where to point me in the right direction? FYI, I have a 2001 mazda tribute and will be putting a 5yo, 2yo & infant across the back seat. TIA - I'm also posting this on the Nurseries and baby gear board.

ElizC

What infant seat are you using?  Some have built in seat belt locks and others require a seat belt lock it is a metal thing.  I will try to find a picture of them.  When installing a carseat without LATCH you need to lock the belt.

We have an 02 Escape, which is pretty much the same car at the tribute.  When doing 3 across I wouldn't use the LATCH system.  It tends to pull the seats more to the middle in out car, not leaving enough room for the 3rd seat.

jerseygirly

ElizC:

What infant seat are you using?  Some have built in seat belt locks and others require a seat belt lock it is a metal thing.  I will try to find a picture of them.  When installing a carseat without LATCH you need to lock the belt.

We have an 02 Escape, which is pretty much the same car at the tribute.  When doing 3 across I wouldn't use the LATCH system.  It tends to pull the seats more to the middle in out car, not leaving enough room for the 3rd seat.

 

I think it's the Graco snugride, I've had it since 2005 from my first son.  I was going to put that on the one side using the seat belt (which locks without the metal thing) and then put my 2 yo in the middle in a 5 point harness radian.  I have the medal clip, does that lock a lap belt effectively?

darlene'smommy

How are you leaving the "tail" of the lap belt?  In order to lock the lap belt in place the "tail" needs to be on top of the main lap belt.  Im hoping im making sense.  Its comming out differant in wirting then when I say it. 

ElizC

jerseygirly:

ElizC:

What infant seat are you using?  Some have built in seat belt locks and others require a seat belt lock it is a metal thing.  I will try to find a picture of them.  When installing a carseat without LATCH you need to lock the belt.

We have an 02 Escape, which is pretty much the same car at the tribute.  When doing 3 across I wouldn't use the LATCH system.  It tends to pull the seats more to the middle in out car, not leaving enough room for the 3rd seat.

 

I think it's the Graco snugride, I've had it since 2005 from my first son.  I was going to put that on the one side using the seat belt (which locks without the metal thing) and then put my 2 yo in the middle in a 5 point harness radian.  I have the medal clip, does that lock a lap belt effectively?

It will lock it.  I can't remeber exactly how I did it, but I have used the middle belt to install a seat.  It is H's car so I can't go outside and look. Check you owners manual it will tell where/how to lock off the belt.

I know that this isn't want you asked about, but I am going to throw it out there anyways. Have you checked the expiration date on your snugride?  I believe they are only good for 5 to 6 years.  So yours might be pushing the expiration date.

darlene'smommy

You can not use a locking clip to lock a lap belt only a lap shoulder belt. 

ElizC

darlene'smommy:

You can not use a locking clip to lock a lap belt only a lap shoulder belt. 

I remember just pulling it really tight.  I had it inspected and they said it was good.  For the life of me I can't remember how I did it.  I know that I used the owners manual as my guide.

darlene'smommy

ElizC:

darlene'smommy:

You can not use a locking clip to lock a lap belt only a lap shoulder belt. 

I remember just pulling it really tight.  I had it inspected and they said it was good.  For the life of me I can't remember how I did it.  I know that I used the owners manual as my guide.

Yeah the main thing is making sure both peices of the lap belt is over lapping each other or on my cpst-I puts it they need to be married (on top of each other) not dating (apart). 

 

jerseygirly

Thank you everyone, this seriously has helped a lot.  I'm not going to find out a way to get my lap belt to lock and when I do that, all should be good.

Eliz, I only just thought of that as I was writing this post, I have to check it tonight to see if I can still use it, thanks

I just need to keep telling myself that buying new car seats (the radian and possibly now an infant car seat) is still way cheaper than buying a car! lol

jerseygirly

I found this online, does it sound familiar in locking the lap belt?:

If your lap-only belt loosens when the car seat is installed, flip the latchplate (male end) over once and buckle. Pull on the belt to make sure it locked. If you are using a seat belt (most often lap-only) that doesn't lock in any way, you may need to use a belt-shortening clip (sometimes called by its outdated term of heavy duty locking clip). Please consult a certified child passenger safety technician who will show you where to purchase this clip and will show you how to safely install this on a seat belt. This type of clip is not for the inexperienced.

ElizC

jerseygirly:

Thank you everyone, this seriously has helped a lot.  I'm not going to find out a way to get my lap belt to lock and when I do that, all should be good.

Eliz, I only just thought of that as I was writing this post, I have to check it tonight to see if I can still use it, thanks

I just need to keep telling myself that buying new car seats (the radian and possibly now an infant car seat) is still way cheaper than buying a car! lol

Even if you have buy the most expensive car seats out there, it will be cheaper than buying a new car.  I would also try really hard to find a tech to look at the seats, once you get them installed. 

 

darlene'smommy

jerseygirly:

I found this online, does it sound familiar in locking the lap belt?:

If your lap-only belt loosens when the car seat is installed, flip the latchplate (male end) over once and buckle. Pull on the belt to make sure it locked. If you are using a seat belt (most often lap-only) that doesn't lock in any way, you may need to use a belt-shortening clip (sometimes called by its outdated term of heavy duty locking clip). Please consult a certified child passenger safety technician who will show you where to purchase this clip and will show you how to safely install this on a seat belt. This type of clip is not for the inexperienced.

 

Yep check the tail first then flip the latchplate if it still does not lock.  To get the belt shorting clip you call the manufacture of your car.  Alot of techs get them free from ford so call some techs in your area and see if they have one.  You will need to tech to show you how to use it.  They dont came with a manual and if not put on right then its not safe for a crash.  Most the time a belt shorting clip is only used on a lap belt that does not have the tail its the one that just keeps comming out and does not lock. 

2mommiesinoh

I had the same thing...no latch in the middle.  I was unsure how to properly install an infant seat in the middle.  I took my car to the local fire department and they showed me how to safely install the seat and made sure it was tight and in right....I suggest you call first as I had to have an appointment.