Car Seat Gurus Come In...

bgf1

We are getting a new ( to us ) Mazda 5 on Monday and will be moving an Evenflo Symphony car seat into it.  The seat has knobs to tighten the harness.  In our car they are a PITA because the are wedged into the seat ( LO is rear facing).  The Mazda 5 has captains chair in the back.  If I recline the seats slightly the knobs are easier to get at.  Is it safe to install the seat with the captains chairs reclined 15 degrees or so?  Thanks

KdgTeacher10

Could you just recline the seats to adjust the knobs then move the chair back in proper position? I'm not sure if it's safe to leave it reclined. I've tried searching on the internet and couldn't find anything. GL!!

saturdaynightdoubletree

Look at the car manual. Most say "...install with passenger seat in fullest upright position..."

snicksnack

Check the manual online if you can.  My husband has a 4 runner and while it does not have a captain seat it specifically says with a rear facing car seat you need to recline the bench seat.  At first we did not do it and you could not get the angle you needed; this was before we read the car manual.  He has a symphony also, but it does not have knobs.  My mom has the Triumph and that one has the knobs. 

mmmhilary

We have a Mazda 5 and a Britax.  We reclined the seats slightly as well.  I felt ok about it because it didn't change the angle of the seat or change the points of contact between the seat and the carseat.  We did scoot the carseat back towards the back of the seat once we reclined it though.