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For those with older vehicles.

sleepingbeauty825sleepingbeauty825 member
in 3rd Trimester
We drive an older SUV, and the backseat folds down about 2/3 of the way in. Our car seat says to install on the middle seat, but it doesn't seem as secure as a side seat. Does this make any sense? If you have something like this, how are you installing the car seat?
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Re: For those with older vehicles.

  • eyunger1eyunger1
    Look at your owner's manual for their suggestion of where to put a car seat.  My SUV isn't old (it's a 2006 Hyundai Tucson, and it has the LATCH system) but it has a fold-down armrest in the middle of the back seat, so you can't put a car seat there.  There are actually no LATCH attachments for that part of the seat, making it so you can only go behind the driver or behind the passenger.  I chose to put mine behind the passenger, because I figured if I had to pull off the road for some reason, 99% of the time I'd pull off to the right.  With LO behind the passenger seat, he would not be on the traffic-side of the car if I had to get him out.  We'd be on what I think is the safer side of the car.
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  • MystjavaMystjava member

    Both my Jeep ('94) and Neon ('97) are older cars.. I plan to put the car seat in the middle because that is the recommended location, but if it doesn't feel right, I plan to go have it inspected at our sheriff's office.  I know they would love to help us out.  The bad thing is - I don't have the owner's manual for the Neon.  A friend of mine had recommend that I use part of a swimming noodle (or a rolled up towel) to help "level" the car seat's base which I will do when I can find one of those "noodles!"   I hope that helps a little bit.. 

    If you're not comfortable.. but the car seat on the passenger side.   

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  • starz4him08starz4him08
    I think we have to install ours in the middle seat too. I tried one day and it was too loose. I don't get it. I drive a '97 Jetta. I'm going to stop by my local Hwy patrol/fire/police station and make them do it, LOL. They're all certified. And then they can show DH and I the right way bc most car seats are installed wrong  (as I've been told).
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  • blissfully_caffeinatedblissfully_caffeinated
    I was told to look in my car manual on where to install it. Ideally, you want to install in the middle seat to help protect LO from side impact crashes. I can't install in the middle seat in my car though so I'm stuck with the sides. My rear seats fold flat. I'm not sure if that has anything to do with not being able to install in the middle seat. When it comes time to install the seat (after I clean my very filthy car) I'll  take it down to the fire station and have them do it.
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  • msmousmsmous
    I drive a convertible and don't have middle seat belts.  I haven't looked at the owners manual yet.
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