Preventing car seat base damage on leather?

BronzeMama · July 2012

I've heard to put a piece of sheepskin between car seat base and car seat to help prevent indentations, cuts and rubs against the leather. I've also heard to use a terrycloth towel,but that seems like it might be unsafe.

Thoughts on how to protect the leather from the sharp edges of a car seat base?

I've also put in the same question to my Infiniti dealer, but thought I'd check to see who else has successfully dealt with this before.

EDIT: I like the Chicco Keyfit 30. But I'm also hearing they consider any seat protectors to be "after market" and that use of the protectors makes the seat unsafe. Thoughts?

kcave21 · July 2012

yes, a seat protector or maybe the non slip stuff you use in your cabinets--I have never used it for this but it could work if your worrying about the seat slipping

jobiann · July 2012

Ambsies:
We have a seat protector, similar to this one.

Oh I need to order two of these...not a bad price either. Thanks Ambsies!

jblakewood · July 2012

I registered for one of these for my husband's car. These are safe, right? They don't effect the efficacy and safety of the car seat?? Probably being paranoid but just wanting to make sure!!

bearkatjen · July 2012

The leather in your car make be more delicate, but we haven't had any damage to the leather in our car because of DS's car seat.

lauraliz24 · July 2012

I used to be a car seat technician, and yes, those seat covers are considered after market products and technically could affect the safety of your seat. I'm not sure exactly how, but I do remember that they were considered "after market changes". We recommended the thin non-slip stuff you line your cabinets with and only put it under the seat. HTH!

tamararachel2 · July 2012

With DS#1 I had a F150 with leather seats and I never used anything underneath.Even when I switched car seats after he outgrew the infant seat, nothing ever happened to my seat! Even if something happened, I don't know how upset I'd be considering so may other things happen to the inside of your car when you have kids. From sand and mud to dropped food and what not, I think the car seat ruining the leather was the last thing on my mind.

jenyjeny · July 2012

I may get flamed for this, because there is all sorts of wrong in my post but here it goes.

I put a towel under the base. (I've heard you're not supposed to). But I know it's safe because I got pulled over for speeding (see? flame away lol) and the cop inspected the carseat installation and said it was great, and I should thank whoever put it in. Then he told me not to speed.

AND i didn't even get a ticket...

MelleTX · July 2012

I have heard thin towels are safe, but the after-market seat protectors are not.

Truthfully, I am not worried about it. No one I know has ever had their leather interior damaged from a car seat that was properly installed.

However, I drive a Volvo and paid the extra $800 for the interior protection plan which covers the leather seats should they ever get damaged. Includes carpet stains too...even from kids and pets. It was worth it to me since I will be driving this car for 4 or more years with twins.

WaitingOnTwoPinkLines · July 2012

Unless they are made by your carseat manufacturer (Britax makes them for their seats), they are after-market & could affect the seat's function.

We've had a carseat installed in some form for the last 6 years without any lasting damage to our leather seats, in 3 different cars.

Bethbsn06 · July 2012

bearkatjen:
The leather in your car make be more delicate, but we haven't had any damage to the leather in our car because of DS's car seat.

This. We did not use a seat protector due to the safety/warranty issue. We have 3 car seats in my escape, including the keyfit with no problems.

oneyedsally · July 2012

Wow I hadn't realized putting something underneath would be considered after market, I had been thinking about using a towel. So glad I clicked on this thread! Thanks to the member who mentioned Britax sells a compatible cover, we were thinking of getting one of their seats and this adds another check to their pro side.

Note - I feel like the leather seats in my car are pretty delicate. I drive an Acura and I noticed a permanent indent in my passenger seat from the corner of a heavy box I had on the seat for a day. It still won't go away! I didn't notice any damage from my niece's seat on the occasional trips I would take her on, but I'm sure a car seat base in place for several years would have an impact.

BronzeMama · July 2012

The other car is an Acura, so yes, I've seen the indents left over after moving a heavy box or a suitcase or something. I talked to the Acura dealer, who said that they offer a seat cover for the entire back seat. It's a thin cloth thing and they say it doesn't interfere with car seats. Infiniti has the same thing. But I bet the Chicco will still consider those products to be after market, even if the car manufacturer created them for that purpose. They are PRICEY. the acura car seat cover is $231... ANd no way I can add that to my BBB registry.

x posh · July 2012

I ordered the seat cover mat like the one posted. When we installed our Chico key fit , it was able to slide so I feel like there needs to be something under it to recent that. I've also had my friends two booster seats in my car and they left indents I was not happy about. I'm more concered with the sliding though.... Now I'm stuck on what to do !

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