Car seat questions

JJ3813 · February 2013

I installed our graco snugride 35 base today...I chose the middle of the back seat with the seatbelt (latch isn't available in the center for our car). From what I've been reading, as long as its a secure fit, latch isn't necessarily any safer than a seatbelt. I kneeled on the base, pulled it tight and then snapped it into the seatbelt lock in the base. It felt surprising secure, and I think it helps that the center seat kind of curves outwards which fits perfectly with the edge of the base, versus the outboard seats that are contoured the opposite way. It moves very little, definitely less than an inch...am I correct in choosing this versus latch on an outboard seat?

After reading the owners manual for the car and the seat, it made me curious, why can't you use the latch system and the seatbelt at the same times? Wouldn't this make it even more secure? I'm of course not planning on using both, just curious as to why, that's all.

I was also wondering about the seat protectors that go under the car seat to avoid marks and footprints...are these considered aftermarket products that would void any warranty and make the seat unsafe? I would like to keep our seats clean but only if it's safe.

Thanks ladies, I'm still getting the hang of all of this stuff, it's nice to have resources to turn to for advice

=Lee=B · February 2013

Our car doesn't have latch in the middle either so we used the seat belt. We have a Safety First so I am not completely sure of your model. One thing I will mention in case you didn't check is that if your seat belt doesn't have the locking mechanism in it to prevent it from loosening then you need to add the lock switch plate to the seat belt near the buckle rather than just putting the belt through the car seat base.

Our car had the locking mechanism we just had to pull the seat belt alllll the way out until it clicked then it would suck the seat belt in but it can't be pulled back out unless we unactivate the locking mechanism.

We then tightened it super tight and put the belt should strap through the base belt holder.

Hope I am not confusing you more than helping!!

Katie829 · February 2013

Make sure you pull out the seat belt all the way until it locks and retracts in and cannot be pulled forward again. This was one step I neglected and eventually it would start to become loose.

You are not allowed to use latch and seat belt together because either it was not tested, or it was tested and failed during the safety testing.

The car seat protectors are not safe to use. If you are really concerned you can use a thin towel or receiving blanket which is the only the car seat techs will recommend.

Rosebud2587 · February 2013

Seatbelt instals are fine as long as it's done correctly. As the PP said, make sure your seatbelt has a locking mechanism. Also, make sure the base doesn't wiggle more than an inch, otherwise it's too loose.

I don't know why you can't use both the LATCH and the seatbelt, all I know is it's not safe.

For seat protectors: Some manufacturers approve the use of their own seat protectors under the seats, but you can't mix and match, and some of those are iffy. When in doubt, don't do it. If you feel you need something a thin towel or receiving blanket should be all the protection your seat needs.

Angela814 · February 2013

The only benefit of latch is to make the seat easier to install. If you can get a more secure fit with a seatbelt, then that's a better choice.

I would guess that the combination was never tested.

Technically seat protectors are not allowed. DH installed our convertible seat with one. Since I can't get the carseat to move at all, I think it's probably okay. He can get a tighter install with the seat protector than I can without it.

gimmietimmies · February 2013

It doesn't matter if her seats have locking belts or not, the Snugride 35 has a built in lock off on the base. No, seat belt and LATCH together are not safe, like pp said, they don't test it like that. It could be adding extra force to the seat it wasn't designed to handle. And seat protectors are generally a no, they mask a bad install. They don't prevent indents and can actually leave marks and mold on your seat (trust me on this one). The indents will go away once your seats are out for a few hours.

LittleApple · February 2013

gimmietimmies:
It doesn't matter if her seats have locking belts or not, the Snugride 35 has a built in lock off on the base. No, seat belt and LATCH together are not safe, like pp said, they don't test it like that. It could be adding extra force to the seat it wasn't designed to handle. And seat protectors are generally a no, they mask a bad install. They don't prevent indents and can actually leave marks and mold on your seat (trust me on this one). The indents will go away once your seats are out for a few hours.

This. The Graco Snugride 35 base already has a seat belt lock off so no need to worry about it coming lose.

It is NEVER safe to use both LATCH and a seat belt. There has to be some give to the seat and using both would make the seat way too tight. It is always one or the other.

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