Like have two different belt paths, car seats have different angles they must be installed at depending on if the seat is rear or forward facing. Some seats have adjustable recline positions. All seats will have some sort of angle indicator like a sticker with a line or a bubble with a specific range. Some seats have different levels to choose from depending on the age of the child. Be sure to have your car parked on a level surface so you can tell if the level indicator is accurate. If it is a challenge to get the correct angle with just the adjustability of the seat, some seats allow for use of a pool noodle or rolled towel at the bight of the vehicle seat to adjust the angle of the car seat.
Prior to installing your car seat using a seat belt , you need to know how to lock the seat belt. The vehicle manual will have instructions. The most common way is to gently pull the seat belt all the way out.
Most manufacturers put them in the two outside seating positions and do not allow you to use one anchor from each side to install a car seat using LATCH in the center. Be sure to read that car manual to find the positions and if you can borrow for a center seating install. Prior to using LATCH to install your car seat, find the lower anchors in the seating position you want to use.
There is usually a button or label on the seat to indicate the anchor is near. We could debate about whether it did or if it just added another element of confusion and a chance for errors. Car seat experts recommend using the tether strap for forward facing installations. Get the idea of this in the University of Michigan image to the right. Find the tether anchor points for your car in the manual or marked in the car.
Ease-of-Use Ratings Explained The Car Seat Finder is an easy-to-use tool that lets you compare seats and ease-of-use ratings to find the right car seat for your child. Every car seat needs to be installed using either the lower anchors or a seat belt to secure it in place, never both.
With a forward-facing car seat, use a tether if one is available. Before installing your car seat make sure you understand the function and location of the vehicle and car seat parts that are used in installation. The lower anchors are found in a minimum of two rear seating positions in a vehicle.
Typically there are a minimum of three tether anchors in a vehicle. In some larger vehicles such as vans, pickup trucks, and SUVs, these tether anchors may be found on the back of a vehicle seat, on the floor, the ceiling, or other location. Lower Anchor Attachments Used to install the car seat in a vehicle with lower anchors.
Used to secure a forward-facing car seat and limit forward head movement in a crash. The tether is located on the top rear of convertible, combination, and all-in-one car seats. Most rear-facing car seats in the United States do not use a tether for installation. IMPORTANT: Both installation methods are designed to work with the tether to achieve the highest level of safety for child passengers restrained in forward-facing car seats. Lower anchors have weight limits set by the vehicle and car seat manufacturers.
You can determine the lower anchor weight limit by checking the warning label or installation diagrams located on the side of the car seat. Certified technicians will inspect your car seat free of charge, in most cases, and show you how to correctly install and use it. Some locations now offer virtual inspections. You may be able to find a tech through Safe Kids Worldwide. Congratulations—you chose the right car seat and installed it correctly.
Unfortunately, we know that tether usage in the United States is much lower than it should be. Finding the tether anchor and using the top tether in cars tends to be somewhat easier than findng and using the tether anchor is in trucks. Caregivers who are used to installing and using car seats in cars may find the tether anchors in trucks unfamiliar and difficult; unfortunately this may lead to an even lower usage rate of tethers in trucks.
We also know that not every parent can meet with a CPST in person before they need to take their Littles on the road. Tether location behind the seat in an extended cab, accessed by folding down the seat. To access this kind of tether anchor the seat itself must fold up or down. Some trucks will have tabs that pull the seat back forward, and some will require you to lift up the seat itself to access the tether anchors on the back wall.
This style of anchor routes the tether for the side positions through a webbing loop directly behind the seating position on which the child restraint is installed.
The tether then connects to a metal anchor behind a different position. This forward facing seat is tethered by routing the tether through the loop directly behind the child restraint, then hooking the tether on to the loop behind the adjacent seating location.
In this example the tether anchor from the seat in the outside position is routed through a webbing loop behind the outside position and hooked behind the center position. Though it is essential in most cars that seats not share a tether anchor this type of truck is the exception. The wire loops behind the seat in this extended cab are both the route for the tether and the tether anchor itself.
Connect the tether strap. Forward-facing infant car seats have an extra strap at the top as an added safety measure. Double check your vehicle and attach and tighten the tether strap if possible to prevent head movement in the event of a crash. Position Your Child Safely Once you are finished installing the car seat, you still need to place your child into it properly to ensure their safety.
To properly position your child in the car seat, you will need to: Remove bulky clothing or unnecessary layers. Place your child so their backside is flush against the seat without arching or slouching. Make sure all straps should lie flat against your child without twists or knots.
Check that straps are snug but not too tight. Verify the chest clip sits level with their armpits. See that the shoulder straps connect to the seat at or directly below their shoulders. Safety Seat Inspection Even if you follow all the directions perfectly, and you've checked off all of our safety tips, it's wise to have your work inspected.
More Child Seat Safety Tips Here are a few additional tips all drivers should keep in mind when it comes to child seat safety. Use a car seat every time your child rides in a motor vehicle.
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