Unable to secure a FPSV in Nissan Altima

[baychick]

We have a Fisher Price Safe Voyage seat (same basic model as a Britax Marathon), and want to install it RF in a 1998 Nissan Altima. We have tried everything we can think of to secure it, but no matter what we do (including using pool noodles underneath and practically sitting in the seat ourselves when fastening it down with the seatbelt), it moves too much from side to side.

Anyone have a suggestion? It seems like the rear seat of the Nissan has too much slope to it. We are so happy with the seat otherwise and have installed a second one RF in our Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Thank you!

[UlrikeDG]

First, are you gripping it at the belt path and pulling straight side to side (not twisting, not checking it too high up on the seat)?

Second, do you have leather seats in that vehicle? Leather can be very slippery, allowing the seat to slide even when the belt is *tight*.

[baychick]

Thanks for your reply!

No, we do not have leather seats.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean about how we are gripping the belt, but I'll try to respond. We are installing the FPSV in the center of the rear seat of the Nissan, so there is no shoulder strap to consider. We pull the lapbelt through the openings as directed in the instruction manual. It's not twisted or sitting high up in the opening which it's threaded through. It's not caught on anything, and appears to be taut across the entire length of the lapbelt.

[bensmom]

Does the lap belt adjust manually (like an airplane seatbelt)? If so, try flipping the latchplate (the male end) over once - 180 degrees - and then buckling. It should be really hard to buckle if you've made the belt tight enough. This also should help keep the belt at the correct angle in order to stay locked.

[lynsgirl]

Thanks for your reply!

No, we do not have leather seats.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean about how we are gripping the belt, but I'll try to respond. We are installing the FPSV in the center of the rear seat of the Nissan, so there is no shoulder strap to consider. We pull the lapbelt through the openings as directed in the instruction manual. It's not twisted or sitting high up in the opening which it's threaded through. It's not caught on anything, and appears to be taut across the entire length of the lapbelt.

Ulrike was referring not to the seat belt itself, but to the part of the carseat the belt passes through, which is called the "belt path." To check for how tight a seat is, you put your hands on the outer part of the seat shell directly over the belt path. You don't manhandle it or anything to see if it moves, but you do slightly-more-than-gentle check to make sure it moves less than inch in any direction (little to no movement is best). You don't need to check for movement anywhere else on the seat, especially not at the top of a RF seat, which *will* move (if it's not a seat that can be tethered RF, that is).

I hope you're able to get a great install!