Blvd Install In Hyundai Santa Fe

[ToothDoc]

I need some help installing a Blvd RF in my '04 Santa Fe. I'd like to do a center install (this is where we had his infant seat and it gives us the most leg room up front) if possible, but I can't seem to get the lap belt tight enough. (The center is lap belt only). The problem seems to be that I can't pull on the belt at the right angle to tighten it because of where the carseat is. It's not awful, but I think I have more than an inch of wiggle room, and I'd like it to be as solid as possible! Any suggestions? I tried tightening the belt first and than buckling it with DH putting his weight on the seat, but that still didn't seem to work very well.

[sfeitler]

With a lap-belt only, is it the kind that loosens at a particular angle? If it is, maybe it's loosening when you install it--this happens in my '91 Escort if I buckle it the normal way. You might try flipping the latchplate a half turn (so it's facing upside down), tightening it as much as you can while buckled, then unbuckling, tightening a little bit more, and rebuckling while your DH pushes. The flip should keep the latchplate in the locked position.

Just a guess.

-Sarah

[Momto2whosews]

I have an 03 Santa Fe, but have two seats so they are installed outboard. I can't ever remember installing my MA in the center, but I did briefly have an Evenflo Triumph in the center (just for one trip where we had to carry 4 + my dd.

If the buckle is touching the seat, you can twist the buckle stalk to shorten it - up to 3 full twists. I twist my buckle stalk 2 times for my RF MA and 2x for my Regent (SBP) too.

If you're having trouble pulling at the right angle, you could also take off the bottom portion of the cover and thread the belt's tail through one side of the seat so you can pull at a better angle. Actually the BDV might have some slots in the cover that you can thread the tail through w/o taking the cover off.

Another trick I love with my Santa Fe, is to recline the seat back while you're tightening the car seat. Once it's tight, go into the back and push the seat backs into the upright position. Since your's is in the center, you might have to do this to both sides of the seat back, but it makes for a very tight installation.

But with the locking latchplate on the center belt, check the seat after a day or so. You might find that it has loosened by itself. If that happens, you know that the latchplate is being pushed into the wrong angle (by the car seat) to stay locked, and you will need to flip it as the PP said.

[ToothDoc]

Thank you so much for the advice! I tried installing with the seats reclined and then uprighting them, and I got a rock solid install. I'll definitely check and see if it's loosening up and try flipping the latchplate if necessary. Thanks again!