Position for RF Como

[Unregistered]

I just received a Como, and my husband installed it over the weekend. We had the infant seat in the center of the back seat, so that's where he put the Como. But it's really tall, and it partially obstructs my view through the rearview mirror. Does the safety advantage to having the seat in the center outweigh the danger of having my view partially obstructed? Also, the current installation is with lapbelt only, but if we moved the seat over, it could be installed with a combination lap/shoulder belt. Does this make a difference?

Thanks.

[Defrost]

The safety of center vs. outboard and view restricted vs. unrestricted is something you'd have to decide for yourself. The center is safest if you have a side-impact collision, but those are not the most common type of wrecks.

As for the lap-only belt vs. lap/shoulder, there is no general difference in safety, it's just a matter of which one gets the best installation. Usually they're the same, but sometimes certain vehicle-carseat combinations make one position a better install than the other.

[southpawboston]

you also don't mention how tight/snug the install is in the center. the difference in actual safety between a center install and an outboard install is so small, it is offset by how well the seat installs in those positions. whichever seating position gives the better install (less than 1" movement side to side at the belt path with one hand doing the moving) is the safer position, regardless of whether it is closer to the side of the car or not.

[crunchierthanthou]

The Como has such deep sides, that I think the safety difference between center and outboard installation will be minimal- especially since it's obstructing your view. There's really no difference between lap only and a lap/shoulder combo. I'd give it a try and see if moving it improves your line of sight.