Using noodles w/ Keyfit base

[Kalinky]

Does anyone know if you can use pool noodle(s) in conjunction with extending the recline foot on the base? I'm trying to help someone with very deep bucket seats (Toy. Celica).

The Keyfit manual manual doesn't state one way or the other.

[Kalinky]

Bumping.......anyone? (Hoping to avoid a call to Chicco)

[lovinwaves]

How old is the baby? You may not need that 45 degree angle if they baby is older and can hold their head up.

If she does use noodles you need to have the base all the way flat (not extended up) before using the noodles. If you call Chicco they may "approve" her using the noodles with the base up.

[Kalinky]

She's 5 months. I've only talked to the baby mama via e-mail, so there may be a whole different scenario than what she described once I get in there. We shall see!

Thanks for the info. :D - at least now I know, either noodle(s) or base up, not both. Guess I'll just have to break down and call Chicco if I can't get a good install with one or the other:).

[crunchierthanthou]

I was thinking they'd be okay as long as the base wasn't extended, too. That's how the Graco bases are. I'd probably still call to make sure, though.

[shellebelle]

Mid-90's Celicas are pretty much incompatible with every car seat I can think of. The buckles are mounted about 6" forward of the bight and the buckets are VERY buckety.

[joolsplus3]

Graco DOES allow foot AND noodle... :)

I wonder what Chicco will say? Hopefully yes...but yeah, I've only been able to get a rearfacing Roundabout in a Celica :(

[crunchierthanthou]

Graco DOES allow foot AND noodle... :)

I wonder what Chicco will say? Hopefully yes...but yeah, I've only been able to get a rearfacing Roundabout in a Celica :(

they do? cool. I'm interested to hear what chicco will say as well.

[lovinwaves]

Graco DOES allow foot AND noodle... :)

I wonder what Chicco will say? Hopefully yes...but yeah, I've only been able to get a rearfacing Roundabout in a Celica :(


wow, that's great. Is that in their manuals, or do you have to call them to verify? Is it for all of their models?

[joolsplus3]

www.gracobaby.com (http://www.gracobaby.com) , right there in any SR manual. Man alive, are they still teaching that misinformation in tech class (noodle or foot, which MUST be because you needed a noodle on seats with no feet)? I was corrected on this point like 3 years ago (on the boards, to make up for my doofus instructors...)and thought 'everybody knows it now...' :eek:

[mom2acrew]

Nope not still teaching it around here but old habits die hard :( I just installed a SR in a Mercedes SUV holy incline thank god for the noodle and foot!

[lovinwaves]

Student Manual states:

Unless the CR manufacturer indicates otherwise, a rule of thumb is to use either the adjustable base(foot) or firm lightweight object --but not both. The CR is not tested this way.

My instructors taught me:

NEVER use pool noodles with the foot extended. The foot must be flat before using a rolled up towel or pool noodle.

[Kalinky]

We were taught (last month) that it's *usually* 1 or the other, but some do allow both and to check manual or w/ Mfr. They did let us know that Graco does allow both.

I will say that the way it is worded in the SS1 manual is a little confusing:

"If there is still orange in the level indicator when the foot is completely extended then raise the foot and place a rolled towel under the foot"

I guess by "raise the foot", they just mean to physically lift the whole base up in order to put the rolled towel under it. Although some could take it as to "raise the foot" back up into the base. KWIM?

Awww man - I didn't know the belts were forward of the bight. My hopes of helping her out are fading:(. This is their secondary vehicle and were just planning on getting a more carseat friendly vehicle anyway. But in the meantime, I'd love to help her out. Again...we shall see! I meet w/ her next Tue.

[jen_nah]

www.gracobaby.com (http://www.gracobaby.com) , right there in any SR manual. Man alive, are they still teaching that misinformation in tech class (noodle or foot, which MUST be because you needed a noodle on seats with no feet)? I was corrected on this point like 3 years ago (on the boards, to make up for my doofus instructors...)and thought 'everybody knows it now...' :eek:

It is not in the new curriculum as I just taught the rear facing part of it this week. So, This is just one of those things we say in our class RTDM (Read The Darn Manual). LOL!!!!

I knew about the SR but I have no idea what Chicco's stance is on the foot & noodle combination.

[joolsplus3]

Student Manual states:

Unless the CR manufacturer indicates otherwise, a rule of thumb is to use either the adjustable base(foot) or firm lightweight object --but not both. The CR is not tested this way.

My instructors taught me:

NEVER use pool noodles with the foot extended. The foot must be flat before using a rolled up towel or pool noodle.

It's unfortunate even the instructors can't ditch their opinions when manuals get updated, isn't it? :o

[joolsplus3]

Uh, yeah, 'raise the foot'...um... ok... ?

LOL (extend, maybe? Dial out? anything would be better than 'raise')

:)

[lovinwaves]

It's unfortunate even the instructors can't ditch their opinions when manuals get updated, isn't it? :o

Tee hee...you remember what else they taught us don't you? (hint: no rear-face tether with britax or radians) :whistle:

[jen_nah]

It's unfortunate even the instructors can't ditch their opinions when manuals get updated, isn't it? :o

Okay off to look at my instructor manual again. I know we said to RTDM regarding the foot & noodle together since most of us instructors know that Graco allows it.

Okay found it in the student manual on page 134 which is page 197 in the instructor manual.

But it also states "Unless the CR manufacture indicates otherwise, a rule of thumb is to use either the adjustable base (foot) or a firm lightweight object- but not both. The CR is not tested this way."

So it is referring the students to look at the CR manual for an answer. So, If it is not in the manual then not to do it.

[lovinwaves]

hey Jenny, I just posted that quote above ^ LOL!

[jen_nah]

hey Jenny, I just posted that quote above ^ LOL!


LOL!!!! Well great minds think alike. :p

[crunchierthanthou]

OP, how did that installation turn out?

I called Chicco out of curiosity last week after you never posted back. They were at SafeKids all week, but called first thing this morning. She said not to use noodles and that the foot should work on even the deepest vehicle seats. She wants an email with pictures and the specific year and model if you can't get the bubble between the lines. :)

[Kalinky]

Aww, thanks for thinking of me. I still have not been able to meet up w/ her. She was supposed to drive the Celica to work (co-worker) a while back but ended up not being able to b/c she needs to transport DD on the way to work. Apparently it isn't a huge concern for them to be able to install it (2nd vehicle) since she hasn't asked me about it since that initial talk we had. I don't get to see her much b/c she's in a different department than I. (like all of my lame excuses?)

Thanks so much for posting with what Chicco said! It's nice to know where they 'officially' stand. Now I want to try it SO bad since they're claiming that it'll work on even the deepest vehicle seats :D. I'll ask her about it again & see if she can arrange drive the Celica in to work - or maybe I'll just do a housecall! I'll be sure to bring my camera.

Love your new Avatar BTW!! LOL!!

[Kalinky]

OK - I finally got some pictures:

LEVEL INDICATOR:
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee285/Kalinkymink/Keyfit%20base%20in%20Celica/levelindicator.jpg

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee285/Kalinkymink/Keyfit%20base%20in%20Celica/frontviewbase2.jpg

I twisted the beltstalk - didn't help at all
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee285/Kalinkymink/Keyfit%20base%20in%20Celica/forwardbight3.jpg

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee285/Kalinkymink/Keyfit%20base%20in%20Celica/forwardbight2.jpg

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee285/Kalinkymink/Keyfit%20base%20in%20Celica/forwardbight1.jpg

The whole thing flips very easily
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee285/Kalinkymink/Keyfit%20base%20in%20Celica/flippedbase.jpg

So what do you think? Any ideas?

[melniemi]

I wouldn't be comfortable with that install at all. I would email the pics to melodyb@chiccousa.com and see what she has to say. She has always gotten back to me quite quickly and has been rather helpful.

[crunchierthanthou]

I'd call that within the lines. If anything, it looks like you've got too much of the foot extended. Won't the bubble move back toward the middle of the lines if the base angles a little more toward the seat bight? What was the angle of the actual infant seat?

I don't think it's a problem that it flips forward. Infant seats do that. How was the movement side to side and back and forth at the belt path? Could you get it tight there?

[jen_nah]

Okay so Chicco does "NOT" want us to use noodles at all with their carriers? I understand not using the foot "and" noodles together. But, What about no foot "and" noodles?

[Kalinky]

I'd call that within the lines. If anything, it looks like you've got too much of the foot extended. Won't the bubble move back toward the middle of the lines if the base angles a little more toward the seat bight? What was the angle of the actual infant seat?

I don't think it's a problem that it flips forward. Infant seats do that. How was the movement side to side and back and forth at the belt path? Could you get it tight there?

Now that I think about it, I'm not even concerned about the level indicator any more (lol) - you're right, the foot could probably even be retracted in a bit. That indicator was on the base itself. Sorry -I should'nt have even included that pic (duh, Sarah).

Mainly now just concerned with the ability of the WHOLE base to completely flip up like that with ease. I know upward movement at the head is normal - but not to the point that it completely flips, right? I haven't been able to see it *with* the seat on the base and suggested that it being in place may help with that extensive reboundability. I still feel like even a minimally forceful rebound would cause it slam the into the seat back super hard. I know the restraint is supposed to "capsulize" them and move with them upon rebound, but I still feel like that is a bit too much to accept.

It is tight at the belt path, side to side and front to back though. I *almost* feel like putting a pool noodle in that gap where the bight is might help. Guess I'll have to call/write to get the OK from Chicco to try that.

melniemi: I wouldn't be comfortable with that install at all. I would email the pics to melodyb@chiccousa.com and see what she has to say. She has always gotten back to me quite quickly and has been rather helpful.
We're not comfortable with it either lol - that's why I'm asking for ideas:D. Thanks so much for the contact e-mail for Chicco. I'll e-mail her with the pics.

[Kalinky]

Okay so Chicco does "NOT" want us to use noodles at all with their carriers? I understand not using the foot "and" noodles together. But, What about no foot "and" noodles?

I think post #21 explains that. Chicco is claiming that there should never be a need for noodles - with or without the foot extended.

[melniemi]

Using much force, I can only force the far end of my keyfit base up about an inch if that. It is very snug and I wouldn't use it if it would flip up like your pics! Good luck finding a solution.