Question for the experts...please help

[MaryM]

I just purchased a 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid. I was told that the passenger side air bags automatically turn off when a passenger weighing less than 65 lbs is in that seat and are active at weights higher than 65 lb.

I have a 10 year old daughter who weighs about 75 lb and is still in a Britax Parkway, which adds another 10 lb or so. Is she safe in the front seat? I always understood that airbags were potentially unsafe for people weighing less than 110 lb, but this "safety feature" has me confused. :)

Putting her in the front seat is obviously not my first choice, but I can only fit 2 car seats for my two younger children in the back.

I appreciate any guidance anyone can give me.

Thanks,
Mary
DD 10 in Parkway
DS 5 in MA
DD 5 in Decathalon

[CDNTech]

If you *must* put one of your children in the front seat, it would be the oldest/heaviest *harnessed* child with the front seat pushed all the way back.

That said, if you are willing to purchase a new seat(s), we can get three across the back of your vehicle.

I'm pretty sure just purchasing one Radian would do the trick. The MA fits very nicely next to the Radian and you have a great booster for buckling in 3 across situations. :)

How heavy/tall are your 5 year olds. Where are their shoulders in relation to the top slots of their MA and Decathlon?

[southpawboston]

i do not trust the front seat sensors to accurately keep the front airbag switched off. those sensors are notoriously unreliable. they are *supposed* to detect not only weight (your dealer was only half right) but also shape... as in an adult butt sitting in the seat. in theory, a carseat, even with a net weight over 65 lbs, should cause the airbags to switch off. however, in practice it's just not a reliable system.

[MaryM]

DD is petite (30lb) and tiny, so she is fine. I think DS, who is closer to 40lb, is also fine in his MA, but I will check and make sure.

I am more than willing to purchase a new seat; I think I will buy one and see how it works out, and then potentially put 3 Radians in my car, and the Decathalon and Marathon in our van.

Thank you!
Mary

[cdncasper]

Just so you know I haven't been able to fit 3 FF Radians in my 2008 Civic. Can't even fit 2 FF and 1 RF

[Patriot201]

I know Radians will work (I have a 2006 Civic, which is the same as the 2008), but I don't know about three-across.

April said it won't work. Is that because of space, April?