Help with MA in 2001 Infiniti I30

[robabner]

We just bought our 14 mo. old DD a MA Sunday, I am going to install it tonight in DW's 2001 Infiniti I30. The car has ISOFIX(same as LATCH correct?) on the two outboard seats and 3 top tether points. I am planning center seat install with top tether. Can I use share the LATCH from the side seats or do I have to use the belt?

[crunchierthanthou]

No, Infiniti does not allow borrowing of anchors. You will need to use the seatbelt if you want to install in the center. Here's an explanation of why:

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=33718

How much does your 14 mo weigh? Are you installing forward facing, or rear facing? The AAP recommends keeping children rf to the limits of the seat. With a MA, that would be 33 lbs. Data shows that rf is 4-5 times safer than ff for children under age 2.

With a Britax convertible, you can still use the top tether rf. It's covered toward the back of the MA manual. You use the tether adapter strap (also referred to as the d-ring). You loop it around a tether point that is toward the front of the vehicle so that the tether angles forward (\ as opposed to / or |). You cannot tether rf to the same seat as which it is installed. An accpetable tether point is a metal bar or leg that is bolted to the frame of the vehicle and is immovable. It does not have to be directly behind the seat; the tether can angle a bit to the side. Front seat legs work great.

[robabner]

DD weighs about 21# And she will be ERF'ing as long as possible in her new MA, thanks to all the valuable info I have found here.

Thank you to everyone for valuable help and information!!!

[crunchierthanthou]

great :thumbsup:

[Jeanum]

Yayy on the extended RF. :thumbsup:

Incidentally, I don't believe Infiniti models were factory equipped with lower LATCH anchors until the 2002 model year when the 30 series was first called the I35, and the 2001 I30 model has 3 top tether anchors based on the info. in the LATCH manual. :) For a rear facing installation, you wouldn't use the vehicle's top tether anchor, but will be able to utilize the anchor when you install forward facing. As Crunchy posted, the D-ring connector strap provided with the Marathon allows you to create a RF tether point toward the front of the vehicle for a RF installation.

For a visual installation aid, there are several online videos at http://www.carseatsite.com/videos.htm showing how to install and top tether a Britax convertible seat. Britax's site also has installation videos at http://www.britaxusa.com/safety/default.aspx