Scenera rearfacinginstall problem

[Unregistered]

Hi,
I have MA in my first car and got a scenera for the second car as a spare seat(only to pick up from daycare). I installed it rear facing in my Nissan Altima 2001 and i was able to swing it easily from side to side. I did not get a good fit at all (using seat belt). Please help me. Any pictures of rear facing install wll be really helpful. I am confused because without the rear facing tether I do not know how to get a good fit.

[AmyKat]

Are you using LATCH or seatbelt install?

Are you using a pool noodle or towel?

On any carseat, you should always have a secure install before using the top tether.

I had a Scenera for DD while we were waiting on the Signo. I can be hard to install with LATCH but I had good luck with the seatbelt if I really stood in the seat.

Here's a link to some pictures (http://picasaweb.google.com/amyrakes/November2007) I took the night I changed from the Scenera to the Signo.

[singingpond]

Hi,
I have MA in my first car and got a scenera for the second car as a spare seat(only to pick up from daycare). I installed it rear facing in my Nissan Altima 2001 and i was able to swing it easily from side to side.....

You need to check for tight install at the belt path (i.e. where the seatbelt goes through the carseat). At that location you should have less than 1" movement, checking both for side to side movement, and front to back movement. If you are grabbing the carseat up at the top of its backrest, you will get much more motion, and that is normal, especially on seats without a rear-facing tether installed. The PP is correct in saying that the install needs to be good and tight (at the belt path) before you ever attach the tether anyway.

Katrin

[ProudMomof5]

Here is a pic of our scenera RF. Its a very tight install, I used one tightly rolled towel.
I had to get inside the carseat and bounce in it to get it in tight, I also had to pull back the seat cover where the seatbelt was going through to make sure I got it really tight.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j159/pumbaphant/Febpictures043.jpg

[MomforOne]

I do not have any idea about how to use the towel or pool noodle and where I should be keeping it. Please help. I am the same person who posted this query. I forgot my password and posted as unregistered user.

[AmyKat]

If you look at the picture ProudMomof5 posted, you can see the pink towel rolled up under the foot of the carseat. It's behind the seatbelt so it's a little hard to see. You want to roll up the towel tightly and put it under the foot. That helps the base part of the seat to tilt back and sit more flatly on the car seat.

Run the seatbelt through the path. It does help if you pull back the cover to see exactly where it's going.

Stand/crouch in the carseat facing the back of the seat (so for your RF install, you will be facing the front of the car). Pull the seatbelt while you bounce/wiggle/jump in the carseat. Pull it as tight as you can or have someone else pull it. Get out of the seat and check for tightness at the belt path.

The top of the shell is going to wiggle. This seat is a lot less "thick" (can't think of a good word) than the MA. It's okay that it wiggles at the top. It should not move more than an inch at the belt path when you pull/push with your weaker hand.

[crunchierthanthou]

On any carseat, you should always have a secure install before using the top tether.


keep in mind that you cannot use the tether rf on the Scenera. Only Britax convertibles and SSK Radians allow that at this time.



edit: here's what I have to do to get a good rf install with the seatbelt in my vehicle-

I've never been able to get an appropriate recline without at least 1 pool noodle. I have cheap ones with holes, so it takes a pyramid of 3. It should be reclined 45 degrees for a newborn or baby without good head control, but can be as upright as 30 degrees for an older child.

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z157/crunchierthanthou/rf%20scenera/IMG_3563.jpg

pull the cover back over the beltpath. I like to climb in behind it and push forward with my hips so that I have both hands free to work with the belt. buckle the seatbelt, but don't lock it yet. feed the lapbelt into the buckle while pulling the shoulder part tight. Tighten the lapbelt across the whole beltpath- not just right next to the buckle. A rf Scenera is prone to tipping and just cinching it on one side will contribute to that.

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z157/crunchierthanthou/rf%20scenera/beltpath.jpg

When you have the lap belt as tight as you can (and the seat move less than 1" in any direction at the beltpath), lock the shoulder belt without feeding any additional webbing into the retractor. Doing this last should also help keep it from tipping.

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z157/crunchierthanthou/rf%20scenera/IMG_3568.jpg

also, remember to store your LATCH hooks. You don't want anyone getting hit in the head with them in a crash.

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z157/crunchierthanthou/rf%20scenera/IMG_3564.jpg

[ProudMomof5]

I also wrapped packing tape tightly around the rolled towel, to keep it from unrolling and it keeps it more firm. I plan on picking up some pool noodles though, because they don't "squish" as easily. :)

[Bren&Elise'sMom]

I got a nice tight RF install on our scenera with the LATCH in a 2004 Kia Optima, I used 2 tightly rolled baby blankets under the foot. We don't have many extra towels but have a plethora of baby blankets.

If you use pool noodles should they be brand new pool noodles? or is it ok to use noodles that have been used in a pool already?

[Unregistered]

Thanks everyone. I was able to get a tight install using baby blankets. I have a bunch of them at home.