LATCH install in Mazda 6

[Unregistered]

I just got an EFTA and was trying to install it in my car (a 2004 Mazda 6). The center position LATCH anchors in my car ar 466mm (18.35") apart. I was able to get the clips in place but I feel there was too much side to side movement of the seat. Also, I can't find anywhere in the car seat manual that says whether or not it is compatible with anchors that are that far apart. What is my best option? Try to install it in the center seat using the belt, or on an outboard seat using the LATCH? I'm not sure which would be the safer option.

Also, this seat is going to be going into my mom's car in the near future and I was planing to get a MA or BV. Does anyone know if those seats will work with LATCH anchors that are 466mm apart?

Thanks!

[Jeanum]

According to the LATCH manual, center lower LATCH installs in the Mazda 6 are indeed allowed if the child restraint manual allows installations with 466 mm/18 inch spacing between the lower LATCH anchors. Evenflo, however, only allows lower LATCH anchor installations with standard 11-inch spacing between the lower LATCH anchors. Thus you would need to install the EFTA with the vehicle seatbelt in the center, or outboard (side) using lower LATCH anchors or the seatbelt in your Mazda. You would need to check in the owner's manual for your mom's car to see if it has standard 11-inch spacing to be allowed to use lower LATCH anchors for a center installation of the EFTA. You could also post back here with the model year, manufacturer, and specific model name for her car to have us look up the vehicle info. in the LATCH manual. :)

Britax allows non-standard center lower LATCH anchor installations with lower anchors spaced between 11 and 20 inches apart if the vehicle manufacturer also permits it, so you would be allowed to do a center lower LATCH installation of a Britax carseat in your Mazda 6.

[Unregistered]

Thank you. Is there a preference for the better location to install the seat in my car? I know the center seat is generally safer, but is it still the better option if it is installed with the vehicle belt as compared to an outboard seat with LATCH? I'm not sure if it makes a difference, but the center belt in my car is a lap/shoulder belt combo, and it has an anchor buckle to attach it to the seat on one side of the lap belt portion, and the regular tongue and buckle that you do up on the other side (it is not hard mounted by the hips).

My mom's car is a Toyota Prius. I'm not sure how far apart the LATCH anchors are in the center position in that car, but if you are able to check to see if a center seat install is allowed, that would be great!

Thanks for your help!

[Jeanum]

Center is technically considered safer than outboard because it's farther away from a potential side impact collision, provided that you can achieve an acceptable installation with less than 1 inch of movement at the child restraint's belt path. LATCH isn't considered safer than a seatbelt installation, or vice versa, and a proper installation trumps all really.

The Prius doesn't have a dedicated center rear set of lower LATCH anchors, and Toyota doesn't allow borrowing of the outboard lower LATCH anchors to do a center lower LATCH installation. Seatbelt installation in the center, or seatbelt or lower LATCH anchors outboard, would be your installation options in the Prius. Whichever allowable installation method for the particular vehicle seating position that enables you to achieve an proper installation with less than 1 inch of movement at the child restraint's belt path is what counts. :)