Installing EFTA in kia sedona 2004 help

[Unregistered]

So my parents got ds, 24 months, the evenflo triumph. They have to pick him up
tmw morning when i go to school. Couple questions, since i wont be there when its installed tonight, my dad is doing it. Im deciding to have him do it FF. Ds is still rf in my car, but im okay with him being FF in their car occasionaly, they are old and have problems getting him in and out rf, buckling him in, etc. please no flames!
ANyway, they have a kia sedona 2004. I want him in the middle, can they use latch? (my hyundai elantra car manual specifically states not to use latch in center position). Any other tips or tricks for getting it installed correctly? I have no idea how to install, but im super paranoid. My dad is a pretty competent guy so for the most part i trust him. Thank you.

[crunchierthanthou]

No, the sedona doesn't have LATCH in the middle- the second row has captain's chairs and the third row only has it outboard. Neither Kia nor Evenflo allow borrowing the outboard anchors for center LATCH installs.

[Unregistered]

Thank you!
does anyone know what is better-safer, using the back row-outboard postion or using the captains chair with a seatbelt? Also, will we need to use a locking clip with the captain chair installation?

[Murphy's Law]

I'm not familiar with this vehicle, but in deciding whether to put the child in the 3'rd row outboard or the captain's chair (I assume there are 2 in the center row?) I would choose captain's chair. If the child is going to be outboard anyway, I would prefer them closer to the center of the vehicle and further away from a rear impact collision. Your captain's chair should have LATCH, I would think, but again I'm not familiar with that vehicle.

Locking clip shouldn't be needed in a 2004 because either the retractor would be switchable to locking mode, or the latch plate should be locking. I would definitely consult the vehicle owner's manual. Sometimes it's even written clearly on the seat belt webbing too.

FWIW, I have 2 kids and they both ride outboard because that's where we get the best installs in both of our vehicles.

If you are going to use the seat forward facing, be sure you use the top tether (you should have that option) as it's much safer than going without it.

I hope you enjoy the seat. It's my favorite!

[agurlsride]

Thank you!
does anyone know what is better-safer, using the back row-outboard postion or using the captains chair with a seatbelt? Also, will we need to use a locking clip with the captain chair installation?

You don't need a locking clip in an 04 Sedona, the belts lock if you pull them all the way out and let them retract. Also, why don't you just use latch in the captains chairs? Thats how I have ds's seat installed in our 03 Sedona and it was totally easy and rock solid.

[Mom to a few]

If you parents have trouble getting him in and out when he's RF, then I would think it would be difficult to climb back and forth between the 3rd row--I'm not even "old" and I don't like doing it!!:D

I'd install in one of the captain's chairs in the 2nd row, using LATCH and the top tether. Make sure your dad understands the correct belt path to use for FF, that the carseat is in the fully upright position designed for FF, that he knows to feed the top tether strap through the space between the headrest and vehicle seatback, that he knows how to tighten the harness correctly, and that he knows that the chest clip should be at armpit level. And, most importantly, make sure that he reads the instruction manual :)

I actually bought that carseat for my MIL to use with our youngest because it's quite "dummy-proof". The harness height is SO easy--Red tabs that actually tell you to place them on the shoulders--It doesn't get much simpler than that!! And the knob makes it so easy to get tight quickly and easily! I hope installation goes well for him!!

[Unregistered]

oh man okay thank you! what is a top tether?
also, i didnt realize the captains chairs had latch in the sedona? for some reason i didnt think they would?
also, are we supposed to take the base of before we install the seat? what is the base for anyway?
thank you!!

[An Aurora]

I'm replying to both threads, so bear with me :)

The top tether is on the back of the seat. You'll see it. You can't take the base off :)

[Unregistered]

thank you an aurora. and how do you know where to hook the top tether up to? like if we do the captains chair where does the top tether connect to? thanks again!!

[An Aurora]

Read in the van's manual--it will tell you where the top tether anchor is located :)

[BookMama]

Before you leave the seat for your parents, don't forget to make sure the LATCH straps on the car seat are in the FF belt path.

[Unregistered]

i actually dont have the seat, they just bought it and are installing it now. ugh.

[dd9736]

don't forget to double check his installation when he gets there tomorrow, just incase.

[Unregistered]

omg, my mom didnt know what she was talking about. he is installing it in the 05-06? mazda. im hoping it will be an easy latch installation? anyone know off hand if you can use latch in center mode? thank you everyone, i appreciate it. unfortunaltey i knownothing about installing seats :/