Info on 3rd row seating in Pontiac Montana SV6?

[Kristy00]

We currently drive a Pontiac Montana SV6. DC #3 is on his/her way and I am thinking about how/where to place everyone in the van.

In the 3rd row seat, there is only one rear tether anchor. The manual states to place a car seat in the middle and anchor to the tether. Do I have to use the middle seat? Or could I use one to the side and still use the tether? Does using the middle have anything to do with the fact that the rear seat is a 50/50 split? I'm just thinking that there will be sometimes when we will need to fit a passenger in the back - and there will not be enough room if a seat is in the middle.

The other thing I am wondering, is if it would be possible to have a second rear tether anchor installed on the cargo floor. This way I could tether 2 seats in the 3rd row. Any thoughts? Thanks!!

[Jeanum]

Unless the van's manual indicates you can use that third row middle tether anchor with a child restraint installed on the side, then no, you can only use the tether anchor for a child restraint installed in the middle of the third row. It's also not possible to have additional tether anchors retrofitted in GM/Pontiac models that already have factory equipped tether anchors. This is unfortunately true of most vehicles that already have some factory equipped tether anchors, and not just GM models. If only the manufacturers were required to include tether anchors for all rear seating positions in vehicles with third rows, but unfortunately the manufacturers are only required to provide three tether anchors total in most vehicles since approx. the 2000/2001 model year.

Unless you're in Canada, where top tethering forward facing harnessed seats is required, or you're using a child restraint that requires the use of the tether anchors (such as the Britax Regent for specific installation methods and for kids weighing 50 lbs. or more), you technically wouldn't be required to top tether the child restraint outboard. You could consider using the third row center position most of the time and utilizing the top tether there, and moving the child restraint outboard to accommodate additional third row occupants, if needed.

[Kristy00]

Thanks. I am in Canada, so I need to tether all FF seats. I guess three is all we can fit... This really sucks because I won't be able to sit in the back with the kids, and we were planning on having one more child. What good is a van if you can't fit more kids in it than you can in a car?

[Defrost]

I know, it's completely ridiculous. "You can have more than three kids if you want, but you can't keep them safe, sorry." :(

Please take a minute to contact Pontiac and let them know that this is problem. It's not going to change if they don't get complaints!

[Jeanum]

I know, it's completely ridiculous. "You can have more than three kids if you want, but you can't keep them safe, sorry." :(

Please take a minute to contact Pontiac and let them know that this is problem. It's not going to change if they don't get complaints!

:yeahthat: It's particularly outrageous seeing as how the OP is in Canada, where top tethering is mandatory, yet the vehicle doesn't have tether anchors in all rear seating positions. :mad: It's a huge peeve of mine here in the U.S. as well. :(

[Kristy00]

I know, it's completely ridiculous. "You can have more than three kids if you want, but you can't keep them safe, sorry." :(

Please take a minute to contact Pontiac and let them know that this is problem. It's not going to change if they don't get complaints!

I did contact them, thanks! :thumbsup: We'll see what I get as a response, if I get any...