Britax Marathon Install Questions

[chay]

I finally got a Marathon so I can turn DS back RF again. DS is 23 months, 35" (all legs) and 27lbs. It might not last long RF but we have another one on the way that will use also use it so we'll definitely get our money's worth.

I installed it in my 99 Acura EL last night (it's the same as a civic). I put it passenger side using the 3 point belt (car doesn't have lower anchors) and it is SOLID. I also RF tethered it to the bottom of the inside passenger seat rail.

My question is -
It is very reclined (need to measure but I estimate it's close to 45 degrees) and the passenger seat is a lot cozier than I'd like (I'm aware it can be touching and it is). The manual said to fully recline it for RF before install which is what I did. I just looked online and there are 2 sets of instructions, since ours was manufactured in Feb I'm going by the older one which says fully reclined, the newer manual just says reclined though..... Is there a big difference between the newer manufactured seats (aside from expiring later)? Maybe I'll return and order a Blvd and hope they up the weight limit and fix the 32" so I can be 100% following the rules. Just when I thought I had it sorted out....

There is nothing under the seat so there is nothing to remove in order to get a 30 degree install. Can I change the recline on the base before install or does it have to be fully reclined?

[snowbird25ca]

The seat mechanically must be in the recline position when installed rf'ing. In terms of angle, at your ds's age he can be as upright as 30*. The newest MA manual really just clarified that older kids don't need the 45* angle, but it's always been ok to install it more upright with older kids.

To get it more upright you can put pressure on the front edge of the seat where your ds's feet would be when you tighten up the seatbelt. You can also pull the edge of the base away from the seat crack (bight,) by about 1" prior to pushing down on the edge and tightening it up.

The Civic's have a pretty good slope in the backseat, so if the Acura is identical I'd think it should be pretty easy to get an upright installation. If you can take pictures that's always helpful. :)

[QuassEE]

My experience in Honda compacts is the same--squish down the seatback (where the front of the carseat base is) while installing. In addition, to get that last little bit of slack out of the belt, with the retractor already switched, you flip carseat's seatback TOWARDS the back of the car--or towards where a seated FF person would have their back/shoulders in the car's seat. This way you have the BACK of the carseat base about 3" above the bottom of the seat cushion. You'll then be able to get an additional 2-4 clicks into the retractor, and you can force the seat back down into position (carseat base flush on the seat's cushion) by rotating it. There are a few cars where this is a useful install trick for more upright installs--your car being one of them because of the soft and sloped seats. {Note: if you have leather this may not work as well, because there isn't as much give to your seats..}

-Nicole.

[chay]

Thanks for the tips. I just reinstalled it and it is much better.

When I posted earlier I was thinking there were more than 2 recline positions (ie a fully recline, semi-recline and upright) once I took it out and realized it's either reclined or not my question about less reclined seemed a little silly but the problem was still the same.

Anyways, the main problem was that there is a small raised bump right in the crack of the seat that it was sitting on. I also found this thread that had lots of pictures of a new civic that helped (you can see the bump thing I'm talking about).
http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=48167

We're heading out of town but eventually I'll post some pictures in case there is anything I missed. I can't get over how solid it is with much less effort than my last seat (I so want to take a sledge hammer to that thing - it drove me crazy). I'm kicking myself for not getting one earlier. Oh well, better late than never.