uptowns in 2005 malibu

[emars002]

New car! very excited!
Do these look ok?
Center uptown FF with latch install and top tether:
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll208/emars002/DSC00763.jpg
paseenger side outboard RF with latch install:
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll208/emars002/DSC00764.jpg

[Robert]

Just based on the pictures they look OK. However If your not a technician I would still have a technician look at the seats.

[joolsplus3]

Just making sure...are those approved LATCH spots? If there are 6 LATCH bars across the bottom, they defintiely are, but sometimes there are funny rules about putting two seats LATCHed next to each other, so double check the manual it's allowed. And they stay completely tight if you take the other seat out? (you don't want them pressing against each other to make them tight when they are both in, but having one wobble when the other's out). If that's the case, then I'd say you're doing great! I hope you love your new car! :)

[emars002]

I asked about the latch in another post since the car doesn't have a manual (I ordered one though) They said they went A AB CB C so I have the RF latched to A A and the middle latched to B B and they said no one could ride outboard since The B B latch covers the seatbelt for the person who would sit behind the drivers side.

[SusanMae]

Hold on...let me get my manual...I have an 05 malibu maxx, and the manual for the sedan is the same...as long as you read the correct section.

Susan

Oh crud...DH took my car today...so the manual will have to wait until he comes home. Sorry.

[emars002]

Also, I will try to get to a tech but they are once a month, appointment only during my work hours - I am already taking my primary car in July (thats the earliest appt. they had) - plus we have 2 other vehicles that we rarely use with the kids - I don't want have to depend on a tech checking everytime I have to move seats around - I want to be as knowledgable as I can be since I cannot run to a tech everytime seats get put in inlaws cars etc. Also, I had read on here it was best to ask questions here and learn yourself so you do not have to depend on a tech - I am pretty sur ethey are correct - both installed independetly of eachother - rock solid install on both - top tether for FF seat and RF is more up right for my 18 month old - and FF 5 yr ols least protected in the middle - just wanted a second sey of eyes and ears to check. Thanks :)

[SusanMae]

Something you MAY want to consider if you ever have an extra person who needs to go in the back seat---install the center seat with the seatbelt so that it doesn't render the driver side outboard seat useless.

Also it looks like your backseat is nearly identical to mine with the hump in the center. I find that when I use the center LATCH, that carseat is off-center to the hump and then leans to the driver side. So I prefer to use the seatbelt in that position rather than the lower anchors. And since she's FF, definately still use the top tether.

And you are correct---you should be confident in installing your seats, in all your cars. If you go to a tech, they will be able to tell you how your seatbelts lock and any tricks that might help if you run into trouble. There is only so much we can do here with our eyes. Our hands can't touch the seat and make sure it doesn't have more than an 1" to wiggle. Or that you are strapping your kids in correctly. (Not saying that you do) Some people can come in with a PERFECT install, but then the straps are in the wrong slots, they're too loose or they have a belly clip.

Susan

[emars002]

Thanks - i think i will reinstall center with the seatbelt - you never know when you may have an extra paseenger - i usually do latch b/c it is easier but i found the uptowns to be more difficult than my britax - i have been spoiled by the alligator style latch and you can pull tight on both ends - this latch is only one sided pull (i hope that makes sense) - I have the straps on the RF on the slot below DD2's shoulders and the buckle is the 2nd slot (it is under her but the manual says you must use the 1st or 2nd slot Rf and the 3rd slot for FF) - the chest clip is at her armpits - no twisted straps - the FF is on the slot right above DD1's shoulders - buckle in the 3rd and last slot and chest clip under arm pits, no twisted straps.

[SusanMae]

Ok...I've got my car manual now...

The sedan does have 3 sets of anchors

AA B CB C

So you see how they overlap. The manual states " You cannot secure 3 child restraints using the LATCH anchors in the rear seat at the same time, but you can install 2 of them. If you want to do this, install one LATCH child restraint in the passenger-side position, and install the other one in either in the driver's-side position or in the center position."

There is a whole page on configurations of child seats/passenger locations. Whenever you use the center LATCH position, you render the driver's side seat useless.

And I totally know what you mean about the alligater LATCH clips vs the "cheap" ones. I'm getting really good at the ones on my RF scenera. I wouldn't want to be switching at the last minute in the heat, rain, busy parking lot with impatient child/guest. I usually keep my Nautilus installed with the seatbelt & top tether and the Scenera RF with LATCh. I use the LATCH only because my locking retractors cause the seat to tip.

I wasn't saying that you put them in wrong...just that it can happen. And there is something that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy as a parent when someone tells you you've got your kids as safe as you possibly can. And techs like seeing it too...that means our message is getting out there to more and more people.

Susan

[emars002]

Thanks for the latch info - I definately need to reinstall the center w/ seatbelt - i hope i can get as good an install - i see no point in having the seat behind the driver useless...I am debating buying new car seats (Again!) though - i guess i should wait until my 5 year old actually outgrows one of them 1st!