Length for Expiry on AOE (Mf Aug 2004)

[Unregistered]

I am reading lots of conflicting info on the exp date on car seats - some say 7-8 years others are firm on 5 years. Now that the Laws are extended here in BC, it seems that there is rumors out there that ICBC will not cover car seats that are older the 5 years (regardless of make, condition etc etc)

Just wondering before i go out and spent $300 on a Britax for my 15 month old, that would probably need to be replaced then before she is allowed to sit in a regular seat.

[QuassEE]

Different manufacturers have different rules, and even different seats have different rules under the same manufacturer (Recaro and Britax, for example..) If you're looking for a seat for your 15m old, you're wanting a convertible seat? It'll be 6 years for a Britax convertible (same as the AOE, btw.) Your 15m old won't be in that same convertible seat 6 years down the road, they will likely have moved into a dedicated booster by that point unless they have some growth problems...so the expiry won't be a problem. With the Frontier, the expiry is 9 years and the minimum weight limit is 25lbs.. this means that kids will be using the seat from about age 2 or 3, through to age 11 or 12. Most kids can transition into the adult seatbelt by that point or have already moved into using a dedicated LBB. Again, expiry is not a problem in this case, either.

As for ICBC--I don't see why they should replace an expired seat, no.. but if you're involved in a crash in a seat that is NOT expired, then obviously they should be replacing it. If you mean to question whether or not the child is covered under an insurance policy in an expired seat, that's a whole other issue.

-Nicole.

[Unregistered]

Thanks for the explanation .

For clarification, our 15 month old uses our aug 2004 AOE when she is at DC, so "technically" if this 5 year rule were to apply, it would no longer be cover in the case of an accident after aug 2009 (just a year away) ... she will be a LONG WAYS away from outgrowing that seat, Heck she is still RF (and will be for as long as possible) and and barley 20lb I would like to be able to use it until the 6 year exp like you mentioned (as per the Manufacture exp date)

[QuassEE]

ICBC does not invalidate insurance for using an expired carseat. A child passenger is an innocent party under the law, and no negligence by the parent can waive their right to make claim for injuries. They could be completely unrestrained and this would still apply. Expiry dates are not a legality thing, they're a recommendation made by the manufacturer. The legality of using an expired carseat is pretty grey, unless there's a proper use law in place...and even then...still grey.

By my calculations, you have just over 2 years left on your seat. Most kids have outgrown the AOE in height by/during age 3, so this is really going to be a non-issue--you're going to have to replace that AOE at or before it's expiry. It sounds like your little one will barely be over 30lbs by then :) At least you'll get your money's worth on the next seat you choose.

-Nicole.

[hipmaman]

Here is the list of reference on how long seats are good for http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/childsafety/notices/TP14563C/2007c10/menu.htm

[QuassEE]

The nine year expiry for the Frontier is obviously not reflected on that list...yet?

-N.

[Unregistered]

Here is the list of reference on how long seats are good for http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/childsafety/notices/TP14563C/2007c10/menu.htm

that is fabulous!!!! I want to keep her in that seat till she outgrows is, and then get her a 65lb one after that (for DC etc)

thank you so much for the clarification!!!

[hipmaman]

No, neither is the True Fit listed on there. I guess it's time to nudge TC to update the list, eh? ;)

The nine year expiry for the Frontier is obviously not reflected on that list...yet?

-N.

[snowbird25ca]

OP, on the back of the shell of your AOE you'll find a "do not use after Dec 20XX" I'm not sure about the 2004 date of manufactures, but the current 3in1 seats are stamped with an 8yr expiry date. It's possible this is the case with yours, but I'm honestly not sure when they moved to the 8yr expiry on the 3in1 seats.

Also, your date of manufacture is in the midst of the adjuster strap recall. If you haven't checked already, check to see if your seat is involved in the recall. If you have a narrow adjuster strap - think about 1" wide, and the metal lever is half smooth and half horizontal ridges, then it's involved. (The adjuster lever style on the 1" wide strap that isn't involved is totally flat. There is also another style strap that is around 2.5" wide and those aren't involved in the recall either. Only the narrower ones with the half ridged metal adjustment lever are involved.)