Peg Perego VIP 30-30

[Unregistered]

I'm hoping someone can help me with my problem/questions.

We had our car seat installed and another technician checked to make sure it was done correctly. Unfortunately, in order to check to see if it was installed tight enough, instead of moving the base from side to side, he pushed down on one side of the base (not the middle like when you install it). It was elevated to almost the highest position, which leaves a big gap between the bottom of the base and the top. When he pushed really hard on one side, I thought I saw the bottom stay on the seat, but the top of the base tip to the side. (Basically, I'm worried that the base didn't stay together as one unit, but the top tipped to the side.) I'm not sure if it's even possible and if I should be worried about the safety of the base being compromised.

When I later examined the base, it looks like it moves as one unit...of course I did not put much pressure on it because I don't want to do anything to compromise it even more.

Am I being overly paranoid? Is there some place that can check if the integrity of the base has been compromised?

Thank you for any and all help!

[KristiD761]

A couple of questions...

Are you using the LATCH attachment belt or the seat belt?
What kind if vehicle do you have?

Also, you should be able to take the seat out and install it too and feel good about that being correct.
I would reinstall the seat were I you with the technician checking it behind you. that way you can totally examine the base and make sure everything is as it should be.

[Unregistered]

I have an '06 Corolla and we are using the shoulder belt. Our car doesn't have Latch for the center seat.

I watched how it was installed, but I would rather not undo it and redo it without having it checked. I'm due in 2 1/2 weeks and it takes at least 2 weeks to get an appointment. It's also too difficult for me to push down on the base with the pressure needed with my big belly in the way.

My big concern is whether or not the base could have tilted off the bottom portion of the base. Do you think that's possible?

[KristiD761]

I understand your hesitation; there is no way to really tell unless you take the seat out and look at it;
You could always use your LATCH belt behind driver or passenger until you could get it looked at and get help with rebelting in the center.

[Unregistered]

How would I be able to tell if the safety of the base has been compromised? Or what would a technician look for?

Thank you for your help!

[LISmama810]

I'm having trouble envisioning the problem. Is there any way you can take photos and post them here? (You can upload them to Photobucket or a similar site, then paste the img link.)

[capeKO71]

I think this is the issue:

The base was at the highest recline setting. When the person put pressure on one side, the poster did not see the bottom also pull up - I think they are worried that the recline box inside the base and the base itself are somehow not connected and compromised.

I agree - you really have to take the base out. It's the only way to put your mind at rest. Its probably just in there so tight that the seat was compressed - but better to double check.

You can do this!

Worst case, baby comes home without the base... but I don't think it will come to that... Better to find out now and talk to peg ASAP if it is a problem then wait and have to do it with a newborn!

Did the tech show you HOW to install it? Using the lock offs?

[LISmama810]

Ah, got it.

It's probably fine, but yes, the only way to know for sure is to uninstall the seat.

[LISmama810]

Did the tech show you HOW to install it? Using the lock offs?

That seat doesn't have lockoffs. Unfortunately, it can be a bit of a pain to install with a seat belt, but certainly not impossible. OP, if you do uninstall it and need help getting it back in, we can walk you through it.

(Sometimes just locking the seat belt and pulling it tight aren't enough. It can help to lock and tighten it as much as you can, then unbuckle it and let it retract a couple clicks, then buckle it again. This will be MUCH easier with two people--preferably with you doing the buckling, and someone else putting weight on the seat.)

[capeKO71]

oh... whoops... you're right... not sure why I thought it had lockoffs...

[murphydog77]

Actually, I find the seat to be pretty easy to install because the shoulder belt doesn't have to go through the belt path (yay!). Just buckle, lock the seat belt by pulling the shoulder belt out all the way slowly and letting it retract, and pull the shoulder belt really tight right next to the latchplate.

A trick I learned from my lead instructor is to start with the base not all the way as reclined as you want it. Install it as tightly as you can, then twist the knob to increase the recline. As you raise/extend the recline foot, it tightens the seat belt--voila!

[Unregistered]

Thank you all for your help! I contacted Peg Perego and they pushed on their base model in the same manner and said it reacted the same way. The reps told me that this allows some movement to take some of the force in the case of an accident. Does this sound accurate?

Does anyone still feel it's necessary for me to reinstall it? I just want to make sure that everything is right with the base.

Also, can someone clarify the clicking of the belt? Is it that you pull the belt all the way out, let it retract a few clicks, buckle, and then tighten the strap?

Thanks again!

[LISmama810]

It sounds like it's probably ok, but the only way to be completely sure is to uninstall it.

To get it back in (presuming you have seat belts that lock at the retractor), put the belt through the belt path, buckle it, then pull it all the way out to lock it. Push down on the seat and tighten the belt while feeding any slack into the retractor.

Check for tightness by grabbing the base at the belt path with your weaker hand and giving a gentle-moderate tug side-to-side. If it moves less than an inch, you're good.

If you need it even tighter after you've done that, THEN you can unbuckle it and let it click back in a few times, then buckle it again. That's not always necessary, but I've found it very helpful in some situations.

If you ever have a tech help you again, make sure they show you how to do it and have you do it so that in cases like this, you're comfortable with it. :)

[Unregistered]

Thank you for all of your help!