Recaro Como in center of Mazda 3 - LATCH borrowing

[LRG0905]

When my husband and I installed our Chicco infant seat, we were not allowed to LATCH borrow, because of the distance between the two clips.

We just got a recaro como (thank you woot!) and I can't find any information about it in the manual OR online.

Does anybody know if this is possible? I'm okay with an outboard installation, but would like a center.

My car is a 2007 Mazda3 (not sport) My car manual says we can borrow LATCH clips (hooks?) as long as the seat manufacturer says it's okay with whatever distance they are apart.

I'm sorry if this doesn't make sense, I don't know the correct terms! :duck:

[canmom]

According to the LATCH manual (2009) Recaro allows it so long as the vehicle manufacturer explicity allows it.

I'm curious though... why not just use the belt? I'm not sure how other techs feel on this but when it isn't a designated LATCH position I have issues using it, JMHO. Manufacturers that have allowed borrowing in the past have come out and said they don't, so who knows??

[LRG0905]

I tried installing my infant seat in the middle with the belt and I drove around the block with every turn the seat would shift, it wouldn't stay tight enough for me to feel comfortable with it. Plus I'll be installing RF and I'd think the seatbelt would be in the way. But over all, I have no problems with using the belt.

[Pixels]

When you install it, press down on the restraint as you tighten the seatbelt. Then check for movement at the belt path. It should move no more than one inch in any direction.

:confused: If you're using the seatbelt to install, how would it be in the way?

[LRG0905]

When I was looking at the Como this morning, it seemed that if I used the seatbelt it would be going around the seat, and would be in the way of getting the kid in and out.

I haven't tried installing yet, so I could be very wrong.

[LRG0905]

LOL, nevermind. I see where the seat belt goes for RF - I was looking at the seat at 6 in the morning, and trying to figure out how it would work.

[canmom]

I guess you where using the ffing belt path for rfing? Give it a try with the belt in the centre, sometimes it just works better. Here's a link that explains how to lock your vehicle belt to keep the child restraint tight http://www.carseatsite.com/lockingclips.htm

[Pixels]

A 2007 vehicle should not need a locking clip.

Pull the belt out all the way, then feed it part way back into the retractor. Try pulling it out again. If it doesn't, it's locked, and you have a switchable retractor. Buckle the carseat in, pull the belt all the way out, and press down on the seat while pulling the lap portion of the belt tight. Feed the extra webbing back into the retractor, then check for movement of the carseat.

[Stresch]

I know you are switching to a convertible, but if you use your infant seat again, make sure you put the shoulderbelt through the lockoff. The Chicco is really, really easy to get secure because of that lockoff. It shouldn't slide or tip at all.

[LRG0905]

I guess you where using the ffing belt path for rfing? Give it a try with the belt in the centre, sometimes it just works better. Here's a link that explains how to lock your vehicle belt to keep the child restraint tight http://www.carseatsite.com/lockingclips.htm

Thanks!

[crunchierthanthou]

A 2007 vehicle should not need a locking clip.

Pull the belt out all the way, then feed it part way back into the retractor. Try pulling it out again. If it doesn't, it's locked, and you have a switchable retractor. Buckle the carseat in, pull the belt all the way out, and press down on the seat while pulling the lap portion of the belt tight. Feed the extra webbing back into the retractor, then check for movement of the carseat.

regardless of vehicle age or seatbelt type, the Como has built in lock-offs. As long as there is a shoulder belt with a sliding latchplate in the seating position, you can lock the belt. The instructions are in the manual (http://recaro.com/fileadmin/extensions/rec_usa/pdf/Child_Safety_Manuals/MANUAL_COMO.pdf).

[southpawboston]

regardless of vehicle age or seatbelt type, the Como has built in lock-offs. As long as there is a shoulder belt with a sliding latchplate in the seating position, you can lock the belt. The instructions are in the manual (http://recaro.com/fileadmin/extensions/rec_usa/pdf/Child_Safety_Manuals/MANUAL_COMO.pdf).

yes, but we all know the recaro "lock-offs" are nothing more than glorified belt guides, as they don't really hold.

FWIW, i could not get a decent LATCH install (outboard, didn't try center) with the como in our mazda3. even putting all my 175lb on the seat while pulling on the LATCH strap, i could *barely* get the seat to conform to the 1" rule. i definitely was not comfortable with it. strangely, the signo installs beautifully in the same car with its LATCH bar. :confused:

[ketchupqueen]

yes, but we all know the recaro "lock-offs" are nothing more than glorified belt guides, as they don't really hold.



Interestingly, the manual makes no mention of this. It indicates that you should use the "belt clamp" to lock a non-locking seatbelt RF and a "belt guide" to lock it FF. There is no mention in the manual of using a locking clip.

I know this was a problem with some seats at one time, but is it still a problem? If so, why do they not include a locking clip, or make any mention of it in the manual?

[southpawboston]

Interestingly, the manual makes no mention of this. It indicates that you should use the "belt clamp" to lock a non-locking seatbelt RF and a "belt guide" to lock it FF. There is no mention in the manual of using a locking clip.

I know this was a problem with some seats at one time, but is it still a problem? If so, why do they not include a locking clip, or make any mention of it in the manual?

oh, i thought you were talking about FFing. it's the FF lockoffs that were renamed "belt guides" by recaro. i guess the RF lockoffs do work. i don't know why they don't include a locking clip for FF. maybe it would amount to admission of a defect?

[ketchupqueen]

oh, i thought you were talking about FFing. it's the FF lockoffs that were renamed "belt guides" by recaro. i guess the RF lockoffs do work. i don't know why they don't include a locking clip for FF. maybe it would amount to admission of a defect?

I would think they would be in a whole lot more trouble if it failed in a crash than if they admitted a defect.

I note that it still does not say you need to use a locking clip in the manual, even when FF, while using the "belt guides." So does that mean they feel they will hold then, on the newly manufactured seats?

[southpawboston]

I would think they would be in a whole lot more trouble if it failed in a crash than if they admitted a defect.

I note that it still does not say you need to use a locking clip in the manual, even when FF, while using the "belt guides." So does that mean they feel they will hold then, on the newly manufactured seats?

i think it means that they feel confident enough that ELR seatbelts will do their job of holding the restraint in place. the lock-off is really there just to prevent loosening of the seat, pre-impact. in an impact, the lock-off doesn't do anything.

[Pixels]

i think it means that they feel confident enough that ELR seatbelts will do their job of holding the restraint in place. the lock-off is really there just to prevent loosening of the seat, pre-impact. in an impact, the lock-off doesn't do anything.

Yes, I believe that is true of all lockoffs, as well as locking clips. The question, though, is the "belt guides" vs lockoffs. At one point Recaro renamed their FFing lockoffs to "belt guides" because they wouldn't hold, even pre-crash, and provided locking clips to those who needed them.

[ketchupqueen]

Okay, but they say nothing in the manual now about using locking clips with the "belt guides", or how to get one. Does that mean they are now confident in their "belt guides" as pre-crash positioners?