How do I find out when my car seats expire?

[Snickey]

I've heard that car seats expire after 5 years due to concerns about the plastics, etc., but doing a search on this site I see that some seats last longer than that.

So how do I tell? I am currently using a Graco infant car seat with base that was manufactured some time in late 2004. Will it expire when it hits 5 years exactly, or does the Graco brand last longer? If I call Graco, will they tell me, or do I have to figure it out by myself?

The reason I ask is that I was considering giving this seat and the two bases I have for it to a relative who is due in late July of this year, but if it's about to expire, I don't want to give it to her.

I also have a Britax Marathon that was purchased new in spring 2007 (I'm not sure when it was manufactured, but I can look later). I'll be moving my son to it (rear-facing) sometime in the next few months from the above Graco, because at 3 months he is already 16 lbs, so we're getting close to the weight limit on the Graco (he's 95th percentile both in height and weight). I also have one of those larger Britax seats (forget what it's called - sorry, lactation brain) that my 4 y/o daughter is currently using, just bought last year. So hopefully I'll be okay with the two Britax seats for some time, but I'm really wondering about the Graco mentioned above. It's one of those "infant" seats with the handle that you can carry it in places.

TIA.

[ketchupqueen]

Graco seats expire approximately 6 years after date of manufacture. (That information is in your manual.) Actually though Graco tends to use Dec. of the 6th year no matter what month it was made. If you look at the bottom of your seat you should find a label telling you when your seat was manufactured as well as when the "do not use after" date is. There should also be a label on the base that came with the seat.

[Gypsy]

Britax seats expire 6 years from the date of manufacture - check your seats for the date they were manufactured - the sticker is usually under the cover either on the front (by a child's knees) or the side near where your child's head would be.