Centre Shoulder Seat-belt

[kattale]

Is it possible, and is there a rule or trick, to installing a car-seat in the middle (centre) space of a 3rd row bench?

It's a 2007 Kia with one of those 60/40 split benches. There are 2 sets of UAS anchors, but they're both centred in their respective portion of the seat - so the passenger-side one (40%) is perfectly placed, and the driver side one is plunked in between the centre and driver-side seating positions. (Can't even use a Clek there, because the seat belt stalk ends up in the centre behind the latched seat).

My hope is to purchase 2 more SK Radians for the back row - one will be rf (hopefully the driver's side) and the other will be ff in the centre spot - the upper anchor point is halfway between the two seating positions. (I might try fitting one of my new Truefits in the 3rd row passenger side, using the latch, since it's a full seating position and the UAS is in the right place.)

So - can you do a seatbelt installation with the centre shoulder belt? It's one of those ones that has a portion that comes out of the ceiling and clicks into the lap belt portion. I imagine you'd need a locking clip? Do I recall someone saying that you can't do an install at all in that position?

My plan B is to find a really skinner HB Booster for that position - I might be dreaming... I had a seat installed in this position before I took my tech training - never occurred to me it needed any tricks - I'm more in the know now - but not enough... Every little bit of experience helps...

Thanks,
Kat

[hipmaman]

Quick reply because I do have to run :)

If your vehicle user's manual permit the use of a carseat in the 3rd row middle position, then you can just install your carseat there with just the lapbelt portion. You don't have to engage the shoulder belt portion at al. Your lapbelt portion should have either a locking retractor or a locking latchplate, so no need for a locking clip.

[Pixels]

If it's what I'm picturing when you say the shoulder belt clicks into the lap portion, then you can use just the lap portion. A locking clip won't help you, and isn't allowed.

If it's what I see more commonly, where the entire belt comes down from the ceiling, then clips into a little buckle on one side, and then it looks like a normal seatbelt, then you do need to use it normally (lap and shoulder). The belt should lock at the retractor if you pull it out all the way and let it go back in. You can use a locking clip on this type of system, but it's generally easier to lock at the retractor, and it leaves less room for error to just use the retractor.

Check your vehicle owner's manual to see if it says anything about prohibiting carseat installation in that center seat. Also check it for the correct top tether location, to see if you're allowed to use that off-center top tether anchor.

[kattale]

Thanks, both of you.
My husband has the car today, but I suspect it is what you describe in your 2nd paragraph, Melissa. I remember thinking I couldn't just use the bottom portion.

I'll look it up in the manual tonight when the car comes home. Thanks!