View Full Version : Need tips for a snugride install
I'm going to help my friend reinstall her snugride. I saw it today and it moves too much and is installed with the belt and LATCH. She has a current model Honda CRV and has it installed in the left passenger seat. Any advice or helpful tips? I've only installed my SS1 which was super easy. Do you prefer LATCH or the seat belt for this seat? I know it doesn't have a lock off so do I need a locking clip? I'm going to download the manual shortly to see exactly what to do as she is borrowing the seat and does not have the manual.
Thanks!
ETA...New question in my most recent post....
bensmom
04-15-2009, 10:33 PM
You would not need a locking clip with a newer car because the belts will lock. BUT, if you do a seatbelt install with a snugride, you may prefer a locking clip because the shoulder belt, when locked, tends to cause the base to "tip."
Is a middle install an option? If you are doing an outboard install, I'd try LATCH first because it avoids the tipping/locking clip issue.
That's what is was wondering about with the locking clip. She has a FFing MA on the other side so I don't know if the middle is possible. I doubt the seat has the locking clip with it... And I don't have one.. Any ideas for keeping the base more level with w/o the clip? I think I'll likely try for a LATCH install.
kmcenery
04-16-2009, 02:14 AM
That's what is was wondering about with the locking clip. She has a FFing MA on the other side so I don't know if the middle is possible. I doubt the seat has the locking clip with it... And I don't have one.. Any ideas for keeping the base more level with w/o the clip? I think I'll likely try for a LATCH install.
Babies r us sells Graco locking clips (atleast mine does).
brightredmtn
04-16-2009, 02:27 AM
You would not need a locking clip with a newer car because the belts will lock. BUT, if you do a seatbelt install with a snugride, you may prefer a locking clip because the shoulder belt, when locked, tends to cause the base to "tip."
Is a middle install an option? If you are doing an outboard install, I'd try LATCH first because it avoids the tipping/locking clip issue.
IIRC the last SR manual I saw doesn't mention locking the seat belt because of the tipping issue. We were definitely taught in class to always use a locking clip rather than locking belts.
Unless you're installing the seat in the center or need to do a three across there is no reason to not use LATCH if it's available. It's so much easier than using the locking clip.
brightredmtn
04-16-2009, 02:28 AM
That's what is was wondering about with the locking clip. She has a FFing MA on the other side so I don't know if the middle is possible. I doubt the seat has the locking clip with it... And I don't have one.. Any ideas for keeping the base more level with w/o the clip? I think I'll likely try for a LATCH install.
It may still be stuck on the base or seat from packaging. Look around on both.
Thanks! I will check for the locking clip first in case I need it. The other issue I just remembered is that she isn't have the serial number of the seat with her and I won't be able to see the seat until tomorrow. Are any of the base installs going to be significantly different depending upon which version of the base she has. The seat is a 5 of harness with front adjust and is not expired.
snowbird25ca
04-16-2009, 02:40 AM
If the seat isn't expired then the install will be identical across the board. Some older bases had a 20lb limit, while newer ones have 22lbs. I think that change happened in 2004 - you'll be able to know for sure what the limit on her seat is by just looking at the sticker on the side of the seat.
I'd absolutely just go straight for LATCH install. The snugride is definitely an easy seat to install so you shouldn't have any problems.
brightredmtn
04-16-2009, 02:43 AM
Thanks! I will check for the locking clip first in case I need it. The other issue I just remembered is that she isn't have the serial number of the seat with her and I won't be able to see the seat until tomorrow. Are any of the base installs going to be significantly different depending upon which version of the base she has. The seat is a 5 of harness with front adjust and is not expired.
I don't think unexpired SR bases are that different from each other. Not 100% sure but I've actually seen quite a few and haven't noticed any glaring differences. Just look over the manual, you'll be fine.
murphydog77
04-16-2009, 02:47 AM
Thanks! I will check for the locking clip first in case I need it. The other issue I just remembered is that she isn't have the serial number of the seat with her and I won't be able to see the seat until tomorrow. Are any of the base installs going to be significantly different depending upon which version of the base she has. The seat is a 5 of harness with front adjust and is not expired.
No, a Snug base is a Snug base is a Snug base. They changed back in 2002, so as long as the seat hasn't expired, then there's nothing different between the bases. If it's a SnugRide 32, then the base is like the SafeSeat base, but I'm throwing that in more for lurkers since I'm inferring from your previous posts that it's an older style SnugRide.
There have been recalls on SnugRides, so you'll want to check for the model number on her infant seat to make sure it hasn't been involved in any. There was a major one involving how the seat clipped to the base, so it pays to check. The label is located on the bottom of the infant seat either under the harness adjuster strap or on the inside of the "rails" on the bottom of the seat.
HTH!
aaminnky
04-16-2009, 09:43 AM
Unless you're installing the seat in the center or need to do a three across there is no reason to not use LATCH if it's available. It's so much easier than using the locking clip.
:yeahthat:
We had major tipping problems with the belt install of our SungRide and no latch, so we had to use a locking clip. The LATCH install would have been much easier! If you do need the locking clip check the bottom of the seat, you will see a place where the locking clip can be stored. Although if its a new seat, ours came in a plastic bag with the manual. I have seen them sold separately at BRU too.
Okay so I did the install with LATCH and it was quite easy. When I put the bucket seat back into the base I noticed that it jiggles quite a bit in the base. It doesn't release when jiggled but it does make a clanking noise. I don't remember as much jiggling with my SS1 nor do I remember the noise. The base is in with no movement. She is going to check to see if the seat has been recalled... but assuming it hasn't.. (it was made in November of 2006) does that sound normal?
brightredmtn
04-16-2009, 11:00 PM
Okay so I did the install with LATCH and it was quite easy. When I put the bucket seat back into the base I noticed that it jiggles quite a bit in the base. It doesn't release when jiggled but it does make a clanking noise. I don't remember as much jiggling with my SS1 nor do I remember the noise. The base is in with no movement. She is going to check to see if the seat has been recalled... but assuming it hasn't.. (it was made in November of 2006) does that sound normal?
Do you know the serial number and DOM b/c we can look up a recall.
Pixels
04-16-2009, 11:06 PM
There were no SnugRide recalls for seats made in November of 2006 for seat/base problems. There was one for a cover problem.
Do you know the serial number and DOM b/c we can look up a recall.
She is going to look it up tonight. I didn't write it down b/c she said she would check it. I'll check back with her tomorrow. She didn't like how wiggly the seat was in the base either so I think she might install her MA sooner rather than later.
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