Can carseats touch each other?

Unregistered · May 18, 2006

I have a Ford Explorer 2002 XLT. The seats in the backseat are rather narrow and if I place one child in the middle seat and one on a side, the carseats touch. Are the risks associated with these two seats hitting each other in an accident higher or lower than the risks of putting each child by a door and leaving the center seat empty?

I was told seats shouldn't touch because the impact of them hitting each other was really dangerous. False? Thanks!!

Victorious4 · May 18, 2006

That is false....

However, you must always thoroughly read & re-read both the vehicle & carseat manuals: my 1999 Chevy Blazer, for example, did not allow any carseat installed in the middle

The issue with carseats touching is that they might only seem to be secure when in fact they are not -- they must be independently secure (less than 1" movement in any direction at the belt path)!

What I do with 3 across situations is to install them all (middle 1st), then take the middle out to see if the 2 on the sides are still secure ... if so then I put the middle one back in. If not, then it's time to try rearranging the seats or even go to Babies-R-Us & play around with other carseat options to find just the right ones to puzzle together for your children & vehicle

Also, make sure to get your install checked > www.seatcheck.org

What vehicle year, make model?
What are the kids' ages, weights & heights?
What carseats do you currently have?

Unregistered · May 18, 2006

thanks. did your owner's manual say "no car seat in the middle"? if all seats have belts, what would the problem be? my owner's mabual does not address the topic.

skaterbabs · May 18, 2006

some vehicles have very, very narrow center seats that do not allow for secure installations.

Can carseats touch each other?

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