Please check my install + questions

[Nopinkertons]

After much agonizing, I finally bought a Britax Marathon (old model) for my one-year-old son. I drive a 2006 Subaru Outback, and I think I've gotten a nice solid install using the LATCHes on the passenger side outboard, but would appreciate confirmation . Here are my questions:

There's no movement side to side, but there's a little movement up and down, which appears to be due to the seat being squishy. Is that OK?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/44300048@N08/5061771478

How does the recline angle look? I have a rear tether attached to the front seat slider rail, and it is pulling the car seat down slightly. The car seat is not touching the front seat, but I'd love to be able to push the front seat back a little more; can they touch, or can I bring the car seat recline up just a bit by loosening the tether?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/44300048@N08/5061161043/in/photostream/

Here is where the tether is attached. The Outback also has tether anchors in the ceiling in back of the rear seats, but for some reason I like tethering it forward better. Does it make a difference?

A question about the harness straps:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/44300048@N08/5061160977/in/photostream/

For some reason, the slots for the harness straps in the cover are noticeably higher than the corresponding slots in the seat's shell. I am therefore having some trouble deciding which is the best strap level for my son. In this pic, I have it on the lowest slot; the slots in the cover seem about level with his shoulders, but the slots in the shell are quite a bit below. On the other hand, the next slots up seem about an inch too high in the cover but might (it's hard to tell) be right at his shoulder height in the shell. So I guess my question is, should I err on the side of too low or a little high?

Finally, I've never known the answer to this question: how do I know if the straps are too tight? The "hugs" pads on the Marathon make it a little hard to tell if the straps are too loose (no strap available to do the pinch test), so I can already tell I might start tightening them too much. Obviously if he's uncomfortable, he'll cry, but I am also concerned if there's a safety issue with too tight straps, especially if I have the straps in the lower slot, well below his shoulders?

In case it matters, my son is one year old, 22 lbs, 28.25 inches. He has a big head for his height; he outgrew a Keyfit 30 based on the top of his head reaching too close to the top of the shell, even though his shoulders never reached the top harness slots.

Thanks so much for any comments or advice!

 

[Defrost]

There's no movement side to side, but there's a little movement up and down, which appears to be due to the seat being squishy. Is that OK?

Yes, nearly all RF carseats will "bounce" a bit; it's normal. :thumbsup:

How does the recline angle look? I have a rear tether attached to the front seat slider rail, and it is pulling the car seat down slightly. The car seat is not touching the front seat, but I'd love to be able to push the front seat back a little more; can they touch, or can I bring the car seat recline up just a bit by loosening the tether?

Yes, you should loosen the RF tether a bit - it's not supposed to be tight enough to affect the recline.

Here is where the tether is attached. The Outback also has tether anchors in the ceiling in back of the rear seats, but for some reason I like tethering it forward better. Does it make a difference?

Technically yes, but most of us prefer the way you have it.

For some reason, the slots for the harness straps in the cover are noticeably higher than the corresponding slots in the seat's shell. I am therefore having some trouble deciding which is the best strap level for my son. In this pic, I have it on the lowest slot; the slots in the cover seem about level with his shoulders, but the slots in the shell are quite a bit below. On the other hand, the next slots up seem about an inch too high in the cover but might (it's hard to tell) be right at his shoulder height in the shell. So I guess my question is, should I err on the side of too low or a little high?

You should go by the slots in the shell, not the cover. I'd try it both ways and see if the next ones up end up at his shoulders once the straps are adjusted & he's buckled in.

Finally, I've never known the answer to this question: how do I know if the straps are too tight? The "hugs" pads on the Marathon make it a little hard to tell if the straps are too loose (no strap available to do the pinch test), so I can already tell I might start tightening them too much. Obviously if he's uncomfortable, he'll cry, but I am also concerned if there's a safety issue with too tight straps, especially if I have the straps in the lower slot, well below his shoulders?

I actually made a thread, complete with pics, to help parents figure that out:
http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=49030

Hope that helps!

 

[JerseyGirl'sMama]

Exactly what Defrost said.

I just wanted to answer one question - I think the angle looks great for his age. With that seat it can be installed anywhere from a 45 to a 30 degree angle, but it is safer for him to be more upright at this age, so if he tolerates an angle more toward the upper end, that would be my preference.

And as far as checking where the harness straps should be, it helps to use a pencil. Just slide the pencil through the harness slots in the cover AND the plastic shell. Look at the angle of the pencil - that will help you decide where the slots really are.

Hope that helps.

 

[Nopinkertons]

Thank you so much for the comments! I will loosen the tether; I didn't realize it wasn't supposed to be that tight. I also didn't know that it would actually be safer for him to be more upright at his age. My son seems like he would prefer the angle slightly more upright anyway (he keeps trying to sit up), so we will try it.

The pencil test is also really helpful--I was trying to feel through the cover and trying to judge the height of the slots in the shell that way, and it wasn't working very well .

Thanks also for the link to the thread about the harness straps. I think I will remove the "hugs" (those gray plastic rectangles) on the straps. They are so big and my son is so small that they take up all of the strap so there is none available for the pinch test. According to the manual, they are optional for rear-facing anyway.

 

[JerseyGirl'sMama]

My son seems like he would prefer the angle slightly more upright anyway (he keeps trying to sit up), so we will try it.

I think I will remove the "hugs" (those gray plastic rectangles) on the straps. They are so big and my son is so small that they take up all of the strap so there is none available for the pinch test. According to the manual, they are optional for rear-facing anyway.

Yes, but only up to a 30 degree angle. Make sure that when he falls asleep his head doesn't slump forward.

And you are correct, the HUGS are optional while rear-facing but are required for forward-facing, so put those some place safe. :thumbsup: