fold down armrest in center seat?

snoopy5386

New member
Right now we have our BLVD installed RF in the center position in a 99 Honda Accord. Today I was thinking about the fact that there is a fold down armrest there. Does this pose an install problem? We originally tried to install the seat behind the passenger seat but couldn't get the lockoff closed with the angle of the seatbelt.
 
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Dillipop

Well-known member
It only causes a problem if your vehicle or carseat manual prohibits it. Otherwise, it is fine to install in front of the fold down armrest. The blvd sits pretty high and would prevent the armrest from coming down, if that is what you are worried about.
 

skaterbabs

Well-known member
It's not a problem at all. Evenflo used to prohibit it years ago, but that was not based on any evidence of it being unsafe, just legalese.
 

Jewels

Senior Community Member
I have a 96' accord and the manual says not to install in the center because of the arm rest. When I took it in to a tech he said it didn't matter it was still the safest spot being in the middle.

So who do you listen to the tech or the car manual? And should I be moving my seat outboard?
 

Splash

New member
It depends on why it says not to. My car manual "advises against" installing a seat in the center because it might be difficult (it actually lists that as the reason) but doesn't prohibit it.
If the *only* reason your manual is telling you not to is because of the armrest, and you can get a good install there, I'd probably leave it, *for me.* 1996 seems about the time that the fold down center arm rests were believed to be baby killers, so they were probably just jumping on the bandwagon.
 

joolsplus3

Admin - CPS Technician
I have a 96' accord and the manual says not to install in the center because of the arm rest. When I took it in to a tech he said it didn't matter it was still the safest spot being in the middle.

So who do you listen to the tech or the car manual? And should I be moving my seat outboard?

There's never been a reported case of an injury due to an armrest falling down. Like Splash said, it's always good to follow the manual, but sometimes there's room for an informed parental decision based on data (armrests? no injury. Being on the struck side of a side impact? injury potential a'plenty).
 

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