Finding out when LATCH started for certain makes/models

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wanderingwoman

New member

• Apr 11, 2011

• #1

How do I find out when a car manufacturer started offering LATCH in their cars? We are starting to look for a second car and my husband is adament that we only get a car with LATCH in it (we previously had one and miss it VERY much!). I've always heard approximately 2002, but see some models have it even as early as 2000.

We are the most interested in getting a Subaru - maybe somebody knows at least specifics for this type?

Thanks so much!

 

Pixels

New member

• Apr 11, 2011

• #2

You can ask here. It's in the LATCH manual, which many techs have.

Subaru's weight limit for LATCH is 48 or 60 pounds, and that is weight of child and restraint together. 48 pounds if the CR is installed using only lower anchors, 60 pounds if the top tether is used as well.

Forester 2003
Impreza 2002
Legacy 2001
Outback 2001

 

W

wanderingwoman

New member

• Apr 11, 2011

• #3

and then it goes to belt and latch or just belt? dd is probably getting close to 40 pounds and we just upgraded to a britax frontier 85 because she got too tall for her britax convertible.

 

Jennifer mom to my 7

Well-known member

• Apr 11, 2011

• #4

Then it goes, seatbelt, with top tether.

 

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor

Staff member

• Apr 11, 2011

• #5

And as all carseats require the top tether with the lower anchors, it's 60 pounds, weight of child plus seat.

Wendy

 

Squeaky McMurdo

New member

• Apr 11, 2011

• #6

How many kids are you planning on having before you trade it in? I love our 2004 Subaru Outback, but there isn't much room in the back seat with two kids, and to compound the problem the seats have an indent to cup a person's bottom so you loose several inches by the doors. Some car seats don't install well in the middle either because it's more of a hump than a seat. :thumbsdown:

You can't use LATCH in the middle of a Subaru. (a shame because we puppysat my brother-in-law's puppy and he chewed the middle seatbelt)

There are top tethers for FF in all 3 seating positions though.

 

Last edited: Apr 11, 2011

Pixels

New member

• Apr 11, 2011

• #7

wendytthomas said:

And as all carseats require the top tether with the lower anchors, it's 60 pounds, weight of child plus seat.

Wendy

Click to expand...

No, they don't. We've had this conversation before.

 

Jennifer mom to my 7

Well-known member

• Apr 11, 2011

• #8

Pixels said:

No, they don't. We've had this conversation before.

Click to expand...

True, fmvss does not require top tether use, but, seats DO perform better with top tether, correct? Less head excursion?


I know, technical...


Canada does require top tether use, at all times with forward facing seats.

 

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor

Staff member

• Apr 11, 2011

• #9

Pixels said:

No, they don't. We've had this conversation before.

Click to expand...

Yes we have. And as the T in LATCH stands for tether, seats perform better with them, I wouldn't use a forward facing harness without a tether if at all avoidable, I'm not going to tell parents the nitty gritty of FMVSS213. It's confusing enough for technicians. The manuals I can think of right now say to do the lower anchors, then attach the top tether.

Wendy

 

Pixels

New member

• Apr 12, 2011

• #10

When you tell parents something that isn't true, and then they find out that it's not true, you lose credibility. The Radian manual uses the word recommended in regards to top tether use, definitely not required. The Radian is not the narrowest convertible, and the SmartSeat is not the only convertible that lacks FAA approval.

Yes, using the top tether improves performance. I always recommend using the tether when using the lower anchors, but there are times when the parent may choose not to do so. In which case, with a Subaru, there is a lower weight limit, and the parent should have that information available.

 

safeinthecar

Moderator - CPS Technician

• Apr 12, 2011

• #11

Pixels said:

Yes, using the top tether improves performance. I always recommend using the tether when using the lower anchors, but there are times when the parent may choose not to do so. In which case, with a Subaru, there is a lower weight limit, and the parent should have that information available.

Click to expand...

While you are technically correct, the majority of parents need to hear the message that TETHERING IS AN IMPORTANT STEP IN INSTALLATION. They need to hear it loud, clear, and repeatedly until it becomes second nature. There is a fine balance between knowing the exceptions to the rule and addressing those exceptions accurately when they become an issue, and accidentally sending the message that tethering isn't really that big of a deal.

 

murphydog77

Admin - CPST Instructor

Staff member

• Apr 12, 2011

• #12

safeinthecar said:

While you are technically correct, the majority of parents need to hear the message that TETHERING IS AN IMPORTANT STEP IN INSTALLATION. They need to hear it loud, clear, and repeatedly until it becomes second nature. There is a fine balance between knowing the exceptions to the rule and addressing those exceptions accurately when they become an issue, and accidentally sending the message that tethering isn't really that big of a deal.

Click to expand...

I agree. Let's keep these types of discussions on the Tech Forum, which is a more appropriate forum to discuss such technicalities. When we're dealing with a tether use rate of less than 50%, we need to be spending time on getting these seats tethered, not nitpicking over which seats technically don't require the use of a tether in the manual.

Bottom line, if the carseat is forward-facing, it should be tethered. :thumbsup: Bravo to the OP for looking for a vehicle that has the equipment to do that!