lovinwaves
New member
Do you actually read each vehicle owner's manual AND carseat manual when you are installing someone's child restraint each and every time?
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Have a question for you Technicians about owners manuals!
- Thread starter lovinwaves
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Loves2sing
New member
Ooh! Good question Melissa! I can't wait to hear the answers! Or read them I guess! LOL
lovinwaves
New member
My instructor said I MUST read every vehicle's owners manual each and every time I do an install, because each vehicle is different and I shouldn't assume. The carseat manual to me would be different, because the Marathon for instance I wouldn't need to read unless I just needed to double check something.
scatterbunny
New member
Well, I wouldn't read the whole manual--just look at the table of contents for the sections on child restraints and LATCH and airbag info and read those parts. 
skaterbabs
Well-known member
I read through the LATCH sections, but usually my LATCH manual has more information.
I do what Scatterbunny suggested for installing my kids' seats and would want to do the same if and when I become a tech, with the LATCH manual handy in case the vehicle/seat manuals were missing or ambiguous about tether anchor or lower anchor usage or locations. I my LATCH manual and think it will also be a great reference for future car shopping.
my LATCH manual and think it will also be a great reference for future car shopping.
scatterbunny
New member
Oh yes, I can't imagine being a tech, doing seat checks, without the LATCH manual!
My instructors gave out incorrect tether anchor info to a lady at a check with a Husky. I knew it was wrong but didn't want to correct my instructor, and she did send her off with the warning to contact her vehicle manufacturer. But the LATCH manual, especially the parts discussing tether anchor usage over 40/48 pounds, is like GOLD to me.
My instructors gave out incorrect tether anchor info to a lady at a check with a Husky. I knew it was wrong but didn't want to correct my instructor, and she did send her off with the warning to contact her vehicle manufacturer. But the LATCH manual, especially the parts discussing tether anchor usage over 40/48 pounds, is like GOLD to me.
lovinwaves
New member
Hmm...so how do I get my hands on one of these "Latch Manuals"...
The LATCH manual is published by Safe Ride News, details are at http://www.saferidenews.com/html/LATCH_manualA.htm and a catalog and order form for the manual and other Safe Ride News publications at http://www.saferidenews.com/forms/All_products_2005.pdf Enjoy!
lovinwaves
New member
Victorious4
Senior Community Member
I do just what Jenny said + I review my LATCH manual everyso often outside of checks so I can more easily referrence it during a check -- anxiously awaiting my updated copy!
Thanks sweety
You're welcome. The cover of the manual is the purtiest shade of purple, too, an extra bonus for fans of purple. I had to rescue it a couple of times from my DDs. They're drawn to the purple cover, and DD1 originally assumed it was a new coloring book, lol.
joolsplus3
Admin - CPS Technician
I try to remember to look at one or both manuals *as an example to the parent*
... you have to model good manual-reading behavior, lol. (I really don't need to read every manual every time... I mean, who here does? )
TXDani
Senior Community Member
I read the vehicle manual if it is a car I am not familiar with. But most minivans I have read the manual and I remember if there is something weird about a car or not. So usually I am good there. And then the slew of Honda, Toyota, Lexus, Acura, Nissan, Infiniti sedans and SUV's I get I have done so many installs in them that I am familiar with their rules also. But I tell the parent this. "I am familiar with this vehicle but if you ever have any questions about seat installs that is where you should look and if you can't find your answer give the manufacture a call". And car-seats I am lucky because 85% of all my installs are Britax seats so I don't have to read the manual but when I do get a different seat I read the manual because I am not familiar with the other makes as well.
lynsgirl
New member
I try to remember to look at one or both manuals *as an example to the parent*
:yeahthat: What she said!
CDNTech
Senior Community Member
I try to remember to look at one or both manuals *as an example to the parent*
This is what I do too.
CRS
Senior Community Member
If it's a car I have never made an install in i.e. different make/model/year then I've done then yes absolutely I read the manual. Actually, even if I have installed a car seat in that kind of car I'd still probably read the manual to refresh my memory.
As for car seats, if it's one that I've installed time and time again, as in it's the EXACT same seat, same instructions, then no I'm probably not going to read the manual again. Unless of course, I'm unsure or need to refresh my memory!
ETA: But I always point out important things to the parent in the manual and tell them to read it twice, even thrice over when they get home.
CPS_obsessed_EMT
Senior Community Member
Yes, I do.
Even if it is a vehicle or seat that I am "familiar" with.
For example:
I am very familiar with the SnugRide, but some yrs, you can have the handle up, some yrs you can't use both the base recline and noodle, etc.
Or like with my husbands pickup- he has a model and yr pickup that generally has front air bags (but not new enough for the switch).
It is a regular cab pickup, so we have our dd's RFing convertible installed there. I get panicky comments all the time that I can't have a RFing CR in front of an airbag,
BUT- my husbands pickup was manufactured in Canada, and doesn't have any airbags like the same make/model/year that was made in the US.
Now flip that around, if you think a vehicle doesn't have airbags, but maybe for some reason they ordered that vehicle new, and had them added, or it was manufactured somewhere else where they maybe DID add them (don't know if that would ever happen) and you accidently miss the tiny SRS symbol, it could be bad bad bad.
Or say I assumed that all SnugRides could have the handle up just because *my* snugride manual said I could.
Those scenerios are probably not common, but I agree with the PP's in that we STILL have to be good examples to the parents.
Even if it is a vehicle or seat that I am "familiar" with.
For example:
I am very familiar with the SnugRide, but some yrs, you can have the handle up, some yrs you can't use both the base recline and noodle, etc.
Or like with my husbands pickup- he has a model and yr pickup that generally has front air bags (but not new enough for the switch).
It is a regular cab pickup, so we have our dd's RFing convertible installed there. I get panicky comments all the time that I can't have a RFing CR in front of an airbag,
BUT- my husbands pickup was manufactured in Canada, and doesn't have any airbags like the same make/model/year that was made in the US.
Now flip that around, if you think a vehicle doesn't have airbags, but maybe for some reason they ordered that vehicle new, and had them added, or it was manufactured somewhere else where they maybe DID add them (don't know if that would ever happen) and you accidently miss the tiny SRS symbol, it could be bad bad bad.
Or say I assumed that all SnugRides could have the handle up just because *my* snugride manual said I could.
Those scenerios are probably not common, but I agree with the PP's in that we STILL have to be good examples to the parents.
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