StillThankful
New member
We all know that seats don't magically turn dangerous at the appointed expiration date but there are specific reasons that seats even have an expiration date:
--Technology changes
--Car seat technology is always evolving,
--Materials wear out--Plastic stresses and warps from sitting in the car (as a result of facing heat and cold), can become brittle and develop cracks when stressed. Straps and fabrics fray and rip. Instruction manuals get lost or destroyed. Important instructional labels fade, tear or fall off completely.
--Manufacturing landscapes change--Your manufacturer may no longer stock replacement manuals and parts. Maybe the company has gone out of business entirely.
My question is, if you purchase a seat brand new from a reputable company, why can't you use it 6 years from the DOP (or whatever the specific expiration date is on that seat)? The seat has been packaged, not left in car facing extreme temperatures, not installed with child who can drop food on it, which can often compromise some of the operating functions, the labels and everything are in tact, you know the history of the seat (not used), etc....
:scratching my head:
--Technology changes
--Car seat technology is always evolving,
--Materials wear out--Plastic stresses and warps from sitting in the car (as a result of facing heat and cold), can become brittle and develop cracks when stressed. Straps and fabrics fray and rip. Instruction manuals get lost or destroyed. Important instructional labels fade, tear or fall off completely.
--Manufacturing landscapes change--Your manufacturer may no longer stock replacement manuals and parts. Maybe the company has gone out of business entirely.
My question is, if you purchase a seat brand new from a reputable company, why can't you use it 6 years from the DOP (or whatever the specific expiration date is on that seat)? The seat has been packaged, not left in car facing extreme temperatures, not installed with child who can drop food on it, which can often compromise some of the operating functions, the labels and everything are in tact, you know the history of the seat (not used), etc....
:scratching my head: