car manual contradicts carseat manual

C

chavez

Guest
my '08 subaru forrester manual says that rear center placement is not recommended, although a locking seatbelt is provided. the graco safeseat manual says that rear center placement is best.

which do i go with? if I use the rear center position, i can't use LATCH... but i'm not too bothered by that. in an outboard postition in the forrester using latch, i had to place a towel under the seat to get the angle correct... but installing in the center using the seatbelt seems like a better fit (no towel needed, though there is a slight tilt to the car seat)

any advice?
 
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beeman

Active member
Does it say why center position is not recommended for the vehicle? Rear center is stated as safest in the restraint manual because the "crunch room" is the largest for an accident from any side of the vehicle. Unless there is a specific safety concern stated in the vehicle manual (I suspect they are not recommending this position because there is no latch), the center position should be safe if you can get a proper install. I would suggest contacting the vehicle dealership or manufacturer about why this position is not recommended.
 

joolsplus3

Admin - CPS Technician
Right, it's because there's no LATCH, and also kind of 'bumpy' and the seatbelt is kind of weird (two buckles), I think they are just trying to minimize consumer confusion. I doubt the dealer would have a single clue why (but I'm sure they could expound for hours on the number of speakers the car has...or is it just me that gets those stereo obsessed dealers? LOL)...
Becky, this might be a good question for the CPSList, but I don't think we'd get any different answer: If you can install it safely in the middle, go ahead and install it there. If you can't, then use the outboard position :)
 

skaterbabs

Well-known member
Becky, this might be a good question for the CPSList, but I don't think we'd get any different answer: If you can install it safely in the middle, go ahead and install it there. If you can't, then use the outboard position

I agree. :)
 

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