Question How important is it for car seat to be level?

My dd is 19 pounds and rf in a Recaro Proride. I finally got a tight install in the middle seat of second row in Honda Odyssey 2014, but I can't get the car seat level! There is a line indicator on the side and I've tried both pool noodles and towels. Regardless of what I use, I can't get a tight install AND the prope angle. Right now it is tightly installed and the seat is more upright. It's not too terribly off the level line,but it is a noticeable difference. I've heard that the recline is more for babies but I want my daughter to be safe as possible! Help!!!!!
 
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safeinthecar

Moderator - CPS Technician
From a physics standpoint, more upright provides more crash protection. What we don't know is how this responds on rebound. Putting seats more upright than the level line as children get older was once common practice for techs, even part of the curriculum, and we have no crash data to suggest that this was a cause of injury, so if the choice is a poor install or a sightly upright seat (or if there is no option for a proper level in a small car and no other seat to use...like we see in checks all the time), I'd choose upright and not lose sleep over it.
 

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