LATCH max, seatbelt install, and moving to a booster.

We have a 2005 Toyota Matrix manufactured before September. Our 5 y.o. DD is currently in a FF Diono Radian R100. I might be mixing up model names here, but I think I got everything it could possibly be... She currently uses the 5 pt harness, and the seat is installed using super latch and the top tether.

My understanding is that when DD and the seat are a combined weight in excess of 65 pounds, we can no longer use the LATCH system, and must do a seatbelt install.

I read something about discontinuing the use of the tether when you stop using latch, and then the fact that it could possibly be a better idea to move the kid to a booster. I guess because anchoring the car at the base with the seat belt, and using the 5 pt harness leaves the top of the car seat too prone to movement if it is not tethered? I can't remember where I saw this, it was an article about the complexity of the latch weight maximums...

So what to do? I would like to continue to use the 5 pt harness just because I feel it is safer than the seat belt, but not if the lack of tether use poses a potential problem.

Does anyone else have any info that supports moving to a booster once latch install is no longer allowed due to combined child and seat weight?

The allowable head excursion for an untethered harnessed seat and a booster are exactly the same.

If she's not ready to booster then *I*would switch to a seat belt install and continue to top tether. If she can sit properly every ride and won't fall asleep and fall out of position, then a booster is also a safe option.

In a pre-Sept 2005 vehicle, a Radian with SuperLATCH can use the vehicle lower anchors to 48 lb child weight (or lower if specified by vehicle).

Toyota defers to the restraint, so in your situation the lower anchors can be used until she weighs 48 lbs. At that point you will switch to a seat belt install. Top tether in use for both lower anchor install and seat belt install. The top tether in your Toyota does not have a weight limit.

Thanks everyone for the responses, I really appreciate them. This stuff sometimes seems so complicated to me and I find conflicting info when I try to research on my own. I'm grateful I can reach so many experts here!

carseatcoach said:

The allowable head excursion for an untethered harnessed seat and a booster are exactly the same.

Click to expand...

Thanks! Does this mean that untethered harness and booster are equally safe (or equally unsafe?)

happiness-and-balance said:

If she's not ready to booster then *I*would switch to a seat belt install and continue to top tether. If she can sit properly every ride and won't fall asleep and fall out of position, then a booster is also a safe option.

Click to expand...

Okay, good to know I can use the top tether with the seatbelt install, thanks!

aporthole said:

In a pre-Sept 2005 vehicle, a Radian with SuperLATCH can use the vehicle lower anchors to 48 lb child weight (or lower if specified by vehicle).

Toyota defers to the restraint, so in your situation the lower anchors can be used until she weighs 48 lbs. At that point you will switch to a seat belt install. Top tether in use for both lower anchor install and seat belt install. The top tether in your Toyota does not have a weight limit..

Click to expand...

Thanks, I appreciate your input! So for using lower anchors, the weight of the car seat doesn't matter in this particular case? Just the child weight?

Yes this particular case it is just the childs weight and not the car-seat weight

Yep, just child weight of 48 lbs for lower anchors, no limit for top tether.