Please check my install - RF RA in Corolla

I am trying to install our Roundabout rearfacing outboard in our 2003 Toyota Corolla. This is for DD who will be 4 months next week, to replace the rear adjust snugride that I hate. I am installing with the seatbelt as it is a pre-LATCH Roundabout (manufactured 6/02, so it expires in June).

Some questions
1) It installs SO upright until I tighten the tether and recline it. Is that the correct way to get it more reclined? Does it look reclined enough?
2) I can get it rock solid FF, but only an accepable 1/4-1/2 inch or so RF. Any suggestions? I could switch DS's MA which does have latch and use that for DD and put DS back in the RA. It just seemed strange to me to have the bigger child in the smaller seat.
3) Does the placement of the D-ring look okay?
4) I know there are varying opinions on the straps being above the shoulders. How does the harness strap height look on DD?

Thanks for your help!

It doesn't have to be a full 45 degrees, but it looks awfully upright to me- especially for a 4 month old. It is fine to use the tether to adjust the recline. In fact, Britax suggested that until recently. They've since changed their recommendation to using pool noodles or a rolled towel to adjust the recline instead, but I think that was in response to the new energy absorbing tether and the fact that some recline mechanisms were breaking from over tightening the tether.

I can't see where it is tethered, but it is fine as long as the d-ring is wrapped around a non-movable part that is anchored to the frame of the vehicle.

It is fine that the harness is still a little above her shoulders. The "at or below the shoulders for rf" rule is over-simplifying. It should be more like "use the lowest slots until even with the second slots, then at or below..." You want to make sure to get it as tight as you can. You should not be able to pinch a horizontal fold over her shoulders and there's quite a bit of slack over her thighs.

Is the buckle pushing against the belt path on the other side? Is something stopping it from getting any tighter? Do your shoulder belts lock, or do you have locking latchplates?

I think it's a good idea to put her in the MA if you can't get a recline angle or installation that you're happy with and your older child still fits in the RA.

i'm getting 29.5 degrees in the first pic, and 28.5 in the second, so it's about 29.0 degrees average. yeah, a little too upright for a 4-mo.

Do you have locking belts? (I noticed you were using the built in lock-off)

I can get a tighter installation by locking the belt and rocking the carseat with my knee pressing in it.

Tightly rolling up a towel and seeing if it helps with the recline wouldn't be a bad idea.

Yes, I have locking shoulderbelts. No, the buckle is not in the beltpath. I was attempting to use the locking clips instead of the locking seatbelt to keep the seat from tilting. Perhaps I will try again with the seatbelt.

Thanks for checking the recline Southpaw. I was under the impression that I could not use a towel or a noodle with a Britax seat. I'm glad to know that I can because I obviously cannot get it reclined enough without using something.

The harness was tight at her shoulders, but I will pull up some of the slack around her thighs.

Any other ideas? I'll work on it again tomorrow when DH gets home (this seat is in his car, not the main car the kids are in daily). Thanks for your help!

Is the seat itself reclined? It doesn't look like it is. That might help with your angle.
She is cute!

I have an RA with the old style base and even when reclined, which I can tell yours is, it is very upright. It's the style of the base. I had to use two pool noodles and tighten the tether to get it even close to 45 degress. A tightly rolled up towel would work. Either one should do the trick. I would install mine really well with the noodles, until it did not move side to side. Then I attached the tether and tightened it until it just pulled the seat down a bit. A Corolla also has fairly sloped seats, which really necesitates the noodle or towel. I had 2001 and mine were really sloped.

HTH!

Yes, the seat is reclined. Thanks for your help CPSaddict.