Does anyone else find Dionos easier to install with a seatbelt?

brooksfamily

New member
We have an Olympia and I wanted to love it and I did not. It is the seat my parents use. It is not used often because they live 600 miles away but has to be installed every time we visit them or they visit us. I first installed it last December rf in my parents Dodge Caravan just assuming latch would be easier and it took a lot of strength to get a good install when compared to her other seats which are Britax. I next tried to install it in my '99 Nissan Sentra (no latches), it had to be center because it wouldn't otherwise fit, and was incompatible with the seatbelt even after twisting the stalk. But last night, I had to install it in my father's truck...newish truck, but no latches that I could find. Can't remember what it is but the back seat is just a flat bench across. So I used the seat belt in the middle and it was a breeze. I'm hoping it is compatible with their Caravan seatbelt as well. If so, I will install that way and stop hating it..except for the ratcheting harness...I still find that hard to adjust when it's rearfacing compared to the Britax seats.
 
ADS

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob
Staff member
In most cars I find seatbelt easier. But there are some where seatbelt is incompatible. Then there are a few seating positions (third row of many years grand caravan) where it's incompatible or nearly so with either method.

In general I find their lower anchor straps difficult to tighten, and that a few vehicles are a breeze but in most it's a more difficult seat to install.
 

jjordan

Moderator
I don't think I've ever installed mine with LATCH. We've only had a car with LATCH for a little over 3 years, and we've only used the Radians there in non-LATCH spots. So I guess it just hasn't come up!

We used to have a 99 Altima and we did get an acceptable RF install in the center, so if you end up needing to try again, it's worth another try. You might be able to get it with the seat belt completely within the belt path instead of twisting the buckle stalk.
 

Carrie_R

Ambassador - CPS Technician
Rear-facing, yes. I had a LATCH strap that slipped and so I became a seatbelt expert. I can get my Radian in RF in +/-90 seconds.

FF I do find LATCH easier, but since I never use my Radian FF it's not an issue.
 

jacqui276

New member
RFing, I find a seat belt install generally much easier. I find using latch FFing easier than the seat belt though. However, by the time my kid was flipped around, he's heavy enough that I am more comfortable using a seat belt install.
 

brooksfamily

New member
I have to install it in my MIL's car this week. It's some type of luxury sedan, either BMW or Mercedes. I'm assuming it will have to go in the middle since we don't have an angle adjuster. I'm hoping it will install with the seat belt. Otherwise we may have to take the Britax out of our Pilot and put that in her car. I wish the Milestone had been out when I was looking at seats for my parents. Because of all the seats we have to get moved around the most, a Diono is not ideal.
 

brooksfamily

New member
We used to have a 99 Altima and we did get an acceptable RF install in the center, so if you end up needing to try again, it's worth another try. You might be able to get it with the seat belt completely within the belt path instead of twisting the buckle stalk.

I know what you are describing but in my car the buckle stalk was to short to get into the belt path and even when I twisted it it just kept ending up right in the wrong spot. But it is really unlikely, it will ever need to be in that car. We still have the car, but my husband is supposed to be selling it. I was only even trying to put it in my car, because my car was in the shop and I was trying to avoid moving the seat out of that car, when the Olympia was just sitting in her closet.
 

krasota

Well-known member
I don't have LATCH in one car, so I only ever installed it with the seatbelt. With my Ody, though, that Radian goes in with LATCH like they were made for each other. Seriously, it's amazing.

In my MiL's Saturn, I tried to use LATCH for a RF install, but the receptive seatbelt part is short with a long plastic latchy part and directly in front of a lower anchor. Needless to say, I used the belt.
 

Car-Seat.Org Facebook Group

Forum statistics

Threads
219,655
Messages
2,196,895
Members
13,530
Latest member
onehitko860

You must read your carseat and vehicle owner’s manual and understand any relevant state laws. These are the rules you must follow to restrain your children safely. All opinions at Car-Seat.Org are those of the individual author for informational purposes only, and do not necessarily reflect any policy or position of Carseat Media LLC. Car-Seat.Org makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis. If you are unsure about information provided to you, please visit a local certified technician. Before posting or using our website you must read and agree to our TERMS.

Graco is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org! Britax is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org! Nuna Baby is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org!

Please  Support Car-Seat.Org  with your purchases of infant, convertible, combination and boosters seats from our premier sponsors above.
Shop travel systems, strollers and baby gear from Britax, Chicco, Clek, Combi, Evenflo, First Years, Graco, Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, Safety 1st, Diono & more! ©2001-2022 Carseat Media LLC

Top