Vehicle's manual vs. Car seat's manual

CTPDMom · Oct 31, 2007

Was given some info today at work that I'm not sure is right. When a vehicle has only 4 LATCH hooks in the rear seat, but the vehicle's manual says you CAN install a car seat with LATCH in the center position, can you install it in the center? I was told, no, that the car seat manufacturers say you can't if there aren't 2 dedicated LATCH connections just for the center position.

The vehicle was a Highlander, I think...was only out there for a minute.

There was just 1 single Keyfit being installed in the car if that makes any difference. (I assume that you cannot put 3 seats across and use the center position if there are only 4 LATCH connections as that would necessitate seats SHARING a connection.)

Defrost · Oct 31, 2007

Depends. Some carseats don't allow you to "borrow," even if the vehicle allows it, but other carseats do allow it. You have to check both manuals.

ETA: And yes, sharing is never allowed.

crunchierthanthou · Oct 31, 2007

Both manuals have to allow center LATCH if there isn't a dedicated set of lower anchors for that position.

You can install in the center with three across or even two side by side, but you have to use the seatbelt for that position.

Victorious4 · Nov 1, 2007

If the vehicle manual says you can install in the center using inner outboard LATCH anchors without any condition (such as the following quote*) then you don't need permission from the carseat manual to do so -- however, LATCH anchors can only have one hook attached, so the outboard seats in this case would have to use seatbelts only....

If the vehicle manual says you can install in the center using inner outboard LATCH anchors with the condition (*such as "when allowed by the vehicle manufacturer) then you have to call the carseat customer service number because approval for this isn't specified in any carseat manual: they often want to know the distance between anchors.

If the vehicle manual has designated center LATCH anchors, then just follow the carseat manual as usual for LATCH install info (you don't need permission, it's already given)

If the vehicle manual doesn't specifically say whether you can install with LATCH in the center, then assume you cannot (LATCH for outboard only).

joolsplus3 · Nov 1, 2007

Both Chicco and Toyota do not approve it, so in that car with that seat, nope. Quite a few others do approve it, cars and seats, but if you don't have the higher power of the LATCH manual (from www.saferidenews.com) on hand, you need to defer to both manuals and look for confirmation in both of them.

CTPDMom · Nov 1, 2007

Thanks for the replies!! Now I have a much better understanding...

I didn't get as far as reading the Keyfit manual before I had to come in so I don't know what it said. But I personally read the manual for the vehicle and it DID say that the center position was ok with LATCH...so I'm probably wrong about it being a Highlander. There are so many new SUVs out there I can't keep them all straight! LOL

Defrost · Nov 1, 2007

papooses said:
If the vehicle manual says you can install in the center using inner outboard LATCH anchors with the condition (*such as "when allowed by the vehicle manufacturer) then you have to call the carseat customer service number because approval for this isn't specified in any carseat manual: they often want to know the distance between anchors.

I helped install an infant seat last month that specified in the manual that borrowing was allowed as long as the anchors were within a certain length (can't remember exactly what that was). It was a Snugride, I think? I'd have to go outside in the nasty weather to check, sorry.

joolsplus3 · Nov 1, 2007

CTPDMom said:
Thanks for the replies!! Now I have a much better understanding...

I didn't get as far as reading the Keyfit manual before I had to come in so I don't know what it said. But I personally read the manual for the vehicle and it DID say that the center position was ok with LATCH...so I'm probably wrong about it being a Highlander. There are so many new SUVs out there I can't keep them all straight! LOL

LOL! GM, Ford, Mazda allow 'non standard' center usage. Key Fit still doesn't, though (easy to install with the belt, at least!)

Victorious4 · Nov 1, 2007

Defrost said:
I helped install an infant seat last month that specified in the manual that borrowing was allowed as long as the anchors were within a certain length (can't remember exactly what that was). It was a Snugride, I think? I'd have to go outside in the nasty weather to check, sorry.

Cool! I haven't noticed that in any yet -- good reminder that things change frequently in this field

joolsplus3 · Nov 1, 2007

Oh yeah, page 91 of the LATCH Manual...it's very cool!

bensmom · Nov 1, 2007

Some cars have 4 anchors, but they are all spaced evenly, so you can either do 2 outboard or 1 center. This is different from cars where you are "borrowing" from the outboard positions to use the center.

Vehicle's manual vs. Car seat's manual

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