Question Headrest cannot be removed, how can I install with latch?

  • Thread starter Unregistered-Lindsey
  • Start date
U

Unregistered-Lindsey

Guest
Hello! My name is Lindsey and I just bought a 2019 Toyota Corolla. Love the car ... however ... the headrests behind the drivers side and the passenger side cannot be removed. I have it installed in the middle for now since that one can be removed so I can thread the belt under the headrest and put it back on ... but I would prefer to have her behind the passenger for lots of reasons.

I want the Graco 4ever car seat that I have to be installed safely and correctly, so I took it to the service department at Toyota. They advised to hook the latch then thread the belt along the side of the headrest, or to hook the latch then thread the belt up and over the headrest.
Few things, I worry that if I install it going along the side of the headrest that it will not be tight enough to provide proper protection, and if I install it over the top of the headrest that it will ruin the car and also not be as safe as it should be.

Does anyone have any tips on what they did with their car seat installed with a latch and the headrest still on?
Thanks in advance!!!
Lindsey
 
ADS

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob
Staff member
Hi! A few questions:

How old and heavy is your child?
When you refer to the "belt" above do you mean the tether strap? Attached to the top of the seat?
Are you using the lower connectors to install in the center? (If so, you'll need to switch to a seatbelt install. Lower anchors are only available on the sides in your car.)
 

aporthole

Active member
Did you consult the vehicle owner’s manual? It should say specifically how to route the tether for seats installed on the sides. There are often illustrations as well.
 

MelodyoftheForest

Active member
I have a 2017 Corolla, so I know your pain! You route the top tether over the head restraints on the outboard seats. I have also used a 4Ever in our car and found it incompatible outboard when forward-facing, at least when reclined for a child under 40 pounds, because the headrest can’t extend without being blocked by the vehicle’s head restraint. If your child is at least 40 pounds and you have the 4Ever all the way upright, it may work outboard.
 

aporthole

Active member
I consulted the manual. Page 63 shows and describes how to route the tether. For the side seats, you route it straight over the top of the head restraint. For the center seat, you lower the head restraint to the lowest position and route the tether over the top of it.
 

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