Chevy and LATCH?

Melizerd · Feb 15, 2009

I know it was mentioned that GM no longer allows center LATCH?

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=69968&highlight=Chevy

Is that true? Is it retro active? I have a friend with a Tahoe who is wondering about it. Is that a rumor or true or what's going on?

TIA!

DaniannieB · Feb 15, 2009

It is true that GM no longer allows borrowing to install using LATCH in the center. It IS retroactive.

However, many GM vehicles already have dedicated LATCH in the center. If the vehicle already has dedicated LATCH for the center, you can use it. The Tahoe is one vehicle that has LATCH for the center and passenger sides. You're not borrowing anchors to install using LATCH there. The center has it's own anchors. So, LATCH in the center of the Tahoe is fine.

Melizerd · Feb 15, 2009

Okay thanks! That makes sense. I didn't know that the Tahoe had it's own center anchors. But now I know about it being retroactive for other people if they ask. I wonder if they even bothered to TELL any of the car owners that, KWIM? Did they send something out telling them not to do that anymore?

jen_nah · Feb 21, 2009

Melizerd said:
Okay thanks! That makes sense. I didn't know that the Tahoe had it's own center anchors. But now I know about it being retroactive for other people if they ask. I wonder if they even bothered to TELL any of the car owners that, KWIM? Did they send something out telling them not to do that anymore?

The borrowing was never in any owners manuals to begin with. So I doubt many owners knew it was allowed. Now there are probably a whole lot that are doing it but only because they didn't read their vehicle manuals to show the actual designated LATCH locations.

I will say even if GM allowed borrowing only Britax that I am aware of allowed you to install their seats that were great or less then the 280mm anchor spacing. I know Graco, Evenflo & Chicco you can't.

BookMama · Feb 21, 2009

It is true that GM no longer allows you to borrow lower anchors for a center LATCH installation, and it is retroactive.

I actually had the opportunity to speak with Artie Martin (recently retired GM safety engineer, very active in CPS) at a CEU event yesterday and I asked her the reason behind this change. She indicated that the reason is that when the original testing was done and the original rule was made, the weight limit for nearly all seats was 40 lbs. Now we have seats with weight limits of 65, 70, 80 lbs. and we just don't know how they will perform in a crash when borrowing center anchors. She also said that they are testing and working on national standards.

(And yes, I realize that GM has a 48 lb LATCH limit anyway, but I didn't care to argue with her. I always have questions for her and I want her to know me as a good tech, not a pest.

)

Chevy and LATCH?

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