News Forget parent error: Car designs make seats hard to install

[LISmama810]

I was not a fan of this article AT ALL. I do recognize that vehicles do not always make it easy but I do not believe that vehicles are the biggest problem. If the average person actually read the manual AND followed the manual, most of the problems we see at seat checks would not be there. Most problems I have seen at seat checks have nothing at all to do with the vehicle.

I am also not a fan of an article that quotes the sr. vp for research as if she is an expert and also quotes a child psychologist.

I agree that vehicle design isn't the main problem, but every little bit helps.

However, I would consider a VP of research with IIHS an expert. I think the child psychologist was supposed to represent an "average parent." I'm not sure why there would be a problem with quoting her?

 

[tarynsmum]

Wow, 20 replies and no ones mentioned the belly clip on the main picture? I know the article is about installs, but still.

Now off to read the actual article...

 

[teekadog]

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=178515

Some car manufacturers realize this.

 

[xursusmaritimusx]

Wow, 20 replies and no ones mentioned the belly clip on the main picture? I know the article is about installs, but still.

Now off to read the actual article...

its clear in the picture that the mom is in the process of securing or removing the child. i dont see it as a "time to drive" moment.....

 

[tarynsmum]

its clear in the picture that the mom is in the process of securing or removing the child. i dont see it as a "time to drive" moment.....

Yeah, I guess I would just have rather seen a fully buckled picture then. Personally, I never push the chest clip and the harness covers down like that when I buckle in.

 

[tanyaandallie]

I agree that vehicle design isn't the main problem, but every little bit helps.

However, I would consider a VP of research with IIHS an expert. I think the child psychologist was supposed to represent an "average parent." I'm not sure why there would be a problem with quoting her?

Was she with IIHS. Oops.....obviously have missed that part!!!! I guess she is an expert!

I still believe that the major problem with car seats is not with the car. Are the problems with cars? Absolutely but I have seen this VERY few times at seat checks. I have worked many and have only seen a true problem between car and car seat a handful of times.

 

[unityco]

One of my pet peeves - that I believe contributes to installation difficulties - is the ridiculous 3-tether minimum. :thumbsdown: My sister just got a 7-passenger Acadia and it only has 3 tethers, the 3rd being in the centre of the third row, making the third row almost useless when a carseat's installed there. The requirements should be changed to make tethers mandatory for ALL rear seating positions.

ETA: Not to mention our own Rondo's complete LACK of tethers in its third row :thumbsdown:

 

[An Aurora]

I don't buy it. I don't think I have ever seen a car seat used perfectly but installed incorrectly. I will say some vehicles are hard to install seats in, though.

 

[MommyBoha]

One of my pet peeves - that I believe contributes to installation difficulties - is the ridiculous 3-tether minimum. :thumbsdown: My sister just got a 7-passenger Acadia and it only has 3 tethers, the 3rd being in the centre of the third row, making the third row almost useless when a carseat's installed there. The requirements should be changed to make tethers mandatory for ALL rear seating positions.

I agree here. Which makes me love my Pilot so much. I have TAs in all positions. Even 3 for the 3rd row

 

[Carrie_R]

Yes. IMO the Pilot is a great model (as in example, not vehicle model lol) for CPS friendliness... Tethers and lap-shoulder belts in all six rear seating positions, as well as mostly-flush headrests that are also removable. The unused headrests have a storage compartment under the cargo area, behind the 3rd row. (When you get into 5 & 6 restraints things get challenging, but really, that's true of pretty much any vehicle.)