I think the Coccoro may be incompatible with my Passat.

[thtr4me]

I spent this morning trying to install the Coccoro in my VW Passat (2007). Latch connectors are right at or a tad forward of the seat bite, seat belt stalk is well forward of the seat bite, and on the opposite side come out at a really weird angle well forward of the RFing belt guide.

First I tried a seat belt install (did not try Euro routing yet as I ran out of time). Super loose install, even after putting my knee in the seat and tightening all the way. Seat literally slide side to side by inches, and could rock back and forth AND up and down.

Got out the latch strap, and even after tightening down literally as tight as the strap would allow (the tightener was all the way to the point where the belt goes through the RFing belt guide, seat was still loose. Not quite as bad as with the seat belt, but pretty close.

So I got out a Britax latch strap I had to see if that would make any difference. That was even worse. I was not planning to actually use it, just wanted to try it to see if it made any difference at all.

So, any ideas? Planning on getting the pool noodles out, but I cannot see it making much of a difference. The seat angle was good, it just seems like there is not enough distance between the belt guide and my latch connectors to be able to tighten all the way down. I have a similar problem with the Britax, but was able to JUST get it tightened enough for a good install. Straps are tightened literally as far as they will go. Any tighter and the tightening mechanism would need to start wrapping around the metal bar that the latch straps connect to.

Would Euro routing make that big of a difference if the seat has inches of play even with the seat belt completely tightened? Or is my car just 'special' LOL? Any CPST's in Pasadena, CA who want to come give it a try?

 

[Aurezalia]

It's definitely possible. I had a similar problem in my Elantra. Even with the belt stalk twisted down 3 times, the buckle would butt up against the edge of the belt path and not be able to tighten any more... even though the seat was still loose. I kept it for a month trying to get a good install and then sold it.
Is the seatbelt the same in every seating position for you? Since my center seat had a slightly different belt configuration, I was able to jam it in there in what appeared to be an acceptable install. (Of course, after one ride it had slipped out of the position I had jammed it into and was loose again, but hopefully that was a unique thing!)

 

[tiggercat]

Well theoretically, incompatibilities exist, so it is possible that the combination of seat and vehicle are poor. However, it sounds like you have a few things to try. Twist the buckle stalk down and try the euro routing. Take it to a tech familiar with the seat and see if they can work some magic. Try noodle and/or adjust the angle slightly. That can make a big difference.
That's as much help as I can offer since the CCO isn't even available in my country

Sent from my iPod touch using Car-Seat.Org

 

[thtr4me]

Is the seatbelt the same in every seating position for you?

I have a Frontier outboard on the other side, and I don't think I can get the Coccoro in next to it, but worth a try.

Twist the buckle stalk down and try the euro routing. Take it to a tech familiar with the seat and see if they can work some magic. Try noodle and/or adjust the angle slightly.

See, that is exactly the kind of help I need. Did not even think of twisting the belt stalk. Will give that a whirl. And I have a space noodle in the garage, just waiting to be stuffed under a seat .

And yes, need to find a tech, just don't know any local ones.

 

[safeinthecar]

I have to use the lockoff thingy to get an acceptable install with a cocorro on the plus one seat in my Oddy. Without it it isn't even close to tight.

 

[An Aurora]

It was the same way in my BMW. I just installed with the seatbelt

 

[Keeanh]

RF CCO is completely incompatible with the forward-of-the-bight seatbelts in my Chevy Express. The recline block (have to phone Combi to get one) might help with the LATCH install.

 

[wendytthomas]

We have a 2004 Audi A4, which is a Passat. The Coccoro isn't as easy as in other cars, but it works. The Euro routing will help. I found the LATCH doable but annoying.

Wendy