Question Seat recline with carseat

[kristy121]

Hi everyone, I know Nicole answered this for me a long time ago, but I am having a debate with my cousin who is a firefighter and thinks he knows all...

His daughter is 3 yrs old 33lbs rf in a radian. In his escape (2007') he has the seat itself reclined. I was sure you couldn't do this except maybe one click, his is really reclined.

I know in our truck 2006 explored we have ours reclined 1 click in order to get a solid install with the same seat rf (my dd is 2.5 and 30lbs

Can someone please clarify this?
Thanks!!

 

[LISmama810]

As long as the seat is tight, I'm not sure it really matters. We had some people at an event who wanted to keep their setback reclined to give their kid more legroom. The senior checker (VERY experienced and knowledgable) didn't have a problem with it.

It's not the choice I would make, but I don't know for sure if there's an actual danger.

 

[selinajean]

Just subscribing to this as I would like to hear the answer too.

 

[Mae]

Some cars allow it, some don't. Some allow a few clicks, some allow none.

You just have to check the car's manual. It should definitely have it listed there. :thumbsup:

 

[selinajean]

Some cars allow it, some don't. Some allow a few clicks, some allow none.

You just have to check the car's manual. It should definitely have it listed there. :thumbsup:

I have read through the child restraint system section of our vehicle manual and it doesn't mention anything about vehicle seat recline. The vehicle is a 2005 but honestly the info and diagrams in that section seem like they are from 1980.

 

[QuassEE]

Over the last 5-6 years, some vehicle manufacturers have developed some very specific rules with regards to seat recline when child restraints are installed. It's a PITA for technicians, because it means there's a lot of reason to be consulting vehicle manuals at each check. Some vehicles actually *require* quite a recline when you install a child restraint.. others prohibit it.

In short: Without the manual, we don't know. Chances are that a 5 year old Ford doesn't even make mention of it. I wouldn't stress over a RF'r being on a reclined seat--I'm happier to see a 3 year old rear-facing.

-N.

 

[kristy121]

Thanks for the replies everyone, I will let him know I was wrong, we didn't see anything about it in either of our manuals either!

Nicole thanks for the reply- I didn't want to ask yet another q of you!

 

[LISmama810]

Oh, yeah, if a manual specifies, go with that info. But if it doesn't, I'd say it's a judgment call.