Child car seats revisited
02-01-2007, 04:07 AM
#1
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Child car seats revisited
<center><img src="http://img.epinions.com/images/opti/cd/6d/Mighty_Tite_Car_Seat_Belt_Tightener_Car_Seats-resized200.jpg"></center><p>I purchased sbmrinaldi's 02 Allroad, it's a nice clean car.
One of my first tasks was to "install" our 9
month old daughter's car seat. Our belief has
been that the middle position of the back seat
is logicly the safest due to the distance from
the doors in case of accident.
Unfortunately the latch locations are only on
each side of the seat and not in the middle.
This leaves the option of using the middle seat
belt to secure the car seat. Unfortunately the
seat belt design doesn't in my opinion allow it
to tighten enough to secure the child seat.
After searching the forums all I learned was
that others were having the same problem, or had
decided to use the latch points on either side
of the car.
With our desire to use the middle position I
continued my search for a better solution.
My solution was to purchase a "Mighty Tite"
seat belt tensioner from Babies R Us, cost was
$16.99. Using this I was able to tighten the
belt so that I am satisfied the seat is safely
secured. (mighty pic included)
Thought I would provide this information for
others who may have the same problem.
One of my first tasks was to "install" our 9
month old daughter's car seat. Our belief has
been that the middle position of the back seat
is logicly the safest due to the distance from
the doors in case of accident.
Unfortunately the latch locations are only on
each side of the seat and not in the middle.
This leaves the option of using the middle seat
belt to secure the car seat. Unfortunately the
seat belt design doesn't in my opinion allow it
to tighten enough to secure the child seat.
After searching the forums all I learned was
that others were having the same problem, or had
decided to use the latch points on either side
of the car.
With our desire to use the middle position I
continued my search for a better solution.
My solution was to purchase a "Mighty Tite"
seat belt tensioner from Babies R Us, cost was
$16.99. Using this I was able to tighten the
belt so that I am satisfied the seat is safely
secured. (mighty pic included)
Thought I would provide this information for
others who may have the same problem.
02-01-2007, 04:52 AM
#2
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Good idea, but you should still try attaching latch ponts too.
Lap belt is most important, of course.
But keeping the top of the seat from pitching forward and down in a crash is also important. so try to hit one or both latch fasteners on the backs of the seats as an extra measure of safety.
But keeping the top of the seat from pitching forward and down in a crash is also important. so try to hit one or both latch fasteners on the backs of the seats as an extra measure of safety.
02-01-2007, 06:10 AM
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Front or rear-facing? DO NOT install rear-facing in the middle b/c of center arm rest!
I had this setup for a long while before child #2 , and never thought about the possibility that, in a rear-end crash, the arm rest in the seat could flop down and crush the occupant of the infant seat. If you're front facing it's not a problem, but worth consideration if you're still rear-facing.
02-01-2007, 07:12 AM
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IMO latch is not the way to go. I would use the seatbelts over latch anyday of the
week. We installed ours on the pass rear side in both the Volvo and my A4 and I have no worries. True the center is the safest place but it's also the most difficult to get the child into due to distance from the rear doors etc.
02-01-2007, 07:55 AM
#5
AudiWorld Senior Member
Just put all your weight on the seat and pull on the belt......................
I can get the seats on pretty tight using this method. You might also consider a seat pad underneath so it doesn't dent your leather.
02-01-2007, 10:14 AM
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Re: Latch system...
<center><img src="http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0001EM8I2.16._SCLZZZZZZZ_SS260_.jpg"></center><p>I glad everyone is sharing all of this info!!! I saw a video yesterday on the difference between a good seat attached with LATCH and with out. At 40 MPH the non LATCH seat was allowed to pivot. I'm fairly sure that is because the installer did use the seat belt lock.
FYI: To lock your seat belt in place for a child seat pull it ALL the way out. When you let it take slack back into the roller you can hear it ratchet down and lock into place.
The dealers will install LATCH for free. Just say Audi customer service sent you in. They will also install the third anchor point on the back of the seat (Avant & older A4, A6 & A8) for free.
Make sure you buy one of these too to prevent any baby surprises from penetrating your leather and preventing permanent dents from hard points on the seat.
Michael
'01 AR 5SP AT w/ 3rd row seat
'02 AR 6SP M<ul><li><a href="http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-2/qid=1170357090/ref=sr_1_2/601-7464744-3456932?ie=UTF8&asin=B0001EM8I2">http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-2/qid=1170357090/ref=sr_1_2/601-7464744-3456932?ie=UTF8&asin=B0001EM
FYI: To lock your seat belt in place for a child seat pull it ALL the way out. When you let it take slack back into the roller you can hear it ratchet down and lock into place.
The dealers will install LATCH for free. Just say Audi customer service sent you in. They will also install the third anchor point on the back of the seat (Avant & older A4, A6 & A8) for free.
Make sure you buy one of these too to prevent any baby surprises from penetrating your leather and preventing permanent dents from hard points on the seat.
Michael
'01 AR 5SP AT w/ 3rd row seat
'02 AR 6SP M<ul><li><a href="http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-2/qid=1170357090/ref=sr_1_2/601-7464744-3456932?ie=UTF8&asin=B0001EM8I2">http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-2/qid=1170357090/ref=sr_1_2/601-7464744-3456932?ie=UTF8&asin=B0001EM
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02-01-2007, 11:39 AM
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Re: We use the 'mighty-tite' in my wife's Passat. It makes the seat snuuuuug. Awesome!
I just bought my AR 3 weeks ago and noticed after a week that mine dont even come with the latch for the child seat. It has the anchor on the back of the rear seat but noting in between the slot for the 3 point latch.
Went to the dealer cause i thought maybe I just cant find them and they tell me that was an OPTION! cant belive AUDI would make child safety an option. The part is around $70 each (i need 2 for my 2 kids) and the installation is $110 per hour. AHHH grand total of cha ching around $440.
WHAT A RIP OFF! I GUESS AUDI DOESNT CARE ABOUT CHILD SEAT SAFETY.
Went to the dealer cause i thought maybe I just cant find them and they tell me that was an OPTION! cant belive AUDI would make child safety an option. The part is around $70 each (i need 2 for my 2 kids) and the installation is $110 per hour. AHHH grand total of cha ching around $440.
WHAT A RIP OFF! I GUESS AUDI DOESNT CARE ABOUT CHILD SEAT SAFETY.