Installing child car seat

I would recommend using the LATCH system. If your car seat doesn't support LATCH, then I would recommend getting one that does. I have two car seats in the back, both secured with LATCH. It's a thousand times easier than using the seat belts, it's more secure, and you won't damage your seat belts in the process.

Ditto on the latch; been using mine for about a month, it's really secure and looks clean to boot (not that I can rely on keeping ANYTHING back there clean anymore!)

I have used the latch system also but I thought you used the seatbelt as well? no? Is it not cessecary to use a belt with the latch? The latch for those who are wondering are 2 hooks under the seat that hook to the carseat.

I wish they would make lousy child restraint items like that LATCH system an option that people pay for rather than assume everyone will have kids in their cars. I would be nice to have rear deck areas smooth and not cluttered by ugly anchor points, etc. And if the rear seats are like they are in my Maxima, it sucks that you have those little tab covers for anchor points that ruin the look of the seat.

I have an eveflo for my grandson - works real nicely with the latch system. The 300C has the latch points between the rear seat and back and is quite invisible unless you come to look for it. The portabout seat base option allows for the additional base unit(s) to make it easy to use the seat between my daughter's Sable and wife's Suburban.

Billy94Z said:

I have used the latch system also but I thought you used the seatbelt as well? no? Is it not cessecary to use a belt with the latch? The latch for those who are wondering are 2 hooks under the seat that hook to the carseat.

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No, the LATCH system uses separate belts that should have come with your car seat. They include hooks on both ends, each of which locks on to the LATCH hooks in the car. You should not use the regular car seat belts with the latch system.

I would stress that you fully read both the car and carseat user manuals before proceeding!!!

I concur with all of the above regarding use of the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren). Give DC credit for having LATCH in three positions, very few vehicles have this. The DeVille and Navigator do while the equally wide Surburban and Odyssey do not. The Sienna has LATCH in ALL rear seating positions. I would recommend a NEW car seat with built in latch belts attached to the frame not simply looped through, the aftermarket add on belts are OK but don't get quite as tight based on thier angle.When anchored, the seat should not budge. IMHO the British made Britax is the best car seat in the world, period. Also, protect your floor from puke, juice and gummy bears. I use a plastic lined paper drop cloth from Wal-Mart to cover the entire floor if I carry any munchkins in da Hemi.

Just bought a EZ latch kit from the maker of my car seat. Now I have to find my tether strap.

Now what I want as a parent with kids old enough to sit in the front seat is a rear deck without the three LATCH slots. Of course I would save the original for the next owner.

indyCoder said:

Now what I want as a parent with kids old enough to sit in the front seat is a rear deck without the three LATCH slots. Of course I would save the original for the next owner.

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Federal law requires LATCH in newly manufactured cars, they are welded in. To remove them and thier covers and put in new deck material to cover the holes seems a bit much. It's not like we are the only one's with these things. Maybe it's just me, but I don't look at my rear deck any more than I look at the speaker grilles which is never .

kcrnmale said:

Chrysler cars lack seat belts that lock the shoulder belt thus I feel really uncomfortable about my child's car seat. In my Buick, I simply pull the shoulder harness tight (as I'm placing my knee downward into the seat) to the point where the seat doesn't move (I'm talking tight!) because the shoulder belt locks.

The owners manual claims that the belt will stay tight due to a locking mechanism in the latch. I also know the shoulder belt is designed to lock in an accident....but will it lock if your hit from the side?

I can secure the child seat tight in the 300C but I can also loosen it by trying to wiggle the seat. Any advice or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

PS: I traded my minivan in for this car!! I went from George Costanza to Donald Trump!

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There is a T-clip that comes with most child seats. I secures both the seat belts together so they move as one. I have one for my BMW and it works great.