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Installing Car Seats & Correct use |
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Installing Child Restraints
Please note: This section is to assist car seat installation and should not be used to replace information and physical checks that are carried out by technicians and other trained professionals. Always have your car seat installation checked by a trained professional. Click here to contact a safe2go member in your area. Where possible try the seat for fit before you purchase or ask about the stores exchange policy.
- Read instruction manual
- Seat belt type
- Locking clips
- Built in lock offs
- Isofix/Latch
- Top tether
- No tether
- Troubleshoot
- Common questions
For a car seat to perform correctly in an accident it needs to be installed and used correctly all the time.
Instruction Manual
The first thing you should do before using your child's car seat is to read the instruction manual and become familiar with your child's seat and how it is to be installed into your car. You should practice installing the seat into each car that the seat may be used in and know how to swap it between cars so you can use it correctly even when it is not being used in your own car.
Always read the instruction manual came with your car seat, if you are unsure of any aspect of using or installing your child's car seat you can either, contact the importer/reseller, or request a seat check by a Safe2Go technician, or a Plunket car seat rental staff member.
Vehicle Design
Just like car seats, cars are also made differently between manufacturers and years. It is good to know what seat belt types are fitted to your car and whether or not the seat belts are long enough for your car seat to fit securely.
If you are using more than one seat in the car it is a good idea to check that all the seats will fit. The front seat should not be used unless all seating positions in the rear seat are used and only then should the oldest child travel in the front seat with the vehicle seat pushed back as far as it can go. A rear facing child seat should never be placed in the front seat especially one fitted with an airbag.
Some vehicles have humps on the centre seat, centre footwell and may have a pull down arm rest, in most cases car seats cannot be installed in this position. Check your restraint manual and if it does not say not to then try the seat for fit as not all bases will sit well on the hump or againt the arm rest.
Seat Belts
All cars registered since 1955 will have at least 2 functional seat belts installed in the rear seat. Older seat belts may be static belts, this is the sort that needs to be manually adjusted by pulling one end they do not retract back.
Most seat belts retract automatically and feature a lock sytem that activates when the seat belt is pulled on hard or in a sudden stop.
Newer seat belts function the same as the one above, but when fully extended from the retractor lock preventing any more of the belt from being pulled out. This means that once a small amount is fed back to the retractor it cannot be drawn out again. To reset the belt most of the belt needs to be fed back in to the retractor allowing the belt to draw freely again.
For more information on seat belt types click here.
Locking Clips
If your car has seat belts that only lock when pulled on hard or in a sudden stop you need to install your child's car seat with a Locking Clip. The locking clip prevents the seat belt from moving and allowing the belt to slacken over time. Not all seats some with a locking clip, and some seats have ones built in to the seat or base for capsules. If your seat does not come with these, you will need to purchase one seperately and know how to use it.
Locking clips need to be used in cars fitted with ELR seat belts, for more information on seat belt types and how to fit a locking clip, click here.
Isofix/LATCH
Car seats are primarily installed with the seat belt and top tether, although newer cars allow you to use Isofix (rigid) or LATCH (straps) and the top tether strap.
Not all car seats sold in New Zealand have a top tether attached (European car seats) these seats are legal to use here, but MUST be installed with a full lap/sash seat belt.
You can find more information on Isofix and LATCH here.
Tether straps
Most car seats sold in New Zealand and Australia (all seats and capsules) have a top tether strap (excluding European car seats) which if fitted must be used.
You can find more information on tether straps and bolts here.
Troubleshooting
Common questions
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Related information
Next: Infant seat install
Jump to: Toddler seat install
Booster seat install
Improving your install
Installation video
Related pages: Top tether strap
Lower tethers