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Isofix & LATCH |
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Car seats are fitted to the vehicle using either, the top tether strap and vehicle belt, or the top tether strap and ISOfix, or LATCH - Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren.
For the purpose of this page the term "Isofix" will be used to explain the lower anchorage system on car seats.
Isofix is not necessarily safer than a seat belt, it does however reduce the high occurrence of incorrectly installed child seats. It is easy to use, quick to install and most times gets a tighter install than using a seat belt since there is no need to know your seat belt type, or use a locking clip.
Steps to installing your car seat using Isofix
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Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren - LATCH
LATCH is the term for the lower anchorage system found on American child restraints. Car seats made in the USA since 2001 have been fitted with LATCH.
These straps are attached to the seat and look like a strap with two hooks on the end. Infant capsules have it attached to the detachable base. These straps are attached to the seat and should not be removed or cut off.
International Standards Organisation - ISOfix
Isofix is the term most often used for the lower tether system on European car seats. It is often attached to the base on metal straps and has small levers or buttons to disengage the hooks. It is not removable and can be hidden away when not in use.
This system is NOT part of the Australian standards, therefore none of the Australian imported car seats will have Isofix, and they cannot be used with retro-fitted Isofix straps.
Cars made since 2001 are likely to have Isofix points. These are small metal bars wedged between the vehicle seat back and base. Some are visible, while others require that you "fish around" with your finger to find where the hook is.
Some cars only allow use of Isofix in outboard positions, while others allow use in the centre as well. Please check you vehicle manual as this is not determined by the child restraint manufacturer.
ISOfix can be used until your child reaches 18kgs (40lb). Then you will need to switch over to the vehicle seat belt to restrain the car seat. Testing has not been performed to see how these seats would perform with children over 18kgs, so for now this is the top limit.
You cannot use both ISOfix and the seat belt. No car seat is tested this way and it could harm your child.
Do NOT attach an ISOfix car seat to the seat belt buckle joiners, also located in the seat blight.
Steps to installing your car seat using Isofix
1. If your seat has LATCH straps, place the straps through the correctly belt path (rear facing or forward facing). Check that the straps are flat and that they are not caught on any part of the car seat. Loosen the strap so they are long enough to install.
2. Place your car seat where you want (where the car manufacturer allows) the child restraint to be used with Isofix.
3. Connect the clips to the Isofix connector, repeat for opposite side.
4. Tighten the strap pulling on the end with the adjuster, or each end where the straps are not interconnected.
5. Push your weight into the car seat using a knee and continue pulling the straps to tighten the seat.
6. Move the car seat from side to side, if there is more than 2.5cm (1 inch) movement in either direction repeat step 5. If the seat is still loose after re-tightening try the seat in another location or switch to using the seat belt. Check what seat belt type you have first, as you may need to use a locking clip to get an acceptable install with the seat belt.