Install CA RF in '00 Honda Odyssey?

[colsxjack]

We have a new car seat (just bought today) and are visiting the in-laws for two weeks. We will be installing the car seat in their vehicle for the first time.

Any advice as to how, where to install the complete air RF in a 2000 Honda Oddyssey?

In case this info is needed:

Need to fit as many people as possible in car.

OK to make it so that we all only enter and exit through one side of the rear doors.

DD is 17 months and 26lbs

Will be rear facing.

Need to install it for first time at airport after long flight.

Can install with latch, will be staying in the same vehicle for the whole 2 week trip.

Middle row of vehicle has captain chairs. Can a seat be RF in these seats?

A question about RF car seat. Does the recline have to be 45degrees when the rf baby is not an infant? Can my 17month old DD sit more upright? The manual and everything always says to have line level with ground for RF. Is that just for infants or for all RF?

Also. Do you gate check your car seat when flying? We cannot bring it on the plane because our DD doesn't technically have a seat. But I do not feel comfortable having it checked with the luggage either.

[an_aurora]

A 2000 model year vehicle most likely won't have LATCH, so I'd do a seatbelt install.  If you need to fit as many people as possible, I would put it in the 3rd row, in the middle since that's a lap belt only there, and it's not safe for anyone else to use it.  You can flip one of the captain's chairs forward to load everyone in.  

Yes it can be more upright for an older baby or toddler.  

[moongazer]

We have a '00 Odyssey and 5 kids, so we use every seat.  We find it easiest to have our RF carseat in the driver's side, middle-row seat.  Then the kids use the passenger side door. 

FWIW, the back middle seat does have a shoulder strap in addition to the lapbelt and also a headrest, so we are comfortable using it for one of the older kids.  The shoulder strap isn't height adjustable and wouldn't be a good fit for a younger child.  And you are right, it doesn't have LATCH.

HTH

Hope you have a fun trip :)

[an_aurora]

Oh ok, great news about the shoulder belt!  In that case it would be more convenient having the seat in the 2nd row.  

[colsxjack]

Yes. I was thinking the middle seat behind the driver and just having people get in and out the passenger side rear door. I just wanted to make sure that it was OK to RF a car seat in that seat.

Also. Have you had any/heard of any problems installing a CA in this vehicle? Any tips for a good install?

I have never installed one before. Is it pretty straight forward?

[an_aurora]

It's a pretty straightforward install.  The CA tends to install pretty upright, so you might want to either bring a towel or have your inlaws bring one in the car to pick you up, so you can roll it and put it under the seat to recline it a little more.  

[colsxjack]

Thank you all for the help. I do feel much more confident now.

We shall see how it goes in a 2007 Honda Civic (the car we usually borrow when we have a car) and in the in-laws Oddyssey.

[colsxjack]

We l;ove the car seat. Very light to carry. VERY easy to install securely. And very easy to tighten the straps on her.

Thank you all for the advice. It was money well spent. We are much happier than we were with the Radian.

[Climbergirl]

How did it install in the Honda Civic? I am considering this for my 3 year old.  It would have to go behind the driver since the infant seat sticks out so much that my husband can't drive if the infant seat is behind him.  I am probably going to have it FF, but definitely curious.

Thanks!

[colsxjack]

It installed very easily in the Honda Civic. We had it RF, but quite upright. There was not any problem having it RF behind the passenger seat and it still be comfortable with the passenger there. I would not see a problem having it FF. It was super easy and fast to get a good install. And super easy to tighten the straps once our DD was in it.