what am i doing wrong installing a radian with a seatbelt?

[EzzysMom]

I just tried to install a radian in my toyota matrix 2005 with the seatbelt because I wanted it in the middle, although that didn't work for a number of reasons. But I also tried it on the side and had the same problem. The shoulder strap of the seatbelt is pulling up on the seat such that when I push the seat down low, the strap is taught because it's pulling on the shoulder strap side, but then I get off and the carseat is super loose because the shoulder belt was just pulled down with the seat, making it need to be longer. No matter what I do I can't get the seat installed tighter with the belt.

Not a big deal because I couldn't make the middle thing work, so it's outboard again with latch, but this really frustrated me.

[an_aurora]

Is this RF or FF?  You might rectify the situation with a locking clip instead of locking the belt.  

[EzzysMom]

This is rear facing.

I thought the locking clips worked on the side where the buckle goes in? at least that's how the picture in my manual showed it?

[an_aurora]

Yes, it does, but it would solve the tipping issue since you would then leave the shoulder belt portion unlocked.  

[leighi123]

When I install it with the seatbelt, I pull the shoulder strap right where it comes from the male end of the buckle, and with my other hand pull the belt into the retractor.  That way the pulling is pulling the lap portion tighter, and the other hand just pulling that slack into the retractor.    

If you have real long buckle stalks twisting them will also help you to do this.  

If you can get it tight, but its tipping you could leave the belt unlocked but use the locking clip as shown in the manual.  Locking clip will help a tipping issue, but not a tightening issue. 

[EzzysMom]

thank you, I think I could manage it now if I had to.