Complete Air 65- RF until 40 inches?????

[Chloe'sMama]

So, I got it installed yesterday and CHP pointed out that it only RF till 40 inches.  DD is 2.5 and almost 38 inches, but far from the top of the shell, what gives?  What about the little wings?  Can that extend past the shell?  How can I get this seat to last RF?  I want to make it till next Dec (at least), if we can.....

Thanks!

[Super~Single~Mama]

I think its really the height of the shell, and where the kids head falls on it (so their torso length is whats determinable?).  There are MUCH more knowledgeable women on this forum though - so please correct me if I'm wrong!!

So, maybe you're ds is all legs?  I would think if his head isn't to the top of the shell, then he's fine?

[nktigger99]

Yes the CA is only to be used RF till 40"....It makes NO sense BUT the company will not budge.  MANY people have called and the company says 40" no if ands or buts.  Check out car-seat.org 

BUT it is also a judgement call as the parent....you do what makes you feel more comfortable.

[Chloe'sMama]

Arghhhhh.  I thought it was the seat that RF the longest for tall kids?????  I am having the hardest time with this stuff.  

I can't seem to get it straight.  

[an_aurora]

Yes, Dorel says that, but many parents make the decision to use the seat beyond the manufacturer's stated height limits. It's like in Canada, where many seats have a stated 32" RF maximum height limit.  We know that the child's overall height isn't what's important in terms of fit in the car seat; it's the torso height, and how much shell there is above the child's head.  

There are many threads discussing this on car-seat dot org if you want to read more.  

[DahliaRW]

Pretty much every seat has a rfing height limit.  And pretty much any car seat tech will tell you that in general you use the 1" rule.  The infant seats often have height limits of 30 or 31 inches, for example.