Installing Carseat Question

[TiredX2]

Over vacation my BIL installed his son's carseat into my van and it was, once again, *not* a pleasant experience.

First, he has him forward facing and has for over a year (he'll be three later this month), but we won't dwell on that.

Two things:

1) to be "extra safe" he was using both the latch and the seat belt.  I told him that was 100% not okay and to not do it.  Is this correct?  Any links I can pass on showing this is right and just not another one of my "things"?

2) This will be hard to explain, but the second question was about the tether.  We have a 2005 Honda Odyssey minivan and he was installing the carseat in one of the middle row captain's chairs.  They have latch and then, between, the latch hooks is the tether hook.  I have only ever seen the tether installed (when forward facing) over the back of the seat (remove the headrest) and then latched from behind.  He did it so it ran down the back of the carseat (between the carseat and the seat of the car) and latched there.  So, the location was the same but instead of going behind the seat of the car he went in front of it.  Can you picture what I am saying.  Is this okay?  My initial reaction was "no" because I had never seen that before, but my youngest is 11 I am definately not up on current usage.  Either way, if you have a link that would be helpful.  They have a complete air (not sure which model).

TIA

[DahliaRW]

No, the rear tether is not ok like that.  Easiest way to show him is that NO WHERE in the car seat manual is it installed that way.  The directions in the manual are clearly the way you do it.

[TiredX2]

Originally Posted by DahliaRW 

No, the rear tether is not ok like that.  Easiest way to show him is that NO WHERE in the car seat manual is it installed that way.  The directions in the manual are clearly the way you do it.

It's actually forward facing tethering.  There is no way they have a car seat manual at this point.  No. Way.  I can't find any place that addresses this issue because I think they're probably the only people who have ever tried it!

[chickabiddy]

http://safety1st.djgusa.com/product_instructions/en/4358-5295%20CompleteAir%2065.pdf

[TiredX2]

Originally Posted by chickabiddy 

http://safety1st.djgusa.com/product_instructions/en/4358-5295%20CompleteAir%2065.pdf

Thank you!  Luckily that says specifically, "No dont use latch and seat belt together."  I wish it addressed the other issue--- are they seriously the only people who think that it is okay?

[DahliaRW]

Originally Posted by TiredX2 

It's actually forward facing tethering.  There is no way they have a car seat manual at this point.  No. Way.  I can't find any place that addresses this issue because I think they're probably the only people who have ever tried it!

Yes, I was saying tethered forward facing, the tether is the rear tether for the seat.  Sorry confusing (as opposed to the lower latch anchors).  The CA does not allow tethering when the seat is rfing.

[TiredX2]

Originally Posted by DahliaRW 

Yes, I was saying tethered forward facing, the tether is the rear tether for the seat.  Sorry confusing (as opposed to the lower latch anchors).  The CA does not allow tethering when the seat is rfing.

I don't think I'm describing what is happening well, because the tether is still the rear tether for the seat.

It goes over the top (of the carseat) and then goes along the back (of the carseat).  The tether is then "trapped" between the back of the car seat and the part you would sit on in the seat of a car (like sandwiched between).

[chickabiddy]

I get what you're describing.  It's not okay.  It's not a common mistake, which is probably why it's not addressed in the manuals.  Explain that the tether is designed to stabilize the TOP of the seat, and when it's run between the carseat and the vehicle seat, it pulls downwards instead of backwards (if that makes sense).

[DahliaRW]

Originally Posted by TiredX2 

I don't think I'm describing what is happening well, because the tether is still the rear tether for the seat.

It goes over the top (of the carseat) and then goes along the back (of the carseat).  The tether is then "trapped" between the back of the car seat and the part you would sit on in the seat of a car (like sandwiched between).

Yes.  I'm saying that is never ok.  The tether needs to go over the top of the car seat to the hook in the vehicle.

[TiredX2]

Thanks for confirming my beliefs.

If anyone ever has an "official source" I'd love it because me saying so just doesn't cut it.

[chickabiddy]

Well, the "official sources" are the carseat manual and the vehicle manual, both of which describe routing the tether over the top of the vehicle seat.

I'm a veteran CPST so you can use me as an official source too, if you want.  You can PM me and I'll give you my tech ID number.

[TiredX2]

Originally Posted by chickabiddy 

Well, the "official sources" are the carseat manual and the vehicle manual, both of which describe routing the tether over the top of the vehicle seat.

I'm a veteran CPST so you can use me as an official source too, if you want.  You can PM me and I'll give you my tech ID number.

Thanks.  I'm hoping they'll just take me seriously this time.  Of course, it hasn't happened *yet* but you never know.