How old is too old for an infant carseat?

[MamaScout]

I am due with baby #2 in January. I was planning on using DS' infant carseat with this new baby, but I'm hearing about carseats "expiring." The carseat will be approximately 4 and a half years old when #2 is born. It was used with two infants previously. Never in any accident of any kind.

Any advice or know where I can go for the right info? THANKS!

[Cuau]

Car seats have the expiration date printed on the bottom side. Check the expiration date, but for what you were saying (4 years) it sounds like it already expired.

[Erin+babyAndrew]

what brand is it? most infant seats are good for 5 years from dom..

[alegna]

Most seats are good for 6 years. But it depends. Find the expiration date on that seat to be sure.

-Angela

[Erin+babyAndrew]

scroll down a bit to see brand specific expiry times http://www.childrestraintsafety.com/...xpiration.html

[Daisie125]

If it's a 5 point harness with no recalls and is less than the exp date, I'd go ahead and use it. If it's not a 5 point, I'd replace it even if it's not expired.

[MamaScout]

Wow! Thank you all so much! I will have DH dig the seat out of the garage and check it. It is a Graco. According to the website, it's good for 6 years.

[ThreeBeans]

Most carseats expire at 6 years, not five or four.

If it is only a 3 point carseat, however, you should replace it.

[bobandjess99]

Yep, what 3beans said.
Most seats expire in 6 years. The primo viaggio infant seat does expire in 5, and *some* of the dorel seats claim an 8 yr expiration, although not any of the infant seats, I do not believe. I do not know of ANY seat that expires in less than 5 years. You should be able to find a date of manufacture and an expiration date on your seat. If it IS graco, then ytes, it is a 6 year expiration, so would probably last through this baby. But again, if it is a 3 point seat, ditch it and get a 5 pt one. REALLY.