re: Car Seats

is anyone still in this thread ?
if you have your car seat in the middle of the back seat but the middle lap belt does not lock , should you use the lock clip?
i read somewhere or someone told me on here cant remember that w/ the lap belt the lock clip doesn't work

i cant get my lap belt back there to lock i guess it's broke or something i really dont know. the side belts do not lock either so if i move the seat i'd have to use the clip on those but i though the middle was safer.

i've always had him in the middle but keep reading more about the lap belt and am confused

Quoting Teagan's Mommy*OKGFB*:" is anyone still in this thread ? if you have your car seat in the middle of the back seat but the middle ... [snip!] ... but i though the middle was safer. i've always had him in the middle but keep reading more about the lap belt and am confused"

can you post a pic of your latching part of the seatbelt please? what vehicle is it, make, model, year?

Quoting LindzyF:" can you post a pic of your latching part of the seatbelt please? what vehicle is it, make, model, year?"

it does not have the latch thing. i cant do a pic right now computer is smurfed up and wont let me go to pb and other sites.
it's a boneville Pontiac and my SO says he believes it's a 92.
it's pretty old so maybe the belts are just worn out??

Quoting Teagan's Mommy*OKGFB*:" is anyone still in this thread ? if you have your car seat in the middle of the back seat but the middle ... [snip!] ... but i though the middle was safer. i've always had him in the middle but keep reading more about the lap belt and am confused"

If it's just a lap belt, no shoulder belt it should lock on it's own and no clip is required.


Here is some more information about locking clips and locking seatbelts:
http://www.carseatsite.com/lockingclips.htm

This part might help you:
"Locking latchplate: this type of latchplate is typically bulkier than a lightweight locking latchplate and is often used on lap-only belts; a metal bar holds the seat belt in position. To see if your locking latchplate holds tight, buckle the seat belt and pull on the lap portion. It should not move."


In a '92, the shoulderbelts won't lock so you will definitely have to use a locking clip if you have to install a seat outboard. They didn't start making it mandatory for the belts to lock until around 1996.

Quoting Andie.:" If it's just a lap belt, no shoulder belt it should lock on it's own and no clip is required. Here ... [snip!] ... clip if you have to install a seat outboard. They didn't start making it mandatory for the belts to lock until around 1996."

ok thanks!

Sorry, forgot to mention this.   If it doesn't lock on it's own and truly broken, you can't use a locking clip with just the lapbelt, it would be safer to install on the side with the locking clip.

Quoting Andie.:" Sorry, forgot to mention this.   If it doesn't lock on it's own and truly broken, you can't use ... [snip!] ... broken, you can't use a locking clip with just the lapbelt, it would be safer to install on the side with the locking clip. "

i found this

If the lap-only belt does have an emergency retractor (found in few, older model vehicles), then a special belt-shortening clip is used to avoid any slack at all in the belt during a crash. Please consult a certified child passenger safety technician who will show you where to purchase this clip and will show you how to safely install this on a seat belt. This type of clip is not for the inexperienced.

i will see if i can find one of these things. til then i'm going to put him on the side i guess  
parent fail for 17 months  
i feel like dog smurf now.

Quoting Teagan's Mommy*OKGFB*:" i found this If the lap-only belt does have an emergency retractor (found in few, older model vehicles), ... [snip!] ... of these things. til then i'm going to put him on the side i guess   parent fail for 17 months   i feel like dog smurf now."

actually not 17 months b/c i used my old car most of that time.
maybe 3 months now parent fail  

Quoting Teagan's Mommy*OKGFB*:" i found this If the lap-only belt does have an emergency retractor (found in few, older model vehicles), ... [snip!] ... of these things. til then i'm going to put him on the side i guess   parent fail for 17 months   i feel like dog smurf now."

Is there a tail on it to tighten it in the middle or is it just a belt that has a buckle and it automatically retracts ?

If it has the tail, it is a locking latchplate and should secure the seat on it's own if it isn't broken. If not, you'll need a belt shortening clip. That is something you definitely need a tech for. It's pretty hard to use.

Here is a pic of a belt with the locking latchplate:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77/Madeline410/IMAG1141.jpg

Even on the side, a properly used seat is safe. The safest spot in the car is where you can get the best install. If you can't get it correctly in the center, it isn't safe.



Don't be so hard on yourself, you didn't know.

Quoting Andie.:" Is there a tail on it to tighten it in the middle or is it just a belt that has a buckle and it automatically ... [snip!] ... Even on the side, a properly used seat is safe. Don't be so hard on yourself, you didn't know. "

i'll look later but i am pretty sure mine is like that pic.

the belt shortening clip is a HUGE pain the a##!!! if you can't get them to lock on their own I would suggest installing outboard with a locking clip like andie mentioned. Using the bsc you would most likely have to consult with a tech each and every time you needed to install the seat just to make sure it was in right  
Much easier to go outboard.

do not beat yourself up about it, i'm a tech now but i can list at least a dozen car seat failures I've done with my kids before I knew any better.....it happens, and when we know better we do better..you took that step by asking for help  

Quoting LindzyF:" the belt shortening clip is a HUGE pain the a##!!! if you can't get them to lock on their own I would ... [snip!] ... my kids before I knew any better.....it happens, and when we know better we do better..you took that step by asking for help  "

thanks! what is outboard?
when my SO gets home im going to see what the belt looks like.
i think it's like the one in that pic which would mean i do not need to do anything differently correct???

Quoting Teagan's Mommy*OKGFB*:" thanks! what is outboard? when my SO gets home im going to see what the belt looks like. i think it's like the one in that pic which would mean i do not need to do anything differently correct???"

If it's like in the pic, buckle it and pull the lap portion, if it doesn't move than it's locking properly and you can use it.

Outboard is on the side of the back seat.

Quoting Teagan's Mommy*OKGFB*:" thanks! what is outboard? when my SO gets home im going to see what the belt looks like. i think it's like the one in that pic which would mean i do not need to do anything differently correct???"

outboard just means the outer seats, instead of middle  

yeah if it has a locking latchplate it will lock on its own, but you need to make sure that its *level* with the female belt buckle, as in *straight* most times....if one part of the buckle is at an angle and the other is straight it may not lock correctly.

Quoting Andie.:" If it's like in the pic, buckle it and pull the lap portion, if it doesn't move than it's locking properly and you can use it. Outboard is on the side of the back seat."

yea it does not move that for sure i know so it must be ok then.
i knew that belt looked familiar.
i sit on the car seat on my knees to make certain it is as tight as possible.
that is safe to do right?

and it's a safety 1st air and i have the rolled up towel under it like the videos show to do , it helps even more to keep it from moving at all , that is safe as well right?

thanks alot guys i'm feeling better about all this now!