How to attach a car seat in an older model car?

Question

I recently wrecked my car, luckily my son wasn't with me, but until I get the insurance and everything settled I'm going to be using my step-fathers 96 volvo. I tried to attach my car seat into it earlier today but I was unable to do so. It's a Graco car seat, a convertible one that is strapped into the car at all times. The volvo doesn't have anchors between the crease of the seats and the only tethering point it has is on the back window area which doesn't help because i still need it as a rear facing seat. If anyone had kids in car seats in the last 10 years and knows how to help please let me know! Thanks a ton!

I have replaced the car seat, the one I had was ruined in my wreck. I can't seem to get the car seat to be stationary, even when i'm using the shoulder belt in the car the car seat is easily able to tilt back and forth. It just doesn't seem safe.

Answer 1

In pre '97 cars, you'll need to use a locking clip - metal "H" shaped clip to keep the seatbelt from loosening. Having the manual would definitely help install the clip. Here's some tips for installing (assuming its being installed with a lap/shoulder belt, instructions for a lap belt only would be slightly different):
1)Put the seat in rear facing
2)Thread seatbelt, making sure its going through the rear facing belt path (should be pics on the seat saying put here for rear facing or use the manual) and buckle the belt
3)Put your weight in the seat, either by pressing down firmly with your hand, or using your knee, and pull up on the shoulder portion of the belt to tighten the belt as much as possible
4)Grasp the belt next to the buckle, holding the belts behind the buckle tongue so they won't move through the buckle tongue - place the "H" clip no more than 1 inch away from the buckle tongue
5)Rebuckle the seatbelt, it will be a little harder to buckle now, but push down pretty hard and you will get it. The H clip will keep the seatbelt tight and the seat from moving.

Make sure you're not using a car seat mat underneath the seat, it affects how the seat fits as well as how it will work in a crash. If you need more recline, or the child seat doesn't meet the vehicle seat back you can use pool noodles or a rolled up lightweight towel. Newborns need to be 45 degrees reclined, older babies who can hold their head up and sit up by themselves need less, between 30-45 degrees reclined. If you find yourself purchasing a pre'97 vehicle, a car seat with built-in lockoffs is a must have investment (Britax Marathon/Boulevard/Decathalon, Recaro Como/Signo) as it makes it to where you don't have to use a locking clip.

Good to hear your little one is still rear facing! A forward-facing child under 2 years old is 4 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured in a crash than a rear-facing child of the same age. A child's vertabrae do not fully fuse until 3-6 years old, before then, she is at great risk for internal decapitation. The spinal column can stretch up to 2 inches in a crash BUT the spinal cord can only stretch up to 1/4 inch before it snaps and baby is gone. American Academy of Pediatrics and other safety experts say to keep kids rear facing as long as possible, to the rear facing limits of a current convertible car seat, the Graco should go to 30lbs rear facing. The preference is to keep babies rear facing for their first 2 years!

Answer 2

Check the owners manual for the car. There's usually a section for installing a car seat in there. You'll be using the seat belt because there's no anchors. If you're using a retractable seat belt then you extend the seat belt all the way to put it into locking mode (you'll hear little clicks as it retracts and won't be able to pull it out any further until the entire belt is retracted again). If you're using just a lap belt you'll need a seat belt locking clip (there's probably one attached somewhere on your car seat).

Was the car seat in the car when you had your wreck? If so there may be damage to the car seat which would weaken its integrity (you won't be able to tell just by looking at it) and you may need to replace the car seat.

To get it as tight as possible you may need two people--one to kneel on the seat and the other to tighten the belt, remember to fully extend the belt so it locks into place. If you can't get a tight enough fit, try another position in the car. Center of the back is safest if you can get the seat to fit correctly, but if the only place you can install it correctly is one of the rear seats by a door then install it there instead.

Answer 3

I know my graco seat still used a teather strap. We had one that went through the back for the seat and one that came from the top into the trunk. Can your seat buckle into the seat belts? we had the tether that went around the back fo the seat hat had a buckle which latched directly into the seatbelt clips.

Take your car and seat up to a dealership and ask for their help. Most dealerships in my area have carseat workshops once a week or as need basis. They don't mind you dropping in to make sure yourseat is latched in proper and if needed they will install teather hooks into your trunk and floor for you. Another place that may have this is your hospital? Our childrens hospital does it once a week aswell to make sure the seat is in proper, community centers at local Sobeys also done it and second hand baby stores that sold car seats also had qualified people on hand to make sure you could latch it in proper.

Answer 4

Use he seatbelt and you might need a metal clip that comes with the car seat... there are probibly instructions on the side of the seat. See if you can get the shoulder belt into locking mode by pulling it all the way out... take it to your fire department or other seat inspector.

Answer 5

Sounds like you have a wagon. Should be center lap belt in the back seat. Tip up lower cushion and see if the belts are hidden there. Hope this helps

Answer 6

check the manual with the car and carseat. You can use lap belts or shoulder belts to buckle it in if a car doesnt have an anchor and they keep it sturdy as well.

Answer 7

Was your carseat in the car when it was wrecked? If so you might need a new carseat. Check that with the fire department also.