We have leather seats in our car, and my son's carseat is always sliding. I have tried *very* hard to tighten it, and my husband has also. We just cannot get it any tighter! It doesnt move side to side more than maybe 1/2 in? but the back of the carseat will slide toward the back of the seat if just lightly pushed. It does not feel safe to me, I can just imagine the carseat flipping over in an accident against the seat and seriously hurting ds. It is installed correctly, I have read the instructions a million times and checked over everything. Is that alright if the seat slides that way? Oh, my son is rear-facing, 25lbs and 11.5 months, we plan to RF until he outgrows the limits. THe carseat is an Eddie Bauer, can't remember exactly which one, but its is black and grey? I know there are lots of car seat techs on here and I would really like to know what yall think of this :thumbsup: Thanks!
ETA: few new ?s in post 11 :)
Sweet_Fantasy_Fox
03-19-2008, 07:09 PM
we have leather seats too and have a thin blanket across the bottom.
Synchro246
03-19-2008, 07:09 PM
No matter what it should be 1'' or less of movement at the belt path. What you describe does sound unsafe. What vehicle is it exactly? I hope it's not a compatibility issue since that would mean that you would need a new carseat (or car :giggle: ). Maybe there are some tricks we can do-- like twisting the buckle stalk 3 or less times if, perhaps, that is why it's not getting tight enough. Plenty of people with leather can get their CRs tight enough, so there's something else going on.
luvsviola
03-19-2008, 07:24 PM
I would definitely find a tech to check it!
Seatcheck.org
thunderbug548
03-19-2008, 08:28 PM
When you install it, do you pull the seatbelt all the way out, run it thru the belt path on the seat, click the seatbelt into place, kneel in it and then tighten it? Make sure you tighten up the lapbelt part as much as possible first and then let the shoulder belt go while kneeling on it.
Do you have LATCH? You may get a tighter install with it rather than a seatbelt.
I also have slippery leather and the only thing techs usually recommend is rubber shelf liner. It's super cheap and can be found at any grocery store or Target. You can lay that under the seat and it should help with slippage.
JackieLyn
03-19-2008, 08:49 PM
what it sounds like to me is that you can move the top of the carseat toward the back of your seat, which is completely normal, Rf'ing seats are supposed to do that. There should no more than 1" in movement at the beltpath...so when testing how solid the install is move it where the carseat meets the seat...HTH!
momto3Es
03-19-2008, 09:18 PM
Are you talking about the back of the car seat flipping up towards the vehicle's seatback or the bottom of the seat actually sliding on the vehicle's seat?
Most seats are designed to flip up toward the back of the vehicle's seat in the rear-facing position. It's called "cocooning" & can actually protect your child in a crash.
If the problem is actually the base slipping on your leather seat, we recommend using only non-skid, textured shelf/drawer liner underneath the seat (not blankets or towels). It looks like this (http://www.amazon.com/Griptex-Wonderliner-60-Inch-Standard-White/dp/B000H7TSMM), and you can get it at Walmart, Kmart, Target, etc. by the shelf paper.
jackyl08
03-19-2008, 09:27 PM
I just installed one of these car seats on leather seats in an Expedition. It will move at the top of the seat, but with some shelf liner I was able to get it rock solid. I did have to use a tightly rolled towel to keep it from popping upright(no noodles on hand). It moved at the top, but still felt stable. I am willing to bet you will need some shelf liner. I think some seats just need the extra grip.
This is what I do: Take the base off the seat. It is not needed for anything, so not sure why it's there. :headscratch: Lay the shelf liner down(you do not need a lot, just enough so that each side of the seat is on it). Thread the seatbelt through and lock it(either by pulling the seatbelt all the way out, unless you have a Chrysler vehicle, then it locks at the buckle). Do your best to stand behind the car seat. Push it down and into the seat while tightening the lap belt.
I hope this makes sense and good luck!
For The Love Of Cloth
03-19-2008, 09:29 PM
Prince lionheart and another company I can't remember make a rubber mat to go under your carseat that works well, too!
logansmomma07
03-19-2008, 09:53 PM
OK are you talking about the top of the back of the child restraint? The furthest point from the belt path? If yes then that is supposed to happen. I have leather as well.
Take this photo are you moving the seat in the blue? or the pink?
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k52/cmerkle2/Picture073MediumWebview-2.jpg
The part that moves is the blue, but technically both. The blue moves forward, the pink goes down.
We'll go out tomorrow and get some of that shelf liner, I dont know why I didn't think of that :headscratch:
And we do have LATCH, that is what we use :)
Another question, we have the little thing underneath that is supposed to be used when you no longer need to recline the seat. Is that only to be used with FF? I tried putting that up, thinking maybe it will make it more stable, but when I put Logan in it, he was practically leaning forward and his feet were squished at the front, and his feet barely dangle over the edge. I don't get it...we have kept it reclining, but it doesnt stay reclined at the same angle because of the slippage, I am constantly repositioning it, and honestly it is on my last nerve not to mention making me worry. The seat also sometimes looks like it is leaning- like the side on the inside of the car is tighter than the other and makes the seat lean. But the adjustment is only on that side of the seat, so its not like I can even out the tension, kwim?
The fire department and police department checks car seats as well, right?
Sorry for all the questions :blush: Thank you everyone for all your help :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
momto3Es
03-19-2008, 10:55 PM
Another question, we have the little thing underneath that is supposed to be used when you no longer need to recline the seat. Is that only to be used with FF? I tried putting that up, thinking maybe it will make it more stable, but when I put Logan in it, he was practically leaning forward and his feet were squished at the front, and his feet barely dangle over the edge. I don't get it...we have kept it reclining, but it doesnt stay reclined at the same angle because of the slippage, I am constantly repositioning it, and honestly it is on my last nerve not to mention making me worry. The seat also sometimes looks like it is leaning- like the side on the inside of the car is tighter than the other and makes the seat lean. But the adjustment is only on that side of the seat, so its not like I can even out the tension, kwim?
The fire department and police department checks car seats as well, right?
Sorry for all the questions :blush: Thank you everyone for all your help :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
The recline "foot" thing should be folded up under the seat when you are using it RF. You unfold it (like a kickstand) for the FF position). The shelf paper should help your slippage. You can also try adding a section of pool noodle (or a tightly rolled towel) under the seat to help with the recline angle if needed.
The leaning problem is probably caused by a locking shoulder belt. We have that problem with our Cosco Scenera in DH's truck. When you pull the shoulder belt all the way out & let it go back in slowly, it lock to install seats. Well, if it gets too tight, it starts to pull up on one side of the car seat. A slight tilt isn't a big deal, but I saw one today driving down the road that made me gasp! To remedy the issue, I use a locking clip instead of locking the seatbelt. Here's a link to a great tutorial on how to correctly use a locking clip: http://www.carseatsite.com/lockingclips.htm
Here's a link to locate a seat checking location near you:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cps/cpsfitting/index.cfm
or
http://www.seatcheck.org/
HTH!
EricaLynn
03-20-2008, 01:38 AM
We have leather too, what seat is your lo in? When our seat was in the middle of the back (the safest of course) we could never get a good fit. Her seat was constantly sliding side to side etc. We get a MUCH better fit on one of the sides. I know its not the safest position, but its a better fit, therefor the better option:goodvibes:
mama2logan&evan
03-20-2008, 08:55 AM
those are after market products that we would not recommend.
We have a Safety 1st rubber mat under each of our seats. The tech that installed them told us they were fine. I was under the impression that after market products that are bad are the ones that go between the child and the seat. Do you not recommend the shelf liner either then?
jackyl08
03-20-2008, 09:10 AM
The recline foot must be down, as another poster mentioned. I think the problem is that you need a towel or some pieces of pool noodle under the front to stabilize the seat. If you don't have these, the seat will want to pop upright to fill in the space under the front of the seat. Does that make sense?
Also, about the mats. They are not recommended because some of them are horribly thick. They can and will interfere with a good installation. I have personally experienced this with a Graco Snugride. The ONLY ones I recommend are the super thin ones from BRU. The Eddie Bauer, Prince Lionheart, etc are awful for car seat installation. They are very rigid and tray like.
Try the shelf liner and a tightly rolled towel and I will bet it will go in a lot better. Oh, and DO NOT depend on the fire department or police to have a certified tech. Some do and some just have random people that will check your seat. When you call, ask for someone that is a Safekids certified car seat technician. Anyone else is not a tech.
brooklynn
03-20-2008, 09:16 AM
Actually, not even shelf liner is okay anymore. It used to be okay as a last resort and used "sparingly", according to Safe Kids. ONLY a thin towel is ever recommended. Period. Only exception is for belt-positioning boosters, as needed. But BPB don't make the marks that most parents worry about, so it's kind of non-issue there. Anything else that comes between the child/seat and/or the carseat/vehicle seat is not recommended. We want the seat to "be one" with the car. If liner is being used to aid/improve installation, there is a problem with installation. It should be used as a seat protector only. If a parent insists on it, installation needs to be done before the liner is added to make sure there is a good/same install before and after the liner.
And shelf liner doesn't protect the seat from crumbs and spills at all, anyway. The towel, at least, will absorb dribbles and the like.
Oh, I wasn't directing my post at you, I'm sorry! That's why I didn't quote you. It was meant to be a general info thing.
I agree with you, actually, and wouldn't hesitate to use it if it as needed. But it's not something I (or you, from the sound of it) promote. :)
I just wanted to clarify SK's stance for shelf liner. Best practice vs. tough choices = some good discussions. They're actually editing education materials for new techs to reflect this.
jackyl08
03-20-2008, 10:59 AM
I don't recommend it either, most of the time. I have been able to get MOST seats in without anything. But the Expedition I did this weekend needed it bad. I used a tiny piece and it did the trick. I am honestly completely baffled on why SK would recommend a thin towel and no shelf liner. :headscratch: My thinnest towel is thicker than shelf liner and would do nothing to stop the sliding.
logansmomma07
03-20-2008, 11:11 AM
The seat is in there really tight, it barely moves from side to side, so I am pretty sure we have it in there good. Its just the sliding, and I have tried towels before, and if anything that makes it worse! So we'll get some shelf liner and try that :)
And I just want to thank everyone for all their responses :) Its amazing how much I have learned just being on here, not just about diapers, but about everything!! I dont know what I would do without DS :giggle: Thank you mamas :hugs:
momto3Es
03-20-2008, 03:18 PM
Shelf-liner can still be used, BUT you just have to make sure you are doing it correctly, as it can give the illusion that a seat is installed properly even when it isn't.
ammcmaho
03-20-2008, 04:48 PM
I was a carseat technician. Use the grippy liner for cabinets - you'll be fine then!
soygurl
03-20-2008, 06:41 PM
The seat is in there really tight, it barely moves from side to side, so I am pretty sure we have it in there good. Its just the sliding, and I have tried towels before, and if anything that makes it worse! So we'll get some shelf liner and try that :)
You say the seat "barely moves from side to side" which is OK if it moves less than one inch (from side to side at the belt path, i.e. the pink part of picture CMommyof2 posted). So if that's the case, you probably don't need shelf liner.
But what exactly do you mean by "the sliding"? What part of the car seat, exactly, is sliding? That's the only part that's concerning me... :headscratch:
And FYI, be aware, in extremely hot climates (I see your in TX?) that sticky shelf liner can actually MELT into your leather seats causing permanent damage!
If I were you, I would skip the shelf liner, and just make an appointment to get the seat inspected by a certified car seat tech.
Synchro246
03-20-2008, 09:58 PM
In my sisters truck she has had several types of seats and they all need shelf liner it is the only thing that will allow a good install. Trust me i have tried and tried without it.
The only problem is that self liner may make it where you don't get movement at the belt path anymore, but in a crash the forces are much greater and the self liner doesn't *actually* make the install better. The forces will still overcome the friction the liner created :2cents:
Shelf-liner can still be used, BUT you just have to make sure you are doing it correctly, as it can give the illusion that a seat is installed properly even when it isn't.
Exactly what I was trying to say, only better :giggle:
Infinity
03-21-2008, 12:06 AM
The shelf grippy stuff ROCKS for keeping car seats from slipping on leather!!! We have it under ours and it’s the only thing that solved this problem for us.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v308/My4As/100_2386.jpg
BTW. I was told you want your seat to move a tinny bit. If it’s in rack solid the seat belt is unable to function properly and may break loose or unlatch in a wreck.
I also must STRONLY warn AGAINST ever using a Mighty Tighty!!!
They can and do damage seats and can void seat belt warranties! Here’s my personal proof.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v308/My4As/100_2361.jpg
