Saturn VUE middle seat

[leslie]

I've been reading several posts tonight about locking clips and retractors and such, and I am not sure (even though I did have my carseat inspected multiple times) that it was ever installed correctly. We have a 2003 Saturn Vue, and a Britax Marathon installed in the center until today. Was I supposed to have an extra piece? When we pull out the seatbelt all the way it does NOT click as it goes back in, but we were using the locking clip on the Marathon. It was tethered, and did not move more than 1". Does anyone know?

I am expecting my second child, so we had to move the Marathon to behind the driver, and put the Primo Viaggio behind the passenger, but it was my hope to put a RF Marathon back in the center in a few months when the baby outgrows the Viaggio. Obviously, if it is not safe, I don't want to do it. I am so nervous now that I have been putting my oldest son at risk.

Thank you,
Leslie

	Britax - Click for more info Britax International has been producing reliable child safety products for over 30 years. Not only does Britax have decades of experience creating car seats and other children's safety equipment, Britax has a long standing reputation as an industry leader and innovator. Britax International is headquartered in the United Kingdom, but Britax car seats are designed and manufactured at facilities in Germany, Austria, and the United States. In the summer of 2002, Britax strengthened their commitment to creating the safest car seats with the opening of a brand new, state-of-the-art crash testing facility in North Carolina. Britax car seats have a reputation around the world for being some of the safest, most reliable, and best designed child safety seats ever made.

	Rear Facing Car Seats A rear-facing seat is one in which the infant faces the back of the car. Always install a rear-facing seat in the back seat of your car. This is the safest position for an infant. NEVER place a rear-facing seat in the front seat of a vehicle with passenger airbags.

	Britax Marathon - Click for more info Increasing the time a child can safely stay in their convertible car seat is a big issue and Britax engineers have come through in a big way with the introduction of the Britax Marathon with LATCH. A LATCH Compatible Convertible Child Seat, the Britax Marathon can be used rear facing 5 to 33 pounds and forward facing from 20 to 65 pounds. Compare the numbers and you will see it is hard to find a seat with these weight limits that is safe and functional.

[Papooses]

I haven't actually done any installations in Saturn vehicles, but if it doesn't lock at the shoulder retractor then it should have a lightweight locking buckle plate. This wouldn't require the Britax built-in lock-offs. We generally try to keep things as simple as possible. At a seatcheck I would help you learn to use either the locking buckle plate or the lock-offs on the seat. I would let you choose which you find easiest to use correctly. Either way is fine Britax may also allow you to use both, but it would be illadvized to use the lock-offs + a locking clip (because the locking clip is a pre-crash positioner only, which may become become bent enough during a crash to come loose, but which is absolutely necessary on seatbelts without any other manual locking mechanism!) or lock-offs + engage a locking retractor (because this could put stress on the seat where it's not intended with 2 locking systems being used at opposite locations; we just don't know). If you're concerned, give Britax customer service a call for a more definitive answer Without seeing the seat in person, so long as you're following both manuals & it moves less than 1" at the belt path, I think it sounds fine.

	Britax - Click for more info Britax International has been producing reliable child safety products for over 30 years. Not only does Britax have decades of experience creating car seats and other children's safety equipment, Britax has a long standing reputation as an industry leader and innovator. Britax International is headquartered in the United Kingdom, but Britax car seats are designed and manufactured at facilities in Germany, Austria, and the United States. In the summer of 2002, Britax strengthened their commitment to creating the safest car seats with the opening of a brand new, state-of-the-art crash testing facility in North Carolina. Britax car seats have a reputation around the world for being some of the safest, most reliable, and best designed child safety seats ever made.

[leslie]

Thank you for your response. We have been using the lockoffs on the carseat, so maybe I am just worrying too much. That is common of nearly 39 week pregnant women, right? We are going back in for another inspection later this week. I really appreciate your quick response. I am sure I'll sleep better tonight.

Leslie

[Papooses]

Aw, I hope so! Rest up for L&D