Carseat in a car with leather seats

[bettyl0u]

Our CRV has leather seats and we wanted to have a carseat protector down under the carseat so the leather didn't get dented and scratched and to prevent from slippage. When we went to get it checked, the Fire Dept said the only thing that had been crash test rated was shelf paper. They put some in under the carseat, but it doesn't seem to keep the seat from slipping any less and it doesn't provide much protection. Can we put something else under the carseat? Also, that shelf paper looks like it might melt if it gets too hot. Living in MO where the temps get up pretty high and having black leather seats, do you think melting might be a problem?

Thanks,
Beth

[Jewels]

Seat protectors can get in the way of a good solid installation, making you think you got a good install but not really because of the bulk. It is okay to use the grippy shelf liner or a very thin towel to protect your seats.

[southpawboston]

Originally Posted by bettyl0u

Our CRV has leather seats and we wanted to have a carseat protector down under the carseat so the leather didn't get dented and scratched and to prevent from slippage. When we went to get it checked, the Fire Dept said the only thing that had been crash test rated was shelf paper. They put some in under the carseat, but it doesn't seem to keep the seat from slipping any less and it doesn't provide much protection. Can we put something else under the carseat? Also, that shelf paper looks like it might melt if it gets too hot. Living in MO where the temps get up pretty high and having black leather seats, do you think melting might be a problem?

Thanks,
Beth

i've heard of the shelf liner melting as well... i know we had some on a cast iron radiator in our house, and it didn't really "melt" but it stuck and left permanent residue on the painted surface... so i would not use it on hot shiny leather...

as jewels said, the thick protectors are not recommended. i just use a thin towel. if the seat seems like it is moving too much, maybe it should be re-installed another way to see if you can get a tighter install (LATCH versus seatbelt, for example).

	LATCH LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren. It is a system mandated by the Federal government in an effort to standardize and simplify the installation of child restraints without using the vehicle's seat belt system. New vehicles and child safety seats manufactured on and after September 1, 2002 will be equipped with the LATCH system. Cars, minivans, and light trucks will be required to have anchor points between the vehicle's seat cushion and the seat back in at least two rear seating positions, and a top tether anchor (with the exception of convertibles). Child safety seats will have a lower set of attachments that fasten to the vehicle anchors. Most forward-facing child safety seats will also have a top strap (tether) that attaches to the top anchor in the vehicle.

[skaterbabscpst]

Honestly, if you properly condition your leather (most car enthusiast forums will be able to tell you how), your child's seat will NOT damage the leather, even properly installed. The mats really are unneccesary.

[Judi]

You can use a towel, if you want. Does you car have latch? I tend to get a tighter install with leather seats, if I use latch. Yes, the liners have melted before.

	LATCH LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren. It is a system mandated by the Federal government in an effort to standardize and simplify the installation of child restraints without using the vehicle's seat belt system. New vehicles and child safety seats manufactured on and after September 1, 2002 will be equipped with the LATCH system. Cars, minivans, and light trucks will be required to have anchor points between the vehicle's seat cushion and the seat back in at least two rear seating positions, and a top tether anchor (with the exception of convertibles). Child safety seats will have a lower set of attachments that fasten to the vehicle anchors. Most forward-facing child safety seats will also have a top strap (tether) that attaches to the top anchor in the vehicle.