Tethering questions for Britax Marathon

[MasonsMom]

Hi-
We have our Marathon (and really like it) rearfacing in a Hyundai Sonata, outboard. Installation is fine. in fact, I find that the front passenger has more legroom with the Marathon than with our Graco SnugRide, despite everyone saying that the Marathon is such a huge seat.

My concern is about tethering. We weren't sure about finding a tether spot on the front passenger seat, so we're tethering it behind on the upper anchor behind the back seat. (I think that's called australian tethering?) Having the straps going on either side of the seat makes it difficult to get him in and out. So, we loosen it and tighten it each time we get him in and out. This concerns me, because sometimes we forget to tighten it and I worry about doing it over and over again-- doesn't that increase the chances for something going wrong?

1) does anyone have experience with the sonata for tethering on the front passenger seat?

2.) if we're tethering it in the back window, is it really that much safer than not tethering it at all?

Thanks!
Jen

	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.

	Graco SnugRide - Click for more info The Graco SnugRide with EPS infant car seat is a highly popular and top-rated infant car seat that provides first-rate transportation safety for your baby, plus convenient mobility options for you. Even with its relatively low price, the Graco SnugRide with EPS receives unmatched praise for its safety by leading consumer magazines and websites.

	Graco - Click for more info Graco is one of the world's best known and most trusted juvenile products companies. They started the entire juvenile products industry with an invention called the Graco Swyngomatic. Since then they have invented products that have changed the way that parents travel with their children such as the travel system, which has made it so parents can lock an infant car seat into a stroller easily, without waking their sleeping baby. Their Graco SnugRide Infant Car Seat is pretty much synonymous with the term “infant car seat” because of its safety and design features coupled with its affordability. Today Graco continues designing and developing top-quality products that inspire parents and keeps children safe. Check out the new Infant Safe Seat Step 1 and Toddler Safe Seat Step 2 for proof of Graco’s continued commitment to child safety.

[Papooses]

Yes, that's Australian tethering: double check your Britax manual as I don't remember exactly, but I think it might not be recommended/allowed anymore.... So long as the seat has a 30-45 degree recline angle, then it also serves no purpose this way (the purpose of Australian tethering being to prevent over rotation towards the front of the vehicle during a crash).

Hopefully this page will help > Swedish Tethering*-*Child Restraint Safety

	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.