RF Marathon in MDX question

[tracym]

Hi there, We have a 16 month old son, who rides rear facing in a Britax Marathon. I drive and Acura MDX, and My husband a Mercedes S500. The seat works great in the Mercedes in any position, including the center.
However in my car (the MDX) which we have him in 95% of the time, I cannot for the life of me install it in the center position.
There is LATCH in the car, but not in the center. Also, the seat belt for the center position is weird... it comes down from the ceiling and locks into a connection in the seat and then pulls accros like a regular belt. BUT that anchor point interferes with the lock off, so I am never able to lock it off.
For that reason we have put him on the outer seat with the LATCH. But I would MUCH rather have him in the middle. I really want it installed right AND in the middle, but that feels like a losing battle in my MDX.
Does this make sense? Are there ANY suggestions for me? I made an appointment with a tecnician at AAA to check it, but couldn't get in until November. Should I not lose sleep about having him on an outer seat? My sister in law basically told me I am The Worst Mother Ever (TM) for a) having him stay RF so far past his first birthday and b) not having him in the center.
Also, are there ANY cars with LATCH in the center position? I swear that will be a requirement with my next car.
Thanks so much!

	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.

	Combi Connection LX - Click for more info Combi is a household name in Japan--and across the globe--with years of experience in the car seat industry. The Combi Connection LX is the elite car seat model in Combi's strong line of infant safety seats -- with a complete list of comfort and safety features, plus a great look and light carrier.

	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.

[Papooses]

You don't have to use the built-in lock-off since your vehicle is newer than 1996: visit CPSafety - Your online child passenger safety resource & choose "Locking In a Child Restraint" + read your vehicle manual (look for info on Automatic/Swichable Locking Retractor seatbelts)

The safest place for your carseat is any backseat that allows for the easiest, correct install RF outboard is safer than FF center (ie. don't listen to your SIL ) Your baby is the safest person in the car....

Very few cars specifically have center LATCH anchors, but some manufacturers allow borrowing the inner hooks from outboard LATCH anchors for use in the center -- if the carseat manufacturer approves (the vehicle manual would say if this is the case). I'll also check my LATCH manual.

	Forward Facing Car Seats A forward-facing car seat is one in which the child sits facing the front of the car. The seat should be installed in the back seat of your vehicle. Most forward-facing only seats are for children above 20 pounds.

	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.

	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.