I just bought this car seat, I plan to use it rear facing in a 2012 Honda CRV. Is the top tether easy to use rear facing?, I find the instructions a bit confusing, I have not started to install yet, just reading the manual first. Any comments?
1218683
I haven't used the top tether rear-facing basically because the anchor is behind the seat, meaning the tether would end up over the seat itself making it hard to put the child into the seat. If the anchor is on the floor than that would make it easier to use but I don't think your car has that.
1451254
I have only done it rear facing so I can't compare to how it does forward facing. However, it works great rear facing. My husband has a 2 door SUV and is able to easily get him in and out. We actually purchased this model because it was listed in Consumer Reports for being #1 in safety. I hope this helps!
369636
Hi Claire. I have used this car seat rear facing until my youngest was almost two years old. I made ir front facing when it started to be uncorfortable to her, but she was about 22 months old then. So, I think it'll depend on how fast your child grows.
595910
Hi! In my opinion you will have to gerry-rig a solution to hold the seat cover to your seat. For my car the seat cover is secured to the seat by the two adjustable headrest tubes that drop into the top of the seat. The two tubes fit between bead spaces, and then the whole seat cover hangs from those headrest tubes and drapes down the seat. I suppose in your one-piece case you could flip the cover upside down so the long thin part drops down by your feet, and then tie a cord or ribbon to secure the top part around your seat up near the headrest area. However, this may be too much gerry-rigging. Perhaps you can find a better solution to your seat issue. I have seen these beaded seat pads that are equal seat/back square shapes with a stiff structure, with no added long thing. Get that kind instead. I like sitting on the beads. Without this beaded seat cover my car seat is so uncomfortable. I hate it. But with the beads, sitting in the seat is okay. I hope you find a cover you like.
1992535
Yes, its very easy to take out and put back in my car. I unhook the 3 tethers and remove it. It's a little hard to tighten the straps when you put it back in, you have to really pull hard to get the straps tight
518829
Agreed with previous reponses--I would feel very secure using this seat in an older vehicle. The back/top tether is only "required" when using the seat with children over 65 lbs. Even with the latch option, I prefer using the seatbelt as it is easy to install/uninstall.
1428793
It is only to be used rear facing. Keep your child rear facing as long as possible. I was recently in an accident that totaled my car and because I had kept her in a rear-facing car seat (not this one because she outgrew it because of her height) she walked away without a scratch.
1207425
Are you talking about a sports car with no latch system? A 70's classic car? Either way, no. You MUST have a latch and be able to tie over the seat back because this chair is a SOFT back. It collapses without your car's seat back to hold it in place...and also for the latch belt to go over and tether safely. That is key!! I think the pictures online give the impression that it sits upright without being installed like a "typical" seat and it does NOT. Hope that helps you!
905414
It is rear facing and it is easy to install. Great car seat, we've had our son in it for several months now.
2142928
I have a hard time keeping the drivers side on the seat. I have to adjust it all the time. When there on they look good. I only have for front seat I think if I had convertible I'd want the back to look same.
39256
I have mine rear facing in a second row, captain chair in a mini van. It works well and we are very pleased. This is the second car seat of this same style and brand we have purchased because I loved it so much for my son who is now 2 and is still riding in his forward facing now and we still love it.
275031
I haven't even used one car seat adapter. I wanted the back seat to face me and the front seat to face outwards. Although it can do this, neither seat can be reclined. This has been my only complaint.
1631312
There are instructions in the manual for both lap-shoulder belt and lap belt installations for rear and forward facing. After installation if the car seat is not at the angle you want, there is an angle adjuster you can buy.
1066163
I would use a convertible so you can keep your child rear facing. I had my 3 1/2 year old, rear facing, in a convertible car seat (not infant). She was in the convertible (I had to finally turn her front facing though) until she was 5 and nearly 40 pounds. Don't go with the "popular" conversation. Go with safe. Do research. Keep your kid rear facing as long as you can.
667388
Yes. Short of sitting in it myself, I keep pressing down on the seat and pulling the strap, from both sides of the car. Additionally, we've taken the anchor strap used in the forward facing position and clipped it to the bar under the rear seat. This does help it feel more secure.
1588958
I had it rear-facing in a Saturn, and I found it difficult to get my almost-2-year old in the seat without hitting her head on the door of my car. However, my daughter is pretty big and was almost 30 pounds at the time. The seat fit perfectly fine in the car however. I now have it forward facing in a PT Cruiser and am still able to fold down the other 2/3rds of the back-seat next to her. I am able to see out of the back perfectly. I find that the seat is very sturdy. I turned my girl around before she was 2, but I consulted my local DMV car seat specialist and he said he saw no problem given her size and the safety of the seat. I had it rear-facing in a Saturn, and I found it difficult to get my almost-2-year old in the seat without hitting her head on the door of my car. However, my daughter is pretty big and was almost 30 pounds at the time. The seat fit perfectly fine in the car however. I now have it forward facing in a PT Cruiser and am still able to fold down the other 2/3rds of the back-seat next to her. I am able to see out of the back perfectly. I find that the seat is very sturdy. I turned my girl around before she was 2, but I consulted my local DMV car seat specialist and he said he saw no problem... » Read More I had it rear-facing in a Saturn, and I found it difficult to get my almost-2-year old in the seat without hitting her head on the door of my car. However, my daughter is pretty big and was almost 30 pounds at the time. The seat fit perfectly fine in the car however. I now have it forward facing in a PT Cruiser and am still able to fold down the other 2/3rds of the back-seat next to her. I am able to see out of the back perfectly. I find that the seat is very sturdy. I turned my girl around before she was 2, but I consulted my local DMV car seat specialist and he said he saw no problem given her size and the safety of the seat. « Show Less
1218684
When rear facing, the tether is supposed to go from the top of the seat down to the floor. Newer cars have a hook that you can tether to, older cars you can tether to the seat base in front of the seat. There is a little loop attachment in the packaging to use if you need to loop around the seat base, and the clip is for clipping into the hook in newer vehicles.