How to Retrofit a Car Seat LATCH

Posted by Anonymous , 9/4/2007 Tags:RetrofitCarSeatLATCH
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How to Retrofit a Car Seat LATCH

Introduction

LATCH is an acronym for Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren. This system creates a standard way to install child restraints outside of a vehicle's belt system. Car seats built before September 1, 2002, aren't equipped with LATCH, but some models have a retrofit kit. Contact the manufacturing company to find out if they sell this kit.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Steps

1

Step One

Read your vehicle owner's manual to confirm that the car has LATCH. The manual will also show where the anchors are located.
2

Step Two

Extend the retrofit belt to its maximum length. This makes the installation process easier.
3

Step Three

Adjust the car seat to how you need it for your child. This can be rear-facing or forward-facing. Make sure that the belt is positioned so that it can be easily adjusted.
4

Step Four

Pull the retrofit belt through the car seat belt path where the vehicle seat belt would go. On most models, the rear-facing belt path is under the child's legs, and the forward-facing belt path is behind the child's back. Keep the belt flat.
5

Step Five

Attach the hooks to the vehicle's LATCH anchors. Check that the hooks are firmly and correctly snapped onto the anchors by pulling on them.
6

Step Six

Push down on the car seat and pull the retrofit belt to tighten it. Test the car seat by pulling it front to back and left to right. It shouldn't move more than 1 inch where the belt path is, and the belt shouldn't move from the tightened position.

Tips & Warnings

  • The LATCH retrofit kit must be from the same manufacturer as the car seat. These kits are made to fit certain models and won't work correctly otherwise.
  • Read the manual that comes with your retrofit kit for installation instructions specific to that model.
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