Hi, I hope that Trina is around (or somebody else efficient in car seat saftey)!! I have a question about car seats. I just got rid of the van and now have a Taurus. Emily (3 1/2) was in a high back booster using the 5 point harness system in the van. Worked great. My problem is that in the Taurus I cannot get the high back booster in tight enough that the top does not move around. Emily is 35 lbs and 36" tall. The car seat says 5 point for 30-40 lbs and lap/shoulder belt for 30-80 lbs. (she also meets the requirements for the height) Do you think it is ok for me to go ahead and just use the lap/shoulder belt with Emily or do I need to get a high back booster with the "teather" strap? The Taurus does have the clip in the back dash for the teather. I guess that I always thought she would be in the 5 point until 40 lbs, but maybe it's ok at 30 lbs?????

By Trina~moderator on Friday, April 15, 2005 - 02:47 pm:

Hi Elizabeth, Long time no see! We've missed you.

Best practice is to keep kids harnessed until at least 4 yrs. and 40 lbs.. Many kids aren't mature enough to sit properly in a belt positioning booster until then, some longer. What specific combination car seat do you have? You may be able to order a tether strap from the manufacturer. Another possibility is that that particular car seat may be incompatible with your car or maybe just in that particular position. What year is your Taurus? Don't be afraid to seek a CPS Tech in your area.
SeatCheck.org

SafeKids.org
In the "CPS Certification" section. Left Column "Locate a Technician".

By Emine on Friday, April 15, 2005 - 02:54 pm:

Thanks Trina. I have a Century high back booster seat. I don't know if it has some other specific name. It does have the should strap positioning clip on the seat which is probably why they can say it's ok for 30 lbs to go to the lap/shoulder belt. The Taurus is 2002. When I look at the back of the booster seat I can't understand where you could attach the teather strap to the car seat. There is no indication that one goes with it. It says it was manufactured in August of 2001. How long can you keep a car seat and still have it be safe? I'm going to head over to the link that you gave me and see what I can find out.

By Trina~moderator on Friday, April 15, 2005 - 03:11 pm:

My guess it's either a Century Breverra or Next Step. I have a Next Step about the same age in the garage. Let me check...

You can go to GracoBaby.com to order parts. (Graco bought out Century.)

There is probably an expiration date stamped on the back of the car seat. If not, generally a car seat expires 6 yrs. after date of manufacture, unless otherwise specified. (Fisher Price car seats are good for 8 yrs..)

By Trina~moderator on Friday, April 15, 2005 - 03:53 pm:

Here is a pic of the back of my Century NextStep (DOM 2/7/01). It came with the tether strap. You should be able to order one for yours. See how the tether strap is attached in the holes between the harness slots?



However, if it truly is a compatibility issue with your vehicle tethering may or may not make a difference.