Q. Can my Britax convertible (infant/child) car seat be tethered rear-facing?
A. Yes. Britax convertible (infant/child) car seats, such as the Roundabout, Marathon, or Boulevard, may be tethered when installed rear facing. Britax recommends one of two modes of rear-facing tethering:
Australian Method:
- This method requires the tether hook to be attached to a tether anchorage located to the rear of the vehicle.
- Consult the vehicle's owner's manual for tether anchorage locations.
- Use the same tether anchors as designated for forward-facing child seats.
- This method controls forward rotation of the child seat in front impact crashes.
Swedish Method:
- This method requires the tether hook be attached to a location to the front of the vehicle.
- Consult the vehicle's owner's manual for tether anchor locations.
- Do not attach to a tether anchor that is on the same seat as the child restraint system.
- Attach to a strong structural point of the seat frame in front, the non-moving track to which the seat in front is attached, or the safety belt anchor of the seat in front.
- A D-ring connector strap (anchor strap) is provided with each Britax convertible child seat to assist with this installation, if needed.
- This method controls rebound of the child seat in front impact crashes and aids with achieving correct recline angle for newborns and infants.
Please consult for child seat's user guide for illustrations of these two methods.
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Q. Can the adjuster button and housing of the Decathlon be removed for cleaning like the Roundabout?
A. While the Decathlon adjuster button and housing may appear similar to that of the Roundabout, the design is different and does not allow removal by the caregiver for cleaning.
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Q. How long can my child seat be used or when does it "expire"?
A. Please refer to the user guide that came with your child seat to determine its recommended useful life. Britax recommends that the use of a child seat be discontinued after a certain number of years from date of manufacture, depending on the seat, or if the seat has been involved in a severe crash. Expiration dates are recommended for various reasons: technology has changed, components degrade from the environment (depending on how and where stored), parts get lost or installed incorrectly, or instructions and labels may not be available or not legible. After a child seat has met its expiration date, Britax recommends that the child seat be destroyed.
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Q. I bought a convertible (infant/child) car seat with LATCH/lower connectors but I cannot find the LATCH/lower connectors, where is it?
A. The LATCH/lower connectors on convertible (infant/child) car seats have been placed in a storage area under the cover. To access the connectors, lift the cover off of the seat from the bottom and you will find a recessed LATCH/lower connector storage area in the shell under the comfort foam.
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Q. I have been told not to position padding between the child and the child seat. Is it okay to use the infant positioning system?
A. Yes. Britax certifies both with and without the infant positioning system. The system was designed and tested with products. Britax, however, recommends against using third-party accessories purchased separately.
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Q. Is my child seat aircraft approved?
A. A child seat has been tested and certified to meet FAA requirements if it is labeled, “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.” Even though your child seat may be certified for use on aircraft, it is still a good idea to contact the airline prior to travel to ask. Some aircraft have seating configurations which are incompatible with certain child seats.
Some Britax child seats are not certified for use on aircraft. Please refer to your product user guide to determine if your Britax car seat is certified for aircraft use.
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Q. Is there a standing height limit for rear-facing?
A. Refer to your product user guide for the appropriate height and weight ranges for your child seat.
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Q. The tether on my convertible (infant/child) car seat has an extra webbing (a loop) under the cover. What is this?
A. In 2006, Britax began to introduce an energy-absorbing tether assembly to its convertible (infant/child) car seats. It consists of a loop of webbing with colored (red) stitching held under the cover at the top of the seat shell. In the event of a severe crash, the colored stitching will break and the loops will partially pull through the back side of the shell, reducing G-force effects on the child's head and body. If the red stitching has broken on your tether assembly, discontinue use of the child seat.
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Q. What is a convertible car seat?
A. A convertible car seat is a child seat that "converts" from rear facing for infants and small toddlers to forward facing for children. Britax convertible car seats can accommodate children weighing up to 65 pounds.
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Q. When does a child outgrow or not appropriately fit in a Britax convertible (infant/child) car seat forward facing?
A. If any of the conditions exist then the child has outgrown or does not appropriately fit a Britax convertible car seat forward facing (example given for a 40 pound (18.1 kg) seat):
- the child is less than one year of age OR
- the child is less than 20 lbs. (9.1 kg.) in weight OR
- the child exceeds 40 lbs. (18.1 kg.) in weight OR
- the child exceeds 40" (101.6 cm) in height OR
- the top of the ears are above the top of the child seat shell OR
- the top harness slots fall below the child's shoulders.
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Q. Why does the Marathon not have to be tethered above 50 pounds but the Regent and Husky do have to be tethered above 50 pounds?
A. The Regent, Husky and Marathon are very different restraints. They have different features and functions that require different installations.
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Q. Will a Britax car seat fit in my car?
A. We encourage you to try installing the seat directly into your car at the retail site, because not all car seats are compatible with all vehicles.
If you are considering a convertible(infant/child) car seat, try it in both the rear-facing and forward-facing positions.
Also, be sure to check the vehicle owner's manual for the type of retractor on the seat belt and verify that the type of retractor is compatible with your chosen child seat.
Finally, we also encourage you to have your installation checked by a certified child passenger safety technician. To have your car seat installation checked visit www.safekids.org to find an inspection station near you.
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