why do car seats "expire"

[mykidsmom]

My husband does not believe that a carseat expires and asked why? I did not know so I thought I would ask here. (We have Britax Marathons if that matters).

[wellyes]

Yes. Some in 5 years, some 7, some 10- check your manual or the manufacturer's website. The plastic will last forever but the foam & straps wear down over time, especially since they see extremes in temperature being cooked/frozen inside of a car.

[o_mom]

Actually the plastic does not last forever. This is a crash test of a 10 year old seat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvCRz7BRAM0

The plastic has become brittle with age and the straps rip through the shell causing the dummy to be ejected.

[Joolsplus2]

"FAQ details
Q. How long can my child seat be used?
A. Britax recommends that the use of a child seat be discontinued after six years from date of manufacture or if the seat has been involved in a severe crash. After six years, 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. The child seat may be unsafe and should be destroyed."

And it's true...a Britax near expiration now was likely have been part of the adjuster strap recall, the tether now has an energy management device to reduce head and neck loads, the weight limit is higher for rearfacing... they just keep tweaking things to be better. It won't self destruct at 6 years, and if it were my own seat that were about to expire and I had a child who needed to use it for a few more months, I might consider using it if it were pristine, but I wouldn't pass it on or recommend others do it.

PS...only the Peg Perego has a 5 year lifespan, most seats are six, the Safeguards are 7, Radians are 8, and Britax Frontier is 9 (it's got a double-walled shell that must be stronger than their convertibles have, I guess?)

[ThreeofUs]

Originally Posted by mykidsmom

My husband does not believe that a carseat expires and asked why? I did not know so I thought I would ask here. (We have Britax Marathons if that matters).

DH and I had exactly this conversation yesterday afternoon. Are we in parallel universes?

[kcandz]

We just got back a Roundabout we had let a friend borrow - it expires this year - and the foam is feeling off - dry and dissolvy is the best way I can put it. Compared to our DC which the foam feels flexible and absorbant. I may not be using the right descriptive words but side by side one can see and feel the difference due to age.

We will be destroying the Roundabout.