Car seat configuration in Acura MDX

[alleycat]

The Car: 2006 Acura MDX
The Car Seats: Britax BV and Graco Safeseat

DD #1 will be 2yo when DD #2 is born. She's rear-facing in the BV right now, in the center. She will remain rf'ing for as long as possible. Do I keep DD#1 in the center or place her behind the passenger side (when DH drives, the seat will be touching the car seat if it's behind the driver side)? If DD#1 is in the center, does the SS go behind the driver or passenger seat?

Also, I'm thinking ahead for the winter months, when both DD's will be going to daycare and the weather gets cold. We don't have a garage. This is the scenario I envision. Carrying DD #2 in the SS with DD #1 walking. Open back passenger side door, have DD#1 go in. Walk around to other side, click DD#2 into base. Go back around to DD#1, get into car to help her take off thick jacket and buckle her up in the seat. If I have DD #2 in the center, I would have to leave the door open to help DD #1 with her coat and buckles, unless I get into the other side and reach over the SS to help DD#1.

Will the two seats even fit side by side in an MDX? Would be nice to have access to the third row seat.

I'm I overthinking all of this? Any help is much appreciated. TIA.

[DaniannieB]

The quick answer is wherever gets you the best installs and allows you to use the seats properly at all times.


The long answer: who to put where depends on a lot of variables. Generally we like to see the least protected child in the most protected spot. If you have two RF children, the least protected child is the younger one, so you'd want the younger center and the older outboard. Try this first. If the SS in the middle and the BV outboard doesn't work, you can the BV in the middle and the SS outboard OR just put both of them outboard. When it comes to which side outboard, there isn't a statistical difference. Put them where the seats install the best, and give you the most room up front for the driver. For example, if both are going outboard, it might be better to have the BV on the driver's side if it's more upright, which if it's a full 45 degree recline the SS might take up less space on the driver's side. So, which side really depends on what works for you. In the end, you just have to get out there and play around with the seats. That way you'll be able to see which combos actually work install-wise, and which you think would be most convenient for you. Once your older DD turns FF, I would try to fit her in the center and the RF baby outboard, but again, you do what works for you.

[hillview]

We had this car and both seats. I couldn't get a great install next to each other. I did it once when I HAD to get my grandma in the side seat but that was for a short trip. We had a 2005 MDX so YMMV. Also the SS is SO easy to install and uninstall the base that we put the SS on the seat where you can get into the back seat. I could uninstall the base, let folks get into the back and reinstall the base very fast. The BV is also easy to install but does take more time, requires the tether etc.

GOOD LUCK!
/hillary

[alleycat]

I guess I'll (or get DH to) go out one of these days and play around with the seats. I'm really hoping they can fit next to each other so I have room to get in and help DD #1 with her jacket in the winter. Would really hate having the door opened in the winter time. But then, she'll be 2.5 yo by the winter so she might be able to do it on her own, right?