Having trouble getting KeyFit tight enough in 05 Sienna

[kphil]

We just installed our Chicco KeyFit in our Sienna tonight, so it will be ready when baby comes. We put it behind the driver's seat (it's an 8 seater, and we have 3 carseats in there), using LATCH. My dh is good at getting carseats tight, but was unable to get this one as tight as we would like. It definately moves an inch at the belt path--not sure if it's more than that, or not. I'd like it not to be moving. Is there a secret to that with this seat?

The straps that go from the LATCH anchors to the base where the single-pull strap is are stretched WAY tight--no slack in those whatsoever. They have actually molded to the plastic of the base where they are stretched over it. Yet, there's still some looseness, somehow. Should I try a shoulder-belt install, maybe?

I tried installing this seat when I first got it, and I thought the LATCH install was easy, but couldn't get the shoulder-belt install quite tight enough.

Any thoughts??

Thanks!
Kirsten

[murphydog77]

Hi Kirsten. I've found this to be a problem with my 7 seater '05 Sienna. I think it's a, um, not a flaw, but a quirk with the base when it's on the lowest recline setting and you try to use the LATCH connectors. If you move the base to the 2nd recline setting, you should get a much tighter install, but then the recline would be too severe.

You should switch to using the lap/shoulder belt. IMO it's a much easier install anyway and it's truly rock solid. Push down on the plastic piece over the belt path right next to the buckle as you're pulling the shoulder belt tight next to the buckle. Sounds complicated until you do it :).

Heather, CPS Tech
http://www.CarSeatSite.com

[kphil]

Thanks for that advice--it's good to know that it's not just something we were doing wrong (although, it would be nice if there was an easy fix for the LATCH install!) Can you clarify for me which plastic piece over the belt path you're talking about? I'm not certain what you mean, but I definately want to try switching to the lap/shoulder belt. I get to use their cool lock-off thingy then, anyway ;). (Base tilt was always a big annoyance with our old Snugride.)

Thanks!
Kirsten

[Joolsplus2]

I finally went out to install mine in my Ody... definitely it's tighter with the seatbelt when it's on the lowest recline setting, but *look carefully*...the bubble level and the line on the side of the seat that has to be horizontal to the ground don't seem to be the same! So I got the base installed perfectly on the second recline level with the LATCH, and the bubble showed it too reclined, but the line on the seat was horizontal to the ground after I popped the seat in the base. Hmmmmmm...

Also, the seatbelt install was terrific! I'm not sure what Heather meant by holding the plastic part down, either, I just installed it, then ran shoulderbelt through the lockoff (it took some forced wiggling, maybe that's what she'a alluding to, maybe you can hold it open and make it easier?) and voila, rock solid.

I don't know why they don't put some rubber grippy stuff on the bottom of the seats, built in, but I think it would have been perfect if there were, even with LATCH on the lowest setting (I don't 'like' shelf liner, I'll fight with a seat till the bitter end to get it to install without it, rofl!)

:)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[kphil]

I need to check our recline anyway, so that will be my first step. We installed in our driveway, which isn't level--I think I need to park on the street to get it in a level position. Would there be anything "bad" about using shelf liner? I've only used it on leather in the past. Did you end up deciding to keep it installed using LATCH or seatbelt?

Thanks!
Kirsten

[Joolsplus2]

Nothing wrong with shelf liner, I just would rather force a seat into submission with no extra help :D. I decided to use the LATCH, with the base in the second recline position, and the level line on the seat being horizontal, the bubble showing a 'slight' overrecline.

Oh, not sure if Heather mentioned it, or if you already know, but reclining the captain's chair a bit before installing, then pulling it upright after you are done installing, will really crank it into rock solidness, usually.



:)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[murphydog77]

I modified a pic I took earlier this fall to hopefully make it clearer what I meant. It's a great technique, but it's hard to put into words, lol.

Heather, CPS Tech
http://www.CarSeatSite.com



http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/31346.jpg

[kphil]

Thanks for the picture, Heather, that helps a lot! I'm pushing downward there, right? Just on that side, or do I switch to pushing down the other side after getting all the slack pulled out on that side?

Kirsten

[murphydog77]

Yeah, just push down there as you're pulling the belt tight. Then slip the belt into the lockoff notch. After it's tightened and ready to go, then adjust the base so it's level and flat on the van seat and not tippy.

Heather, CPS Tech
http://www.CarSeatSite.com

[Joolsplus2]

Ah Hah, got it. It's a leverage thing ;)
I'm probably just going to have to wait till the baby's here to figure out which level indicator (bubble or line on seat) is really the one that works, but it seems kind of like even though it 'looks wrong' it may not really 'be wrong' either way...is there a huge difference between, say 38 degrees and 48 degrees recline, when you are going for 45? (just pondering, of course!!!!)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[kphil]

"After it's tightened and ready to go, then adjust the base so it's level and flat on the van seat and not tippy."

Okay, I wasn't confused, but now I am, LOL. If it's all tightened and ready to go, wouldn't it be too tight to then adjust the base any? I think I'm going to have to get out there and actually try it, and then it will make sense, but unfortunately I have to have my dh do all the physical part of it (otherwise I'd be out there right now ;)).

Kirsten

[Joolsplus2]

Hehehe...believe it or not, you can get it *really* tight, but still *super* tipped, then you can just straighten it back down level after everything's locked up...I guess it's one of those things you have to experience first hand (particularly with a snugride base and a locking clip...that thing can be tilted almost totally sideways, but you just wiggle it back into place, and voila, rock solid, good recline... hard to believe unless you see it, I know!)

:)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx