Graco Platinum Car Go

[pearl]

We have been using the Graco Platinum Car Go in 5 pt. harness mode for over a year now and it has been great for us. Over the past 6 months I have read that the Car Go is not the best seat when in booster mode. What exactly is the problem with the Car Go as a booster?

[Joolsplus2]

The way the Cargo's belt guides work, they 'clamp' the belt tightly on the child. If the belt is threaded incorrectly, then the belt could loosen over the child's body (be 'slack') and not be touching the shoulder or chest (which you want, so the child can 'ride down' the crash with the belt directly on the body, not 'slam forward' into the belt if it's not touching the body...does that make sense?). People have gotten the clamp mechanism confused with the 'semi open' mechanism that was on some Cosco seats, where the belt is 'supposed' to move freely, but instead usually gets stuck with lots of slack over the child, and of course that's bad.
The optimal way to use the Graco belt guides is to clamp them properly so they cannot move forward and introduce any slack or to not use them at all so the belt moves freely with the child (if the belt touches the chest or shoulder and does not rub on the child's neck, then the belt guides do not need to be used at all and the seat is still perfectly safe).

Does that help at all? For the record, most of us prefer how a 'dedicated' booster fits better than a 'combo' booster...seats like the Parkway and Turbo have large smooth open belt guides and there's just usually not an issue with the belts getting stuck in them or needing to be threaded or clamped or whatever, plus the head/sleepin support is superior in dedicated seats, and they are tall enough to last children all the way out of boosters (Cargos are too short to get most kids to the minimum of 4 foot 9 when the seatbelt fits them without a booster).

Hope that helps!
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx