Whether you’ve just installed a car seat or need help installing or using one, get help at a car seat inspection station near you. Certified technicians will inspect your car seat free of charge, in most cases, and show you how to correctly install and use it. Once you’ve become familiar with vehicle and car seat parts used for installation and NHTSA’s tips to install your car seat, you’re ready to follow these detailed car seat installation instructions and videos by type. Use the information below to help you choose the type of car seat that best meets your child’s needs or print out NHTSA’s car seat recommendations for children (PDF, 370 KB). Graco car seats for toddlers are long-lasting and can easily last for six to ten years.
So we also considered the NHTSA ease-of-use ratings, which score seats on a scale of one to five stars, based on factors like how simple the seats are to install and the clarity of their instructions. Then, pull the left side of the indicator out of the shell, rotate the indicator, and pull the right side of the indicator graco turbobooster out of the car seat’s shell. We first reviewed the Graco 4Ever multimode car seat when it was released. Since then, the 4Ever has stood the test of time and remained a fan favorite with the CSFTL team. So much so that our original 4Ever has spent time with a number of CSFTL families and become a bit worn over the years.
Whatever seat you choose, we’ve also included plenty of helpful tips on how to navigate the road ahead. The Chicco Fit2 is an infant-and-toddler hybrid seat rated for up to 35 pounds or 35 inches (the tallest height limit of all the infant car seats we considered). Intended for kids up to 2 years old, it could be appealing to caregivers who want to delay the switchover to a convertible seat. With the Fit2’s base in its “toddler” position, the seat will properly fit an older child at a more upright angle. The base is similar to that of our runner-up pick, the Chicco KeyFit 30, a design that we found easy to install. And, like our top pick from Graco and our also-great pick from Chicco, it has the added feature of an anti-rebound bar on the base, which could help reduce secondary motion in a crash.
If you like the Graco Extend2Fit series, check out the Extend2Fit 3 in 1 instead, which does not have this recline requirement. The main seat material is one of the softest in the group and is what we think most parents would look for when shopping for a seat. Instructions for forward-facing installation are sewn onto the side of the outside of the seat, which we haven’t seen before, but it keeps them out of the way but readily available.
If you use this seat from birth, there is a chance that it will expire before your child fits into the adult seat belt without a booster since it only lasts 10 years. Most of the time, the seat is a few months old already when you buy it. Kids need a booster until 10-12, depending on when they pass the 5-Step Test. This means that if you use it from birth and your child does not fit properly in the seat belt when it expires, you will need to buy a backless booster. Follow these steps to help you through the process of finding the right car seat, installing it correctly, and keeping your child safe. About Graco Graco is one of the most recognized children’s products brands that provides innovative and reliable solutions to help parents make smart choices while taking care of their little ones.