GrigioX

So i'm about to have a kid and bought a rear-facing infant seat and 2 bases (one for each of my cars).

I installed the base in the TSX in the middle and attached it to the two LATCH connectors on either side. My wife took the car to the fire station to get checked by a "certified" car seat specialist...and they told her our car's LATCH system isn't made for the middle position. That I actually used the interior connection points from the RIGHT and LEFT rear seat LATCH points.

Anyone else have experience with infant seats and the 2g TSX? Looking for confirmation that the above assessment is correct....that it's not right to put the seat in the middle.

If this is true, i'll have to give my wife my A6 again and drive the TSX myself...this will not be good for my sanity.

hondu

Does it really matter if you are using the LATCH connectors from both sides? I mean does it really make it less safe?

I've got two kids, 5 and 8, never used an infant seat with a LATCH system and always put their rear facing seat in the middle (Pilot and Odyssey). I just made sure their seat was installed nice and tight (used my knee as weight to install) and buckled them in well.

What does the Owner's manual say?

09TSXTech

The specialist is right, our car has LATCH on left and right but not the middle seat.

You can always secure the base with seat belt for the middle seat and then as an extra precaution use the interior connection points from the RIGHT and LEFT rear seat LATCH points also. I took both my kids home from the hospital in a 90 Civic Si (Pre-LATCH days), used my knee and seat belt to secure the Base for the rear facing car seat.

LuvMyTSX

I'm not sure about the middle seat LATCH situation. Does the infant seat not fit in the outer seats? I know it's kind of tight back there so I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't fit, but I think other people have successfully put child seats back there.

LuvMyTSX

I don't have a kid so I don't know, but is there any reason for putting the seat in the middle as opposed to the outside seats? Safety reason?

hondu

Can't remember for sure, but putting the seat in the middle keeps it further away from the door and a side-impact collision.

GrigioX

Apparently the owner's manual agrees with the specialist. LATCH is for right and left only.

Not sure about the safety aspect. I would think it's the same, why should it matter? Especially in a rear-facing seat where you don't use the top latch point behind the headrest.

As far as not wanting to put hte child in the left or right. I'm also not sure if there is a safety reason, but my brain tells me the kid would be safer in the middle were the car to be hit from the side. Could just be personal peace of mind, though.

09TSXTech

I put my kid (rear facing) on the right side so that I can see and reach him easier from the driver seat.

And congrats on the upcoming arrival of your baby. When is the due date?

Try to get as much sleep now, it will become a distant memory soon

hondu

LOL, yes I still have fond memories of LBK and being able to sleep an entire night uninterrupted. Of course, I would never want to go back though.

GrigioX

Hehe. Thanks. June 29 is eta, but we were told to be ready as of June 8. I've heard the sleep thing a lot. So i've been catching up on my Z's on the weekends, hehe.

5thTo2nd

If you want to install in the center position then you have no choice but to use a belt-install.

I've read that the vast majority of car seats are not installed properly so good on you to get it checked out. Consensus is the best install is the one that's tightest so if you can get the belt as snug as LATCH then I'd go middle. I couldn't get the belt as snug as LATCH so I went with rear left (behind the driver) since I figure that gives most protection against passenger-side impacts.

Now that our little one has gone forward-facing I'm really thinking of getting some covers for the back of the front seat cause she's kicking the heck out of it.

DerwoodEE

I did the same.

residue

the right rear seat works well for the graco infant seat and now the britax marathon. you'll quickly realize that it's not realistic to have it professionally installed each time and that how you buckle the baby in matters as much as how tight the seat is in place. the tsx doesn't have the biggest rear so it might be better to install on the side so there's more room in back to maneuver.

if anyone is looking for seat back covers, i highly recommend the rover gear chelsea. it doesn't have a pocket but the material is tough and it's reasonably stylish. pair it with a kiddopotamus elite duomat under the car seat.

GrigioX

It does make it easier to get the seat on and off the base if it's on the right rear.

Thanks for the input, fellas.

LuvMyTSX

kiddopotamus....sorry, I couldn't help myself.

09TSXTech

residue, those two are great product recommendation. I couldn't find the rover gear chelsea in stock anywhere on line though .

My two kids (forward facing booster seat) likes to leave foot prints on the back seat covers. Do your kid find it difficult to buckle up with the seat belt buckle partially submerged in the back seat?

hondu

I know mine do. When I first buckled my 5 year old in, I kept trying to pull the dang thing up, finally realizing it wasn't going anywhere. I'm glad my 8 year old doesn't need a booster anymore.