skuba

Hi,

I have noticed several marks (mainly puffed wrinkles) below our kids car seats on the Acura RDX. I have looked into those protectors to put under the carseat but seems like a lot of them are crap and can actually do more damage than protect the leather or make the carseat less safe for the child.
Has anyone found a good protector in terms of protection and safety?

Thanks so much

cu2wagon

A folded bath towel.

If you don't have any old ones to spare, they're only a buck or two at Goodwill.

SuperTrooper169

iTrader: (2)

^ Bam. Folded bath towel. That's what I use for both of my kids car seats. No issues.

gatrhumpy

iTrader: (1)

This man speaks the absolute truth.

CLpower

Have these in all cars

http://m.target.com/p/eddie-bauer-hi...Q&gclsrc=aw.ds

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

Have this in the back of my Vagon and love it. Great for the pup, kids, messy eaters, etc. Plus, easy to install and remove...


.

Comfy

http://m.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=59956406&eESource=CA_DF:599564 06:TRUS
I use similar ones from Toys r us for all my cars. They are easy to vacuum as well. I'm sure a folded towel will work equally well but is a bit harder to clean since kids drop a lot of bits of food stuff on to the seats. I hate to remove the car seat each time for cleaning.

skuba

Towels are easy and cheap, but besides protecting from crumbs, not sure how much it will protect the leather from stretching and wrinkles. Not sure if it diminishes the carseat safety.

People forget, but the carseats have not been crash tested with towels or protectors under them. Some protectors seems to have been crash tested.

Thanks

skuba

Thanks. Do you have leather seats? How well did it protect from stretching and wrinkling? Had you looked into if these are safe to use under carseat?

Thanks

skuba

Thanks, but doesn't seem safe for carseats.

skuba

Thanks. Do you have leather seats? How well did it protect from stretching and wrinkling?

Thanks

cu2wagon

The carseat usually has a sharp edge (either a rib or a squared profile channel) that touches the leather surface. This is what stretches and creases the leather from the force exerted by the carseat when it is cinched down approprately. Adding a folded towel between the carseat and leather seat will distribute the cinch force across a wider surface area and reduce the creases and stretching of the leather.

When installed correctly, the carseat will still have the same strap tension holding it in place, it just has a better base to sit on.

Give a read through the manual that came with the car seat. They usually mention something about using a rolled up towel to help level the carseat if it doesn't sit flat when installed.

The function of the carseat is to 1) keep the meatsack securely in place in the carseat, and 2) keep the carseat firmly in place in the car. #2 is done by the included straps or the car seatbelt going through the frame of the carseat. As long as you install it with enough strap tension to keep it from moving significantly when you shake it, it's good to go.

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

hmm, I don't have car seats but it has all of the pass-throughs for the belts and such. You'd probably have to try it out to be sure. Good thing with Amazon is that you can send it back easily

SuperTrooper169

iTrader: (2)

I guess our fire department that advised us to use a folded towel is putting our dear children in danger. You think we should press charges?

skuba

No need to get snappy. I don't think my concern is unreasonable.

Good to know this was recommended by the fire dept.

Flipster23

iTrader: (15)

Got the same too in the Explorer... I have to go and get a kick mat since my little one is forward facing now.

Flipster23

iTrader: (15)

You're a little new here...

So I'm going to explain red text to you.

Red text = Sarcasm.

2012wagon

I use the Brica behind the car seats for the leather, and I use the Brica for the back of the front seat, for kicking protection. Have it in all of our cars, and looks excellent (all black, goes with interior color), and has held up well.

gatrhumpy

iTrader: (1)

The mats generally don't hold up well against the weight of a child with the car seats. We tried one in my wife's Civic when she had cloth and there were permanent indentations in the seat because of the car seat and weight of my kids.

I've been using a very thick folder towel now for well over five years and have no indentations on any leather seats.

SamDoe1

It'll only diminish safety if you attach the seat to the towel. If you attach to the anchors and tighten down appropriately, the towel won't make any difference other than saving your seats and your wallet.

wreak

I use the BRICA Car Seat Guardian:



paired with the OEM Acura rear seat cover in my TL:



I didn't take any chances lol

NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

Prince Lionhart. My kids aren't in car seats anymore but used them before.
https://m.buybuybaby.com/1/1/119-sea...ver-black.html

DarkTower19

^^I have something just like this and works fine. Though the sticky rubber stuff underneath that gives it traction on the leather came off (melted?) on my leather I suppose during the summer months. Now I have a thin towel under that...

Also, ironically enough I also heard or read somewhere about the towel under the car seat not being safe cause it can slide. Though some car seats recommend rolling a towel up to put underneath to level it out, so I have no idea? People have a million opinions when it comes to child safety products.

iSeeYouTwo

Just don't make babies.... problem solved!

Flipster23

iTrader: (15)

I'm going to go the towel route too. I'm going to be upgrading my youngest sons car seat in a couple months, so I guess it will be a good idea to do it then.

Booya4139

I bought the 2nd row seat covers for my MDX that is getting built, do people think thats enough to protect against the car seat? or should i also get a pad/protector as mentioned above?

CLpower

worry less about the leather, and more about the safety of your children

Comfy

I have an RDX which comes standard with leather seats. So far it has not stretched or wrinkled. The seat protector has a little firm base (it is not simply cloth) and therefore prevents the edge of car seat from digging into leather and the surface touching the seat has a rubbery coating preventing slides. I was so impressed and I use it now for all my cars. I'm sure the Brica ones shown above are nice too. I did consider the Acura rear car seat cover but it completely obscures the leather seat in its entirety, so other rear seat passengers can't enjoy the leather seating surface anyway . In addition the Acura car seat was only available in black at that time and I have beige seats.

NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

Says the man who takes the back seats out of his 400+ hp vehicle to accommodate his kids.

CLpower

I took the back seats out because it allowed me to make sure the child seats were more secure (and it's 500+ now)

Booya4139

I bought one of the safest SUVs on the market, have the safest car seat.... hopefully have my bases covered... Was just wondering if the 2nd row seat covers make a difference.

2012wagon

Wish I took your advice... Sigh

1StGenCL

I use condoms or make sure she is on the pill, seats look great.

dallison

I was going to suggest getting rid of the kids, problem solved.

wreak

Yeah good luck with that. All crash testing for child seats is done with the assumption that the rear seats will be left in the car so you're basically in uncharted territory. Please tell me you don't have a roll cage above their heads...

2012wagon

Tried that, but similar to the rlx, no one wants them