| overdrive79 |
We have a 2004 MDX with a baby on the way. Unfortunately, the vehicle did not come with a manual when we purchased it earlier this year.
Can anyone give us an idea on how to use the LATCH system??
Many thanks,
-Justin |
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| loa3 |
Easy -- the latch loops are at both outer second row seats. Hook the latch connectors to the loops and the tether to the tether connector on the back of the seat. You can probably put the seat in the middle of the second row and use the inner latch loops of each side (there is a tether hook behind the middle seat position), but that will prevent access to the third row.
The latch loop positions are marked by symbols on the bottom of the seat backs. |
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| overdrive79 |
So is the latch used in place of or in addition to the seat belt?
If I use the seat belt, should I place the seat on the outer or middle seat?? |
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| dj-mdx2 |
Yes, the LATCH system is supposed to replace the seatbelt, should you decide to go that route. DO NOT use them together as they were not designed that way. LATCH was designed for ease of use, although there were some recent tests by CR that some infant seats were safer secured via seatbelt.
Most people feel that the middle seat is the safest position, but I'm not sure if this has been proven. And I'm not entirely sure why the MDX has no LATCH loops in the middle seat, as this is the most common position parents put babies in.
:confused: |
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| jhue |
| There's a weight limit for using the LATCH system. Above a certain weight you need to switch to using the car's seatbelts to secure the seat. It's probably best to use the guidelines from the manufacturer of your car seat. I know the Britax car seats have the limit printed in their manuals. The limit on some of their seats is 48lbs, so you've got a few years. This would be well after you switched the seat to forward-facing, if you're still using the same one. |
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| vtpcgeek |
Reason for no latch in the middle ...
the fold down arm rest. if a rear facing seat were installed in the middle, a sudden stop could cause the arm rest to come down and hit the child in the seat. not a good idea.
I also have an 04, and just had a baby. I installed the seat behind the driver's seat using the latch. it takes about 2 seconds to click the locks on the loops at the bottom. recommendations are that you place the child's seat behind the heaviest from row passenger.
Congrats on the little one. |
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| wmquan |
quote:
Originally posted by vtpcgeek
Reason for no latch in the middle ...
the fold down arm rest. if a rear facing seat were installed in the middle, a sudden stop could cause the arm rest to come down and hit the child in the seat. not a good idea.
Some child safety techs believe in that theory, some do not. Many infant car seats are raised enough so that an armrest folding down will not hit the child in the seat. In fact, such a collision would pitch the infant seat toward the front, and the armrest would just hit the base during that rotation. AFAIK there is no documented evidence that the armrest is hazardous. It's up to each parent to decide.
Some newer infant seats (e.g. the Britax Companion) have a "rollbar" that would also prevent any armrest from being an issue.
The reasons the LATCH anchors aren't in the middle are usually just cost, or spacing requirements as specified by NHTSA.
Many child safety techs believe the middle seating position is the safest because the outboard positions are more vulnerable to intrusion in a severe side-impact collision. It's simple physics.
Some will disagree about putting the child seat behind the heaviest front row passenger. In a severe rear end collision, a front seatback may collapse onto the child sitting behind. There are actually documented deaths attributed to the parent's seat collapsing onto the child behind them. A heavier occupant in the front seat makes it more likely that the seatback will collapse.
For that reason, some child safety techs believe that the rear right position is safer than the rear left position. The front passenger seat is occupied less frequently, thus lessening chances of a seatback collapse. Also, this permits curbside loading/unloading of the child.
Anyway, there's no absolute truth to these viewpoints so it's up to each parent to decide. IMHO the safest position is the rear (2nd row) center using belts, if the child seat can be securely fastened.
Congratulations on all the new babies!!! |
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| screbr |
quote:
Originally posted by overdrive79
We have a 2004 MDX with a baby on the way. Unfortunately, the vehicle did not come with a manual when we purchased it earlier this year.
Can anyone give us an idea on how to use the LATCH system??
Many thanks,
-Justin
Sorry - can't help you with the latch; we use the seat belts for our 2 little ones.
But if you would like to pick up an owners manual, keep an eye on ebay. there's usually an abundant selection of these available if you're interested. |
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| jhue |
quote:
[i]And I'm not entirely sure why the MDX has no LATCH loops in the middle seat, as this is the most common position parents put babies in. [/B]
This question and many others are answered on http://www.car-safety.org/latchfaq.html
Also note that LATCH was created primarily as a convenience - for people who need to move their car seat between vehicles, and for those who have trouble getting their seat properly fitted with seat belts. If I can get a good fit with seat belts, I'm inclined to use them, as they're rated for more weight than the LATCH connectors.
5Q. Why aren't LATCH lower anchors provided for the rear center seat?
A. Two pairs of LATCH lower anchors are required in the back seat of vehicles manufactured after September 1, 2002, and those anchors are required to be a specified distance apart for safety protection in a crash. Because of this required spacing between the lower anchorages, most vehicles do not have a rear seat that is wide enough to accommodate anchorages in the center seating position and in an adjacent outboard position. While lower anchorages are typically installed at outboard seating positions, most vehicles that have a center rear seating position without lower anchors also provide a top tether for additional safety benefit.
6Q. Can I use the two inboard lower anchors (of the outboard LATCH seating positions) to install my child seat in the rear center seating position?
A. No, unless both the child restraint manufacturer's instructions and the vehicle owner's manual specifically state that this is acceptable. A child restraint can be installed using the rear-center seat belt and, if forward-facing, the top tether anchor. |
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| dj-mdx2 |
| Great research, jhue. Was too lazy to google the answers myself, since my older X doesn't have LATCH and I feel (subjectively) that the seatbelt feels more secure anyway. |
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| andreseng |
| I'll bet if you call your local Police station they have a car seat expert there who will check and advise on the installation. |
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| overdrive79 |
| thanks everyone for your input. |
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| Pro Stock John |
2006 MDX
20+ lbs baby seat, still rear facing
I tried it behind the passenger seat, it was too tight and the angle got messed up.
I put it in the center using the latches, fits great, and it's nice and tight.
We had it in the center of our 05 TL too. |
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| ohbarnes |
Good thread and research - thanks - another spin on this...
We have a 1yr old and two adults staying with us for a few weeks... I was thinking about putting the child seat in the 3rd row allowing more space in the 2nd row for our guests as we plan some long road trips and they are too big for the 3rd row and almost too big for the 2nd row!
I know there are not any 'latches' in the 3rd row and based on input here there is a mixture of latch and seatbelt users... so any advise on pros and cons of putting our little man in the 3rd row?
Thanks very much for any advise.
Olly. |
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| dj-mdx2 |
The MDX was supposedly designed so that the third row would not be significantly affected by intrusion during collision - I can't remember the velocity they used to test this.
I have put my 2 kids, 7 and 5 y.o., in the third row when we had guests, and they loved it. The MDX's interior space got maximized during those days, as we typically had luggage in the rear as well.
As for LATCH versus seatbelt, as long as the carseat is installed correctly, this shouldn't be an issue.
Hope this helps. |
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