New Car Shopping Guide for Parents
Shopping for a new car? These factors can help make sure your new car can accommodate your children properly
When shopping for a family vehicle, keep in mind that there are approximately 684 models of motor vehicles and 333 models of child restraint systems (car seats & travel vests) manufactured in the United States, and model designs often change each year. While vehicles and car seats are required to meet Federal standards, depending on specific factors, not all car seats are compatible to every vehicle. Depending on the vehicle seat design and additional factors, there is a 15-20% chance that a specific car seat might not be compatible to a specific vehicle. Pro Consumer Safety has established 12-factors for parents to consider when shopping for a new family vehicle. These factors are also important to consider when shopping for a new child car seat. In either case, of a new car or new car seat, always have a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) confirm it is appropriate and to show you how to install, test, reinstall and use your car seat properly.
12- Factors to consider when Shopping for a New Vehicle
When shopping for a new vehicle, whether a sedan, SUV or minivan, use the following 12-factors to help provide guidance to the best vehicle to accommodate the types and number of car seats and passengers you need to transport. These factors have been shown to contribute to car seat compatibility problems (including rear-facing, forward-facing, combination, all-in-one and booster seats). The only way to know if a specific car seat is fully compatible to a vehicle is to test it first. Use this as a guide when shopping for a new vehicle to help narrow down your vehicle, as well as keep these in mind when shopping for a new car seat as well. Remember, always have a CPST assist you to confirm your vehicle and car seat are compatible, but also to make sure you know how to install, test, reinstall and use your car seat properly.
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1. More than one childHaving more than one child and particularly children rear-facing, in addition to placing several car seats side to side can be difficult depending on the car seat and vehicle design.
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2. More than one car seat or various types of car seatsHaving multiple car seats including rear-facing, forward-facing and booster seat, can contribute to problems depending on the vehicle size, design, etc.
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3. Height and weight of children all similar (i.e. rear-facing, etc.)Similarly to multiple car seats, having children with lower height and weight who are in rear-facing car seats contribute to more difficulties with certain vehicles. Even with children who are older in forward-facing car seats and booster seats, depending on the number of children in the vehicle and size of vehicle can affect compatibility and ability for the children in booster seats to be able to buckle properly.
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4. Taller driver and/or front passenger (5'10" or taller)Especially when using rear-facing car seats. The driver and passenger need at least 3-inches of space between their knees and vehicle dashboard. In addition, the driver must be no less than 10-inches to the steering wheel and the passenger no less than 20-inches to the front airbag. In general, if the driver or front passenger are 5-foot, 10-inches or taller can make it more difficult to accommodate a rear-facing car seat to provide sufficient space for the seat as well as the passenger and driver.
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5. Second row vehicle seat fixed (unable to slide back)This is necessary for proper space necessary between the back of the child's rear-facing car seat and the back of the front vehicle seats. Whereas rear-facing car seats need at least 1.5-2 inches of space between the back of the car seat and back of front vehicle seats. This can impact the driver and passenger as just discussed above.
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6. Strong contours of vehicle seatsHaving strong contours on the vehicle seats can affect the ability to properly install car seats. (for example, sport model type of vehicle seats might be more comfortable for passengers, but can make the car seat unstable, unable to install at proper angle, etc.)
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7. LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) not aliening with car seat levelingHeight and location of LATCH in addition to the contours of the vehicle seat can affect proper use of LATCH, depending on design of car seat making it difficult to get proper fit of car seat and be leveled accordingly.
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8. Location of vehicle seat belts 3-4 inches from back of vehicle seatVehicle seat belts (both the seat belt and seat belt receptacle) must be located close between where the vehicle seat bench and the back of the vehicle seat to properly install a car seat. If a vehicle seat belt is further way, such as 3-4 inches away from the back of the vehicle seat, makes it difficult for the seat belt to pull the car seat back into the vehicle seat for proper installation.
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Fixed seat beltsWhen the vehicle seat belt receptacle is fixed, solid and/or sunken into the bench of the vehicle seat, instead of being on a short belt makes it difficult to place a car seat in the correct location and/or position. This can make is difficult to install a car seat properly as well as can affect the number of car seats placed in the back seat and even make it difficult for a child to fasten a seat belt when using a booster seat (because seat belt locations being too narrow and being under the booster seat.
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10. Center seating position in vehicle - where the center vehicle seat belt is off-setIf the vehicle seat belts in the center are offset or too close such as being 8-inches or less apart or further away from the center, can increase the difficulty in properly installing a car seat and/or having passengers on each side. While the center position is the safest position when you only have one child in the back seat, keep in mind most vehicles do not have the LATCH system available in the center and you cannot borrow from each side unless specifically instructed in the vehicle and car seat instructions. So, the vehicle seat belt will be used according to both vehicle and car seat instructions. Also remember there is a weight limitation of LATCH, of 65-pounds combined the weight of the car seat and child as well.
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11. Center seating position has a rounded humpA rounded, highly contoured center hump of the vehicle back vehicle seat can make the car seat unstable and prevent it from being properly installed.
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12. Top LATCH tethers not in all rear vehicle seating locationsIn many SUV's and even minivans not all vehicle seats will have top tethers. Top tethers are used with forward-facing seats. Whereas the top tether is a strap located at the top of the car seat. This connects to the top tether anchor point located on the back of the vehicle seat. Check vehicle owner's manual to determine location.
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If your vehicle has any these 12-factors, this increases compatibility of the car seat and vehicle, making it less likely to have correct installation.These factors do not always mean that a car seat might not be able to be installed properly, but having one or more of these factors can contribute to why a car seat might not be able to be installed properly in the vehicle. In any case however, it is highly recommended to have a CPST assist you before you purchase the vehicle or even car seat. You can also download and print a pdf New Car Shopping Guide to take with you when shopping for a new car.
For questions call to talk with a NHTSA Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) at 323-491-6197 |
Safety Ratings for New Vehicles
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Pro Consumer Safety receives numerous inquiries from new and expectant parents on what is the best type and safest vehicle to transport their children in. While every vehicle manufacturer has their own criteria and safety specifications, we generally refer them to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), an independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization that helps to reduce death, injury and property from crashes. The IIHS offers an excellent resource for consumers on vehicle ratings. |
Why are some car seats not compatible to some vehicles?
NEW CHANGES-SMALLER CARS & LARGER CAR SEATS:
If you have children and/or have an active outdoor lifestyle that requires space to transport children and outdoor sports equipment and supplies, needing a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) or a minivan is a must. However when shopping keep in mind that many SUV’s have become smaller and compact (both in width and length). This is a safety problem especially since car seats are getting larger to keep children at each stage (rear-facing, forward-facing, booster seat) longer to give them more protection. For example, currently 77% of all rear-facing compatible car seats have a weight maximum of 40, 45 and even 50-pounds for rear-facing position (it is equally as important to follow height restriction as well). This increased weight can keep a child rear-facing between the ages of 3-5 years of age (based upon 90% percentile of height and weight, CDC Clinical Growth Charts). Remember anytime a child is transitioned from rear-facing to forward-facing, regardless of age, the child is at an increased risk of c-spine (neck) and traumatic brain injury in the event of a collision. So having car seats becoming larger and having an increased weight capability helps to give protection to the child's head and neck. But smaller sized, more compact vehicles, observed in SUV's, crossovers, some minivans, and even sedans, can compromise this ability, due to lack of needed space for rear-facing seats and with some vehicles becoming more narrow can also affect the ability to properly install certain car seats.
If you have children and/or have an active outdoor lifestyle that requires space to transport children and outdoor sports equipment and supplies, needing a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) or a minivan is a must. However when shopping keep in mind that many SUV’s have become smaller and compact (both in width and length). This is a safety problem especially since car seats are getting larger to keep children at each stage (rear-facing, forward-facing, booster seat) longer to give them more protection. For example, currently 77% of all rear-facing compatible car seats have a weight maximum of 40, 45 and even 50-pounds for rear-facing position (it is equally as important to follow height restriction as well). This increased weight can keep a child rear-facing between the ages of 3-5 years of age (based upon 90% percentile of height and weight, CDC Clinical Growth Charts). Remember anytime a child is transitioned from rear-facing to forward-facing, regardless of age, the child is at an increased risk of c-spine (neck) and traumatic brain injury in the event of a collision. So having car seats becoming larger and having an increased weight capability helps to give protection to the child's head and neck. But smaller sized, more compact vehicles, observed in SUV's, crossovers, some minivans, and even sedans, can compromise this ability, due to lack of needed space for rear-facing seats and with some vehicles becoming more narrow can also affect the ability to properly install certain car seats.
According to Consumer Affairs, because of new fuel economy standards, automakers are designing SUV’s smaller to improve fuel economy. This is not a problem, if you are not a tall driver or passenger (generally 5’10” or taller), only have one child, do not mind riding in the back seat with your child, just go to dinner, the movies, get groceries, or maybe take a beach chair and a small cooler to the beach, a smaller SUV is likely fine. However, with SUV’s becoming smaller this can be a problem. A smaller sized SUV can severely affect whether you can safely transport a child or numerous children in these smaller SUVs, and even in some sedans. Add to the fact that if you have an active outdoor lifestyle, you need space for carrying equipment such as for kayaking, snowboarding/skiing, camping, biking, child carriers, bike trailers, etc. But even more important is having enough space and capability to safely transport all of your passengers, including the ability to properly install car seat(s) in the safest location in the vehicle. Further, the design of the rear vehicle seats can affect the ability to properly install a car seat or booster seat. For example, ergonomically friendly, rear-seat belts are often located several inches away from the back of the vehicle seat, making it more convenient for a passenger to buckle, but difficult to install a car seat properly. Some rear-seat belt buckle location, angle, to vehicle seat contours also contribute to this problem. Depending on the factors below, these contribute to a 15-20% risk that a specific car seat might not be compatible to a specific vehicle.
