Expiration Date - Mobile,AL

Good for you knowing each and every car seat has an expiration date which is listed somewhere on the car seat. The car seat expiration is based on the date of manufacture not the date of purchase or beginning of use. Most car seats expire in 5 years some in 6.

Car seats can become unsafe when they expire and the reason why car seats are given an expiration date and it is not just to get your money. The car seat does become damaged in ways you may not see. The plastic shell degrades and warps due to the changing conditions, the harness begins to wear and the Styrofoam can degrade. All of these things make your child less and less safe.

Graco says on their heart-to-heart blog website that they imprint “DO NOT use this car seat after Month, Year” on the bottom of every car seat.
http://blog.gracobaby.com/2010/02/11/car-seats-have-expir...

I have mixed feelings about observing the expiration date of a car seat. First, the likelihood of being in a serious accident with your baby/child and car seat is less than 1%. Even if the plastic is somewhat weakened it will keep your child safe in a minor sort of accident (one in which injuries are miner or non existent) which is what most accidents are.

I've never heard of a car seat failing and many people continue to use them past the expiration date.

Second, expiration dates are on the conservative side because we live in a litigious society. I suggest using a seat that's a year or so past would still be safe for sure. I am comfortable using one with my grandchild that is 5 years past the date.

Here is why. The webbing is still intact and strong. The cushioning is intact. The upholstery is intact. The plastic is sturdy and doesn't bend or crack or show a stress line when pressure is applied from opposite sides.

I do know that I'm taking a less than 1% chance. I take more of a chance than that just walking across the street with baby in a stroller.

I do say that each one of us has to make our own decision based on what we are comfortable with.

To actually answer the question the expiration date on my Graco is embossed in the plastic on the bottom of the seat.

First of all, please completely ignore 8kidsdad on this O.. He also buys & eats expired meat & eggs! (Sorry 8kd, but this is life and death, not food poisoning or saving a buck!)

All car seats have expiration dates somewhere on them, usually on the bottom of the seat. Do not use a car seat past its expiration date, as the plastic may no longer be strong enough to support your child safely. The lifespan is USUALLY 6 years from the date of manufacture.

Here's an article with some info & resources:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001990.htm

Car seats are like airplanes. They over build them. A plane that is supposed to carry 1000 lbs will actually carry 1200 lbs. Why, because I know of no one that has a set of scales and weighs every one and every thing before it/they get on the plane, so the manufacturers over build them.

Car seats are the same way. The car seat on its expiration date may have just fallen below 100%. If a car seat is only at 99.5% of its capacity should it be thrown away so it adds to the land fill? Or should you wait until it is at 98% or maybe 95%. Personally, if you feel it is no longer safe, then change it. If you have enough money, change it once per week for maximum safety. If you are not Bill Gates or have his resources, then replace it when it no longer functions. Even if it is before (or after) the expiration date.

Good luck to you and yours.

Not sure, other than it should probably be at the bottom of the seat, etched into the plastic.

Safety (since it's a popular topic in your 4 answers already):
In my area, there was recently a consignment sale (Just Between Friends). It looks like they follow a flow-chart to see whether a seat is safe or not to resell. Basically, the first few questions ask "is there a manufacturing date printed on a label or the seat" and then "is this date less than 5 years old? If no- then destroy it." See their rules here: http://www.jbfcentral.com/client_store/document_repositor...