Hello,
When using a high-back booster seat (specifically the Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 Booster), do I need to pull the lap belt ALL the way out before buckling it so that it will "lock" into place? I've noticed that several of my friends do not do this...they just pull it out enough to buckle it and that's it (the way we as adults just buckle or own car seats). My husband thinks he's read that it has to be pulled all the way out in order for it to lock, but I can't find that ANYWHERE in the instruction manual. One thing I read online is that the seat belt only needs to be pulled out all the way (so it "locks") is when you are using it to install a car seat, not a booster.
I'm just really confused because I'm reading different answers online, and I can't find the answers in the booster manual OR our car manual (we just purchased a new 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan). My life would be way easier if my kids could just pull the lap belt out enough for them to be buckled it, then it would be for ME to have to be the one to pull it out all the way in a locked position every time, but obviously, I will do what I have to do in order to keep them safe! Thank you in advance!
We have that seat and also pull it out til it locks. However, I do think that if you didn't do that, it will lock automatically with any sudden, abrupt stop.
So you are using it in booster seat mode with the adult belt? If so, you cannot use the lap belt only, you need to use a lap and shoulder belt, and no it does not need to be locked if you are using it as a booster seat.
If you are installing it with the seat belt as a car seat with the five point harness, then yes, you need to lock the belt by pulling it out all the way so it ratchets back in. If you are using it as a belted booster using the adult belt across the child, the no you do not need to lock it. BUT you do nee dto make sure you are using a lap/shoulder belt, not just a lap belt.
Most fire stations and police depts hav someone certified to check carseats you can always call and ask them.
I am assuming that we are talking about a shoulder/lap belt that you are using to secure your child - not the seat?!
If you are using the belt to secure your child in a belt positioning booster you don't lock it in place. But if your child is under 65 pounds - you really should consider using the build in 5 pt harness of the seat instead of the regular car belt...
We use our belt to secure the SEAT (not the child) in a car without LATCH and use the built in harness for the kid. In this case the belt must be locked in place by pulling it out fully and locked to keep the seat from shifting about.
I agree that it's pretty confusing, espcially with those new boosters that have their own harness - it depends how you are using the belt.
Good luck.
Your question is actually specific to the vehicle's seat belt, not the carseat. Every seatbelt I've used on a booster seat (and we're talking vehicles from 1994 through 2009), it doesn't matter how far out you pull the seatbelt, as long as you pull enough to make it click. It will retract and tighten around the passenger.
The only time I ever had a problem was if the child moved in such a way that the seat belt could tighten more than was comfortable for the child. That was really annoying, because I had to stop the vehicle, get out, undo the seatbelt, let it completely retract, belt the child back in. Annoying!!!
I'm 99% sure you don't "lock" it because then you're basically disabling the safety feature. This was pointed out in a FAST FREE car seat check in my county.
Please find a seat checking, certified person in your area, take your child, the seat and vehicle and get it ALL looked at. Ask any & all questions to someone trained to answer them.
You don't really want you child's safety riding on the opinions of other moms, 70% of whom install or incorrectly use car seats, do you?
Call your local police or fire dept and ask for the car seat technician.
We just pull it out enough to click it. Just like we do. If you stop hard the belt will lock. Ever do that and you feel it lock? Well that is what will happen with the booster. We tried it once without my daughter in the seat. My husband yanked on the seat and the seatbelt locked. I think that if you pull the belt all the way out then it would be too loose.
I agree with Jennifer that it depends on the seat belt. Our needs to be pulled out all the way. We take it to the fire department to have them install it, and they explained about the different kinds. I don't remember though, how you can tell about your own other than read the vehicle manual.
