We are looking to buy an element. I am in love with this car. Anyone know if a baby seat will fit easily in the back seat?. My wife is "expecting" and we are doing the SUV search.. We want to go "element " as we are loyal honda people... Any info woudl be great...
dictator
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I installed seat with LATCH system today and it's slick
[quote:4d514ff6cc="Jonesin4anE"]Other posters have also talked about tether straps that attach to the roof of the E just inside the liftgate - do you know anything about this? Our car seat is a GRACO leisuresport and I don't remember it coming with any kind of tether straps like that.[/quote:4d514ff6cc]
I believe the tether straps are used for the next level of carseat, not infant, but forward-facing child carseat (22lbs and up). Thanks for your info, I will be checking with the local police/fire and making sure it gets installed right before the baby comes!
I believe the tether straps are used for the next level of carseat, not infant, but forward-facing child carseat (22lbs and up). Thanks for your info, I will be checking with the local police/fire and making sure it gets installed right before the baby comes!
I'm certainly no expert on the subject, but I had a similar experience with our car seat. I installed the infant seat using LATCH (rear facing in a Toyota SUV), and then ran the tether strap from the back of the infant seat and connected it to the underside (frame) of the of car seat. It pulled the infant seat down flat to the car seat.
Our local police department gave the thumbs up, and also gave us a free rubberized mat to place under the infant seat to prevent slippage. The rubberized mat is very helpful.
I hope this helps.
Our local police department gave the thumbs up, and also gave us a free rubberized mat to place under the infant seat to prevent slippage. The rubberized mat is very helpful.
I hope this helps.
I posted a question about carseat usage in the "shoppin" forum before I saw this thread.
I have been studying all sorts of carseat stuff lately as we are due with our second soon. Most infant seats don't come with a tether, but most convertable ones do. We have the britax roundabout which we used with our first and bought another one for our second.
The angle of the newborn seat is very important. I remember having mine installed the first time and when I had it inspected, the angle wasn't what it needed to be. The installer used a piece of solid foam pool noodle to make the base more level and still provide the stability.
The best advice I've heard so far and can give is to go to a certified installer and have it checked. I was amazed at how wrong I was. Do it now before you have the baby so you won't worry when he or she gets here.
Good luck.
bexter
I have been studying all sorts of carseat stuff lately as we are due with our second soon. Most infant seats don't come with a tether, but most convertable ones do. We have the britax roundabout which we used with our first and bought another one for our second.
The angle of the newborn seat is very important. I remember having mine installed the first time and when I had it inspected, the angle wasn't what it needed to be. The installer used a piece of solid foam pool noodle to make the base more level and still provide the stability.
The best advice I've heard so far and can give is to go to a certified installer and have it checked. I was amazed at how wrong I was. Do it now before you have the baby so you won't worry when he or she gets here.
Good luck.
bexter
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19 Posts
[quote:9196248d02="bexter12"][snip...]
The angle of the newborn seat is very important. I remember having mine installed the first time and when I had it inspected, the angle wasn't what it needed to be. The installer used a piece of solid foam pool noodle to make the base more level and still provide the stability.
The best advice I've heard so far and can give is to go to a certified installer and have it checked. [...snip][/quote:9196248d02]
our carseat has a little level indicator on the side.
that way i always know it is properly positioned no matter what vehicle we take.
The angle of the newborn seat is very important. I remember having mine installed the first time and when I had it inspected, the angle wasn't what it needed to be. The installer used a piece of solid foam pool noodle to make the base more level and still provide the stability.
The best advice I've heard so far and can give is to go to a certified installer and have it checked. [...snip][/quote:9196248d02]
our carseat has a little level indicator on the side.
that way i always know it is properly positioned no matter what vehicle we take.
One the child gets out of the carrier and into a rear facing seat, your going to have problems. You will have to get in the opposite door to put the child in. The rear seats are so far back, you do not have any room between the opening and the seat. (If this sounds confusing, you'll see when you put in the seat.) I can't wait for my daughter to be in the foward facing seat. I do have to say, the LATCH system is great.
My husband and I did an overnight test drive of an E last week to check for this thing. We use Britax seats which are some of the largest on the market. Our two-week old girl has a rear-facing convertible set and not only did it fit , but the passenger seat could be scooted all the way back with room to spare. It was better than any mini-van we test drove.
The forward facing seat for our toddler was perfect. He loved looking up and out of the moon roof.
good luck.
bex
The forward facing seat for our toddler was perfect. He loved looking up and out of the moon roof.
good luck.
bex
Joined
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56 Posts
We're having a baby! Woo-hoo! Anyway, quick questions about babies and Elements: Anyone here use a car seat in it? And, if so, do you use the rear-roof harness attachments? And, if so to that, do the straps come standard with car seats?
I hear they're not that necessary, but with your child you don't want to chance a thing! Thanks!
I hear they're not that necessary, but with your child you don't want to chance a thing! Thanks!
Let's see...
quick answers: Yes. Yes, and yes.
Actually, I HIGHLY recommend using the LATCH system and the strap to the roof. It REALLY stabilizes the seat -- you shouldn't be able to move it (at all). I find 3 point seatbelts to provide poor restraining power (on their own) with child car seats. The strap is just too long with too much possibility for play despite even He-Man's best efforts. A pure lab belt works much better (by itself vs. a 3 point belt), but the LATCH setup -- if done right -- is super.
Also, being able to fully climb in the back and fuss with getting your kid in the carseat is great.
quick answers: Yes. Yes, and yes.
Actually, I HIGHLY recommend using the LATCH system and the strap to the roof. It REALLY stabilizes the seat -- you shouldn't be able to move it (at all). I find 3 point seatbelts to provide poor restraining power (on their own) with child car seats. The strap is just too long with too much possibility for play despite even He-Man's best efforts. A pure lab belt works much better (by itself vs. a 3 point belt), but the LATCH setup -- if done right -- is super.
Also, being able to fully climb in the back and fuss with getting your kid in the carseat is great.
First off, congratulations!! For the first year, your baby will be in a rear facing carseat. I agree LATCH is the easiest way to install, and since all carseats are now required to have that, it shouldn't be a problem. Your won't need to use the tether (rear roof attatchment) until he/she is over a year and you turn the carseat around. And all forward facing carseats for kids 12 mos and up should come with a tether. Good luck!!
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We have a 9 month old boy and I never liked the LATCH system hooks and straps that much. Was more personal preference to use the standard seat belt looped thru the car seat base. The car seat we were using was the stationary base style with the pop-in/pop-out carrier that could snap onto the stroller. For me anyway, I got a much tighter grip by reclining the rear seat-back all the way then kneeling on and strapping down the base. Then reset the seat-back to the normal position and it would pinch lock the base extremely tight. I could shake the whole vehicle just by pushing and pulling on the base. The carrier couldn't budge. It was also easier doing it this way whenever we had to remove or reinstall the carseat. I could never get the LATCH straps as tight as I wanted and it was a literal pain to unclip. But alot of this can be due to shape and style of seat. Try both ways and go with makes you feel the most confident.
[quote:5f74c74e01=" "]We have a 9 month old boy and I never liked the LATCH system hooks and straps that much. Was more personal preference to use the standard seat belt looped thru the car seat base. The car seat we were using was the stationary base style with the pop-in/pop-out carrier that could snap onto the stroller. For me anyway, I got a much tighter grip by reclining the rear seat-back all the way then kneeling on and strapping down the base. Then reset the seat-back to the normal position and it would pinch lock the base extremely tight. I could shake the whole vehicle just by pushing and pulling on the base. The carrier couldn't budge. It was also easier doing it this way whenever we had to remove or reinstall the carseat. I could never get the LATCH straps as tight as I wanted and it was a literal pain to unclip. But alot of this can be due to shape and style of seat. Try both ways and go with makes you feel the most confident.[/quote:5f74c74e01]
Empire, it's been awhile (my youngest is 12 now) but I used the same knee in the car seat method - it was the only way I found to be able to secure it so there was no play. Great minds think alike!
Empire, it's been awhile (my youngest is 12 now) but I used the same knee in the car seat method - it was the only way I found to be able to secure it so there was no play. Great minds think alike!
Hello,
I am thinking of buying the Honda Elemnet.
I am pretty happy with its Interior/Exterior and other Features.
The thing that concerns me is ...Would I be able to put Kids Car Seat and still seat 4 people...I know its a 4 seat vehicle...
But can 5 people fit into it ..& is is possible to fit the Car seat in the middle of the Back row seating ..
Let me know ...
I am thinking of buying the Honda Elemnet.
I am pretty happy with its Interior/Exterior and other Features.
The thing that concerns me is ...Would I be able to put Kids Car Seat and still seat 4 people...I know its a 4 seat vehicle...
But can 5 people fit into it ..& is is possible to fit the Car seat in the middle of the Back row seating ..
Let me know ...
Yes and yes
the britax roundabout and freeway plus are excellent seats.
I havent used a rear facing setup in the E as are kids were bigger when we bought it but for forward facing the tether points work beautifully.
I can send pics if you need them...
the britax roundabout and freeway plus are excellent seats.
I havent used a rear facing setup in the E as are kids were bigger when we bought it but for forward facing the tether points work beautifully.
I can send pics if you need them...
.
Take your seat with you and try it out on a test drive and see for yourself
I've heard of people doing this with LATCH enabled car seats. They use the LATCH points from each side closest to the middle. This does not leave much room for back seat passengers, but could possibly work if your backseat passengers were kids. I tried it with mine but decided that the remaining passenger room was not adequate for my needs.
Take your seat with you and try it out on a test drive and see for yourself
Hi, I'm considering a E purchase but, having a 2 year old, I'm concerned about the how easy it is to get in and out of the element in a parking lot.
With the possibility of little room on the side, my concern is that I'll have to do considerable 'shuffling' between doors to get to the back, unharness my son from the carseat, and shuffle to get out.
Has anyone else had this same concern prior to purchase and found it to not be a problem?
It's not necessarily a deal breaker, I just want to know what to expect. Your experiences are greatly valued. Thanks!
ps. IMO, for anyone in the market for a carseat, The Brytax Roundabout is THE BEST!!
With the possibility of little room on the side, my concern is that I'll have to do considerable 'shuffling' between doors to get to the back, unharness my son from the carseat, and shuffle to get out.
Has anyone else had this same concern prior to purchase and found it to not be a problem?
It's not necessarily a deal breaker, I just want to know what to expect. Your experiences are greatly valued. Thanks!
ps. IMO, for anyone in the market for a carseat, The Brytax Roundabout is THE BEST!!
Hinano,
I have a 5 year old and a 14 month old. I try to park at the end of a row if possible, next to a median or landscaping, etc. This way, I always have one side that I can open completely. Even if I have to climb in myself to latch seatbelts/carseats, it's not a big deal. The door shuffle is a pain, especially when you get a jerk next to you that has parked WAY too close! Just my two cents, hope it helps!
I have a 5 year old and a 14 month old. I try to park at the end of a row if possible, next to a median or landscaping, etc. This way, I always have one side that I can open completely. Even if I have to climb in myself to latch seatbelts/carseats, it's not a big deal. The door shuffle is a pain, especially when you get a jerk next to you that has parked WAY too close! Just my two cents, hope it helps!
[quote:ebf36f5579=" "]With the possibility of little room on the side, my concern is that I'll have to do considerable 'shuffling' between doors to get to the back, unharness my son from the carseat, and shuffle to get out.
Has anyone else had this same concern prior to purchase and found it to not be a problem?
It's not necessarily a deal breaker, I just want to know what to expect. Your experiences are greatly valued. Thanks!
ps. IMO, for anyone in the market for a carseat, The Brytax Roundabout is THE BEST!![/quote:ebf36f5579]
room on the side.. actually the size of the doors are much smaller then most vehicles so it is easier to open and close. if you need extra room to manuever a stroller, just close the front with the back open.. it is no biggie to reopen the front to close the back when youa re done.. i have done this for my pup, friends kids etc.. so it is no problem.. and once you do it once or twice it is second nature.
Kids are strapped in so well, you would have to open the rear door anyhow.. and there is more then enough crawl in room for you to reach in and unstrap them to get them out of their seat.
I had thought about this as well, since we have been "trying" to have kids, and everyone i know has kids.. my E has been very kid friendly!
the britax is great! Consumer reports loves them, they are highly rated, and work in all vehicles.. so that is a big plus!
good luck with your choice.. do take your car seat and kids when you look at the E in person.. and see how it feels to you.. remember the doors are unique to what you are used to.. anything unique will take getting used to .. but see how comfortable you feel with getting in and out.
amrcanpoet Congrats.. when are you guys due?? Great advice out there.. there was nothing i could add, smiles!
Has anyone else had this same concern prior to purchase and found it to not be a problem?
It's not necessarily a deal breaker, I just want to know what to expect. Your experiences are greatly valued. Thanks!
ps. IMO, for anyone in the market for a carseat, The Brytax Roundabout is THE BEST!![/quote:ebf36f5579]
room on the side.. actually the size of the doors are much smaller then most vehicles so it is easier to open and close. if you need extra room to manuever a stroller, just close the front with the back open.. it is no biggie to reopen the front to close the back when youa re done.. i have done this for my pup, friends kids etc.. so it is no problem.. and once you do it once or twice it is second nature.
Kids are strapped in so well, you would have to open the rear door anyhow.. and there is more then enough crawl in room for you to reach in and unstrap them to get them out of their seat.
I had thought about this as well, since we have been "trying" to have kids, and everyone i know has kids.. my E has been very kid friendly!
the britax is great! Consumer reports loves them, they are highly rated, and work in all vehicles.. so that is a big plus!
good luck with your choice.. do take your car seat and kids when you look at the E in person.. and see how it feels to you.. remember the doors are unique to what you are used to.. anything unique will take getting used to .. but see how comfortable you feel with getting in and out.
amrcanpoet Congrats.. when are you guys due?? Great advice out there.. there was nothing i could add, smiles!
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