Graco Nautilus Help

[Jmom1010]

I have recently bought a Nautilis to replace my comfortsport in my 04 Honda Civic. DS has always been in the center of this car and for some reason I cannot seem to get the Nautilis in tight enough so there is no side to side movement and DH could not get it tight either. I don't see it written anywhere that the seat cannot be in the middle, so I am wondering if there is anyone out there that has this seat in the middle of the backseat and what was your trick for getting it tight? This is the car DS rides in the most and I want to keep him in the center if at all possible.

Any help would be great.

~Karen
PS anyone know the height limitations of the comfortsport off the top of your head, I'd like to give the seat to my dad so he has one for his car and DS still will fit it for a little while.

[boys4us]

We have a Nautilus outboard passenger side in two Toyotas, a Camry and Matrix. When we have had to take them out, I've noticed that some times I have a harder time getting the latch anchor tight so we don't have the side to side movement. To me it seems like it is the angle the strap comes up that makes it hard to get tight. The two things that have helped me are making sure there are no twists in the latch belt, and then I "sit" in the seat and pull the strap up toward me to tighten. I use the word sit lightly as I don't fit in the seat, so half of me is in the seat and half is sitting on one of the arm rests. I don't know if that will help for the center position or not, but it has eliminated the movement at the belt path for us. Good luck, I love the seat. Once we get it tight, it does not seem to loosen up over time on its own. My 3 1/2 year old is very tall, and he is very comfortable in it.

[_Gypsy_]

First, you can't use LATCH in the center, so please make sure you are using the seatbelt.

Second, if needed you can twist the female end of the buckle stalk up to 3 full turn if it will improve installation.

Try the recline in every position.

Put weight into the seat and pull the seatbelt through the inside (peel back the cover and pull from the inside of the seat, not the outside), to get a better angle for a tighter installation.

Make sure you know how the seatbelts lock in your car, and use the locking feature of the seatbelt.

Finally, as long as there is an inch or less of movement at the belt path, the installation is acceptable - if you still can't get it tight, try visiting a CPST in your area.

A forward facing seat is outgrown when ANY of the following happen:

Weight limit is reached.

Shoulders are above top slots.

Tips of ears are above the top of the shell.

As long as none of that is happening, then he still fits in the CS.

[Jmom1010]

can I use the seatbelt and the harness too, he's too small for belt only. Is this no LATCH just for this seat? His comfortsport has been in the middle since he's been in it. I've never used the seatbelt to secure a seat in my car but used to have to do that in DH's old car. But if I can get the seat in tight on the passenger side with the LATCH that will be OK? Or is middle with the seatbelt still the better choice?

[_Gypsy_]

Honda doesn't allow borrowing of anchors.

Basically, you have two sets of lower LATCH anchors, they are for the outboard seating positions, you cannot borrow the inside anchors to install a seat in the center. Honda doesn't allow it.

If you want to install in the center, you MUST install it with the seatbelt - read the owners manual for seatbelt installation instructions. You will then continue using the harness until it's outgrown by height or weight.

If you need to use LATCH, you must use it only in the outboard seating positions.

As long as you can get a secure installation, the center is the safest position, however an excellent outboard installation is safer than a barely acceptable center installation.

[Jmom1010]

Thanks Gypsy. But I am confused, if Honda does not allow center LATCH use, then why is there a center top tether? My car has three, both sides and center.

Is LATCH safer than the belt? I'm going to try the belt in the center tomorrow but if LATCH is safer then I'll used the side.

[_Gypsy_]

In every vehicle made since mid-1999, there are 3 top tethers, it's required by law as long as there are 3 rear seating positions, and only a few vehicles (like convertibles) are exempt.

Lower anchors came later - in mid-2002, and only 2 sets of lower anchors are required by law since then (yeah, some cars had them earlier but they weren't required).

A top tether should still be used with a seatbelt installation because it reduced head excursion.

Read your owners manual for your car, notice how it shows only 2 lower anchor seating positions?

I'm not trying to confuse you, but Honda forbids borrowing of the lower anchors in the center from the outboard seating positions.

[Jmom1010]

Thanks, I see it now. I'm glad I can still use the top abchor with the seatbelt. If I can get the seat tight enough using the belt he'll stay center, if I can't then I'll move him to the passenger side.

Are there any cars out there with 3 sets of lower anchors?

[_Gypsy_]

Yes, but I can't recall which ones off the top of my head.

[Jmom1010]

That's OK no big deal but it will be something I look for next time I buy a car.

[SarahFae]

Chevy Cobalt has three sets. :) I know that much.