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View Full Version : Carseat help urgent!


Indigo
11-24-2008, 06:49 PM
I have the Boulevard a 05 model and I am 8 hours from home. I noticed a couple of times recently that dd's harness was not closed as we drove. I thought we needed to be more careful to make sure it was latched. A couple of times on the way here it was unhooked despite checking and making sure it clicked and yanking on it, it was closed and great a yet a few minutes later each time it was undone.
I called Britax, and they said this is a common issue! You have to run it under hot water every couple of months to clean it or this can happen. I see it in the maintenance section under how to clean but it never seemed dirty or to need it. They are sending a new buckle but I have my doubts that it will reach us before we leave for home. They would not over night it. I have done as suggested but there is really no way to test our buckle, only to use it and if it becomes unhooked then we know it's broken. I am really uncomfortable with this and Britax says the seat is safe if we clean it. WWYD for you child? Would you drive like this? Would you go and buy a cheap seat in the mean time? I am kind of freaked out by this. Have you ever had to clean you buckle to make it work? They said this is basic maintenance that should always be done.

Babyblue
11-24-2008, 07:54 PM
I have never heard of that before...I would clean it as good as possible under the hottest water it can take without melting. if it still seems to come undone I would go ahead and buy a cheap seat in the meantime or just stay where you are.

Earthmama
11-24-2008, 08:24 PM
me too.

And e-mail consumer reports or someone who will bring that to light. If it's a common problem, it needs to be in the manual!

_Gypsy_
11-24-2008, 08:31 PM
Anytime a buckle starts sticking or stops working it should be cleaned.

It's a common problem with *every* seat, not just Britax seats.

My kids don't eat or drink in the car much - other than water and some crackers usually, and I've never had to clean a buckle for either of them.

However I have a friend who feeds her kids in the car constantly - juice, milk, milkshakes, burgers, fries, "fruit" snacks and on and on... she has to clean hers every few months.

_Gypsy_
11-24-2008, 08:34 PM
It's on page 34 & 35 of the manual.

http://www.britaxusa.com/uploads/products/user-guides/4.pdf

AlrightyRoo
11-25-2008, 06:54 AM
I would clean it very well. And if it happens again, I'd get a cheap seat for the ride home.

The_Market
11-25-2008, 04:42 PM
Yeah, I'd clean it well and see how it goes.

My kids eat in the car constantly, but it's not been a problem yet. It's good to know that it's not just a Britax thing, Gypsy. I'm feeling a little paranoid since I'm supposed to leave on a long drive in an hour.

Funmommy
11-25-2008, 04:56 PM
Anytime a buckle starts sticking or stops working it should be cleaned.

It's a common problem with *every* seat, not just Britax seats.

My kids don't eat or drink in the car much - other than water and some crackers usually, and I've never had to clean a buckle for either of them.

However I have a friend who feeds her kids in the car constantly - juice, milk, milkshakes, burgers, fries, "fruit" snacks and on and on... she has to clean hers every few months.

I am notorious for letting my kids eat in the car and I have NEVER had a problem with any of their latches and haven't cleaned them either.
Well that's MY experience anyways .... maybe my kids get more food in their mouths than your friend's do. Only kidding :p

I would clean it really well and test it on a shorter drive first.

Earthmama
11-26-2008, 12:46 AM
Glad to hear it's in the manual.

Actually, I'm sure ours is ready for a good scrub-down.