Check out consumer reports.

Cheers.

 

I've researched child safety seats extensively. Though consumer reports does "overall" score chicco keyfit higher than britax, the chicco receives a "very good" crash protection rating vs. britax chaperone's "excellent" rating. Each seat has pros/cons, but both are great choices.

 

I have a 2012 rx 350 and am unsure whether to use LATCH in the center rear seat. The owner manual of the rx states there are dedicated latch anchors for the rear passenger and rear driver side seats, however it does not specifically state center latch use is not recommended.

We have purchased the britax chaperone infant car seat. Britax states it is compatible with latch anchors 11-20 inches apart if the vehicle manufacturer allows. This seat has a wider/longer base compared to other car seats.

Does anyone have any experience with this? I know seat belt use is also an option, but I would prefer to use LATCH. My husband and I are not interested in side installation as repeated studies and recommendations demonstrate center seat placement as the safest, not to mention common sense as well.

Any relevant input or experience is appreciated!

 

You are not supposed to use the two inner latches to secure the babyseat down the center. They are spaced too far for the babyseat to work right. You can use the twist seatbelt and engage in the lock

 

Hi
I'm new to the forum. Was curious if anyone has placed a car seat or specifically a Britax to the center? My daughter faces forward now ad her seat is behind the passenger's seat.

 

You just have to use the seatbelt lock, which works fine too except it is harder to do

 

We are pretty much in the same position as you, except that we have a 2008 RX350 in which we are installing the Britax Chaperone. We also prefer to install the car seat in the rear center seat using the LATCH system. As you stated (and despite others' incorrect input), my Lexus owner's manual does not specifically prohibit using the center seat with the LATCH, and Britax states that you can use the center seat with LATCH as long as the anchors are less than 20 inches apart. I would prefer to use the LATCH system, but when I installed it in the center seat using the LATCH (using the two innermost anchors), there is a tad too much side to side movement. I tried using the seat belt installation option to secure the car seat, and used the method described above and twisted the seat belt, and I got it pretty tight. But ,I don't like how the seat belt strap hangs out and I still prefer to use the LATCH. If anyone has actually successfully installed the Britax Chaperone in the rear center of a Lexus RX using the LATCH, I would appreciate your input. Thanks in advance.

 

While Toyota and Lexus do not specifically prohibit using the center seat with LATCH borrowing, at the same time they do not specifically allow it. Britax allows it IF, and ONLY IF, the vehicle manufacturer also allows it (see FAQ from Britax website below). If you search on car-seat.org it is repeatedly pointed out that LATCH borrowing is not allowed by Toyota/Lexus. In contrast, it is explicitly allowed by certain vehicle manufacturers such as Ford, and is stated as such in the vehicle manual.

I hope you don't consider this to be "incorrect input" but rather good safety sense.

 

What if you used both latch borrowing and the seatbelt?

 

u are only suppose to use latch or seat belt lock

 

Our CA Highway Patrol taught child safety class said DO NOT use the center seat with the LATCH anchors from the side seats unless specifically called for. He actually said it would be safer to have the child in the side seat (and said probably curb/passenger side was the better option because of loading/unloading the child).

and a little more...
http://www.thecarseatlady.com/vehicl...system_10.html

"If your vehicle is made by one of the manufacturer's listed below, you CANNOT install your child safety seat using the lower anchors in the center of the backseat--NO EXCEPTIONS! ..................Lexus (except 2001-2007 LX470)'

 

Thanks for the info. N8dagr8. I've had my daughter in the center position ever since I purchased the vehicle, but I will be moving her to behind the passenger seat this weekend!

 

I am also using the rear passenger side seat from britmax, the center just didn't fit correctly for me

 

Hate to bring up an old post but none the less a good one.... Have the peg perego installed in center position using the latch system and wondered why it just didn't seem to fit properly and now I know why thanks again to Kooser (OP) for this post & N8dagr8 for -thecarseatlady- link I will immediately go now to properly secure the seat for my lil guy!!! Even tho it's like 12* outside....

 

If you read your car manual they suggest the rear facing go on the two side seats. Well at least that's what my 2015 RX 350 manual told me. My husband looked and there wasn't an option for us to put it in the middle which is where I wanted it to go because of leg room for the front passenger seat.