baby seat - Z06Vette.com

ZEBRA · 10-23-2002, 08:47 AM

I can't seem to secure the baby seat really tight. I've tried contacting GM, but no response. The tether helps, but the locking mechanism on the seat belt is a piece of ......

I heard the 2003's have a different system bc of the known problems. Does anyone know of a kit for my 2001 or technique to really tighten down the baby seat?

I've tried those locking clips, but the Z06 belt system is not conducive to them.

Thanks

N4C5S · 10-23-2002, 09:53 AM

I would not recommend a child seat in the Vette, but if you must, don't ever forget to disable the pass air bag.....

JC

**FiveOJoe** · 10-23-2002, 03:08 PM

Not bragging here, but I am a NHTSA Child Passenger Safety Tech. (I volunteer to go to those weekend baby seat check points and install seats.)

So here you go.

1. Don't put one in a Vette unless you have no other option.
2. Disable the airbag!!!
3. Put the seat all the way back.
4. You do not need a locking clip because in has a sewn on latchplate. (It can't move)
5. After placing the CP seat and running the seat belt through the proper path, PULL THE LOWER PART OF THE SEATBELT ALL THE WAY OUT and slowly let it retract.(It will now be switched to LOCKING MODE and you will hear it ratcheting as it retracts.) This applys to all passenger positions in most cars nowadays.
6. Kneel on the CP seat or lay across it with all your weight (it's tough-it can take it) and feed some more of the lower belt into the retractor. It will be locked into place if you SWITCHED it correctly. If it's not locked, let the belt fully retract again and start over.
7. The upper belt will be through the path, but not locked, just make sure it has no slack in it.
8. Use the tether if you have one. It stops forward rotation of the CP seat in a crash.

The biggest problem at our checkpoints is most people don't know that retractors can be switched(STEP 5) so they lock in place and restrict movement of a passenger or carseat.

Hope this helps

Joe

JBsZ06 · 10-24-2002, 04:31 AM

Although I have three cars I take my son in my vette all the time. Five O Joe's advice is right on the money.

Advice Number five is the step to make it secure.

Enjoy and of course drive responsibly..

Congratulations!

JB

proexpert · 10-24-2002, 04:36 AM

Now that's what this site is all about.

NinjaZ06 · 10-24-2002, 05:55 AM

Future Corvette lover ???

c4c5specialist · 10-25-2002, 02:43 AM

HI there,
For 03, all Corvette have the Quick latch system for child safety seats on the passenger side.
Although, I do agree with Joe here, follow his instructions, I have retrofitted 2 2003 seat frames to earlier models, without any problems.
All the best, c4c5

**FiveOJoe** · 10-25-2002, 02:49 AM

C4C5:
I wasn't sure if the 03 vettes were going to have the LATCH system or not. That's good to know. Thanks.

My instructions above DO NOT apply to LATCH system cars, as you do not use the seatbelts with those systems.

Joe

ZEBRA · 10-25-2002, 12:35 PM

Thanks for all the replies. I do have the belt in lock mode, but I still can't get as tight a fit as I can on my other vehicle. I put about 230lbs of weight on the Car seat and feed the belt in, but it's still not very tight. The locking mechanism doesn't have fine increments.

I think I'm going to try to retrofit a latch system.

Btw, I agree with everything said. But my 3yr. old son is as big a car freak as I am and we just do a short Sunday morning trip to church and back.

Z06 Tom · 10-25-2002, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ZEBRA

Btw, I agree with everything said. But my 3yr. old son is as big a car freak as I am and we just do a short Sunday morning trip to church and back.

Once he gets to "4 and 40", check out the Simpson booster seat.
It's :cool: and my four year old loves it!

I can't figure out how to attach the "Hans" device?:-?

ZEBRA · 10-25-2002, 01:24 PM

To c4c5specialist,

Do you have the part number for that 2003 seat rails with latch?

How much are they?

Thanks!!

c4c5specialist · 10-25-2002, 02:54 PM

HI Zebra,
I will have the part numbers for tomorrow afternoon, after I get out of work.
They are in my files.
Allthebest, c4c5:eek:

ZO6Cam · 10-25-2002, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by c4c5specialist
HI Zebra,
I will have the part numbers for tomorrow afternoon, after I get out of work.
They are in my files.
Allthebest, c4c5:eek:

Excellent. I have no choice but to take my infant in the Corvette with me occassionally, since its my daily driver. If my wife is gone/at work and I have to take the kid to daycare or pick her up, she has to go in the vette with me.

If there's anything I can do to make the seat safer for her, I'll do it in a heartbeat.

**FiveOJoe** · 10-25-2002, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Thanks for all the replies. I do have the belt in lock mode, but I still can't get as tight a fit as I can on my other vehicle. I put about 230lbs of weight on the Car seat and feed the belt in, but it's still not very tight. The locking mechanism doesn't have fine increments.

I surprised to hear you say that. I went out in the garage and pulled the seatbelt "all the way out" to "switch" mine over to locking mode and it ratchets in very "fine" increments, 5 to 7 clicks per inch. Sounds like I'm spinning my 3/8 drive ratchet by hand.
(someone else please check and verify this on another Vette)

If your sure your in locking mode and you still can't get it tight, there is one other method we use.
1. Put the belt in "locking mode" and push it through the pathway.
2. Stop when the latchplate gets about 3 to 4 inches away from the latch.
3. Pull the seat back toward the open door slightly then lean on it hard with your chest or belly and "Rock" the seat toward the latch while guiding the latchplate into the latch..
4. With a little practice you can get it very tight this way.

Not getting it as tight as your other car may be because you have more "cushion" to depress in the other seat, but I have gotten CP seats very tight (hard to move side to side) in Corvettes

The new latch system (now on every seat manufactured) is great, but older seats don't have it, so you will still need to get it tight with the belts.

Hope this helps.
Joe

ZEBRA · 10-26-2002, 10:35 PM

Thanks Joe. I'm gonna try the "rocking" technique. With the seat all the way back, the belt goes in the pathway at a more severe angle. If I move the seat up one notch it helps, but I'd like to keep the seat all the way back.