(child seats) No top tethering in my car
Discussion
We are looking at a new car seat for our 4 year old, opting for a isofix base again (without the supporting leg) this time, but has a top tether strap that fits behind into the hooks.
All sounds fine this is the one my wife wants (I'm not going to argue)...
We have a 2012 E91 - which has the correct anchor points into in the boot where this tether goes over the seats.
We also have a 2nd car a 2008 Vectra C I use for work mainly, and looking in the manual and in the car it does not have these fittings, this is now a bit of an issue as the new car seats needs to be interchangeable from one car to the other...
Any advice on the this particular car, I have looked on the net and the consensus is that the Vectra C only has normal ISOFIX points and that's it.
I am now really considering swapping cars due to this, strapping top tethers to a luggage point is a no go I suppose
All sounds fine this is the one my wife wants (I'm not going to argue)...
We have a 2012 E91 - which has the correct anchor points into in the boot where this tether goes over the seats.
We also have a 2nd car a 2008 Vectra C I use for work mainly, and looking in the manual and in the car it does not have these fittings, this is now a bit of an issue as the new car seats needs to be interchangeable from one car to the other...
Any advice on the this particular car, I have looked on the net and the consensus is that the Vectra C only has normal ISOFIX points and that's it.
I am now really considering swapping cars due to this, strapping top tethers to a luggage point is a no go I suppose
Edited by 7 5 7 on Tuesday 27th August 21:25
Not the easiest answer if your wife has decided, but just get a different seat.
We've never had any with top tether.
I assume it's forward facing?
Rear facing would be safer (might convince the wife?) and once they're too tall/heavy for that then high back booster seats don't usually have top tether.
Unless your child is tiny then a fully isofix seat may not last much longer anyway due to weight? Another possible way to convince the wife.
We've never had any with top tether.
I assume it's forward facing?
Rear facing would be safer (might convince the wife?) and once they're too tall/heavy for that then high back booster seats don't usually have top tether.
Unless your child is tiny then a fully isofix seat may not last much longer anyway due to weight? Another possible way to convince the wife.
Yeah, it can be an absolute minefield as you know child seats
Now read, we need a Group 2 seat, who knew their were groups, which if fitted correctly using the ISOFIX clips, there is no need to use
"Top tether isn't needed in a Group 2 seat. The isofix is only to hold the seat in place"
So this helps understand this a little more.
This is the one she is looking at
https://www.halfords.com/baby-and-child/car-seats/...
Edit - Double checked the Maxi-Cosi specs on their site, and it states after 4 years old the Top Tether is optional...so little more clearer again, as my daughter will be once we get this seat.
Now read, we need a Group 2 seat, who knew their were groups, which if fitted correctly using the ISOFIX clips, there is no need to use
"Top tether isn't needed in a Group 2 seat. The isofix is only to hold the seat in place"
So this helps understand this a little more.
This is the one she is looking at
https://www.halfords.com/baby-and-child/car-seats/...
Edit - Double checked the Maxi-Cosi specs on their site, and it states after 4 years old the Top Tether is optional...so little more clearer again, as my daughter will be once we get this seat.
Edited by 7 5 7 on Tuesday 27th August 22:15
It's potentially a grey area however given the shed status of the Vectra, you could just weld an appropriate tether point to the boot floor and cut a slot in the carpet? Though I think the seat would be perfectly safe without said top tether? If it's a solid backed seat, once in with the isofix, its ability to pivot forward will be minimal.
If you're child is four* you could be paying for Group 1 features you don't need. You could get two Group 2/3 isofix seats for the price of the one you linked to.
That seat is also 12.5kg and some isofix seats are harder to fit than others which may become a pain if you're swapping between cars frequently.
"Obviously depends on their height and weight.
That seat is also 12.5kg and some isofix seats are harder to fit than others which may become a pain if you're swapping between cars frequently.
"Obviously depends on their height and weight.
yeah I'd just be going for a high-backed booster at age 4. You can get some that are isofix as well, but all it does is hold the seat in place a little more securely when no-ones in it, and stops it flopping around the back seat (which is handy) rather than an actual safety feature.
Some of the britax seats have a little "4th point" strap that goes up between the kiddies legs and hooks onto the lap belt of the 3 point belt, we found that helped stop them slouching when they were small.
Some of the britax seats have a little "4th point" strap that goes up between the kiddies legs and hooks onto the lap belt of the 3 point belt, we found that helped stop them slouching when they were small.
Cheers everyone for your help on this, some things have been raised that I didn't even consider or realise, so much appreciated for the insights.
We have baby #2 coming in January also, so 'potentially' we can reuse this seat for them, when they get there - but we will see, but I can see just a specific Group 2 seat can be had alot cheaper like mentioned above.
It's mad how convoluted this topic can be at times, just so much information.
We have baby #2 coming in January also, so 'potentially' we can reuse this seat for them, when they get there - but we will see, but I can see just a specific Group 2 seat can be had alot cheaper like mentioned above.
It's mad how convoluted this topic can be at times, just so much information.
My kids have just turned 4 and 7 and I've been through several seats, though have always gone with Maxi Cosi as a brand as they just seem to work well for the money.
My youngest jumps between a high backed booster with isofix (Maxi Cosi Rodifix) that uses the three point belt which she's fine in by both height and weight... however, she's still prone to danger naps on longer trips and as the seat is quite upright, she ends up with her head falling forwards. So, we still use her previous seat (Maxi Cosi Pearl) with a separate isofix base, it's a four point seat but tilts back... much better for sleeping!
My little boy is big, he's also got a Maxi Cosi Rodifix and he's fine in it however if your going down the high backed booster, I'd say isofix is a must as I tried a seat without isofix and also one with those strap based hooks and they were not good - every corner he and the seat were slewing all over the place.
My youngest jumps between a high backed booster with isofix (Maxi Cosi Rodifix) that uses the three point belt which she's fine in by both height and weight... however, she's still prone to danger naps on longer trips and as the seat is quite upright, she ends up with her head falling forwards. So, we still use her previous seat (Maxi Cosi Pearl) with a separate isofix base, it's a four point seat but tilts back... much better for sleeping!
My little boy is big, he's also got a Maxi Cosi Rodifix and he's fine in it however if your going down the high backed booster, I'd say isofix is a must as I tried a seat without isofix and also one with those strap based hooks and they were not good - every corner he and the seat were slewing all over the place.
We use a version of these from cybex (Pallas m fix I think!)
https://www.cybex-online.com/en/gb/p/CS_SI_Pallas_...
The seat clips in place with the isofix, then child is held in place with the seat belt. From a young age, a bar across the front, then when they reach a set size the bar is removed. Top tether not required.
So much so, that we have four of them. They are light and two are permanently in my wife’s car. Then I have two in mine. Which then get moved around into other cars really easily. Others of mine, taxis, in-laws etc. They are really light and easy to move. They fit happily too if the car doesn’t have isofix as the connectors fold away and it just sits on the seat with the seatbelt holding them in position.
For us they work really well and will fit until they no longer require a car seat.
Edited to add - also available without the bar as a group 2/3 seat I think!
https://www.cybex-online.com/en/gb/p/CS_SI_Pallas_...
The seat clips in place with the isofix, then child is held in place with the seat belt. From a young age, a bar across the front, then when they reach a set size the bar is removed. Top tether not required.
So much so, that we have four of them. They are light and two are permanently in my wife’s car. Then I have two in mine. Which then get moved around into other cars really easily. Others of mine, taxis, in-laws etc. They are really light and easy to move. They fit happily too if the car doesn’t have isofix as the connectors fold away and it just sits on the seat with the seatbelt holding them in position.
For us they work really well and will fit until they no longer require a car seat.
Edited to add - also available without the bar as a group 2/3 seat I think!
Edited by The Big G on Wednesday 28th August 08:03
Davie said:
...(Maxi Cosi Rodifix)...
Pretty sure you can recline these (the non-isofix you definitely can). 
OP - forget about the top tether. It's not a requirement in the UK and seats are very safe without it. What is far more important is that the seats are installed correctly and the harness/seatbelts are used correctly.
ISOFIX makes installation easier, it doesn't make the seats safer.
Buy a second seat for the car that is used less. Like this Graco one for £40
https://www.halfords.com/baby-and-child/car-seats/...
https://www.halfords.com/baby-and-child/car-seats/...
braddo said:
Pretty sure you can recline these (the non-isofix you definitely can).
They do but only a very small amount, not enough to keep a sleeping child's head back so in turn she's slumps forwards and the three point inertia belt doesn't really hold her back. She's fine it it when she's awake... but being awake isn't something she prioritises at the moment! 7 5 7 said:
Cheers everyone for your help on this, some things have been raised that I didn't even consider or realise, so much appreciated for the insights.
We have baby #2 coming in January also, so 'potentially' we can reuse this seat for them, when they get there - but we will see, but I can see just a specific Group 2 seat can be had alot cheaper like mentioned above.
It's mad how convoluted this topic can be at times, just so much information.
You could do worse than sign up to a free trial of Which and read their child seat reviews. I know it helped me choose our seats and filter out the marketing crap. I let the subscription run a few months as there's value in what they do. Some seats have major flaws and are to be avoided.We have baby #2 coming in January also, so 'potentially' we can reuse this seat for them, when they get there - but we will see, but I can see just a specific Group 2 seat can be had alot cheaper like mentioned above.
It's mad how convoluted this topic can be at times, just so much information.
Davie said:
They do but only a very small amount, not enough to keep a sleeping child's head back so in turn she's slumps forwards and the three point inertia belt doesn't really hold her back. She's fine it it when she's awake... but being awake isn't something she prioritises at the moment!
Interesting. The non-isofix might recline further then!We got the seat I linked to above - all fits great in the E91 (great not having the supporting leg also)
I also found in old shed Vectra there is a child seat tether point too (not the luggage ones) - so if needs be it will fit..not the main kiddies car anyway tbh.
This seat although doesn't technically need to be tethered now due to my child's ages/height etc, it will certainly do for baby #2 when their time is here to use it.
Thanks all for your replies again.
I also found in old shed Vectra there is a child seat tether point too (not the luggage ones) - so if needs be it will fit..not the main kiddies car anyway tbh.
This seat although doesn't technically need to be tethered now due to my child's ages/height etc, it will certainly do for baby #2 when their time is here to use it.
Thanks all for your replies again.
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