Help! Child Seat Anchors - Where Do They Go? [wagon]

[850_olaf_nz]

This should give some of you a laugh. But hey, the T5 is to be used for carting our offspring around. we use two child restraints, with tether-straps. Many cars have factory-designed mounting points for the tether-strap connection brackets - I'm wondering - does the T5 has these?

Sometimes they're on the ceiling in wagons; in the absence of a faccy-designed mount, it's a case of drilling your own through the floor of the vehicle (in the right place).

Can you help?

thanks in advance

'olaf'

[CarVolvo]

This should give some of you a laugh. But hey, the T5 is to be used for carting our offspring around. we use two child restraints, with tether-straps. Many cars have factory-designed mounting points for the tether-strap connection brackets - I'm wondering - does the T5 has these?

Sometimes they're on the ceiling in wagons; in the absence of a faccy-designed mount, it's a case of drilling your own through the floor of the vehicle (in the right place).

Can you help?

thanks in advance

'olaf'

where is your owners manual? Usually on the floor for wagons behind the rear seat..but read the manual for kids sake! ;)

[rp850]

No need to drill holes. Volvo sells an attachment kit to retrofit the rear seat tether. It mounts to the back of the rear seat. It is part number 9475766. Here are some pictures of it installed on my wagon. Just remove the plastic disc that covers the mounting point and screw the bracket in. Piece of cake. Mine is installed on the outboard seat but they also make a bracket for the center seat as well. If you only have one kiddo, it's best to put them in the center position if at all possible. It is the safest spot. Hope this helps.

It comes with a nice little cover for when it's not in use.

This should give some of you a laugh. But hey, the T5 is to be used for carting our offspring around. we use two child restraints, with tether-straps. Many cars have factory-designed mounting points for the tether-strap connection brackets - I'm wondering - does the T5 has these?

Sometimes they're on the ceiling in wagons; in the absence of a faccy-designed mount, it's a case of drilling your own through the floor of the vehicle (in the right place).

Can you help?

thanks in advance

'olaf'

[Gaff]

This should give some of you a laugh. But hey, the T5 is to be used for carting our offspring around. we use two child restraints, with tether-straps. Many cars have factory-designed mounting points for the tether-strap connection brackets - I'm wondering - does the T5 has these?

Sometimes they're on the ceiling in wagons; in the absence of a faccy-designed mount, it's a case of drilling your own through the floor of the vehicle (in the right place).

Can you help?

thanks in advance

'olaf'

On the V70, the restraint anchors are located on the back of the rear seats, about dead center on each of the 3 rear seating positions. I'm not sure if the points are there on an 850 since I don't think they were required back then. You can try to feel around with your finger to find a ~1/4" threaded hole under the upholstery. A magnet might help. That would most likely be the mount point. If not, I wouldn't just drill into the seat frame. You need to attach the tether to reinforced structure, so you may have to go to the dealer for advice.

I had a VW Golf that was pre- tether requirement. I took in to the dealer and they actually replaced the entire back seat with a redesigned one that had points, for free. Run it by Volvo. They're supposed to be safety oriented.

EDIT: RP850's advice looks elegant. Try it if you have the grommets in place. I was assuming you had nothing visible on the backs of your seats right now.

[rp850]

To be clear, my car is an 850 and I had holes pre-drilled into the back of the seat and covered with a round plastic disc. The V70 may be slightly different, I'm not familiar with that model. I did have to pay about $13 for the kit from the dealer. I was surprised it was not free but what can you do?

On the V70, the restraint anchors are located on the back of the rear seats, about dead center on each of the 3 rear seating positions. I'm not sure if the points are there on an 850 since I don't think they were required back then. You can try to feel around with your finger to find a ~1/4" threaded hole under the upholstery. A magnet might help. That would most likely be the mount point. If not, I wouldn't just drill into the seat frame. You need to attach the tether to reinforced structure, so you may have to go to the dealer for advice.

I had a VW Golf that was pre- tether requirement. I took in to the dealer and they actually replaced the entire back seat with a redesigned one that had points, for free. Run it by Volvo. They're supposed to be safety oriented.

[850_olaf_nz]

gents, many thanks for the instant responses!

I'm off to collect the car tomorrow - so as yet, I haven't seen the owners manual; don't know if they're still with the car! I'm trying to asemble a lot of info to get this thing sorted with the limited time I have.

The factory solution all sounds very elegant, solution-wise.

RP850 - you mentioned something about photos?

cheers

Richard

[rp850]

Hi Richard,

I posted the photos in the thread. They should be there. I hope you can see them. If you don't have the documentation with the car, you can check out this website:

http://www.volvocars.us/tools/OwnersInfo/

It's for the US and you'll have to register but the owners manual and maint schedule, etc. is posted there.

Please let me know if you have any other questions and I'll try to help you out. Good luck!

gents, many thanks for the instant responses!

I'm off to collect the car tomorrow - so as yet, I haven't seen the owners manual; don't know if they're still with the car! I'm trying to asemble a lot of info to get this thing sorted with the limited time I have.

The factory solution all sounds very elegant, solution-wise.

RP850 - you mentioned something about photos?

cheers

Richard

[crazykn]

I believe this system is the primative version of LATCH. This system is the phase 1 of the LATCH system, not the second phase which was required in all 2002 model year vehicles. The difference is that we don't have the lower attachment points that are in the seat. I don't think any 850 came with this factory, but it is a available as a retrofit (at the dealer its called a 'fitment'), same goes with the S70.

I have the part number for the sedan somewhere, but when I find it i will post it up.. its about $26 at the dealer.

BTW, this might should pinned, because it IS a important topic, especially if you have a child car seat in your 850/S70.

[rp850]

I think you're right. I don't have the LATCH fitments in between the seats. I only have the retrofit kit for the rear tether. Are you saying they make a LATCH retrofit for the lower attachment points in between the seats? If so, what is the part number for the wagon? Thanks!

I believe this system is the primative version of LATCH. This system is the phase 1 of the LATCH system, not the second phase which was required in all 2002 model year vehicles. The difference is that we don't have the lower attachment points that are in the seat. I don't think any 850 came with this factory, but it is a available as a retrofit (at the dealer its called a 'fitment'), same goes with the S70.

I have the part number for the sedan somewhere, but when I find it i will post it up.. its about $26 at the dealer.

BTW, this might should pinned, because it IS a important topic, especially if you have a child car seat in your 850/S70.

[crazykn]

I guess I wasn't clear. Volvo doesn't make a retrofit kit for the LATCH anchors in the seats. If they did, then our cars would be fully LATCH compatible. Otherwise were just partially compatible (Phase 1). I can see how important this rear LATCH (phase 1) can be if you are installing a rear-ward facing seat, where the LATCH belt swings over and back down the seat. I think that was the original idea behind this. This method is used by the Britax car seats in rear facing situations (don't assume this will be the same for others), and its called the swedish method !

Now in the newer Volvos, LATCH is included (by law and Volvo safety standards), but they also have a system called ISOFIX, where it improves upon the LATCH anchors at the bottom of the seat making it more secure and easier to attach a child car seat. This ISOFIX standard isn't not US standard yet.

EDIT: BTW, I don't have any kids (yet), not even married , but i'm soon to be a uncle and might find myself transporting my future nephew around, so this is why i researched this system in-depth. I got a long way to go before I have kids :P

[Gaff]

I guess I wasn't clear. Volvo doesn't make a retrofit kit for the LATCH anchors in the seats. If they did, then our cars would be fully LATCH compatible. Otherwise were just partially compatible (Phase 1). I can see how important this rear LATCH (phase 1) can be if you are installing a rear-ward facing seat, where the LATCH belt swings over and back down the seat. I think that was the original idea behind this.

Now in the newer Volvos, LATCH is included (by law and Volvo safety standards), but they also have a system called ISOFIX, where it improves upon the LATCH anchors at the bottom of the seat making it more secure and easier to attach a child car seat. This ISOFIX standard isn't not US standard yet.

EDIT: BTW, I don't have any kids (yet), not even married , but i'm soon to be a uncle and might find myself transporting my future nephew around, so this is why i researched this system in-depth. I got a long way to go before I have kids

Not sure of the difference between LATCH and ISOFIX, but newer Volvos have two attachment methods:

1) Tether anchors on the backs of the seats, as we've been discussing.

2) Anchors buried in the seat/seat back gap that interface with a special belt on the car seat, eliminating the need to use the seat belt to secure the seat.

I can tell you that those anchors buried in the seats (LATCH?) make a TREMENDOUS difference. They apply downforce to the seat, which ordinary seatbelts are not designed to do. Unfortunately, I also believe they cannot be retrofitted since they function as a primary restraint (I read somewhere that a 50lb. child/seat combination in a car seat can exert a two-ton momentary force in a 30mph crash ).

Older Volvos have one of the nicest seatbelt innovations I have seen, that not many people know about. On the back of the belt tongue, there is a little red slider. Move it into the "lock" position, and the belt can only slide one way, making it much easier to tighten a child seat down. Makes a big difference to not have to fight the belt to get it cinched. They dropped this feature on newer cars - you now have to pull the belt all the way out to toggle it into ratchet mode, and the retractor takes up the force instead of the buckle. Not as effective, but if you're using LATCH, it's a moot point.

Finally, make sure you put a nice thick mat under the car seat if you've got leather. The plastic ribs under the child seat will stretch and dimple the leather if you don't. I use a 1/2" piece of EVA foam, but a piece of carpet works well also.

I also agree this should be pinned. I realize that parents are probably a minority among VS members, but sooner or later many Volvos will see kiddies.

[crazykn]

This is essentially what i'm trying to point out:

LATCH year 2000 Phase 1 requirements: Must have a LATCH anchor point at the rear shelf (for sedans) or behind the seat for the same anchor point in wagons.

LATCH year 2002 Phase 2 (required by law now) requirements: Must have the Phase 1 rear anchor point in ADDITION to the anchor points buried in the seat itself. This is now the standard on all passenger vehicles manufactured for the 2002 model years.

Volvo makes a adapter for 850s (maybe the S70 if its not equipped) to bring it up to the LATCH phase 1 standards.

The seatbelt locking mechanism, that red slider, is not found on some 850s, I know for a fact that my 95 850 doesn't, but the S70s do. If I were to install a child car seat I would use Britax's seat belt locking device, which does sort of emulate what the locking mechanism on the S70s and some 850s. Not to get into car seat brands, but I can see that the Volvo equivalent would be Britax, its really comfy by the touch and comes with plenty of safety features, much like our Volvos. Its also one of those that aren't bulky and huge.

[850_olaf_nz]

awesome. yep, got the pix thanks RP850.

Yeah LATCH phase 1 (apparrently) is what I'm talking about. Thanks for the part numbers! We happen to be using Safe-n-sound, which are marketed in UK and US as Britax. We use the tether strap on the seat that was reward-facing (and converts to front facing tethered), as well as the bigger seat that's forward-facing and later becomes a booster seat. Simply makes sense to me. In NZ it's mandatory to use a standards approved child seat, correctly mounted, whenever carrying a child in a moving vehicle (taxis and busses excepted).

Gaff - Great tip re the EVA foam - our T5 does have leather!

There's a trick feature found in some JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) cars - Subaru, and some Nissan come to mind - the rear belts extend fully, and then on retracting will not release - the side buckle must be released, and the belt fully retracted to restore normal operation. This is excellent where fastening down a child seat is concerned.

cheers

Richard

[rp850]

I'm glad I could help. Having two boys and a number of different cars over the years I was forced to learn a lot about these things! I also use a thin rubber mat between the leather seat and the car seat which really does help make everything solid. It's really a good tip. The seat belts you mention that 'ratchet-back' after being extended fully are called (here in the US at least) Automatic Locking Retractor or ALR. The belts in my particular 850 do not work this way. They only lock in an emergency situation like if you stop short for example. My belts are called Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR). This US Government NHTSA site does a nice job of explaining the differences in belt setups:

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/chi.../seatBelts.html

Since I have ELR and my latch plates are not fixed to the belt (they can slide along the belt), I am forced to use the dreaded 'locking clip' on the belt which in my opinion is a PITA to install. By the way, if you have to use the locking clip, it's a good idea to use the one that came with your car seat because it was designed and tested for that model. However if you do the installation correctly with the clip, the seat will not budge. In my opinion, the primary thing the LATCH or ISOFIX system does is just make the whole process a lot easier with less chance of an incorrect installation. It may be slightly more secure since the LATCH points are bolted into the chassis.

Britax is supposed to make a pretty good (and expensive) seat. To me, it's all about how the seat fits in the particular car and getting it so it won't budge. I have one seat that works great in one car but not so hot in another. For the folks who need a seat but haven't purchased one yet, it's always a good idea to test fit the seat in the car before you buy it. Saves a lot of headaches later on, trust me. Just folllow the manufacturers directions above all else and you'll be fine. Don't forget to register the seat with the manufacturer so you can be informed of recalls, etc.

awesome. yep, got the pix thanks RP850.

Yeah LATCH phase 1 (apparrently) is what I'm talking about. Thanks for the part numbers! We happen to be using Safe-n-sound, which are marketed in UK and US as Britax. We use the tether strap on the seat that was reward-facing (and converts to front facing tethered), as well as the bigger seat that's forward-facing and later becomes a booster seat. Simply makes sense to me. In NZ it's mandatory to use a standards approved child seat, correctly mounted, whenever carrying a child in a moving vehicle (taxis and busses excepted).

Gaff - Great tip re the EVA foam - our T5 does have leather!

There's a trick feature found in some JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) cars - Subaru, and some Nissan come to mind - the rear belts extend fully, and then on retracting will not release - the side buckle must be released, and the belt fully retracted to restore normal operation. This is excellent where fastening down a child seat is concerned.

cheers

Richard

[Gaff]

+1 for Britax.

They started off as a racing and parachute harness manufacturer in the UK in the '60s. What better a pedigree for car seats than supplying for race cars? Bloody expensive, but their seats fit into Volvos like hand in glove. Worth the $$.