I need to install an infant seat in my commuter soon.

I was just wondering if infant/child seats put a permanent mark
on the leather seats. If so, is there anything I can do (like place
towels or something under the base of the infant seat) to prevent
this from happening without decreasing the safety of the infant seat?

Thanks. :smile:
Ken

 

A single layer of a terry-cloth towel seems fine...and I think I've even seen that recommended in the instructions that come with some of my car seats. I do this (most of the time...although some family members never seem to be able to remember this ) with the 2 kid seats I regularly have in my MINI (leatherette seats). Nevertheless, from what I've heard about MINI leather, I'd be very worried about gouging the seats even with the towel. Some of those seats are damn sharp. Good luck!

 

Hi Kenchan!

What infant seat are you going to be using? I got the Peg Perego Primo Viaggo and it's great! I wouldn't have it any other way. It has a base that snaps in to the LATCH points--look like MINI Seat belts. The base snaps in in about 5 seconds.

The carrier portion drops on top of that. So putting my baby in and out--he's 3 months now and over 14 pounds, is pretty easy. Btw, I've started working out, which really helps with this. 1-1/2 months ago, I was a big weakling. Now I'm just a stronger big weakling. But lifting 14 pounds into the back seat isn't a big deal. You need to do a bit of contortion to drop him in, but I can normally do it on the first try. Which is just a few seconds. When we exit the car, we make it a habit to move the passenger seat all the way forward, so when we return, putting the baby in is easy.

Oh my point to all this is that, my seats are not scuffed or marked at all. I've got Profile Leather.

Richard

 

Ken:



There are several products that protect the leather from actual indentations - something that towels do not do.



We have child seat protectors made by Grip It in our BMW that we picked up at our local Toy R Us. Here's the address for an online vendor that carries them:

http://www.drivingcomfort.com/index....=2029&src=7543


They have done an excellent job of preventing indentations. There is another brand I've seen that you can actually get in colors that match your leather - name escapes me though.

 

Octaneguy, skiploder - this will start me off. Thank you very much! :smile:


I thought having creases in the rear seats from child seat was part of
having kids. wheew. now I can relax.

 

We let car seats crease the hell out of the leather on our Maxima and within a week w/o the car seats the leather was back to normal. Hopefully if you do get some creases, you'll have the same luck.

 

Babies-r-us has a rubber matt that goes under the seat to protect leather. I have it in my honda and it does a great job. comes in gray or cream and its $30. east to clean and looks good too.

"Awww look at the cute little baby". Are they talking about the baby or the car?

 

That was also the case in my Ford work truck. Took the Britax out last week and three days later the indents were gone.

Unfortunately, my wife's X5 was a different story - marks/indents were permanent. The MINI has the same crappy leather - I wouldn't risk it.

 

Im gonna go look for that padding next week when I go to babiesRus.

 

If you cannot find it there it's available at www.onestepahead.com
They also have another protector that works great in my MINI and has little pockets for wet wipes, etc.

 

bringing back an old thread.

i got my recaro young sport or watever it's called for my son. im going
to install it in my MCS. does the rear top harness attach to the latch
in the boot? the same latch that the factory jack case attaches to?

on my other cars there are latches on the ceiling or
rear deck so wasn't sure on the MCS...but it seems that's the most
logical place to mount.

 

To the other side of the seatback. See your Owner's Manual.

 

thanks. wat is owner's manual?





it's time to Hydro.


www.detailersparadise.com

 

^+1 I use a pad much like this in my car - this one is cvery similar to the one in my car right now - less than $15 from Target:



CLICK HERE FOR PRODUCT PAGE


The leather is totally dent and scuff-free even after many months of daily use. Combine this with the "Eddie Bauer seat back protector" (Target used to carry them in black rubber but I think they're discontinued - I linked to one from Amazon below) and the seat back is also protected from scuffing. I use both and they look fairly unobtrusive. better than having scratches on the plastic anyway.

http://www.amazon.com/Stuff-Scuff-Ca...763865-0663022

 

It's a bit surprising. You'd think a more solid tether point would be used, but it's what the owner's manual says.

 

we have the mat and so far so good

 

rkw- thanks for the illustration! dang, that's it?! i thought it would go on
the floor of the boot where the jack case hooks up to. oh well.

i will use that anchor behind the seat then.

 

I got the same from Target also! It works really well and looks good.

 

you dont need those pads for leatherette, right?

i dont plan on using anything under the recaro...

 

but that's just me. I also have the leather. The dents come out. So far... But the liquids the kids put over EVERY THING takes a bit more work. Up to two kids now. I don't think I'll see the seats for about a decade!

Matt

 

yah, it's not like we're going to be taking it off anytime soon...

 

Don't let them eat or drink in the car - (one) problem solved. I can't stand the smell of cold gease that a car gets when fast food is dropped inside, so it's easy to limit it.

 

They don't get fast food from me. It's a cruelty issue.
Actually tried the no food thing. I now allow sippy cups and crackers.
On my imitation vinyl (I planned ahead) it's a quick windex ( or vinyl cleaner) and vacumn. I use clear plastic hardwood floor protector from Lowes. About 5¢ a foot. So some of the juice and crackers never get to the seats.

 

yah, there is absolutely no eating or drinking in my cars too.

unless in an emergency, they will get crackers and water.
(just to shut them up )

 

but then, that's just me.

Matt