Obnoxious Tether straps on my new car seat?

Question

I bought a fancy new Britax car seat for my little one, and today my husband and I tried to install it in our Toyota Matrix. WIth some serious staring at the manual and straps going everywhere, we finally got the Top Versa Tether whatever thing attached (I think). Is this truly necessary for rear-facing car seats or is it just to make the parents feel better? With straps that go up and over the back of the car seat and down the back into trunk, I question the practicality of weaseling my little one in and out of this high-dollar car seat.

Does anyone actually use this before it's front-facing??

Answer 1

actually if you are talking about the strap that is at the top of the car seat my answer is no that strap from what I understand is for when the car seat is facing the front and then what it does it prevent the top of the car seat from slamming in to the seat in front of it

Answer 2

We have 2 Britax Marathons and have both installed rearfacing and using the rearfacing tethers.  The way you describe is the Australian method and does get in the way of getting yoru child in and out.  You want to do the Swedish method of tethering.  See the links provided below:

Answer 3

As KAK said - you actually don't have it tethered correctly for use in the US. But don't feel bad - since Britax is one of only 2 brands that allow their seats to be tethered rear facing, most people have never seen or dealt with it before. But it is a GREAT feature. See, in an accident, a rear facing seat is absolutely safest. However, a rear facing car seat rebounds in an accident, and hits the back seat seat back. Having tethered rear facing helps diminish this some so the child doesn't bang against the back of the back seat. You are not required to have it tethered rear facing, but its an added safety feature and can aid you in getting the right recline angle, as well.

Is this what yours currently looks like? http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t... That's the Swedish way.

Here's info about the rear facing tether: http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t...

You'll need to register at http://www.car-seat.org to see the pics, by the way, but its free and has loads of info. Check this post, the 2nd & 3rd pic down has a picture of a seat tethered rear facing: http://www.car-seat.org/showpost.php?p=4...