Where should a childs car seat go in the middle or behind passenger seat?

Question

Where should a childs car seat go in the middle or behind passenger seat?

Answer 1

The best position is always the middle of the rear seat, it has the best crumple zone protection of the whole vehicle.

Answer 2

it can go in either but a full overarm seat belt is better than a lap one.mine is behind passenger seat.

Answer 3

The safest position for a car seat is the position it fits the best. If it fits equally well in all available positions, then the safest place is the middle back seat b/c it provides more protection from side impact crashes. However, if it doesn't fit well in the middle position (if you can't get it installed using the instructions to have less than 1 inch of movement in any direction at the belt path) then is is NOT safe to have it there - it is MOST important to have a good install.

On another note - disregard what another poster said about lap/shoulder belts being safer than a lap belt. For a person to sit in it, that's true. But actually, the ONLY thing you can safely put in a lap belt only is a car seat.

Answer 4

If you can get a solid install in the center seat, then it should go there.  If not a solid outboard install is much safer than a loose center install.

Answer 5

Ideally it should be in the middle of the back seat, but if you have other kids, it's o.k. to put them behind the passenger seats.