Choosing the Right RECARO Seat
In this section, you can learn more about the role of RECARO car seats in protecting your child while you drive, and determine which RECARO seat is the ideal fit for you and your child. We've also included some information on the extreme importance of car seats in protecting your child.
The guidelines for choosing the safest car seat for your baby or toddler are simple, but extremely important. The best child car seat:
- Suits your Child
- Is easy to install and use correctly every time
- Fits your Vehicle
1. To find a car seat that Suits your Child, you must first know his or her exact height and weight measurements, and then compare them to the seat dimensions and maximum/minimum height and weight requirements for the seat.
- RECAROChildSeat.com provides detailed specifications for all its RECARO child seats.
- Do NOT exceed the weight or height limits
2. Many RECARO child seats are equipped with LATCH attachments and clearly labeled guides for safety belt installation. RECARO car seats are among the safest on the market, and easy to install for correct use.
- Check RECARO's ratings in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Car Seat Ease of Use Ratings
3. To determine if your chosen RECARO child seat fits your Vehicle, check its dimensions to determine the base width, seat height, etc. Also, find out if your car has LATCH anchors.
- Visit www.CarSeatData.org for carseat-to-vehicle compatibility information for RECARO car seats . . . and much more info on car seats and car seat safety.
- If you're still unsure that your preferred RECARO will fit your Vehicle, RECAROChildSeat.com offers Return Shipping Insurance, so you may ship the seat back to us at only a fraction of the usual shipping cost.
Facts about the Safety of RECARO Child Car Seats
All Car Seats certified for sale in the United States are thoroughly tested and retested to meet the National Highway Traffic Safety Association's stringent impact standards. However, NHTSA standards for child car seats do NOT require Side Impact testing - though this may change in the near future.
- All RECARO Child Car Seats are thoroughly tested in Side Impact Collisions. (See RECARO SIP)
- All RECARO Child Car Seats meet or exceed NHTSA safety standards
- All RECARO Child Car Seats exceed the stringent impact testing standards in RECARO's home nation of Germany.
Which RECARO Child Car Seat is ideal for your family and lifestyle?
Every RECARO child car seats is a long term investment in your child's safety and comfort, as well as your peace of mind. And they're all built to last, as well as grow with your child. For example, with a RECARO convertible car seat like the Signo or Como, a single car seat will secure your child comfortably from infancy until he or she is 7 or 8 years old.
The design quality, materials, and features of all RECARO products are second-to-none - which should be expected from a company with over 100 years of experience as the global premier mobile seating leader.
Infant car seats - Convertible seats - Toddler seats - Boosters
BEST PRACTICE for Securing Your Child in a car seat:
- Use a Rear facing seat as long as possible
- Use the 5-point Harness as long as possible
- Use a Booster Seat for as long as possible
Universal features of every RECARO Car Seat:
- RECARO SIP: Side Impact Protection
- Adjustable headrest
- Deluxe comfort padding
- Washable fabrics
Infant Seats: The advantage of an infant car seat is that you can detach the carrier from the base and carry your infant without having to remove her from the car seat. However, infant car seats typically have a maximum weight capacity of 22 lbs, after which you'll need to purchase a new seat.
- RECARO is planning to release a carrier and base infant car seat called the Picco in 2008.
Convertible Seats: The distinct advantage of a convertible seat like the Como or Signo has over infant car seats is that you can turn a convertible seat around and reinstall it in the forward facing position, then continue to use it until your child is 70 lbs.
Convertible seats utilize both the LATCH system and belt installations to secure the seat in the vehicle as your child grows. The maximum child weight for the harness is 70 lbs, however the LATCH system may have a lower weight limit which is specified by your vehicle manufacturer.
NOTE: Check your vehicle's manual for the suggested weight limitations of your car's LATCH connectors.
Common features of all RECARO Convertible Seats:
- RECARO SIP: Side Impact Protection
- Rear Facing from 5 - 35 lbs
- Forward Facing from 20 - 70 lbs
- 5-point harness to 70 lbs
- Protective and adjustable headrest
Unique features of the RECARO Signo
- Infinitely adjustable headrest height
- Infinitely adjustable harness height
- LATCH bar tether system for ease in rear- to front facing conversion
Toddler Seats: A toddler seat like the RECARO Young Sport is forward facing only, but has a high max weight capacity (80 lbs when used as a belt-positioning booster, or 40 lbs max in the 5-point harness with LATCH)
Toddler seats (also known as "combination seats") are similar to convertible car seats in that they have a 5-point harness, then "make the switch" to utilize your vehicle's safety belts like a booster seat. Toddler seats cannot be used with infants because they can't be used rear-facing. With that in mind, the Young Sport would be the seat you switch to once your child has outgrown his infant car seat AND is ready to be forward-facing, i.e. 1yr and at least 20 lbs.
Because the RECARO Young Sport can be used as a booster, it might be the last car seat your child will need.
Unique features of the RECARO Young Sport
- RECARO SIP: Side Impact Protection
- Forward Facing from 20 - 80 lbs
- Max child height of 59"
- 5-point harness
- Adjustable headrest and harness
Boosters: High Back Booster seats like the RECARO Vivo, the RECARO Vivo lite, and the RECARO Start do not have 5-point harnesses, and instead rely on your vehicle's seat belts to secure your child. RECARO Vivo and Vivo lite boosters have an even higher maximum weight capacity (100 lbs) than all other RECARO child seats, and have a minimum weight of 30 lbs.
The RECARO Start Booster car seat has a 30 - 80 lbs weight capacity - and the most comfort and customization features of any RECARO car seat (or any car seat anywhere, for that matter.)
RECARO Vivo Lite
- RECARO SIP: Side Impact Protection
- Forward Facing from 30 - 100 lbs
- Max child height of 59"
- Integrated armrests
- Breathable fabric with soft mesh inserts
RECARO Vivo
- RECARO SIP: Side Impact Protection
- Forward Facing from 30 - 100 lbs
- Max child height of 59"
- Integrated armrests
- Microfiber fabric
RECARO Start
- Forward Facing from 30 - 80 lbs
- Max child height of 59"
- Total Customization:
- Adjustable headrest, adjustable shoulder width, and adjustable seat cushion length
- Armrests
- RECARO SIP
- Top LATCH tether (a must have for the heavier than average Start)
- Aluminum reinforced frame
- RECARO Sound System in headrest
Facts about car seat safety
- According to statistics compiled by the Center for Disease Control, motor vehicle injuries are the #1 cause of death among children below the age of 14 in the United States. (CDC 2005)
- A study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2004 concluded that 1,638 children aged 14 and younger died in motor vehicle crashes, and more than 200,000 were injured. This averages out to 5 deaths and 586 injuries per day due to motor vehicle accidents. (NHTSA 2005)
- In 54% of accidents that result in the fatality of a juvenile, the child was not properly restrained. (NHTSA 2005)
- Between 1975 and 2002, an estimated 6,567 children's lives have been saved through the proper use of restraints. (NHTSA 2002)
- Parents who do not use restraints themselves are much more likely to not restrain their children. (Cody 2002)
- In a survey of more than 17,500 children, only 15% of those in safety seats were correctly harnessed into correctly installed seats. (Taft 1999)
