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Infant car seat in Prius Prime

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by Chris12, Feb 23, 2018.

  1. Chris12

    Chris12 New Member

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    This may be a stupid question, but does anyone know whether it's possible to place an infant car seat over the rear armrest/cupholder thing where the fifth seat would normally be? My wife and I are having our first child this spring, and the safest place for an infant in a car is apparently the rear center seat - exactly where the Prime has removed the fifth seat. So is it safe/feasible to put an infant car seat on top of the rear-center arm rest and attach it to the child seat latches in the Prime's back seats? I realize that in asking this question I probably sound a bit like Mitt Romney (attaching his dog to the roof of the car), but I swear I'm not a bad dad, it's just that if the answer is no, then I wouldn't be able to consider the Prime, because placing a child seat on either the rear left or rear right side poses a higher risk of injury for infants. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
     
  2. Wuzki

    Wuzki Member

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    I had my infant on the left side rear. It’s possible but I don’t think it’s legal if you don’t had a seat belt associated to that space.
     
    #2 Wuzki, Feb 23, 2018
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2018
  3. Gianni I

    Gianni I Member

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    I wouldn't do that. I have an infant seat behind the passenger and a toddler seat behind the driver.
    I would not put it on the center cup holder. That doesn't sound safe at all.
     
  4. Gianni I

    Gianni I Member

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    I don't know of anyone that puts infant seats in the middle. I've always known EVERYONE to put it behind the passanger seat. I don't think there is any issue doing that and I wouldn't rule out the prime for that reason.
     
  5. Skapruisprime

    Skapruisprime Member

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    I dont think its possible as theres no seatbelt for the mid area and also the armrest is not retractable.

    Also I have two young ones (3 & 6) and althought they’re in their boosters...is a pain in the nice person to buckle them in as the center armrest is in the way of the buckle thing and they are located deep inside
     
    #5 Skapruisprime, Feb 23, 2018
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2018
    kevins007 likes this.
  6. Skapruisprime

    Skapruisprime Member

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    Heres a pic...such a pain
     

    Attached Files:

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  7. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    ...we have hoped that future model year Prime may have middle seat in back row.
     
  8. Gianni I

    Gianni I Member

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    Can you use a seatbelt extender? I know its a small extra expense but that may be a good option as I will be in that bucket soon for my first son.
     
  9. Wuzki

    Wuzki Member

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    I got my prime on the month of little boy. I had been using the rear left ever since. I drove 40 miles to visit my parents on the weekend. It’s safe to have your child on the left and the right. Just make sure you tighten everything and double check everything. It more convinced taking the kid out from the left and right. ;)
     
  10. Skapruisprime

    Skapruisprime Member

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    Will be hard as the prime is already weighting in at around 3500lbs (or close to that number) with all the safety features/added weights. Putting in a mid-seat means a new chasis = more weight. Toyota already use some carbon fiber for tye trunk to save weight....another seat might need the entire car to be carbon fiber and thats going to cost alot of money
     
  11. Skapruisprime

    Skapruisprime Member

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    I thought about that but was afraid it isnt safe
     
  12. Gianni I

    Gianni I Member

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    I can't see how it wouldn't be safe. I'm sure they have to be held to the same standards as regular seatbelts. Obviously not an expert on seat belts but I would assume the connection point where they click together (using an extender or not) is the weakest point of the seatbelt chain. Does having 2 connection points make it weaker?? Maybe...but that may just be a google search away from finding the answer.
     
  13. Gianni I

    Gianni I Member

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    Super quick search on the topic and seems like extenders are not a good idea for booster seats. Didn't see anything positive about it so I wouldn't test with my child and I would assume you wouldn't test with yours!
     
  14. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Also via Google, well last year Toyota said there will probably be a 5-seat Prime coming. May cost more. The question would be if it is still coming, and when?

    Another question for Toyota would be, is there any known "legal" USA solution to adapting the middle for infant seat?

    Otherwise we are hosed for now.

    I do recall in Europe somebody put a 3-seat across single child seat unit in a Prius, it went the whole way over all 3 seats. But I bet it is not USA legal (who knows?).
     
  15. Skapruisprime

    Skapruisprime Member

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    To the OP....have you consider the Honda Clarity, great alternative
     
  16. Wuzki

    Wuzki Member

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    Any picture?

    In USA As I know as long as you had a seatbelt to the seat. It will be legal. Not sure that rule applies to children.
     
  17. Wuzki

    Wuzki Member

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    Btw I wish my prime is a two seater like my mr2. Lol
     
  18. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Of course (see below) or search on "Triplets!" god blessed them

    [​IMG]
     
  19. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    There are more risks to sitting in the side rear spots vs. the middle one in the event of being rear ended. The front seat backs have failed on numerous makes and models, collasping backwards and sending the seat back and/or front passenger into the rear passenger.
    Auto safety experts demand NHTSA action on seatback failures - CBS News
    Front seat hidden danger kills children in cars | FOX31 Denver
     
  20. Wuzki

    Wuzki Member

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    It does not look like a Prius prime to me, this is a normal Prius....... there is no air vent on the side!