Why Do Car Seats Expire?
This may come as a shock to some drivers, though hopefully NOT ones with kids. Believe it or not children’s car seats actually have expiration dates, though not because they’re made of dairy products or tuna salad.
The lifespan for child seats typically ranges between six and 10 years. Simple boosters will generally last for a decade while more complicated units designed for infants and babies are rated for less time.
Curiously these expiration dates are not required. “The government does not mandate but they recommend six years,” Sparling said. Car-seat manufacturers are really the ones pushing expiration dates. Naturally this boosts sales but their motivation for it is not without merit.
There are actually a several reasons why seats expire, not the least of which is that engineering improvements and safety regulations are always changing. “Basically you want to make sure you’ve got the latest and greatest when you’re using it for your child,” Sparling said.
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Beyond the relentless pace of innovation baby boosters just wear out plain and simple. “Most car seats are made from plastic, which works very well,” he said.
But over time, this material can fatigue and start to crack, severely hampering the seat’s ability to protect your child in an accident. Depending on the climate, “It can see a really cold day and it can see a really hot day … The same seat is used in both instances.” This can accelerate plastic’s degradation.
Seats should also be discarded if they’ve ever been in a crash, even a minor one. Sparling said, “NHTSA allows you to [re]use a seat if the vehicle can be driven away from the accident,” though he does not recommend this.
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But what about used car seats, is it ok to put your child in one? Not surprisingly Sparling said, “The answer to that is no.” You do not want to purchase a second-hand seat because you have no idea whether it’s been handled improperly or in an accident, so avoid that screaming deal at your local Salvation Army. It may save you some money but is it really worth the risk?
What to Look for in a Child Seat
Sparling said, “We try to add innovation to the seat,” including things like no-twist harnesses so it’s easier to strap a child in. Recaro also emphasizes full-body side-impact protection. Generous bolsters on their seats help shield children during transverse crashes. This is an innovation that comes straight from the firm’s racing heritage.
“You always want the best of the best,” said Sparling. Make sure the seats your children ride in have not expired.
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Born and raised in metro Detroit, Craig was steeped in mechanics from childhood. He feels as much at home with a wrench or welding gun in his hand as he does behind the wheel or in front of a camera. Putting his Bachelor's Degree in Journalism to good use, he's always pumping out videos, reviews, and features for AutoGuide.com. When the workday is over, he can be found out driving his fully restored 1936 Ford V8 sedan. Craig has covered the automotive industry full time for more than 10 years and is a member of the Automotive Press Association (APA) and Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA).
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