How do they test car seats?

Each car seat is evaluated by a single expert assessor. A second expert then independently performs an audit on a small sample of the seats. A panel then compares the results and where appropriate, reviews the assessment criteria and ratings for all seats.

What tests do car seats go through?

The frontal crash test is done at 40mph and the side impact test at 31mph. The ADAC also test car seats for ease of use and child comfort, and this can lower the overall result even if the seat got a high safety score.

Do all car seats go through the same testing?

After spending tens of thousands of dollars on crash testing car seats in a certified testing lab, we discovered that not all car seats are created equal, despite their ability to pass basic federal crash test requirements.

What speeds are car seats tested at?

The frontal testing is conducted at 32 mph, the rear testing is conducted at 18 mph, and the additional side testing is conducted at 15 mph.

What does plus tested mean for car seats?

The Plus Test is the hardest test that exists today and the only one that guarantees that your child is not exposed to excessive forces on the neck that can threaten his life during a collision, since it has been shown that a child cannot withstand a cervical effort greater than 130 kg and in the Plus Test this force …

What seat should my child be in?

Current California Law:

​Children under the age of 8 must be secured in a car seat or booster seat in the back seat. Children who are 8 years of age OR have reached 4’9” in height may be secured by a booster seat, but at a minimum must be secured by a safety belt.

Which car seat is the safest?

We’re here to help you to decide the best position for your car seat: 1) Rear Middle: The Safest Spot! The safest place for your car seat is the rear middle seat due to its maximum distance from passenger-side air bags and any potential impact.

Do all car seats have to pass the same safety standards?

All car seats sold in the U.S. must meet federal safety standards. … The average price of a new rear-facing-only infant seat is $185 (of the models Consumer Reports has tested). But a car seat offered at a surprisingly low price may not meet important safety standards or may have been designed for an overseas market.

Is baby gear lab reliable?

Before a seat can be sold, it must pass the U.S. government’s crash and fire safety standards. … And although companies like Consumer Reports and Baby Gear Lab complete their own independent safety tests, the results are inconsistent at best, as winners and losers often flip flop based on the criteria of the test.

What is ADAC testing?

ADAC is an organization representing the interests of car owners in Germany, which organizes tests of child car seats. With over 16 million members and a magazine of 14 000 000 copies, this is Europe’s biggest automobile organisation. ADAC is known as one of the most important testers of child car seats in Europe.

What speed are Maxi Cosi tested at?

Our child safety seats are subjected to rigorous testing at state-of-the-art facilities, ensuring your child has the best possible protection when they travel. Standard testing speed for frontal collisions is 50km/h, yet we conduct our tests at 70km/h and simulate extra crash tests for both side and frontal collisions.

What is Swedish PLUS test?

The Swedish Plus Test is a voluntary test by VTI, the National Road and Transport Research Institute, on car seats intended for the Swedish market. … A Plus tested car seat ensures that your child is not exposed to life-threatening high neck forces in a frontal collision.

Are Maxi Cosi Plus tested?

We test our car seats from the start of the development phase and through to final production. And the testing doesn’t stop there. To be sure our manufacturing process is flawless, we continue to test one seat after every 5,000 that are made.

How long should a child be rear facing?

All infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing seat until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat manufacturer. Most convertible seats have limits that will allow children to ride rear facing for 2 years or more.

Is Britax Two Way Elite Plus tested?

Some will forward-face to give you the option to move your child, while others will only rear-face. Those that are rear-facing only are usually Plus Tested.
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25kg Extended Rear-Facing (ERF) and Plus Tested Seats.