Isofix mounting system in the car: photo

ISOFIX child restraint system - what is it and which cars have it?

More recently, stricter amendments to the Traffic Rules regarding the safety of small passengers while driving a passenger car were adopted.

The number of accidents where children were injured in one way or another is only increasing every year, so our legislators approached this issue with maximalist demands both to the parents themselves and to the drivers transporting children, including children.

Perhaps many people know that children need to be transported in cars in car seats, but not every parent knows about the correct, and most importantly, safe fastening of the baby in the car.

Recently, many fastening restraint devices have appeared on the car accessories market that allow you to safely transport children in cars. Our conversation is dedicated to the popular ISOFIX fastening, which recently appeared on store shelves.

Description of the ISOFIX fastening system

Have you ever installed a child seat in your car? And if this is so, then many have problems with this - either the fastening belt has fallen into the wrong groove, or it has become twisted or loosely tensioned, and can no longer perform its intended function of protecting against emergency situations.

All these standard situations can be avoided if you use an improved method of attaching child car seats in your car using the ISOFIX system.

The advantage of the ISOFIX design is that it eliminates the possibility of incorrect installation of a child seat, and almost 100% guarantees the reliability and safety of the baby when traveling.

The seat will not tilt, move or come unfastened, since the design is very rigid and reliable, supplied in most brands of cars from leading European brands.

And the design itself is an international standard for fastening seats for small passengers.

The principle of fastening is simple - on seats with the ISOFIX system installed, there are two small brackets located at the base, they allow reliable coupling with the main rear seat - they are simply snapped to the safety brackets, and the installation is ready.

Important! New car models already have mounting brackets that are rigidly welded to the frame, so fasteners using the ISOFIX system reliably ensure the stability of the child car seat in various accidents, skids and other emergency situations on the road.

Advantages

Seats for babies equipped according to international standards will allow parents to install them correctly, and they also have clear advantages:

The seats will not be able to move independently either forward or to the sides; ISOFIX completely eliminates any rotation.
Quick installation and dismantling; it will only take a few minutes to properly arrange a place for transporting a child.
The rigid ISOFIX mount will allow parents not to worry about safety; the child will be securely held in the seat.
There is no risk of incorrect installation - the simplicity and reliability of fastening is fully ensured by the system developers.

Varieties

For different ages, children's car seats have their own design features and differences, and may look different, this also applies to ISOFIX fasteners.

Group 0+

For the zero group (from 0 to 13 kg) the so-called base , a separate special design where, in fact, the infant carrier itself will be attached.

This is very convenient - you don’t need to install and secure the hanging cradle to the car seat for a long time, just secure it on a special platform and that’s it, the child can be transported.

The opposite situation is also true - pull the separate handle, and the cradle will unfasten, which will allow you to safely carry the child along with the cradle.

But! To use this convenient device, you will have to pay about the same amount for the base as the child car seat itself costs.

Some manufacturers of child car seats produce models that are suitable for installation on the base of infant carriers. This allows people who have once purchased a base for transporting a baby to use it for several more years until the child outgrows the car seat of the first group (up to 18 kg).

Group 1

In the next, first group, manufacturers produce many models that are secured using brackets built into the car child seat itself.

To reduce possible loads during collisions, additional third support points are used; there are only 2 types of them:

Retractable additional support . It is located at the bottom of the seat and is secured to the floor of the car.
The anchor locking system is a structure made of a belt and a carabiner, which is installed on the back of the chair and securely adheres to the main seat of the car. The hook can be installed in the trunk or in the headrest area of the rear seat. Such a restraint system is recognized as universal and is installed in most cars.

Groups 2 and 3

Despite the fact that the ISOFIX restraint system is designed for transporting children weighing no more than 18 kg, there are models of car seats for older categories (groups 2 and 3), for example, boosters.

The simplest variation is when the car seat is attached to the passenger compartment using two ISOFIX brackets, and the child is secured using a standard three-point car seat belt.

Of course, such child restraints cannot provide a 100% guarantee of safety, since the fasteners have limited strength and may simply not withstand an impact in the event of an accident.

But still, thanks to the ISOFIX system, they allow you to firmly secure the seat, which will not allow it to move during the journey.

You can ask any question you are interested in in the feedback form.

How to secure a car seat with ISOFIX in the car

Since there are many different models of ISOFIX car seats on the market, when installing, be sure to follow the instructions that came directly with the seat you purchased.

Of course, for the first time it will take some time, but once you understand the essence of the design, subsequent installation will not require much effort.

Contact a consultant at a car seat store for help, let him explain in detail to you the installation principle using the example of the selected model, or ask him to help you properly secure the device in the interior of your car.

The principle of attaching car seats with ISOFIX is approximately the same:

Carefully inspect the joint between the seat and backrest, find the ISOFIX mounting brackets. Some varieties may be additionally equipped with metal guides for installing chair brackets, but this is not necessary.
Remove the brackets from the chair and snap both components into place. Pay attention to the correct fixation indicators; they should switch from red to green.
Now secure the seat with the standard seat belt of the car itself and adjust its tension. To do this, the child car seat is raised and the belt is thrown over the back, passed through the guides marked in red and fastened in the usual way.
Now you can sit your baby down and adjust the five-point harness to his size.

Draw your attention to! All plugs must be removed and stored in the glove compartment; at the end of the trip, they are returned to their place so as not to damage the upholstery.

Watch a short video that will help you correctly and quickly install an anchor car seat in your car:

How to install the base:

Place the base base on the seat, use the button to extend the fasteners, it is located in the front. Snap all the parts with brackets, if everything is done correctly, you will see that the indicators have changed color from red to green.
Move the structure as close to the back as possible.
Pull out the additional retractable floor rest, use the button to adjust the height, after which the green indicators should light up.
Now install the baby car seat (cradle) on the base. You need to combine all the fasteners until you hear a click. Again, see if the green lights come on.
Place your baby in a seat and adjust the seat belts.
In order to remove the structure, there is a special lever on the back wall; pull it.

The presented video instructions clearly demonstrate the sequence of actions when installing a car seat with an ISOFIX base:

Get additional legal advice online by submitting your question at the end of the article.

Disadvantages and Limitations

Despite the good characteristics of the ISOFIX system, it also has its negative sides:

The main difference between such car seats is that they are overweight; they are about a third heavier than a regular child seat. This must be taken into account if you are going, for example, to the country, and the car will be full.
All car seats equipped with the ISOFIX safety system are very expensive, their price exceeds 50% of the cost of an ordinary child seat. And not every parent can afford this luxury.
And limiting the child’s weight is also important. The restraint system can be useful and fully ensures reliability only if the child weighs no more than 18 kg, since in a collision the main load falls on the fasteners, and it may not withstand a larger passenger weight.
You can also highlight the lack of versatility of seats with such equipment installed - adjusting the position of the car seat in the back seat to suit the child’s needs (for example, extending it to give it a lying position) can sometimes be very difficult.

These car seats are best suited for younger children, so it is advisable to use them if your child is between 0 and 5 years old.

Which cars are equipped with ISOFIX?

The foreign automobile industry began installing the ISOFIX fastening system in 1990, and most cars from European and Korean manufacturers contain elements of modern fastenings for child car seats.

Since 2011, the Russian manufacturer AvtoVAZ has launched production of most LADA models with ISOFIX fasteners, these include LADA GRANT, LARGUS, KALINA, etc.

All modern cars leave the assembly line of Russian manufacturers with elements of reliable fastening of ISOFIX child car seats.

Location inside the car

ISOFIX child seat anchors are located on the rear seats of the car, in the corner between the backrest and the passenger seat. Usually these places have corresponding signs.

You can pull back the upholstery, and if the fastener is installed there, it is easy to detect by touch.

They often have attachments that are removed when installing the car seat.

Some car owners are wondering: is ISOFIX available in the front passenger seat?

To everyone interested, we answer: NO .

Let's look at why automakers don't install such a system at the front.

As noted earlier, the ISOFIX retaining brackets are welded directly to the car body, which means that it is simply impossible to install them on the front seat, otherwise the seat will stop moving and reclining.

If you still decide that you definitely need ISOFIX on the front seat, contact your dealer; perhaps, at your request, the desired additional option will be provided. Or you can complete your car yourself - buy the appropriate factory mount or, showing the wonders of engineering, come up with your own design.

But remember! The front seat anchor you create will likely add stability to the child car seat, but will not provide adequate safety for the child.

What to do if your car doesn't have ISOFIX?

If you carefully read the instructions for your car, and the manufacturer claims that it is equipped with an ISOFIX system, but you cannot find it, then the solution can be very simple - it simply does not have brackets. In this case, you can simply contact the dealership and request their installation.

There are situations when a family has two cars (one is equipped with ISOFIX, the other is not) or in the near future it is planned to replace an old car without ISOFIX with a new modern model and parents are faced with a choice of which restraint device to prefer with or without ISOFIX. Our experts advise either choosing a very good car seat without ISOFIX or a device with ISOFIX, and removing the brackets from the car seat when using it in a car that is not equipped with a similar mount.

But don't despair if you have an old brand. You can safely transport children in seats without the ISOFIX system, but you need to approach the choice of a child car seat with all seriousness, and not run into a fake. It certainly will not provide your child with a safe ride, and can harm his health even in a minor collision.

You can find out which restraint devices are approved for transporting children, as well as what you need to pay attention to when choosing a child car seat, by reading the following article.

Get free legal advice now

Source: http://avtouristsovet.ru/situacii-na-doroge/pdd/sistema-isofix.html

What is isofix in car seats, how to attach or remove the seat, etc. + photos, videos and reviews

Sooner or later, all parents are faced with the problem of safely transporting their child in a car. And here questions arise regarding the selection, reliability and installation of a car seat. What is the Isofix system and how safe is this mounting option?

ISOFIX - a reliable and necessary system for attaching a child car seat

ISOFIX is a system for rigidly attaching a child car seat to a car seat. It was developed by ISO, an international standardization organization whose priority goal is to make the installation process of the chair as simple and reliable as possible.

The Isofix system is distinguished by its reliability and safety

It is worth distinguishing between two types of ISOFIX:

power, which, in fact, is designed to completely stabilize and secure the chair in emergency situations. It is used in device categories 0+ and 1;
non-power, used in car seats of senior categories.

If the device has the designations kidfix, seatfix or isifix, it means that it is a non-power ISOFIX, or more precisely, its analogue, which in emergency situations can only partially slow down the movement of the seat during a side impact, but nothing more.

Most often, it is the installation of a child seat that causes difficulties, despite the developed instructions. For example, a system that involves fastening with a seat belt has such disadvantages as missing it in the wrong groove, twisting, weak fixation, which can reduce all protection to zero.

With the ISOFIX system, standard belts are not required during installation. The chair is attached using two runners (brackets) with locks located at its base to steel brackets located inside the car seat.

Most cars are equipped with ISOFIX brackets, but it's best to make sure they are available before purchasing a child carrier.

They are located on both sides of the rear car seat between the seat and backrest, but can be hidden by a zipper or a plug, which is indicated by a special symbol (an image of the silhouette of a child in a car seat).

ISOFIX is not located in the front except in certain cases (for example, self-installation), because the rear seat is safer than the front.

Staples can be hidden by zippers and plugs, indicated by a special symbol

ISOFIX for maximum safety and use of standard belt

The brackets to which the child car seat is attached are firmly welded to the car body. This allows the device to be stabilized as much as possible in the event of a collision, skid and other emergency situations.

Some consumers are afraid that the rigidity of the system may harm the child. Various experiments refute this.

For example, a crash test with Hybrid III dummies demonstrated that ISOFIX reduces pressure on the cervical region at the moment of impact.

It is no secret that the level of safety in a seat during a collision directly depends on the speed of action of the fastening systems. The faster it stabilizes, the more reliably the baby will be protected.

The rigidity of external fastenings is leveled (reduced to nothing) with the help of the belts of the car seat itself, designed for this.

ISOFIX can only be harmful if a category 2 or 3 device is attached to it, which will exceed the permissible weight and lead to an unreasonable increase in the load on the system.

Also, the load on the brackets and the entire system as a whole is reduced by using additional support points. There are two types:

retractable leg, which is located at the base of the chair and, if necessary, is installed on the floor of the car;
Top Tether anchor, which is a belt with a carabiner lock at the end, installed on the back surface of the car seat. It is attached to a hook welded in the trunk or behind the rear seat headrest. This anchor mount is universal and is available in most vehicles.

Types of additional support points - photo gallery

The retractable leg creates a third support point in the ISOFIX system. The Top Tether anchor, like the leg, creates a third support point in the ISOFIX system. The Top Tether anchor is attached to a hook in the trunk or behind the rear seat headrest.

Disadvantages of the ISOFIX system

In groups 2 and 3, ISOFIX is used simply for convenience, without having a protective function in emergency situations, since in this case they are performed by the car’s seat belt, and the system only provides additional fixation.

It is used only in devices of age categories 0+ and 1, or on chairs where these are combined:
- in group 0+, the runners are built into a special base, on which the cradle is placed and automatically fixed against the movement of the car;
- in group 1, the runners are built into the lower part of the chair or also into the base.
The weight of the child should not exceed 18 kilograms, and the ECE R 44/04 standard limits the weight of the chair itself to 15 kilograms. This is explained by the fact that during strong impacts, colossal loads are placed on the system, but its strength is still not unlimited.
Equipping the ISOFIX system makes the chair heavier by 25–30% of its original weight.

The cost of the product also increases by about 1.5 times.
Since there are no uniform standards for the back seat of a car, when choosing a child car seat, you need to check whether it fits your car, whether the angle of inclination and height are the same.

Isofix with car seats of different weight categories - photo gallery

The car seat is installed on a special base into which the ISOFIX system is built-in. In car seats of categories 2 and 3, ISOFIX does not perform a protective function. A child in a car seat of categories 2.3 is fastened with a standard seat belt

How to install and remove a car seat: instructions, photos and videos

Determine the location of the brackets on the car seat and, if necessary, install plastic extenders on them to avoid damage to the car seat upholstery.
Plastic extenders are designed to prevent damage to car seat upholstery.
Pull out the brackets from the car seat and install it on the car seat.
To install the car seat, you need to extend the brackets
Connect the brackets to the brackets by moving the chair close to the back of the seat. In this case, a characteristic click should be heard, which indicates that the locks have latched.
When the chair is secured, a characteristic click should be heard
Locate where the Top Tether is located (in the trunk or behind the seat headrest) and snap the carabiner into place.
The Top Tether anchor is attached to a bracket located behind the seat headrest or in the trunk
Check how securely everything is fastened.
To remove the car seat, simply unlock the locks.

How to secure a child car seat in a car - video

Where and how to attach isofix yourself

The ISOFIX system in the car can:

installed by the manufacturer;
be provided as an additional option;
completely absent.

In the second case, for installation you need to purchase additional spare parts and secure them yourself or entrust this to an experienced car mechanic.

Post-factory installation - photo gallery

ISOFIX bracket for post-factory installation Holes for post-factory installation of brackets in the floor between the passenger compartment and trunk ISOFIX brackets installed

Is it possible to make isofix hinges with your own hands?

But even if you have an old-style car and there are no fastenings for ISOFIX in it, you can make them yourself. However, in this case, it is impossible to predict how the seat will behave in an accident; all responsibility for the child’s health lies entirely with the parents.

Homemade ISOFIX mount - photo gallery

A homemade bar for ISOFIX fastening is made by hand. The bar is installed by attaching it to the car body. The finished fastening is not noticeable and does not interfere with reclining the seat back.

Opinions on whether it is necessary to install homemade Isofix in the car

Reviews about the reliability and ease of use of seats with the ISOFIX system

The ISOFIX fastening system has the maximum level of safety and reliability, is simple and convenient to use. But it fully performs its functions only in groups 0+ and 1, since it has a limit on the weight of the child and the seat, and requires special brackets for mounting in the car.

Source: http://pediatriya.info/sistema-krepleniya-detskih-avtokresel-isofix/

Detailed description of the Isofix system in car seats

Isofix, Isofix Plus, Isofit, Seatfix, Kidfix, X-fix, Latch, Top-Tether, V-Tether, “support leg”, anchor fastening and similar systems were created and are being created mainly to increase the level of safety when transporting the most important person in the world - your child.

What is Isofix, why is it needed and what are the misconceptions about it?

When young parents are faced with the problem of choosing a child car seat, they read a lot of strange and “scary” words, the meaning of which they know nothing about, but they begin to believe that it is very necessary.

I'm talking about terms such as Isofix (in various interpretations and with various additions such as Plus and others), anchor fastening, “leg” and others. Without understanding the need, they begin their selection with a strict decision that the name of the chair should contain the word “Isofix”.

Therefore, I decided that I need to understand in more detail what it is and tell you.

What is Isofix?

This is a method (system) of rigidly attaching a child car seat to a car. Isofix is considered an international standard for manufacturers of cars and car seats.

The main advantage of this system is that it reduces the likelihood of incorrect installation of the seat, and also increases the degree of protection for the child. Without Isofix, about 70% of incorrect seat installations occur.

With the Isofix system, you just need to correctly direct and click the locks on the brackets that are in the car.

This system has two so-called brackets, which are located at the base of the child seat. They cling to the car's brackets, which are located between the back and seat of the car seat. Most often these are the seats in the back of the car and are located on the right and left of the sofa.

Which child car seats have isofix?

This system is used for car seats of groups 0+ and 1. Also, universal seats suitable for use by these age groups are also equipped with Isofix.

This includes transporting a child up to approximately 3-3.5 years old and weighing up to 18 kg. And most importantly, such a chair should have its own built-in internal seat belts.

This is all taken into account by strict standards and there cannot be any other variations.

In these groups of car seats, you can find real Isofix, which absorbs the full force of the impact in an accident and holds the seat and child in place. It offers great benefits in security and installation.

Let's consider Isofix for each individual group

— group 0+ (from 0 to 13 kg). Basically, Isofix is not located in the cradle-car seat itself, but in the base on which this seat is placed. With this, manufacturers try to achieve maximum convenience for parents and baby, because...

you don’t have to take your sleeping child out of the chair; they simply remove it from the base and carry the child home in the cradle-car seat.

This gives a great advantage over fastening the chair with belts; you don’t have to deal with installing the chair again and again every time, you just put it on the base and also remove it using a handle or button.

The only drawback and inconvenience of this variation is that the base is purchased separately and, as a rule, it costs the same as the chair, or even more. After the child has grown up and there is a need to buy a car seat of the next group, the base for the new seat is no longer suitable (there is, of course, an exception, Maxi Cosi Pebble for example).

-group 1 (from 9 to 18 kg). In this group, Isofix is built into the base of the chair itself (with the exception of the example written above).

— universal chairs 0+/1. There are more options here. Isofix is also located in the base of the chair. But due to the fact that such a car seat must be installed in the direction and vice versa, there are nuances.

Isofix can only be used for group 0+, or the chair can be rotated to change the direction of installation, or the chair can generally be rotated a full 180 degrees, which also makes it possible to conveniently get the child in and out (for example, this Romer Dualfix chair).

There are also several additional fastenings that increase safety. But many do not understand what they are and why they are needed and whether they are needed at all. Let's figure out what a “leg” and Top Tether are.

Due to the fact that Isofix is a fastening at two points along one axis, in some cases of an accident there is a need for a third point of support so that the seat does not move forward. To do this, we came up with two types of additional support:

"Leg". This is a retractable floor support (telescopic “leg”), which is located in the front of the chair. It reduces the load on the isofix and prevents the seat from moving when the car rotates.
Top Tether anchorage. It looks like an additional original belt that comes out from the back of the car seat. It has a carabiner at the end, which is attached to a bracket in the car (it is either in the trunk floor or behind the second row of seats in the car). Nowadays new cars are produced with a special place for this mount.

Since Isofix takes on heavy loads, it is not allowed to be used if the child weighs more than 18 kg. Also, the chair itself with this system should not weigh more than 15 kg.

There are car seats that can be installed with Isofix without a third support point, but only with specific cars (the list is usually included with the child seat and is quite large).

"Isofix" and group 2-3 (for children from 3 years old, 15-36 kg)

In this age group, this is not the “Isofix” that I described above. Due to the fact that real Isofix cannot be used after reaching a certain weight, the child, together with a car seat of group 2-3, is fastened with standard belts, and the so-called “isofix” is called other derivative words - “isophyte”, “kidfix”, etc. .

It is considered a compatible mounting method, since the main safety function is performed by a standard belt.

Therefore, the seat must be able to move forward under heavy braking in order for the belt to engage and keep the child in place.

But Isofix would not have given such an opportunity, so they came up with other special designs that allow the chair to move forward. And it is for this same reason that the “leg” and the Top-tether belt are not found in this group.

What's the point of this then? Yes, this system does not bear a special security burden in groups 2-3. But there are also positive aspects: it limits the displacement of the seat in a side collision; it is more convenient to seat the child, as the chair is more stable; There is no need to fasten the seat belts if you are eating without a child.

How does Isofix work for universal group 1-2-3 car seats?

Many people want to buy a super-universal option that will last a long time, be economical and convenient, and must be equipped with Isofix. But there is a “catch” in this group with such a system.

Isofix cannot work on all groups at once, for the same reason as described above. There were attempts to create such a universal chair at Romer, but, alas, it did not work out.

For group 1, in such a chair, isofix performs its function, but for groups 2 and 3 it has an exclusively decorative function.

There is a chair in this group with safety tables and isofix. In this case, for group 1, Isofix fixes the seat in the car, but the main safety is provided by the table, and for groups 2-3, the safety is provided by regular seat belts, which fasten the child and the seat, and here Isofix again does not bear the active load.

Options for universal car seats with built-in seat belts and Isofix are starting to appear, which are suitable for all groups at once. But for the most part, test drives have not been carried out on these models.

There is, of course, also an option from America, the so-called LATCH. It differs from Isofix in that instead of metal car seat brackets, the seat is attached with straps with latches. But the necessary tests have not been carried out on them, so you can only rely on the tests of the manufacturers themselves at your own peril and risk.

Let's dispel some misconceptions about Isofix:

The first and most common misconception is “Isofix car seats are safer.”

I think many people already understand from the article that for groups 0+ and 1 this is true, but for other groups it is not so. For them, Isofix does not bear any safety burden.

Of course, group 0+ and 1 seats with Isofix show high results in crash tests, although there are exceptions. And we must not forget that the quality of safety depends not only on the use of this system, but also on a number of other qualities inherent in the car seat, which can provide additional protection.

The second misconception is that some believe that Isofix is more dangerous due to its rigid fastening than fastening a car with a seat belt, since the belt does not operate abruptly and can stretch a little, therefore, there is less load on the child.

Many tests have been carried out on this matter and they show absolutely the opposite result. Therefore this is a big misconception.

Here I also want to add that if the seat has a good belt tensioner, then the seat shows better results in tests, since there is less load on the child.

Let's summarize:

— Isofix is a wonderful invention that provides a greater degree of protection for the baby;

— this system greatly reduces the likelihood of incorrect installation, which again significantly increases safety;

— Isofix affects safety only in groups 0+ and 1; in other groups it provides ease of installation and operation;

— not all Isofix car seats are equally safe, so be sure to watch crash tests;

— there is no full-fledged isofix for “universal” car seats (group 1-2-3);

— for many models of groups 0+ and 1 a third fulcrum is required.

I hope this article helped you understand such a necessary system as Isofix and dispelled many misconceptions. The right choice for you, friends!

Source: https://childkreslo.ru/polezno-znat/podrobnoe-opisanie-sistemy-isofix-v-avtokreslah/

Advantages of Isofix fastening in child car seats, how to install and where to look for Isofix in your car

Content:

Isofix: what is it?
Where to look for Isofix in your car?
Benefits of Isofix
Isofix features for group “0”, “0+”, “1”
Features of Isofix for group “2”, “3”
What is important to know about Isofix!
Instructions for installing a car seat with built-in Isofix
Instructions for installing a car seat with a base

Isofix is an international standard child car seat fastening system. Introduced by the ISO International Institute in 1990 (standard number: ISO 13216). Hence the name: ISO stands for International Standards Organization, and fix translates as “fastening”, “fixing”.

Isofix allows you to quickly and, most importantly, reliably install a child restraint system in your car. The mount consists of two autonomous parts.

The first is metal brackets in the body structure (under the back of the rear seats), the second is metal retractable brackets at the bottom of the child seat.

To install the chair, you need to connect these two parts together, that is, insert the latches on the brackets into the brackets.

If you are planning to purchase an Isofix restraint system for your baby, check whether your car has brackets for securing it. You need to look for them in the gap between the backrest and the seat of the rear seats. In some cars you can easily find the staples by just slightly pulling apart the upholstery, in others you will have to stick your hand deeper, as they may be “recessed” inside.

Firstly , it is recommended to call the service center and find out whether the car’s design includes the Isofix system. Perhaps you just didn't notice it.

Secondly , Isofix may be absent in principle, which happens even in modern models. In this case, you can consider child car seats with a standard type of fastening.

Thirdly , if Isofix is not provided in the car, but you fundamentally want to use it, you can contact a car service. Specialists will install the brackets into the car body.

A group “1” car seat (9-18 kg) can also be placed on any passenger seat.
The design of the product allows it to be installed in both directions of travel, but most parents prefer to transport their children facing forward.

A group “2” car seat (15-25 kg) is located exclusively in the direction of travel on any passenger seat. The internal belts of the car seat are replaced by a regular car seat belt, which secures the child.

Easily and quickly attaches to the car interior. Installing the car seat takes just a few seconds. You don't have to constantly fiddle with the belt, passing it through all the slots.

The likelihood of incorrect installation is minimized. More than 70% of child seats with a standard type of fastening are installed with gross errors! It is almost impossible to fix a chair with Isofix incorrectly. All you need to do is guide the brackets onto the metal brackets and snap the locks into place.

Reliable child protection in case of an accident. Today, a car seat with Isofix is considered the safest option for transporting a child, which is confirmed by independent crash tests.

The seat is installed rigidly, it does not “move” forward and does not move around the cabin. Regular seat belts can become loose while driving, especially if the child seat is fastened hastily. Using Isofix, you can be sure that the car seat will not move out of place. It will not “jump” around the cabin if you often drive without your baby, but do not remove his seat from the car.

Step 1: Locate the metal brackets at the junction between the backrest and the seat. Remove the plugs from them (if any). Some car seat models include bracket guides that attach to the brackets and make installation easier.

Step 2: Pull out the car seat brackets There may also be plugs that need to be removed! and snap them onto the brackets. Place the plugs immediately in the glove compartment so they don’t get lost in the car.

Step 3: Adjust the anchor strap Place it over the back of the rear seat and attach it to the loop located either on the trunk floor or on the back of the seat.

Step 4. Place your child in the seat. Tighten and secure the internal five-point harness.

Step 1: Locate the metal brackets at the junction between the backrest and the seat. Remove the plugs from them (if any).

Step 2: Place the base on the seat. To extend the mounts, use the button on the front of the base. Align the base mounts with the Isofix mounts in your vehicle. If the system has worked, green indicators will appear.

Step. 3. Move the base as close as possible to the back of the seat.

Step 4. Adjust the additional floor stop. Press the button on the stop leg and select the desired length. If you did everything correctly, the green indicators will light up.

Step 5. Place the car seat on the base, aligning the fasteners until it clicks. Green indicators will allow you to make sure that the chair is truly securely fastened. Remember that the car seat is placed exclusively against the direction of travel of the car.

Step 6. Sit the child down and secure the internal five-point harness.

To remove the car seat, use a special lever (most often it is located behind the back of the seat).

As the main method of fastening, Isofix can be used to transport children weighing up to 18 kg (up to approximately 4 years), which corresponds to groups “0”, “0+”, “1”. This rule is strictly regulated by the ECE R44/04 safety standard.

The fact is that in the event of an accident, the Isofix mount bears a huge load, or rather, it takes on the entire force of the impact, so the weight of the child is a fundamental factor. Group “0+” (up to 13 kg) are infant carriers that are installed rear-facing. They do not have built-in Isofix, so special bases are used.

And this is quite convenient, since you can take the cradle with your baby out of the car at any time, just by pressing a button or pulling the handle. But there is also a fly in the ointment here. A car seat with Isofix is an expensive pleasure. The chair itself costs an order of magnitude more than standard models, plus you will have to pay about the same for the base.

When a child grows out of the 0+ group, in most cases you will not be able to use the base with another chair (even from the same manufacturer). The exception is rare models. In group “1” car seats (9-18 kg), Isofix brackets can be built into the base of the product itself, but bases are also used.

In models of the combined type of group 0+/1, the Isofix system is often built into the base of the car seat. Please note that child seats in this group can be installed both in the direction of travel and against the direction of travel. Therefore, some manufacturers make the bowl rotating so that, if necessary, you can change the direction of installation.

As noted above, the Isofix system has a weight limit of 18 kg. Car seats of groups “2”, “3” are intended for children from 3 years old weighing 15-36 kg. Isofix in these models can only be an additional method of fastening (not the main one!). And it cannot be said that in groups “2” and “3” Isofix is used in its pure form.

We are talking about its modifications, which is why such fastening systems are called differently: Kidfix, Isofit, Smartfix, etc. They allow you to provide additional safety for the child, as well as secure the child seat so that it does not “ride” around the cabin. In the seat, the small passenger is also fastened with a standard seat belt using special guide marks.

It is the three-point belt that bears the entire load in the event of an accident. It is important that the restraint system has relative mobility, allowing it to move with the child until the three-point belt operates. Thanks to this, the baby is provided with side protection and the seat belt is routed correctly.

That is, the “correct” Isofix with a rigid fastening of the car seat in combination with a standard belt is inappropriate, as well as an anchor belt or a persistent “leg”.

Conclusion: for groups “2”, “3” systems are used that are similar in principle to Isofix installation, but modified to meet the safety requirements for models of these age groups and are compatible with the standard seat belt. Namely: they shift, unfasten or move forward when loaded.

"Anchor" belt and telescopic stop

Isofix fixes the chair at 2 points on the same axis. In the event of an accident, this axle is subject to enormous loads, like all fastenings of the system. There is a danger that the upper part of the chair may suddenly move forward, and the fastenings may not hold up.

Therefore, it is recommended to use a third support point to reduce the load on the restraint mountings. The third point of support could be:

Telescopic retractable stop at the floor.

It consists of two connected tubes located at the base of the holding device platform, which are height-adjustable and rest against the floor. The persistent “leg” prevents the chair from rotating and also reduces the load on the brackets.

Top Tether anchor strap. It is located at the top of the car seat at the back, and has a carabiner-type fastening at the end. The carabiner must be secured to a special bracket.

It can be located either in the trunk or on the back side of the rear seat of the car.

Top Tether secures the top of the car seat, protecting the little passenger from a sudden “bounce” during a collision, which can lead to neck injuries.

Note! There are several models where it is possible to use Isofix without a 3rd point of support. The design of the guides in them is movable, which makes it possible to evenly distribute the load.

These car seats are not universal. A list of car models compatible with them is usually attached to the instructions or can be checked with a specialist.

A third support point is also not required in cases where a fixing table is provided instead of an internal five-point belt.

There is no consensus on this matter. For a long time, the seat on the left (behind the driver) was the “favorite” among safety experts.

This choice is explained by the human instinct of self-preservation: in an emergency situation, the driver unconsciously turns the steering wheel in such a way as to protect himself, which means that the passenger behind also benefits.

However, scientists from the American Research University at Buffalo called the middle seat the safest place in a car.

According to researchers who analyzed traffic accident statistics in New York State for 3 years, compared to the front seat, the rear seats are 60-86% safer, while the safety of the middle seat is 25% higher than that of the outboard rear seats. The researchers explained this by the fact that during a collision it is not subject to compression, which cannot be said about the “sidewalls”.

The foreign publication Pediatrics also conducted its own investigation on this issue. Published results indicate that over 50% of childhood injuries and deaths in road traffic accidents could be avoided if the car seat was installed in the rear seat of the car instead of the front seat.

As you can see, a car seat in the front seat is far from the safest way to transport a child. We objectively talked about all its advantages and disadvantages. The choice is up to the parents!

Caring parents!