[pepcmac]

Does anyone know what minimuim age & weight requirements are for a child to be seated in the middle row integrated child booster seat included with the versatility package?<p>I have an infant and a 2 year old and was hoping the 2 year old (who currently uses a Britax Roundabout) would be able to use this rather than having to install two car seats in the back.<p>thanks<BR><BR>
[Modified by pepcmac, 3:31 AM 1-7-2003]

 

[GrecianVolvo]

Re: Integrated Child Booster Seat (pepcmac)

If your 2-year old weighs at least 33 lbs. (probably not) then it is safe. I, personally, will wait for my son to go onto one of them until he is at least 2 and half years old (he is 26 months old) or weighs at least 37 lbs. (he weighs 33 lbs.).<p>You have one of the best car seats in the world, be patient with it for a few more months; it's almost over! <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://********************/smile/emwink.gif" BORDER="0"> <p>Yannis

 

[jvincent]

Re: Integrated Child Booster Seat (pepcmac)

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Does anyone know what minimuim age & weight requirements are for a child to be seated in the middle row integrated child booster seat included with the versatility package?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><br>From the placard: 33-80 lbs and 38-54 inches. Also no less than 3 years of age.<p>For a two year old, I wouldn't even think about it. I have a four year old that I would only consider seating there for short trips and no sleeping. There is no lateral support to keep the child from slipping out of the restraints, especially when the seat is pulled forward with the console removed. I used the seat once for a longer ride by leaving the center section full aft and pulling the outboard seats forward for more side support (not a useful solution in the long run). IMO, a design that needs to be used carefully. Positively no substitute for a proper car seat/booster seat.<p>Additionally, the second row center section is too narrow for regular booster seat (thereby blocking access to row three on both sides). You're pretty much forced to put a car seat in an outboard position, blocking access to row three from that side. Volvo has a center section seat solution that looks great, but for $277!!??<p>jvincent<br>

 

[hacky]

Re: Integrated Child Booster Seat etc....

Its funny, at the Edmunds forum someone claims (and I believe them but do not quite get how) to have installed two Roundabouts in the second row and are still able to get access to the third row. We tried to install a Britax Roundabout and Britax Marathon side by side and they definitely blocked access to the third row.<p>About car seats, I work with people who do NHTSA-funded and auto industry-funded research on auto safety. They study car seats amongst other things and have access to a huge database with data from thousands of accidents. They recommend keeping kids in 5-point restraints (there are convertible boosters that go from 5-point to the standard lap and shoulder belt) until they are at least 40 pounds, or as long as possble height permitting, and then move to the lap/shoulder belt booster. Any booster is better than nothing, there is even talk that there may be a push to make it the law that kids stay in boosters until they are 8 yrs old or 80 pounds (it is now 6 and 60). <p>So the greater restraint the better for as long as possible. 5-point harnesses definitely distribute the forces across the chest and pelvis in a much more favorable fashion than the standard booster seat harness. In addition, there is no risk of a child sliding out of a 5-point harness (unless the mechanism fails) but this absolutely happens in the real world with lap/shoulder belt boosters (whether due to improper installation, too small a child or bad luck).<p>Many relatively inexpensive ($75) 'convertible' boosters are now on the market with a 5-point harness that can eventually be removed for the lap/shoulder belt. They also are relatively small (narrow). Maybe not as small as the Volvo child seat but a hell of a lot less money.<p><br>

 

[hacky]

Re: Integrated Child Booster Seat etc.... (hacky) question

When any of the folks that actually have an XC90 have some time, could they tell us how wide each of the middle and outboard seats are in the second row? I would assume that any 2 car seats less than this width would not block access to the third row from the unused outboard seat.

 

[jvincent]

Re: Integrated Child Booster Seat etc.... (hacky) question (hacky)

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>When any of the folks that actually have an XC90 have some time, could they tell us how wide each of the middle and outboard seats are in the second row? I would assume that any 2 car seats less than this width would not block access to the third row from the unused outboard seat.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><p>Center section is 13" and outboards are 19". I would like to seat my 4 year old in the middle for safety, access to him, and access to the third row from either side. Britax Starriser Comfy is almost narrow enough (base is, back "wings" aren't). Wish the Volvo seat was more affordable. Might be worth $277 in "hassle reduction" in the long run. I did spend $350 for the Recaro Start Booster in my Audi...but it looks soooo cool!<p>jvincent<BR><BR>
[Modified by jvincent, 9:29 PM 1-6-2003]

 

[jvincent]

Re: Integrated Child Booster Seat etc.... (jvincent)

jvincent,<p>Responding to my own post: I must be lonely.<p>Good news! The outrageous $277 price for the center seat booster might be a web misprint. Price should be $122 and $55 (not $155). Add in a discount (check banner ads on this site) and the ensemble could be only moderately overpriced, but a great solution.<p>jvincent<BR><BR>
[Modified by jvincent, 8:54 AM 1-10-2003]

 

[altoid]

Re: Integrated Child Booster Seat etc.... (jvincent)

On my test drive I managed to get three full sized car seats across the back row but you definitely will not have access to the third row with that set up. <p>I was planning to put my oldest child in the center booster since he meets the min weight and age standards (posted here).<p>Does anyone know if the car seats sold by Volvo are LATCH car seats? I am particularly interested in the center seat model.

 

[jvincent]

Integrated Child Booster Seat etc....

Just got the center seat booster covers. It is a good, albeit overpriced, solution to the third row access problem. Upholstery (part 8682264) ran $97.60 and head cushion (8682265) ran $44.00. Both together probably cost Volvo a good $20 to make <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://********************/smile/emsad.gif" BORDER="0"> <p><A HREF="http://www.volvoxc90.com/details/accessories.shtml#CHILDREN" TARGET="_blank">http://www.volvoxc90.com/details/accessories.shtml#CHILDREN</a><p>Anyway, there really aren't a lot of choices if you need to maintain access from either side to the third row. This is a moderately elegant solution that works with the installed booster system. The upholstery covers the booster cushion and has a back that adds two very much needed side bolsters. The head cushion adds a couple of wings and fits tightly over the existing headrest. IMO, this setup is a must if you intend on using the built in booster for more than short trips.<p>One note: the width between the side bolsters is tight. My four year old was initially a little bothered by the feeling of confinement.<p>jvincent

 

[webpj]

Re: Integrated Child Booster Seat etc.... (jvincent)

Thanks for sharing your experience. Has anyone tried the other booster, the ones for the other seats? Also are these poosters compatible with other makes and models?

 

[jvincent]

Re: Integrated Child Booster Seat etc.... (webpj)

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Also are these poosters compatible with other makes and models?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><p>The "poosters" are what sits in the seat <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://********************/smile/emwink.gif" BORDER="0"> <p>jvincent<p>PS Center one is definitely XC90 only. Other model probably interchangeable.<BR><BR>
[Modified by jvincent, 8:11 PM 1-17-2003]

 

[GrecianVolvo]

Re: Integrated Child Booster Seat etc.... (jvincent)

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>The "poosters" are what sits in the seat <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://********************/smile/emwink.gif" BORDER="0"> <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><p><br>Hehehe! Good one! <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://********************/smile/emwink.gif" BORDER="0"><p><BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> Center one is definitely XC90 only. Other model probably interchangeable.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><p>Yes, XC90 is the <b>only SUV</b> in the market with a center integrated booster seat.<p>Yannis

 

[VAVolvo]

Re: Integrated Child Booster Seat etc.... (jvincent)

Where did you get the booster covers at those prices $97.60 and $44???? <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/eek.gif" BORDER="0">

 

[pcmnta]

Re: Integrated Child Booster Seat etc

I have a 2 1/2 and 4 1/2 year old (boys), and I use the Cosco Eddie Bauer Car seats (Target store 69.99 purchased in 99 and 2001). I have these positioned in the 2nd row side by side, that is using the passenger side and the middle seats in the 2nd row. The car seat nearest the door utilizes the latch system but the center seat on the XC90 does not have the lower latch system on it so I use the seat belt to hold it in place and as long as you follow the instruction it holds it quite firmly (see owners guide for proper use of the auto tensioning seat belts). <p>By moving the center seat forward (with carseat attached) I am able to gain access to the 3rd row seating via the available driver side unused seat in the 2nd row.<p>Now I must admit it is a squeeze to get this seat to fold forward and I cannot slide it forward all the way but I have been able to get passengers back there and once in they said it really very comfortable.<p>My 4 1/2 year old enjoys his middle seat being slid forward and it gives him a feeling of superiority over the 2 1/2 old much to the younger ones dismay.<p>I am not a fan of the Volvo booster seat because I will be using the shoulder strap positioning device built into the Cosco seats once my eldest out grows the 5 point harness, which according to the NHTSA is 40lbs.<p>

 

[jvincent]

Re: Integrated Child Booster Seat etc.... (VAVolvo)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>VAVolvo</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Where did you get the booster covers at those prices $97.60 and $44???? <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/eek.gif" BORDER="0"> </TD></TR></TABLE><p>Jaffarian Volvo-Toyota dba Volvo Partsworld<p>(800) 323-6805<br><A HREF="http://www.volvopartsworld.com/index.html" TARGET="_blank">http://www.volvopartsworld.com/index.html</A><p>jvincent