Child Safety Seat Ease of Use Ratings

 

Are All Seats Safe?
All car seats rated by NHTSA meet Federal Safety Standards & strict crash performance standards. While all rated seats are safe, they do differ in their ease of use in four basic catagories:

 

Evaluation of Instructions

Vehicle Installation Features

Evaluation of Labels

Securing the Child

 

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Cosco Highback (FF)

 

 

Manufacturer  /  Model NameCosco Highback
Model Number  /  Manufacture Date22253-BJP  /  Apr 25, 2013
Harness Type5-pt
Weight  /  Height22lb - 40lb / 34" - 43"
Evaluation of Labels 1 stars
There is no complete illustration of a properly restrained child next to the sizing information on the labels. No supplemental sizing information is given on the labels. The tether is not labeled in the illustrations depicting acceptable modes of installation. No indication of correct harness height relative to the child is given on the labels. The belt routing path is not completely labeled. Labels do not explain the use of LATCH attachments.
Evaluation of Instructions 4 stars
The manual storage location cannot be accessed in this mode of use. No full picture exists of a properly restrained child next to sizing information in the owner's manual. Supplemental sizing information is not provided in the manual.  In the instructions, the tether is shown but not labeled with each method of installation. The warning stating that the rear seat is the safest place for installation is not illustrated clearly and is located among other warnings. The section describing vehicle seat belt types is incomplete and may be missing important information.
Securing the Child 3 stars
There are less than three harness adjustment heights present for use in this mode. Harness slots in the pad and in the shell are misaligned or small. The harness must be rethreaded to adjust height for the child's growth. The harness must be removed from the restraint to convert to this mode of use from another mode and may be misplaced. The harness must be taken out and rethreaded when cleaning the restraint, and loose parts may be generated during the process.
Installation Features 2 stars
Interference is possible between a seat component and the seat belt when routing for installation. The restraint is equipped with hook-style LATCH attachments which may require twisting to remove from the lower anchors in the vehicle. There is no dedicated area in which to store LATCH attachments.
Overall Ease of Use Rating 2 stars

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