How to install a rear facing child seat in a Dual Cab Ute with ISOFIX
Installing a rear-facing child seat correctly is crucial for your child’s safety. Here’s a step-by-step guide to installing a 0–4 convertible child seat in rear facing mode in a dual cab ute like the Nissan Navara.In this video, carsales contributor Tace Clifford, Founder of Babydrive.com.au will be walking through the steps of how to install a rear-facing child seat with ISOFIX in a dual cab ute. With utes becoming a popular choice for families, ensuring the seats are properly installed are important to ensure everyone's safety.
All child seats are different so be sure to read your manual first, before installing. If you’re still unsure, you can always utilise the expertise of a local child seat fitter to ensure the seat is correctly installed and your child is safe.
Thanks to Hayden Edwards from Kelvin Edward’s Baby Car Seat Fitting for assisting us in installing the child seat.
Step 1: Understand Your Child Seat and Vehicle
- Read the Manual: Always refer to the child seat and vehicle manuals. Each has specific instructions.
- Know the Modes: The 0–4 convertible seat can be used in rear-facing or forward-facing modes. This guide covers rear facing mode for young children from birth to around 2–4 years old, depending on their size.
Step 2: Use the Top Tether and ISOFIX or Seatbelt
Position the Seat
- Place the child seat on the vehicle seat, facing backwards.
- Ensure it sits flat and even to prevent tipping. Check the recline angle in the manual—most RF seats are set at 40–45 degrees to reduce head flopping.
Connect ISOFIX
- Locate the ISOFIX points in your dual cab ute.
- Attach the ISOFIX connectors from the child seat to the points.
- Tighten the ISOFIX straps while pressing down on the child seat base. Ensure green indicators appear on both connectors for proper installation.
Step 3: Secure the Top Tether
In the Nissan Navara, the Top Tether anchor points are woven loops behind the seatbacks rather than metal hooks as seen in some utes.
Attach and Tighten
- Bring the Top Tether strap around the sides of the child seat, ensuring it is flat and untwisted.
- Pass the strap through the first Top Tether loop behind the outer headrest.
- Then thread it across to the Top Tether loop behind the central headrest.
- Pull the Top Tether strap tight, removing all slack, but avoid lifting the child seat off the vehicle seat.
- Tightening may be tricky where the buckle and Top Tether anchor loop meet, so take care to secure it firmly.
Tidy the Excess Strap
- Roll up and secure the excess Top Tether strap to prevent it from becoming a choking hazard or hitting the child.
Step 4: Double-Check Everything
- Ensure the ISOFIX connectors or seatbelt are secure.
- Confirm the Top Tether strap is tight and untwisted.
- Verify the child seat is stable and doesn’t move excessively.
By following these steps, you can ensure your child seat is installed securely and safely. For additional tips and video tutorials, explore more resources provided by professionals.
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