If you are faced with a choice, which child car seat to buy for your child, which seat mounting system in the car to choose, what are the differences and what are the Isofix, Latch, "anchor" mounts, etc. for? Which manufacturers have chairs with these attachment systems? Which manufacturers are represented on the Russian market? We will try to help you figure it out.
Today, there are three main types of fastening a child seat in a car: regular car seat belts, with an Isofix fastening system, with a Latch fastening system, and also in which age groups they are used. Also, for a more rigid fixation of the seat and the elimination of "peck" at the time of emergency braking, an "anchor" type mount or a telescopic stop on the floor of the car located on the platform of the car seat can be additionally used.
To date, most child restraints are designed to be fixed with a regular car seat belt, which is a universal method of fastening. But with the tightening of child safety requirements in the car, all car seat manufacturers are constantly improving the design of seats and fixation mechanisms to achieve higher safety performance, additionally using the above systems. Our main task as users is to fix child seats in strict accordance with the instructions attached to it.
Basic types of fastening
- Regular car seat belts
Fastening a child restraint with regular car seat belts can be divided into two types:
- fixing the child car seat itself (its body) to the car seat with the car seat belt, and the child is secured in it using three or five-point seat belts directly to the child seat (used for seats of groups 0, 0+, 1).,
- fixing the child's car with a seat belt together with a child restraint (used for seats of groups 2, 3, boosters).
In 1990, the International Organization for Standardization ISO introduced a single standard for fastening child car seats in Isofix cars, and since 1995, the Isofix fastening system has been officially included in the edition of the ECE R - 44 rules. Since 2006, a law on the mandatory placement of the fastening system Isofix in newly developed car models, and since 2011 in all produced European cars.
The Isofix mounting system in the vehicle consists of
: two metal brackets rigidly fixed to the car body at a distance of 280 mm from each other, located between the back and rear seat cushion of the car in the places of regular passenger accommodation. As a rule, the places where the staples are located are marked with the inscription Isofix, as well as the image of the child in the infant carrier. It is recommended to check the presence or absence of the Isofix mounting system in the car in the instruction manual or in the car dealership where the car was purchased.
The Isofix child car seat attachment system consists of:
two guides, rigidly installed at the base of the power frame of the child seat or its platform (base), located at a distance of 280 mm from each other and the fixation mechanisms mounted on them to the car brackets.
The main area of application of the isofix fasteners are car seats of groups 0+ and 1, where the child is secured with car seat seat belts, and is designed for a child weighing up to 18 kg., In other age groups, this fastening is an auxiliary system, and children are fixed with regular car seat belts.
rice. 1
There is an analogue of the European Isofix mounting system - American Latch. The difference is in the use of belts with a mechanism for attaching to Latch brackets (Fig. 1), and not guides.
rice. 2
Car seats equipped with the Lach attachment system can also be attached to the isofix brackets (Fig. 2). Since 2002, this mount has been mandatory for American manufacturers of both automobiles and child seats.
Elements of additional fixation
The main task of the stubborn "leg" and "anchor" fastening is to reduce the load on the main fastening elements of the child restraint, exclude the possibility of the seat "pecking" in the event of a frontal collision of the car and increase the level of safety in the event of a collision.
The main advantages of Isofix and Lach mounting systems
- Rigid fastening of a chair to the car body.
- Isofix and Lach fasteners minimize the possibility of improper installation of a child seat in a car.
- Eliminates the possibility of "diving" the car seat under the seat belt during emergency braking or collision.
- Easy to install and remove chair. For installation, it is only necessary to fix the guides in the brackets and press until the locks engage (two clicks will be heard), and to remove, unlock the locks.
- Seats with Isofix and Lach fastenings have passed numerous crash tests and have shown higher marks in the field of child safety in the car, compared to conventional car seats.
In this article, we will consider the structure of the system, its advantages and disadvantages.
ISOFIX(International Standards Organization FIX) is a fastening system developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The goal of this standard is to make the installation of child car seats quick, easy and safe. This is done to ensure the complete safety of the babies and the absence of the possibility of installing the car seat incorrectly.
Almost all new cars since 2006 are equipped with upper anchorage points on the seat belt and the isofix system (isofix), as there are international quality standards.
Service for checking the presence of Isofix mounts in the car
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What are the advantages of the isofix system?
- There is virtually no risk of misuse. According to the statistics of experts, with the Isofix system, child car seats are installed correctly by parents in 95% of cases, while when fastened with conventional seat belts, this percentage is only 30%.
- The Isofix system reduces the movement of the car seat to the sides and forwards, and also limits its rotation.
- Installing the car seat becomes easier and more convenient, does not take much time. Removing the chair is also easy.
- Provides additional safety for the child due to the additional attachment point to the car body.
- Reliable fastening of a chair when there is no child in it.
What is an isofix mount?
A few years ago it was difficult to imagine that there would be separate seats for small passengers, which are equipped with the isofix system.
The isofix system itself was developed by engineers more than 10 years ago. It consists of two brackets made of steel bar, which are welded to the car body. The mount itself is hidden in the car between the rear seat cushions, sometimes it is closed with plugs. The distance between the brackets is the same in all cars, and is 27 cm.
Disadvantages of the Isofix system?
- The isofix mount is universal for all cars, but there are no uniform standards for the rear row of car seats. Different manufacturers and different models of cars may differ in the angle of inclination of the pillows, the height from the floor and other parameters.
- Isofix brackets are usually placed in the two rear seats, but there are cars on which there are isofix connectors on each passenger seat. In cases where the car does not have Isofix connectors, the seat can be secured with a regular three-point seat belt.
- Fastening with the vehicle's three-point seat belt is mandatory in car seats for children from 3 to 12 years old (ECE Group 2/3). One isofix is not able to withstand the load in the event of an accident, while the standard belt and its fasteners can withstand peak loads of up to 2000 kg.
- As a rule, car seats with the isofix system are designed for children weighing less than 18 kilograms. In cases where the child weighs more than 18 kilograms, the Isofix system performs only a fixation function - the seat does not need to be additionally fixed when there is no child in it.
How to attach a child car seat with the Isofix system?
The appearance of the mount consists of two brackets that are located under the back of the rear seat of the car. If the Isofix guides can be pulled out of the base of the car seat, they must first be removed and then fixed. With the help of fasteners with latches, the car seat is fixed to the brackets. Next, the car seat moves close to the car seat.
Removing the car seat from Isofix is also quite simple. We move the child car seat away from the back of the car seat, unfasten the latches and remove the seat.
Comfort mode in car seats with the Isofix system?
In group 1 car seats, when the car seat is additionally installed on the isofix base, almost all seats have a comfortable rest mode.
We are often asked if a group 2-3 or 1-2-3 child car seat with an integrated isofix attachment can be reclined so that the child can sleep. Our answer is NO. Why? Firstly, it is unsafe, because if the seat is tilted and an emergency occurs, the child may jump out from under the belts. Secondly, if the chair has a built-in Isofix system, it cannot be structurally translated into a reclining position. If the chair can be converted into a booster (only the bottom cushion), then the vertical backrest has free play and may have a slight slope.
As a result, we can conclude that car seats with the Isofix system are safer, more comfortable, but have a small drawback in the form of a missing comfort mode for group 2-3 and 1-2-3 seats.
Isofix is a child car seat attachment system corresponding to the international standard. Introduced by the International ISO Institute in 1990 (standard number: ISO 13216). Hence the name: ISO stands for International Standards Organization (International Organization for Standardization), and fix translates as “fixing”, “fixing”.
Isofix allows you to quickly and, most importantly, securely install a child restraint in a car. The mount consists of two independent 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.
Where to look for Isofix in your car?
If you are planning to purchase an Isofix restraint for your baby, check if your car has brackets for attaching it. You need to look for them in the gap between the back and the seat of the rear seats. In some cars, you can easily find the staples by just slightly spreading the upholstery, in others you have to stick your hand deeper, as they can be “drowned” inside.
What to do if you can't find the Isofix mounts in your car?
Secondly, Isofix may be absent in principle, which happens even with modern models. In this case, you can consider child car seats with a standard type of attachment.
Third if Isofix is not provided in the car, but you fundamentally want to use it, you can contact a car service. Specialists will mount the brackets in the car body.
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, however, most parents prefer to carry their children facing forward.
Group 2 car seat(15-25 kg) is located exclusively in the direction of travel on any passenger seat. The internal car seat belts are being replaced by a regular car seat belt, which fixes the child.
Benefits of Isofix
Easily and quickly fixed in the car. Installing the car seat takes only a few seconds. You do not need to constantly fiddle with the belt, passing it through all the connectors.
The chance of incorrect installation is minimized. More than 70% of child seats with a standard type of fastening are installed with gross errors! A chair with Isofix is almost impossible to fix incorrectly. You just need to guide the brackets to the metal brackets and click the locks.
Reliable child protection in case of an accident. Today, an Isofix car seat is considered the safest option for transporting a child, as confirmed by independent crash tests.
The chair is installed rigidly, it does not “move out” forward and does not move around the cabin. Ordinary seat belts can loosen while driving, especially if the child seat is fastened hastily. With Isofix, you can be sure that the car seat will not move. It will not "jump" around the cabin if you often drive without the baby, but do not remove his seat from the car.
Instructions for installing a car seat with built-in Isofix
Step 1. Locate the metal brackets at the junction between the back and seat. Remove the plugs from them (if any). Some car seat models include bracket rails that attach to the brackets and make installation easier.
Step 2 Pull out the car seat brackets. They may also have covers that need to be removed! and snap them onto the brackets. Put the plugs in the glove compartment immediately so that they do not get lost in the car.
Step 3 Adjust the anchor strap Throw it over the back of the rear seat and fasten it to the loop, which is located either on the floor of the trunk or on the back of the seat.
Step 4 Place your child in the seat Tighten and secure the inner five-point harness.
Car seat installation instructions with base
Step 1. Locate the metal brackets at the junction between the back and 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. Slide the base as close as possible to the back of the seat.
Step 4 Adjust the additional stop to the floor. Press the button on the resistant "leg" and select the desired length. If you did everything correctly, the green indicators will light up.
Step 5 We put the car seat on the base, combining the fasteners, until it clicks. The green indicators will let you make sure that the seat is really secure. Remember that the infant carrier is placed exclusively against the direction of the vehicle.
Step 6 Sit your child in, secure the inner five-point harness.
To remove the car seat, use the special lever (most often it is located behind the seat back).
Groups "0", "0+", "1"
As the main method of fastening, Isofix can be used to transport children weighing up to 18 kg (up to about 4 years), which corresponds to groups "0", "0+", "1". This rule is strictly regulated by the safety standard ECE R44/04. The fact is that in the event of an accident, the Isofix mount has a huge load, or rather, it takes on all the impact force, so the weight of the child is a fundamental moment.
Group "0+" (up to 13 kg) - these are infant carriers that are installed against the direction of travel. They do not have a built-in Isofix, so special bases are used. And this is quite convenient, since you can get the cradle with the baby out of the car at any time, just by pressing the button or pulling the handle. But a fly in the ointment is also present here. An Isofix infant carrier is expensive. The chair itself costs an order of magnitude more expensive than standard models, plus about the same amount will have to be paid for the base. When the 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 car seats of group "1" (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 more often built into the base of the car seat. You should pay attention to the fact that child seats of this group can be installed both in the direction of travel and against. Therefore, some manufacturers make the bowl swivel so that, if necessary, you can change the direction of installation.
Groups "2", "3"
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 attachment (not the main one!). And it cannot be said that in groups "2", "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 security to the child, as well as fix the child seat so that it does not “ride” around the cabin. In the seat, a small passenger is also fastened with a regular seat belt according to special guide marks. It is on the three-point belt that all the load falls in the event of an accident. It is important that the restraint has relative mobility, allowing it to move with the child until the three-point harness is triggered. Thanks to this little one, lateral protection is provided and the seat belt is routed correctly. That is, the “correct” Isofix with a rigid car seat mount in combination with a regular belt is inappropriate, as well as an anchor belt or a stubborn “leg”.
Conclusion: for groups "2", "3" systems are used that are similar in principle to installing Isofix, but modified to meet the safety requirements for data models of age groups and compatible with a standard seat belt. Namely: they move, 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 system mounts. There is a danger that the upper part of the chair can move forward sharply, and the fasteners cannot withstand it. Therefore, it is recommended to use a third point of support, which allows to reduce the load on the fasteners of the holding device. The third point of support can be:
Telescopic retractable stop at the floor. It consists of two connected tubes located at the base of the platform of the restraint, which are adjustable in height and rest against the floor. The persistent "leg" does not allow the chair to rotate, 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 at the end it has a carabiner-type mount. The carabiner must be secured to a special bracket. It can be located either in the trunk or on the back of the back seat of the car. Top Tether secures the top of the car seat, protecting the little passenger from the sharp "nod" in a collision that can cause neck injuries.
Note! There are several models where it is allowed to use Isofix without a 3rd fulcrum. 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 compatible car models, as a rule, is attached to the instructions or is specified by a specialist.
A third point of support is also not required in cases where a fixing table is provided instead of the internal five-point belt.
What is the safest seat in a car?
There is no single opinion on this matter. For a long time, the “favorite” of safety experts was the seat on the left (behind the driver). This choice is explained by the instinct of human self-preservation: in an emergency, the driver unconsciously turns the steering wheel in such a way as to protect himself, which means that the passenger behind also receives 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 crash 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 seat in the middle is 25% higher than that of the side rear seats. The researchers explained this by the fact that in a collision it is not subject to compression, which cannot be said about the “sidewalls”.
A foreign edition of Pediatrics also conducted its own investigation on this issue. According to published results, more than 50% of childhood injuries and deaths during road accidents could be avoided if the car seat was installed in the back seat of the car instead of the front.
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!
Together we make the world safe and comfortable.
child safety expert
To begin with, let's figure out what the Isofix system (Isofix) is and how it looks in a car. ISOFIX (International Standards Organization FIX) is a fastening system developed and proposed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 1990. The goal of this standard is to make the installation of child car seats quick, easy and safe. According to studies, only 8 out of 10 seats with fastening using a standard seat belt are installed correctly. In this connection, initially, it became necessary to invent an alternative fastening system.
The main feature of the ISOFIX system is that you do not need to use the car's seat belts to install a child car seat. The chair, with the help of a pair of special built-in locks on retractable skids, is attached to metal loops (anchors) that are in the car seat and are rigidly connected to the body.
Before buying a seat with isofix, you need to make sure that the appropriate mounting is available in your car. The ISOFIX hinges for which the child car seat is attached are located in the passenger seats of the car between the seat itself and the backrest. Sometimes they are torn off with the help of various decorative locks, caps, plugs, but it always looks something like this:
So, you have made sure that there is an Isofix mount in your car, and you are planning to buy the best, safest car seat for your child. For many, the phrase "safety seat" = "chair with the Isofix system." But, as strange as it may seem, this statement is far from being true in every case. Here you need to proceed first of all from which group of chairs you choose.
Only in groups 0+ and 1, as well as in combinations of these groups, that is, in seats for children weighing up to 18 kg, and only in seats in which the child is secured with internal straps - Isofix is that full-fledged standardized strength element that holds and a chair and a child fixed in it with internal belts. It is in car seats of groups 1 and 0+ that he takes on all the impact energy in the event of an accident. It is here that it gives all its advantages in both ease of installation and security.
In group 0+ (0-13 kg), isofix is used not in the child seats themselves, which are cradles, but in special bases on which such cradles can be installed.
The advantages are obvious - we carry the baby in a light cradle, put him at home, take the sleeping person out of the car. And at the same time, in a cramped cabin, there is no need to “conjure” over a standard belt every time to secure the car seat. We put it on the base, pressed it - the chair was installed. Press the button or pull the handle - the chair is free and you can carry the child home. Security is also generally better. There is one minus, but quite significant - the isofix base costs about the same as the chair itself under it.
In group 1 car seats (9-18 kg), Isofix brackets are usually built into the base of the car seat itself.
At the same time, isofix is essentially a mount at 2 points on the same axis. And it is along this axis that a colossal torque occurs during an accident. This creates a large load on the elements of the Isofix system themselves and, moreover, there is a dangerous forward displacement of the seat with the child. Therefore, in the chairs of this group, there must be a third point of support. It comes in two types.
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The first type is a retractable emphasis on the floor in the form of a telescopic “leg” emerging from the base of the car seat. It rests on the floor and thus prevents rotation and reduces the load on the brackets. |
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The second type is the Top Tether anchor. This is a special belt that comes out from the back of the top of the child car seat with a carabiner at the end. This carbine is attached to a special bracket in the car, most often located either in the trunk floor or behind the headrest of the rear car seat. |
So, when choosing a group 1 isofix car seat, choose a seat with three support points. On a budget, it is always better to buy a chair from a trusted manufacturer without Isofix than a chair with Isofix, the manufacturer of which ignored such an important element when using the Isofix system as the third fulcrum.
There is one exception in this group of chairs, when the third point of support is not needed - these are chairs with tables. In these chairs, a full-fledged standardized isofix is never used, but only a mount similar to it, while the entire load falls on a standard seat belt.
You will be surprised, but in chairs of category 2/3 (15-36kg) power Isofix is never used, which is used in chairs of group 1. Maybe you paid attention to the fact that there are designations in the names of group 2/3 chairs - kidfix, seatfix, isifix and the like, on these very device options, in fact, group 2/3 car seats are attached. And, not on the system developed by the international organization ISO - Isofix.
And here it is necessary to understand whether this is good or bad. So, in the group of seats 2/3 (15-36kg), the child is already fastened with a regular seat belt, carried through special guides in the car seat. Not internal, as it was done in the group 1 seat. Accordingly, the entire load during an accident falls on the regular belt.
At the same time, the seat must be able to move forward, accompanying the child until the standard seat belt is deployed, providing lateral protection and proper belt routing throughout the entire braking. It turns out that if we fixed the chair of group 2/3 on a full-fledged isofix, then it would only hurt. And, of course, there should not be any Top-tether or floor stops here.
Thus, everything that is called isofix in group 2/3 is simply a system similar in installation method, which should be able to unfasten, or extend, or move forward under load.
From a safety point of view, such a system can only slightly limit the displacement in a side impact, and no more. The main advantage of Isofix in this category is the convenience of getting the child in and out - the seat is fixed at this moment, and the second point of convenience is that there is no need to fasten the child car seat with a belt when you are driving without a child.
What about group 1/2/3 convertible car seats with the Isofix system. To date, there is no chair with the Isofix power system that has successfully passed independent crash tests. The reason, I think, after reading all of the above is already clear and understandable to many. The design of a real Isofix group 1 and a decorative group 2/3 differ significantly from each other.
Relatively good results are shown in this category of armchairs with tables. But, here, again, we remember that this is not due to isofix. He is in these chairs of the same design as in the chairs of group 2/3 - for the convenience of using the chair.
So let's sum it up:
- Isofix is a great invention that allows you to avoid mistakes when installing a seat in a car;
Isofix only affects safety in seat groups 0+ and 1 and their combinations. In the presence of Isofix in these chairs, it is also necessary to have a third point of support (Top Tether or emphasis on the floor).
- in chairs 1/2/3, 2/3, as well as in chairs with Isofix tables, this is primarily an element of ease of use, which can slightly limit displacement in a side collision.
In addition, this chair is comfortable and necessary! Your children, sitting in this car seat, will not "host" and interfere with you. Why did you choose isofix (isofix)? This invention is not the only one of its kind. There have been attempts to do something similar before, but this invention is the most convenient and high quality. It is not for nothing that since 2005 it has been installed in all cars.
Video on fastening isofix (Isofix)
What are the criteria for selecting Isofix?
Before buying a system, you need to check if your machine is equipped with it. If not, you can safely go buy it. Since 2006, all new vehicles are already equipped with the appropriate mountings. If isofix system not provided in the car, you will need to mount it.
On the back seat (it happens that on the front), where the seat is installed, there are two grooves. Their appearance: wide plastic recesses closed with plugs. These plugs must be removed and hidden in a special glove compartment. If you do not take it so seriously, then the stubs can be lost.
The seat has mounts that are built into it, the people call them "crocodiles". If you don’t need a car child seat, they are hidden under the back. It is necessary to pull them out, remove the protective caps. Fasteners are inserted into the guides, the chair is pushed forward (during this you can hear a click). There is a belt at the top, you need to throw it over the back and fix it in the mount (it should be on the inside of the sofa or in the trunk - depending on the manufacturer).
In some car models there is a stubborn leg (with or without a belt). If you have this leg, then you will need to adjust it a little more: you need a certain slope and height.
How to remove isofix?
You can do this without difficulty. Each mount (the above "crocodiles") has a latch lock, which helps to avoid popping out the mount itself. To remove the car seat, you just need to press a button that can unlock the lock, as a result, the guides come out of the grooves. And the belt (also called anchor) is unfastened. To avoid breakage of the "crocodiles", they are simply closed with special caps and hidden in the same glove compartment, and so that dust and any debris do not get into the grooves, they are plugged with plugs.
What you need to know: everything isofix systems sold as a set. But still, it is worth remembering that the seat will withstand not only the weight of the children, but also the weight of the chair, so you should avoid different loads. But there are fathers who often travel by car, and they certainly want to take the child with them. Some drivers advise bringing a small cushion with you, which will help avoid unpleasant dents in the seat.
We hope you won't have any problems with installing or removing chair. Remember that after reading the recommendations, you must first try to secure a car child seat and - be sure! - remove it, and after that everything will go “like clockwork”. So good luck with your installation. Isofix, fewer embarrassing moments and as many positive emotions as possible while traveling with children in the car!
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