Car Seats Expire?

I have a friend who has a toddler seat that is built in to the car seat, (flip down part of the back) it is an '03. Does it expire also?

Hi -
Yes car seats do expire. This is to make sure your child's car seat is as safe as possible. Here is info from http://babyproducts.about.com/b/2006/07/12/reader-questio...

“The rule of thumb, if no expiration date is given on the seat, is that car seats expire six years from the date of manufacture. .. A few car seat manufacturers allow up to 10 years of life for their car seats, but unless you have specific directions from the manufacturer, the car seat label or the manual that state otherwise, you should stop using a car seat after 6 years. “

Some reasons why they expire:
1) “crash data and tests are constantly being used to make changes to car seats so they can do a better job of protecting children in crashes. Using a car seat that is many years old could mean your baby's car seat isn't utilizing newer technologies that could be lifesaving in a crash, or it could be out of date in terms of safety standards.”

2) “ Older car seats are also more likely to have been involved in a recall that was missed, which could mean there's a dangerous problem with the seat.

3) Car seats are made of plastics. the plastic of the car seat will breakdown over time and can not always be seen with the naked eye. Consider what happens to a plastic toy if it is left outside for some time. The plastic becomes brittle and can develop cracks when stressed. Car seats are subjected to extreme heat and extreme cold while sitting in your vehicle, so the plastics eventually react just like that toy left in the sun.” This change could be dangerous in a crash when the car seat shell is stressed.

“You can see this problem in action by watching this crash test video of an expired car seat. In the video, the car seat harness breaks through the shell of the seat upon impact. This car seat would not have adequately protected a child in a crash. It's far safer for parents to buy a new car seat than to take a chance on a car seat that may be too old to function properly in a crash. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvCRz7BRAM0)

FYI -- Expired car seats should be destroyed so that no one picks the seat up thinking that it is still safe to use. Good ways to destroy car seats include cutting up the cover, cutting the harness straps, and using a saw or large hammer to break the shell. If you can actually watch the car seat go into a garbage truck and watch it be crushed, this is a good option, too.

sorry JL i just saw you posted from teh same site :)

One other side note - I strongly encourage you to go to your local fire department to ensure your carseat is properly installed - 4/5 car seats are installed INCORRECTLY - it is free and only takes an hour of your time - well worth the peace of mind :)

All good advice from the other moms.

The only thing I'll add that I put in as a comment in the previous post a few weeks ago.

Could you get away with using the car seat? I'm sure many people have. But, God forbid, an accident did happen, and your child was in the expired car seat, would you want to take that risk? I honestly believe it's worth the $200 to have peace of mind and possible protection in the event of a catastrophic accident.

Yes; carseats expire, no it is not illegal to use an expired seat; and the big deal is this is what keeps your child safe in an accident. To give you an example I was rear ended and slammed into another vehicle (sandwiched inbetween). The guy who hit me had both of his kids injured (5 and 2) because they were not properly installed, My car was completely totaled I was injured pretty good but my daughter (3.5) was in a good properly installed none expired seat and didn't even have bruising. Long story shortened there but the idea I am getting at is: is spending $70-150 that big of a deal to get a new seat when it comes to the safety of your child. Yes it will only be used for a few months but accidents can happen any time any where I was hit only 1/4 mile from home. Your decision but to be honest if your only worry is whether it is illegal or not I would think about it a little more.

I think they 'expire' after 7-8 years - mostly because the plastic wears out and becomes frail and safety regulations have changed a lot in the past 7-8 years. I would check with your local police station or ask any daycare provider or center.

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A police officer once explained to me why it is unsafe to use an expired car seat. The materials used in a car seat become less effective over time. He said it was due to weather changes that cause the materials to expand and contract throughout the year. After several years of this, a car seat is no longer safe for a child to ride in.

Honestly, we're on a tight budget, but I wouldn't risk my child's safety for anything!

Yes, car seats do expire. There was a thread about it a few weeks ago.
Mainly, the plastic gets old and the seat is not safe anymore in case of accidents, even if from outside the seat seems very well maintained and new.