Car Seat Lifespan

**tec71** · 10-03-2009, 08:50 PM

I have baby number 3 coming in November. Pulled the old car seat out of the basement assuming that there is some sort of expiration date on it, but I didn't see one. anyone know how long it's safe to use those things. this one was brand new five years ago.

**kingcy** · 10-03-2009, 08:53 PM

If it isnt safe they wont let you leave the hostipal with it. They do have cheap ones they give you if they dont approve of it.

**mramseyISU** · 10-03-2009, 09:01 PM

I'm thinking it's 6 years. I'm surprised that the wife isn't up on that. My wife is a baby safety nazi.

**Bobber** · 10-03-2009, 09:03 PM

I really think the they'll last 20 years. The standards they're held to are what change not the actual seats.

My wife and I used some from my cousins that were 10 years old. We sold it on a garage sale last spring and it was one of the first to sell. It was really light and easy to carry, but you had to use your seat belt and not the latch system.

The one you have is fine if it hasn't been in an accident.

**StormnClone58** · 10-03-2009, 09:04 PM

there should be a serial number or model number somewhere on it ... just do a quick check online and if their are no recalls on it you should be safe as i believe the time frame is 6 years as well ....

**besserheimerphat** · 10-03-2009, 09:24 PM

The plastics will degrade over time and have reduced strength/protective capability due to exposure to UV rays through the car windows. That said, I believe they are okay to use for five - six years after new. Be careful buying used - you should not use a car seat that has been in an accident. If your carseat is five years old, I wouldn't hesitate to use it for another year until you need a bigger one.

**Clonehomer** · 10-03-2009, 09:31 PM

Originally Posted by besserheimerphat

The plastics will degrade over time and have reduced strength/protective capability due to exposure to UV rays through the car windows. That said, I believe they are okay to use for five - six years after new. Be careful buying used - you should not use a car seat that has been in an accident. If your carseat is five years old, I wouldn't hesitate to use it for another year until you need a bigger one.

It's the same reason that you are supposed to replace a bicycle helmet every 5 years or so. The styrofoam breaks down and doesn't protect as well as it once did.

**brianhos** · 10-03-2009, 09:34 PM

The wife says 10 years.

**cyclone1975** · 10-03-2009, 09:39 PM

Having recently gone through the ....um..... process, I remember they said 6 years was the cut off.

**tec71** · 10-03-2009, 09:50 PM

Wife said it was expired, but couldn't say when, but I just figured that she wanted to buy a new one (something with some pink in it maybe). I was wrong. The most commonly cited rule is 6 years from the date of manufacture which is on the bottom. Ours was manufactured 5/14/2004. So there's a chance we'll get through #3 without a new one, due date November 10th. Close enough for my money. Of course with two boys now, if we get a girl, you know as well as I do I'll be buying a new one.

**Bobber** · 10-03-2009, 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by tec71

Wife said it was expired, but couldn't say when, but I just figured that she wanted to buy a new one (something with some pink in it maybe). I was wrong. The most commonly cited rule is 6 years from the date of manufacture which is on the bottom. Ours was manufactured 5/14/2004. So there's a chance we'll get through #3 without a new one, due date November 10th. Close enough for my money. Of course with two boys now, if we get a girl, you know as well as I do I'll be buying a new one.

We didn't. Course I had two girls and then a boy...(The seat's were not pink.)

**Clonefan94** · 10-03-2009, 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by cyclone1975

Having recently gone through the ....um..... process, I remember they said 6 years was the cut off.

I
be got the same number in my head. In fact we just threw ours out. Or oldest is 6.

**Dave19642006** · 10-04-2009, 11:12 AM

first of all.......dont guess.....second of all if you do not know...call the manufacture...

see link

Milk has an Expiration Date and so Does Your Car Seat! - What Should I Know About Car Seat Safety? - Epinions.com

http://www.childrestraintsafety.com/...xpiration.html

**Bobber** · 10-04-2009, 11:19 AM

I still really wonder if the expriation date is there to create more demand.

I'm not sold on the whole UV degrades them long term. Most of the plastic in the seats is covered with cloth. Really haven't seen any scientific studies supporting that.

Still if you want to error, you want to do it on the side of safety and that's double the case for young parents.

**Bobber** · 10-04-2009, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by Dave19642006

first of all.......dont guess.....second of all if you do not knkow...call the manufacture...

see link

Milk has an Expiration Date and so Does Your Car Seat! - What Should I Know About Car Seat Safety? - Epinions.com

Manufacture & Expiration*-*Child Restraint Safety

That second article was very good. Looked to me like it has to do more with changing standards and how the car seat was taken care of. 10 years isn't unrealistic if the seat hasn't been left outside in the elements the whole time.