Expired 2002 Britax Roundabout I know that car seats have a 6 year expiration date, but we have a perfectly good britax roundabout that was made in 02. I feel like if anything was to ever happen to our child in a crash, I couldnt live with myself for using the old seat, but is it really as dangerous as my first time mother's imagination is making it seem? Expired 2002 Britax Roundabout I know that car seats have a 6 year expiration date, but we have a perfectly good britax roundabout that was made in 02. I feel like if anything was to ever happen to... » Read More Expired 2002 Britax Roundabout I know that car seats have a 6 year expiration date, but we have a perfectly good britax roundabout that was made in 02. I feel like if anything was to ever happen to our child in a crash, I couldnt live with myself for using the old seat, but is it really as dangerous as my first time mother's imagination is making it seem? « Show Less
688097
yes!! the plastics lose some of their strength causing them to be more likely to break down and apart especially in an accident. I do childcare and have always heard that five years is the "expiration date"on carseats. I always replace mine by 5 years. Best of luck with your decision!
173830
The other answer is 100% correct! The plastic becomes brittle over time, meaning it will break much easier in an accident. This is especially true because carseats are in extremly hot and cold conditions in the car. A carseat specialist told us that carseats in drier climates should expire after only 4 years. Hope this helps!
259264
I believe the laws in most states state that you can turn forward facing at 1 year, but that it's recommended to wait until at least 2 years old, and then only turn when they don't fit in their seat rear-facing anymore. Britax probably put that in their manual because, while it's not against the law, it is definitely not best-practice. Statistically, rear-facing children are something like 5 times safer than forward facing children in the case of a collision. I would definitely return it, and mention that to the salesman so he's aware he's going against britax's recommendations.
1571776
This seat expires 6 years from the date of manufacture. The Radian is 8. I believe one of the newer Britax may also be 8, but the Radian is the only seat I know for certain is longer.
345412
We're having the *exact* same problem as scientific illustrator. The Britax Roundabout will not sit securely in the middle of our Prius. The car seat base is more narrow than the middle cushion so the car seat tilts and wobbles. We are trying to return the Roundabout and are looking for suggestions on which convertible car seat will work. Please advise!! Thank you
2017611
We purchased the Britax Roundabout G4 when my son was 10mos old. So far we have no conplaints. its comfortable and not too bulky unlike the othe seat we purchased. He seems to prefer it too. Padding is just right. Installation is easy peasy. Dont see any problem with it so far. We had ours for 5mos now
1918484
I know that it seems that most people do not keep their children rear facing until at least 40 pounds, but in actuality extended rear facing is much, much, much safer for your child. Other countries keep children rear facing until age four and have much lower rates of child mortality in car crashes. Should you be interested in extended rear facing, I would check out the Diano Radian and the Clek Foonf. If your child is not tall, the Britax Advocate is another great choice. If you are set on turning your son around, I will say that we have this seat and absolutely love it. We use it for our almost 6 year old daughter and she is very comfortable in it. The seat installs like a dream and is very solid. It's heavy though, so I wouldn't choose it if you need to move it a lot. Hope this helps!
1519849
Have had mine for 14 months and so far so good. Eventually, who knows? I just need mine to hang in there for another year or so and then the car will be gone.
1233394
My son is five and weighs 45 pounds. He was about your son's size when he was 2, but then he thinned out. This thing is good up to about 100 pounds for front facing five point restraint. The five point restraint is simply the safest. We also have a booster for when he goes with family or friends, as this is not as convertible. But, overall, I love the britax 5-point restraint seat for longer trips especially as when he nods off his head has a place to rest. Your son is only 2, so I would recommend investing in this. Poorly fitted boosters can cause evisceration of organs and spinal cord injury to children. Why risk it? My son is five and weighs 45 pounds. He was about your son's size when he was 2, but then he thinned out. This thing is good up to about 100 pounds for front facing five point restraint. The five point restraint is simply the safest. We also have a booster for when he goes with family or friends, as this is not as convertible. But, overall, I love the britax 5-point restraint seat for longer trips especially as when he nods off his head has a place to rest. Your son is only 2, so I would recommend investing in this. Poorly fitted boosters can cause evisceration of organs and spinal cord... » Read More My son is five and weighs 45 pounds. He was about your son's size when he was 2, but then he thinned out. This thing is good up to about 100 pounds for front facing five point restraint. The five point restraint is simply the safest. We also have a booster for when he goes with family or friends, as this is not as convertible. But, overall, I love the britax 5-point restraint seat for longer trips especially as when he nods off his head has a place to rest. Your son is only 2, so I would recommend investing in this. Poorly fitted boosters can cause evisceration of organs and spinal cord injury to children. Why risk it? « Show Less
1368134
Good question! There is not expiration date that I can find on the tube, just a production number. I'm not sure if it might have been on a box that it came in or not. I am actually going to email the company to see if they can tell me since mine is now about 16 months old.
876169
There is no expiration date on car seats. Usage is determined by the age and weight of the child. This one is not a convertible, only rear facing. It goes up to one year of age and/or 20lbs.
1761373
It is law that a child be rear facing to 1 year AND 20lbs. Has been law since at least 2006. Car seat companies are not spreading lies about extended rear facing to make money. Rear facing is safer. Period. It is proven by the law of physics and the medical fact that children's spines do not fuse until they are between 4 and 6. Please stop spreading lies about car seat safety. Car accidents are the number one killer of children and the last thing we need are people working against safety with their conspiracy theories.
1570464
The buckle on this car seat was not part of the recall. This production is a newer seat and has the new buckle. Make note, the buckles stuck because the kids were dropping food and liquids on it. This can be controlled.
415101
I was wondering the same thing! I am trying to decide between the Graco Nautilus and the britax. I really like the extra "snacky" features of the Nautilus because I know what my 5 year old uses. (This seat would be for my 1 year old.) Input from anyone who knows about these carseats would be appreciated!
1510727
Every car seat has an expiration date. Usually around five years or so from the date it was made. Car seats deteriorate slowly over time when exposed to heat, sun and cold.
653188
I called Britax a few days ago (10/14/11) and the part numbers have changed so Amazon is clearing out the old stock. That's it! There are no new safety features. The only issue to pay attention to is that car seats have expiration dates, 6 years for a Boulevard from the date of construction so the new version may have a few more months in it before the expiration date.
538932
The expiration date is stamped into the plastic on the bottom of every seat. Typically car seats expire 6 years from the date they are manufactured, but it does vary, so be sure to check your seat's date.
176568
This fits over an infant car seat. So as long as your baby is in that kind of car seat you can use this. Usually infant car seats can be used up to a year, but check your car seat for details on that