How to Install a Booster Seat
A booster seat raises and positions a child so the vehicle’s lap-and-shoulder belt fits correctly over the stronger points of a child’s body, the hips and across the chest.
Refer to the video above for a general overview of booster seat installation and see the below step-by-step guide.
Using a High-Back Booster Seat
- Read the manufacturer’s instruction manual for your seat, and the portion of your vehicle owner’s manual on child restraint systems before you begin installing your high-back booster seat. Every booster seat and vehicle are different, so it’s important to follow all instructions carefully.
- Place the booster in the back seat of your vehicle. Make sure the booster seat fits flat on the vehicle seat.
- Have your child sit in the booster seat.
- Pull the seat belt across your child’s body and buckle the seat belt.
- Make sure the seat belt fits your child correctly. If the seat comes with seat belt guides, use them to achieve good belt positioning.
- Adjust the lap belt so it lies snugly across the child’s upper thighs, not across the stomach.
- Adjust the shoulder belt so it rests across the chest.
- Check the fit of the seat belt often.
Using a Backless Booster Seat
A backless booster seat is designed to boost the child’s height so the seat belt fits correctly. It does not provide head and neck support. It’s only to be used in vehicles that have head restraints or high seat backs and must be used with lap-and-shoulder belt.
More Information
Continue using a booster seat until your child is big and mature enough to fit an adult seat belt correctly. Even if the child is not present, booster seats should always be secured in the vehicle. When not buckled in place, the booster seat can be tossed around the vehicle causing injury to vehicle occupants during a crash or sudden stop.
When your child outgrows the height or weight limits of the harness, remove the harness and use the seat as a booster. Be sure to carefully follow the instructions on how to convert your seat to a booster.
Some younger children may outgrow the height or weight limit of the forward-facing car seat with a harness but may not be ready to stay seated correctly in a booster seat using the lap and shoulder belt. If this is the case, look for a harnessed car seat with higher height and weight limits.