Statistics show that in car accidents, even minor ones, children are the most likely to suffer among the passengers. The reason is that the seats, as well as safety features, are designed for the height, proportions and physiological characteristics of an adult.
In this regard, the requirements for equipping cars with special removable seats for children were introduced into the traffic rules. In Russia, a fine for their absence has been introduced into traffic rules since 2007.
There are the following gradations of child seats: 0; 0+; 1; 2 and 3. They correspond to:
- “0” – children under six months, weighing up to 10 kg.
- “0+” – up to one year and 13 kg.
- “1” - from 9 months. up to 13 years old and weighing up to 18 kg.
- 2 and 3 assume the child’s weight is 15-25 kg and 22-36 kg, respectively, with ages from 3 to 7 and from 6 to 13 years.
Initially, child seats in the car were secured with regular seat belts. By the end of the 90s, a special isofix mount was created. In the Russian Federation, the mandatory use of this system was confirmed by the edition of the traffic rules dated June 28, 2017 (clause 22.9)
What is an Isofix mount and what does it look like?
The name is a combination of several concepts. The first syllable is an abbreviation of the name of the European standard ISO (in full “International Standards Organization” or international standardization organization). The second is an abbreviation for the English “fixation” - fixation.
The mechanism consists of two rigid brackets with latches. Fastening occurs automatically, detachment using a button located at the base of the bracket.
The fact of engagement is confirmed by a characteristic click. In addition, additional confirmation is provided in the form of a change in the red curtain indicator window to green.
Reliable connection of the latches with the car body is ensured by two steel brackets. On most new cars, this is part of the body itself, mounted to the power frame during assembly. It is also possible to install the brackets as a separate element, for which holes are left for the mounting bolts.
About the advantages of the system
When fastening with seat belts, it often turned out that the belts were twisted and not secured securely enough. This led to serious consequences: the chairs were torn off, injuring the child, even with mild shocks. Such cases were observed even during normal car braking.
The isofix child seat mounting system ensures a secure installation, creating a number of additional benefits:
- preventing the chair from shifting under lateral load, when the impact occurs not in the direction of travel, but from the side;
- rigid fixation directly to the vehicle's powertrain;
- convenient installation and removal of the chair in a matter of minutes;
- the presence of a control indication that excludes failure of the latches.
- the ability to carry a child directly in a cradle, which is fixed on the seat (chairs with a separate base)
Varieties of the Isofix system
Some car seats equipped with the Isofix system, in addition to the anchor fastening, also have a stable leg.
Peculiarities:
- This is a regular metal leg, the height of which is adjustable depending on the height of the seat in the car and the car seat. This is a kind of alternative to anchor strengthening. This leg also prevents the car from rolling in the event of a frontal collision.
- Thus, thanks to the isofix system, the most stable connection between the child car seat and the car body is achieved. Unlike the outdated car seat fastening system, which is carried out by connecting a child car seat to an adult using conventional seat belts, the isofix system is more reliable.
- Many parents refuse to purchase such car seats, citing the fact that they are more dangerous. Actually this is not true. All crash tests that were carried out with this system showed that the minimum load on the neck and the minimum nod are obtained when using seats with the isofix system.
- This is due to the fact that the system is practically motionless. At the same time, the belts themselves, with which the child is secured to the child seat, are quite soft, therefore they soften the blow and there is no certain rigidity with the help of which damage to the ribs and internal organs can occur.
Anchor mount
Are there any disadvantages to the isofix system?
Just as there is no magnet with only one pole, the advantages of the best systems have on the other side limitations and disadvantages. The isofix mount is no exception; it also has disadvantages:
- Weight limit 18 kg. Accordingly, fastenings of this type for categories from the second and higher are not permitted as independent ones.
- High cost, especially for systems with a separate base.
- When installing the chair, you must be careful to push in the brackets as carefully as possible. An awkward movement leads to damage to the seat upholstery.
- It is not possible to install Isofix on the front seat of the car. This is prevented by the very principle of a rigidly fixed bracket. If the lock is nevertheless made by the owner himself, the front seat loses the ability to adjust.
Recommendation
Valery
I have been involved in construction and renovation for over 15 years. In this blog I share my knowledge and experience. I will be happy to help you with the selection and use of fasteners.
If you need to install a child seat with an ISOFIX mounting system in the front seat, you can consider installing an additional bracket. You can purchase this fastener in highly specialized stores, for example https://isofix-msk.ru/shop/
Good to know
Bassinets for babies with Isofix fastenings can be placed in the front seats if necessary. They are secured with standard seat belts in the reverse position. At the same time, traffic regulations require turning off the airbags for the passenger seat.
Some experts tend to attribute their own weight to the disadvantages of Isofix seats. Indeed, for systems with a separate base it can exceed 10 kg. However, it is obvious that the weight of an adult exceeds the weight of any child seats; including the weight of the child himself.
Why is isofix mount worth installing?
It is much more convenient and there is no risk of the child car seat being installed incorrectly, unlike the inertial system. After all, more than once parents have encountered the fact that the design of a child car seat, which is secured using a standard seat belt, is constantly twisted and has insufficient tension.
As a result, the seat is not tightly attached to the rear seat and cannot fully perform its functions of ensuring safety in the event of a vehicle collision in an accident. This cannot happen with the Isofix system, because the only option is to install the brackets in hinges that snap into place. There is no way to install this chair incorrectly, because fixation simply will not happen.
Loops
Where to buy and how to choose a car seat with isofix
When purchasing a chair, find out if the car has Isofix; for example, Hyundai Solaris produced before 2004 does not have such fastenings. If this is your case, the purchased chair will not be able to be installed.
Be extremely careful when purchasing a car seat. Unfortunately, not all stores offer high-quality goods. Therefore, it is better to make such an important and expensive purchase in specialized reputable retail outlets.
When purchasing goods through an online store, ideally you should contact the company’s warehouse or showroom directly. Here you can independently verify that the device corresponds to the declared parameters and its mechanisms work normally.
In this case, preference should be given to certified devices with appropriate markings. It must indicate the number, as well as the country that issued the certificate. Its presence implies mandatory crash testing of the model and a high level of safety.
How to use Isofix in a car
The isofix seat mounting system presents some complexity only at first acquaintance.
Before you begin installation, you need to find the mounting locations for the brackets. They can be located either completely openly or hidden behind plugs or decorative overlays with a symbolic image of a child seat.
Before installing the isofix mount, the plugs are removed. Then, pulling out the brackets with latches, insert them into the grooves. When doing this, be careful not to pinch the rear seat belt buckle or webbing.
Triggering is confirmed by a characteristic click, as well as a change in the color of the indicator curtain.
In most models of chairs, the brackets extend. This is done by rotating a special drum, moving the chair itself, pressing the corresponding lever, etc. Using the method specified in the instructions, move the chair towards the back of the seat until it stops. In this case, the latch buttons are blocked from accidental pressing. Chair installation is complete.
Features of fastening a chair up to 13 kg
The type of seats belonging to 0 or 0+ provide for placing the child in a removable cradle. To secure it in the rear seat, a separate base is provided.
The base has a folding support column, with which the isofix system fixes the seat in the rear seats at three points
The fixation of the latches on the brackets and the folding leg of the base, just as when attaching a regular chair, is confirmed by the appearance of a green curtain on the mechanism indicators.
The chair is placed on a fixed base. In this case, the child may already be in it. The latch is activated, after which the lever is turned, which also serves to carry the cradle. This will lock the latch, which will again be confirmed by the green indicator.
To remove the seat, you need to unfold the handle again, release the latch by pressing the special handle and remove the crib.
The video gives an idea of how to install the base:
Designs from 9 to 18 kg
This type of seat can be made with or without a base. In the second case, the anchor belt serves as an additional fixation of the chair. On one side it is attached to the back of the child seat, on the other it clings to a latch located at the headrest of the car seat, on its backrest, or in the luggage compartment of the car.
During sudden braking, including a head-on collision, the belt will prevent the seat from tipping over, even if the latches on the bottom cannot withstand the load.
Car seats from 9 to 36 kg
By law, the fastening of seats designed for such a child’s weight must be accompanied by additional fixation. As a rule, standard seat belts in the rear seat of the car are used for this.
How to choose an Isofix seat?
The age group of the child is also important. The fact is that you can buy not just a car seat, but a special base on which the child seat is attached.
Adviсe:
- The base itself is made quite simply, and is a rigid system that is installed on adult car seats and secured using isofix hinges, with additional fixation using a leg that is installed on the floor.
- Already directly on this base you can install a child car seat. After that, you need to deal with the seat itself. The fact is that many argue that the isofix system is not able to withstand a child’s weight of more than 15-18 kg.
- That is, the maximum mark for such a child is 18 kg. If your child is overweight, then this system can be used, but not used as an independent option.
- Additionally secured with car seat belts. That is, a kind of additional fixation is obtained using the isofix system.
- As for child car seats for the age group from 0 to 1 year, the isofix system is ideal. Children of this age are quite small and do not weigh more than 12-13 kg.
Mazda 3 isofix mount
Which cars have isofix mount?
A system for fastening child seats using rigid latches was created at the end of the last century. However, it belongs to the European standard, so it is still not used on all car models.
Below is a table, a list of which cars have isofix and which do not have this mount.
Isofix system for newborns
That is, isofix will be ideal for babies. For older children, this design can be purchased as an additional way to secure the seat base. Unfortunately, it cannot be used as an independent fastening system due to the very large load on the structure itself. After all, the seat, in fact, rests on hinges, as well as on the anchor connection, if any, on the leg.
But owners of cars that have isofix also purchase child car seats, even if the age group is above 15 kg. In this case, a corresponding larger car seat is purchased and secured using the isofix system. But at the same time, it is mandatory to hitch the vehicle using standard seat belts that are included in the car.
Isofix mount
If your car doesn't have isofix
If the car is not equipped with isofix child seats, you can still install the brackets yourself or at a car repair shop. To do this, you need to purchase a set of appropriate spare parts, which includes a strip with brackets, mounting bolts and nuts.
Seats equipped with Isofix can be secured with standard seat belts. For this purpose, special guides are installed on their frame. They are usually a different color from the rest of the set for ease of use.
Obviously, there is no point in purchasing Isofix chairs and then securing them with belts. But this opportunity will be useful if for some reason you are traveling with your baby in someone else’s car. For example - taxi.
