Spinoff to the carseat expiration post

That post got me thinking. It makes sense that years of extreme heat and cold can wear at the straps and plastic. But what about seatbelt straps in a car that's older than 5 years? Aren't they made of the same or similar material as carseat straps? I'm just wondering because we have a car that's 13 years old that doesn't have latch. So we have to use the seatbelt and thread it through the bottom of the carseat to hold it in place. We very rarely take dd in that car, but it just got me thinking is the carseat only as safe as the seatbelt that's holding it in place? I get making sure to spend the money to get a new carseat that's not expired, but what if a new car is just not jn the budget? Sorry if this is a dumb question. Been up most of the night w dd so maybe not thinking clearly

Message edited 10/21/2013 7:07:35 AM.

Re: Spinoff to the carseat expiration post

I think its more about the plastic than the straps, although i have heard if your car is older than 20 years you should replace the seatbelts.

But also, the straps in a car seat take more abuse than a seat belt. Babies spit up, drool, spill milk and snacks and other things that we probably don't do as much to the seatbelt.

Re: Spinoff to the carseat expiration post

Until DD turned 14 months old, both of our cars were over 15 years old!! She was def. not as safe in those old cars than she is in our newer but still old car. Like you said though, what can you do? Making sure you have a good car seat is more important and more of a protection than anything else. And if you can't get a new car, you just can't. But you can get a quality new car seat for $100 and if you can't swing that well...

Message edited 10/21/2013 7:46:21 AM.

Re: Spinoff to the carseat expiration post

In general, newer cars have more safety features than older cars. However, seatbelts are designed to last years beyond a car. If your car is in a bad accident, you should get new seatbelts. But just from normal wear and tear, they are fine.