What type of materials are Chicco car seats made of?
Chicco car seats are made of steel and ultra-durable polymers. These materials feature inherent strength properties that are proven to withstand the rigorous energy management necessary during crash testing—and not just any crash test. Chicco car seats are tested not only to meet US federal standards but to exceed them.
What are features that extend the lifespan of a Chicco car seat?
In addition to seat durability, Chicco uses premium fabrics and innovation to extend car seat longevity through comfort and cleanliness. Strategically placed fabric is soft where your baby touches and durable where growing feet may land. Convenient zip products, like the NextFit® Max Zip Air Convertible Car Seat, feature a zip-off, machine washable seat pad to easily keep the fabrics looking and feeling like new.
Can I get replacement parts for a car seat?
Chicco also offers a variety of car seat replacement parts to help reduce signs of normal wear and tear and increase longevity. From new car seat covers to 5-point harnesses, these replacement parts can help refresh the seat for use by a younger sibling or replace an essential piece, such as a missing infant insert.
How long will my Chicco car seat last?
The average lifespan of a car seat can vary between 6 to 10 years based on the platform. However, factors like the seat's usage frequency, environmental conditions, and manufacturer recommendations can also influence how long a car seat lasts. Everyday wear-and-tear, exposure to sunlight, extreme temperatures, and fluctuations in humidity can deteriorate car seat materials over time. To ensure your child’s safety, we recommend regularly inspecting your car seats for signs of wear and tear and adhering to manufacturer-specific expiration dates.
While replacement parts can keep your car seat feeling fresh over time, there are situations that warrant complete product replacement and your car seat’s expiration date is one example. The Juvenile Products industry promotes and encourages manufacturers to use expiration dates on car seats for two main reasons. First, car seat standards and regulations are constantly evolving and an older seat may not comply to new standards or regulations; expiration dates remove the older seats from circulation. Second, environmental factors like heat, UV rays, etc. have the potential to affect the integrity of the seat, so a reasonable expiration date helps ensure that material degradation has not occurred.
A car seat’s expiration date varies by the type of seat. You can find the expiration date for your Chicco located on the underside of the car seat or on the car seat base, printed on an adhesive manufacturer label.
Do I need to replace my child’s car seat after a car accident?
Yes, a car crash is another situation that warrants complete replacement of your child’s car seat. Chicco recommends that you replace your car seat or booster seat after a car crash of any level, including minor ones.
Despite their durability, unseen damage could impact the ability to protect your child in a future car crash. With your child’s safety as our top priority, we err on the side of caution if there is any reason to believe that the integrity of the seat may have been compromised. We encourage you to contact your car insurance carrier to discuss potential options for replacement.
Chicco customer service team members are certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians and are trained on all Chicco products. Our team is ready to help answer whatever questions arise as you continue in your parenting journey. Chicco customer service can be reached any time via email at info.usa@artsana.com, via chat session on our web site ChiccoUSA.com or by telephone at 1-877-4CHICCO Monday through Friday, from 8AM to 5PM Eastern.