cubuff

I've got my first child on the way in April, and I was wondering if anyone has had any luck getting the LATCH system retrofitted into an Allroad by their dealer.

Any recommendations on protection for my leather seats?

ShowMeData

VW will do the same. Easy job, they only bill 1/2 hour labor -- which is probably twice what it really takes.

I have 2 car seats installed. Kids are 19mo and 3-1/2 - they make a lot more mess than your new baby will! For the first few months, you'll mostly have to worry about milk spilled inside the baby seat. Once jr is holding the bottle himself, then he can drop it out on the seat for it to leak on the leather. And just wait til you get to the Cheerios and crackers...

For protection, I'm trying out a seat cover as recommended by Kim (ex-AWAR poster). Got one at the big pet store. Had to do quite a bit of surgery on it to make holes for the folding-seat latches, tether anchors, and now the LATCH straps. It fits the seat bottom OK, but really doesn't fit the back very well. It's in there, and it works, but I don't love it.

I've tried the purpose-built 'seat protectors' they sell at baby stores, which are basically a mat or plastic sheet that goes under the child seat. None of 'em are worth a damn. They don't have enough coverage area to be useful.

I think the best thing would be a seat cover that is tailored for the vehicle. The generic one I have is all bunched up behind the seatbacks and looks cheesy from behind. I keep thinking of my old neighbor that made custom boat covers... too bad that's in another state now.

Check your carseat - if the base has any sharp corners, many folks recommend putting a folded bath/beach towel under it to minimize creasing of the leather.

If you don't have any sort of seat cover, the best thing to do is take the child seats out every week or two to clean up the leather underneath.

Be glad you have leather. We bought my wife's Passat with cloth seats, and it is much more susceptible to milk stains that are hard to remove. You have to steam/shampoo, vs. surface cleaning with leather.

Good luck!

BEEKAAY

i got the latch put in both my allroads and my a4 (both 2001). its a no charge install at the dealer and is fine. as far as seat protection, a towel would do wonders tucked in under the car seat base to catch any junk that may fall in there. The carseat will crease the seats some, since the carseat has to attach so tightly, but its not overly noticeable. The towel could also help in reducing the sharper edges against the seat (that make the creases).
bk

RobSo

It's a free install like the others said. Insist on two sets. Congrats on your new baby!

cubuff

Thanks to everyone for the info. So excited I can't wait for the new one to arrive...

RobSo

and we are expecting our second child in September. Oh boy.....

allroad'Ed now

4/28. Let us know your daughter's birth daye.

TeddyBGame

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