JES TT

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/33177/dscn1480.t.jpg"></center><p>Yup... my wife and I are very excited, as this is our first and due April 22nd.

I knew this day would come when I purchased the TT and I had to show her pictures a few years back of Baby Seats in TT's .... in order to leverage this acquisition. ;-P

I did some searches here and did not come up with anything but more questions. There is good information but no one has a conclusive post, that I have found... hopefully this can lead into some valid, up to date informaiton for all who are interested.

I did find that there is a Latch System, but not sure if it is installed on my 2001 225QC. (Latch System or ISOFIX in Euro Spec's is a quick way to connect the seat to the car. LATCH - "Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children" ) I have the hooks on the seat backs but do not see or feel the latch in the rear seats. Next stop dealer.. I think they will add for free as it is a new US Law. (Anyone know this answer?)

I also would like to know if anyone did home work on what seats fit best with out having the passenger seat moved all the way forward. See next pic... That just looks uncomfortable.

Now the seat that is pictured here (First Picture above), I found in CaberneTT's pic poster. (That seat is for 20 lbs. kids... I think I get a new Turbo, FMIC, and Chip at this point for the extra weight... DOH! :P ) This is not the seat I am worried about... the seat I need information on is the Infant Seat. (Second Picture courtesy of SchoTT) This seat is used from the Hospital.... First Born to one year or 20 lbs. Problem is that most of these are those carrier types that ppl. can un-latch and pop out. Well there bulky... as you can see.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/15887/thumbsdown.jpg">

So a smaller, better designed seat is more desirable. I am sure someone has a more ergonomic solution.

Just hoping or fishing for a lucky reader here that has gone through this.

Oh and this is not the main Baby Car for us. My wife has a Cherokee (Jeep) and everything fits in there. But there will be occasions when I will have to pick up and transport this little addition.

THANKS ALL FOR YOUR HELP.... Your all awesome!

Eric Steffy



Here is SOME of the research that I found...


LATCH
The child restraint (CR) anchorage system in a vehicle is commonly referred to as the LATCH system for "Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children" and is designed for more practicable CR installation in the vehicle. It has two components: Tether anchors and Lower Anchorage and Guidance Fixtures. The tether anchor is a permanent fixture in the vehicle for the sole purpose of securing the CR. Lower anchors are found between the rear seat cushion and the rear seat back.

* Airbags are supplemental restraints only. Always use safety belts and seat children only in the rear, using restraint systems appropriate for their size and age. When small children must ride in the passenger seat, move it fully rearward and deactivate the passenger airbag. Follow instructions and read all warnings in the owner's manual.






I've read the archive's about infant carriers and apparently this is the technique for rear facing baby seats ... she don't like it! I desperatly need input (Pictures?) from owners using rear facing baby seats.

Input...more inside
User account number (aid): 12894
Posted by SchoTT on 2001-02-08 07:23:33
In Reply to: Fitting the family posted by newdad on 2001-02-08 06:41:06

I have a son who just turned 1 a few weeks ago and we have had the same issues you are facing now.

Unfortunately, there isn't a good solution for you right now. As you know, your son needs to be in a rear facing car seat, and they all take up too much room when safely installed in the car; thus it is impractical to ride around with your son in the back and your wife in the passenger seat.

When your son gets to be around 20lbs and can be put into a front facing seat, then the number of options increase. We have managed to take a few 2-3 hour trips with my son in the back in a Britax Roundabout car seat and our Century Smart-something car seat turned forwards and my wife up front (she is 5'2") with the seat scooted almost all the way forward. A little less than ideal, but manageable.

The century car seat (facing forward) worked better, but is more of a pain, because you have to undo the belt each time you want to take the child out, where our Britax car seat can stay in its place.

It seems that once the child can sit in a booster seat, then the passenger can put the seat back into a more comfortable position and not crunch the child's legs. I'll post a picture of the booster seat once I get one.

I guess it should go w/o saying, but I'll say it anyway. The safety of your baby and wife should be more important than having fun riding around in your TT with your loved ones....be patient.

Yes, and more...
User account number (aid): 4929
Posted by TTinGables on 2001-02-08 07:44:31
In Reply to: Input...more inside posted by SchoTT on 2001-02-08 07:23:33

All of what Schott says is true. My son is now 4, and since he was large enough to go to the booster-type, I bought a Century Brev booster seat. This attaches with the seatbelt pass-through, but the child is held in by a 2 point harness that also locks across the chest. My wife is also 5' 2", and he fits just fine in back.

His toes just touch the seatback with the front seat being slid up to where the front seat corner just touches the aluminum brace. My wife still fits (I'm actually contemplating removing the shelf on the passenger side, as I hardly use it, and it takes a huge bite out of front seat knee-room) just fine.

It also helps when you put the seat in to kneel on the seat with all your weight as you feed the belt back into the locking retractor. This is not only for safety, but gives your kid a little more room.

I'm now looking forward to the day my son can sit in the seat with no car seat at all. A bit down the road, but I can see the end is near.

Good luck and congratulations.



Re: Fitting the family
User account number (aid): 10764
Posted by karTT on 2001-02-08 08:14:53

In Reply to: Fitting the family posted by newdad on 2001-02-08 06:41:06

Once your child reaches 20 pounds I recommend a convertible seat since they generally have no base for reclining. This makes it less comfortable for long drives, but means that the bottom of the car seat doesn't extend beyond the back bench. This gives your passenger and you much more legroom. As has been previously posted, the Centery Convertibles (Breverra and NextStep--which is what my 2 year-old rides in) fit very well and have 5-point harnesses--the safest--and top tethers. Small problem, the buckle on the tether doesn't fit through the guide on the seat back, so mine just bumps over the top of the guide and is pulled snug.

Last year I was told that there would be ISOFIX retrofit kits for our US TTs (the Euros have them already, I think), and asked to be notified by AofA. I haven't heard from them, but it might be worth another call. The ISOFIX (or LATCH) seats are much easier to put in and are much safer--there just aren't many car seat models available in the US. Century has one, as does COSCO. The model sold by Audi in Europe and UK is not certified for use here in the States. This system will be the standard in the US by 2003, so you will likely have to deal with it while your child(ren) are car seat sized. By then both of mine will be in boosters.

Re: Anyone managed to stuff a baby seat in the back of a TT? (NT)
User account number (aid): 2174
Posted by DanS on 2000-04-27 04:12:19
In Reply to: Anyone managed to stuff a baby seat in the back of a TT? (NT) posted by Linda TT2B on 2000-04-26 19:32:19

Yup, Eddie Bauer model from Century. You'll need the little belt clip to make sure the top part of the harness is lowered (without it my 3 year old flips left when you turn right, which he thinks is a whole lot of fun). We put him behind the passenger seat and move it most of the way up.



Century Nextstep fits well, almost all others I tried don't.
User account number (aid): 3969
Posted by minda on 2000-04-26 23:13:32

In Reply to: Anyone managed to stuff a baby seat in the back of a TT? (NT) posted by Linda TT2B on 2000-04-26 19:32:19

I tried several others, including four Britax (my favorites) models, but no luck. A few are so tall that they hit the rear window, but the most common problem was seat depth. There is plenty of seat width room.

I am using the Century Nextstep for my 3 1/2 year old. I have not looked at trying to fit an infant seat in back. Good Luck!

HaTTfield

When my daughter sat in a rear-facing seat, the back seat just didn't work. It was very difficult to get her back there and the passenger seat was unusable. The few times I took her in the TT, she was in the front with the airbag off. In my opinion this is safe, but lots of folks disagree. I do agree that if you are making a general statement about all cars, the back seat is safer, but this is because the airbags in most cars cannot be deactivated.

I do not think LATCH can be retrofitted into your car, but definately ask your dealer. LATCH is really just easier to install properly. The seat belt is just as safe, it is just more difficult to secure. Both systems use the same top tether strap on the back of the seat for forward-facing seats. You won't have to worry about using that for a little while though.

If you want a picture of a NextStep installed, I'd be happy to take one.

TTinGables

and put them up front, slide the seat as far forward as you can, and have the wife go in the back seat, it might be more roomy that way.

When they get older and can go in a forward facing seat, I and others have found that many of the Century models (we have 2 Brev models, one with armrests, the other without) are good, because the molded plastic bottom of those seats are narrow, and they fit into the depression in the TT's rear seatbottom better.

CaberneTT

the back seat and comfortably sit someone in the front...it just doesn't work. the forward facing child seat is OK for short trips with someone in the front and the seat no more than 1/2 way back, but 95% of the time, its just me driving with my son in the back seat and the front passenger seat pulled up all the way.

With the car seat I have, there is a tether that I attach to a clip on the back of the back seat (if that makes sense) This works very well and the seat is very secure.

Lone Starr (Ivan)

I had a 2000 coupe and my parts manager was the first in the US to order the retrofit kit. (I didn't even have the tether anchors in my 2000.) We never did install it as I only used the infant carrier twice and in the front seat with the airbag off. You must have seen that pic in your search of the archives. Green checked baby seat, chunky daddy, gawgeous little girl in the seat. Silver coupe.

I do not think a definitive answer was reached on rear seat. Rear facing rear seat is damn near impossible.

Retrofitting LATCH is not a law, btw. We have a 2002 Isuzu Trooper that has tethers but not LATCH and Isuzu America is not offering a retrofit kit.

Stinky J. Sock

About two years ago I went through the same searching that you are going through now. My daughter is now 20 months old and she still has not ridden in the TT. Before she arrived we thought there would be a need but, since we also have an SUV, there has yet been a need to have her in the TT.

Not sure exactly what your situation is but just some food for thought.

JES TT

Pictures would be greatly appreciated! THANKS.

JES TT

You just crack me up..OK .OK...Got any pictures of your little ones? (Go ahead and get creative.)

JeremyTT

<img src="http://a1688.g.akamai.net/7/1688/774/1733c2043fdb49/www.landsend.com/IMAGES/PRODUCT/81811.A5.02._.41.jpg">

JES TT

Close.... Let's see what Stinky can come up with.