Child seat that fits C5?

Gunn IT · 09-28-04, 10:52 AM

We are new members to this forum. I just bought my wife a 2000 red coupe for her 40th birthday. This is not a daily driver but she may wish to take our 3 1/2 year-old son for a ride on occasion. Anyone have experience with a child seat that fits into the 6-way-power seat?

**Chrisr** · 09-28-04, 12:31 PM

I'd check my local laws first. You may not even be able to put your child in the front seat even in a carseat. Here in NJ, we can't, that includes pick up trucks that don't have the extended cab. If you can put the child, legally, in the front seat, make sure you can turn the airbag off.

Blade · 09-28-04, 03:35 PM

Welcome to CAC Gunn IT, I like the name!

:s

Do not know what year GM started doing this, but on my 2003 I have places to hook a child seat. They are located on the corners where the seat bottom meets the back.

Gunn IT · 09-28-04, 08:07 PM

Blade,

I'm not sure what year they started with the child tethers, 2003 I think. There are a plethora of seats out there, I thought that maybe someone here on the forum would know of one that would fit the seat well.

Originally Posted by Blade

Welcome to CAC Gunn IT, I like the name!

:s

Do not know what year GM started doing this, but on my 2003 I have places to hook a child seat. They are located on the corners where the seat bottom meets the back.

***89x2*** · 09-28-04, 09:05 PM

I have used this exact seat in C4's and C5's

with no issues

I have also used a seat similar to this one for my 5 year old up front:

**Craig-o** · 09-29-04, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by Gunn IT

I just bought my wife a 2000 red coupe for her 40th birthday. This is not a daily driver but she may wish to take our 3 1/2 year-old son for a ride on occasion.

GM didn't put in a passenger side cut-off switch in the Corvette until 2001. At 3 1/2, he's out of the rear-facing seats which are very dangerous with an airbag, but even with a front-facing seat, he's still going to be outside the safe zone for weight, and will be closer to the airbag upon deployment because of the booster seat.

I know that it is possible to have a cut-off switch installed, although I understand finding someone to do the work may be a challenge because of safety and liability concerns. I wouldn't suggest taking him in this car until that modification is done.

Craig-o

**DRTH VTR** · 09-29-04, 04:43 PM

I am going to tell about an actual event that occurred in Boise maybe 5 years ago. A young mother had a child in a front facing child seat in the front seat of some type of Volkswagen. The car was involved in a parking lot collision. It was relatively low speed, but it was enough to fire off the air bags. The air bag deployed forcefully and interacted with the child seat in such a way that the child was literally decapitated. It was a tragedy. Then there was the whole issue of legal implications, prosecution, etc. I say this as a warning about the possible ramifications of not doing this correctly.

Gunn IT · 09-29-04, 06:48 PM

Thanks for the advice on the cut-off air bag switch. That has already been taken care of. Any other advice on a good choice for a child seat will be appreciated.

**Rain** · 09-29-04, 09:37 PM

Not to hi-jack - but
Anyone have a bike seat for young children that they have liked(or one they have hated)?

Thanks
Rain

**c4c5specialist** · 09-30-04, 04:45 AM

HI there,
Deployment of the airbag on the c5 on the passenger side can be disabled, from mid 2001 production.
I would suggest first of all, getting the airbag turn off kit available from GM to disable the passenger side air bag.
It is very important, as I also have a daughter and I will NOT take her in Corvette, unless I can disable the airbag.
This stands until she is 12, or 100 lbs in weight.
She rides a booster seat, however, before that, she was in a Century seat, Graco, and First Care before that.
Honestly, disable the airbag first, then any child seat, if installed correctly will function and PROTECT your child.
Allthebest, c4c5

**JBsC5** · 09-30-04, 06:38 AM

I just made sure I had the air bag cut off switch in my 1999 C5 and I've been cruising with my son since he was 3 and a half..

I have found belting him in...pretty much means sitting on the door ledge and reaching to belt him in...

Not bad and the fun cruising together is worth the little extra hassle..

Any car seat seems to work just fine as far as I could tell.

Have fun ...and congrats

JB

Gunn IT · 10-01-04, 10:44 AM

Thanks to all that replied to this post, it was informative and helped me make a decision.

Gunn It

JR_Vette · 10-05-04, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by Chrisr

I'd check my local laws first. You may not even be able to put your child in the front seat even in a carseat. Here in NJ, we can't, that includes pick up trucks that don't have the extended cab. If you can put the child, legally, in the front seat, make sure you can turn the airbag off.

I don't know of any state that has this law. NJ law as it reads :

http://www.nj.gov/lps/hts/childseats...ts_newlaw.html

Children up to age 8 or 80 pounds must ride in a safety or booster seat in the rear seat of the vehicle. If there is no rear seat, the child must sit in the front seat secured by a safety or booster seat.

Additionally, I would never put a child in the front seat of any car that has airbags. I have a cutoff switch on my 99 (it didn't come with one) so my son can ride with me from time to time. I also make sure the seat is back as far as it will go as a extra precaution.

**JBsC5** · 01-26-07, 01:43 PM

the retrofit kit was installed parts included for around 4 bills and at the time I knew I was being overcharged a little bit but didn't care..

I had the GM dealer I bought the car from out in Long Island install this GM kit.

I would imagine these days its even less expensive.

HTH

JB

**zagger** · 01-26-07, 04:05 PM

Does anyone have the GM part number for this kit. I would sure like to install it in my 99. My doughter who is nine but baerly weighs 80 lbs. loves to go out riding with me and we always have a great quality time together, she adjust the seat as far as it will go to get the best view out the side. I just never thought of the danger an airbag presented to her. Thanks for any info, Zagger.