How to Install a Chicco KeyFit Car Seat
The Short Answer
The Chicco KeyFit is a rear-facing infant car seat. It is typically installed in two parts. First, the base is secured to the vehicle seat with either the lower anchors (LATCH) or the vehicle seat belt. Then the carrier clicks onto the base. Many KeyFit carriers can also be installed without the base using the vehicle seat belt. The correct steps depend on which KeyFit version you own and on your vehicle, so the manual for your specific seat and your vehicle owner's manual are the controlling references. This guide explains the general process and the checks that apply across versions. It does not replace those documents.
Which KeyFit Do You Have?
Chicco has sold the KeyFit under more than one model name and has updated it over the years. Features such as the leveling mechanism, the belt tensioning or lock-off design on the base, and the baseless installation method can differ between versions and production years. Weight and height limits also vary by model. No confirmed specifications were available for this article, so check the labels on the carrier and base for the model name, manufacture date, expiration date and occupant limits before you begin.
Before You Start
Find the manual for your exact KeyFit model. It is often stored in a compartment on the base or carrier. Read the child restraint section of your vehicle owner's manual. It identifies which seating positions have lower anchors and any restrictions. Choose a rear seating position. Never place a rear-facing seat in front of an active frontal airbag. Confirm the seat has not expired and has not been in a crash that the manufacturer says requires replacement. Register the seat with Chicco so you receive recall notices.
Installing the Base With Lower Anchors (LATCH)
LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. The lower anchors are metal bars located in the crease between the vehicle seat back and cushion.
Place the base flat on the vehicle seat, facing the rear of the vehicle. Adjust the base's leveling foot or recline mechanism until the level indicator shows the correct range for your child, as described in your manual. Attach both lower anchor connectors to the vehicle's lower anchor bars and listen or look for confirmation that they are latched. Press firmly down into the center of the base while pulling the LATCH strap tight. If your version has a built-in tensioning feature, use it as the manual directs. Recheck the level indicator, because tightening can change the angle.
Lower anchors have a combined weight limit that covers both the child and the car seat. That limit is set by the car seat and vehicle manufacturers. Check both manuals to learn when you must switch to a seat belt installation.
Installing the Base With the Vehicle Seat Belt
Place the base rear-facing and set the level as above. Route the lap belt, or the lap portion of a lap-and-shoulder belt, through the base's belt path exactly as shown in the manual, then buckle it. Press down firmly on the base and remove the slack from the belt. Lock the belt. Use the base's lock-off if it has one, or the vehicle's locking retractor if the manual instructs you to. Confirm the belt is not twisted and the level indicator is still in range.
Use either LATCH or the seat belt, not both at the same time, unless your KeyFit manual specifically allows it.
Installing the Carrier Without the Base
Baseless installation is useful in taxis or second vehicles. The carrier is placed rear-facing on the vehicle seat, and the vehicle belt is routed through guides on the carrier. The belt routing, and whether the shoulder belt goes around the back of the carrier, differs by KeyFit version. Follow the diagram on the carrier label and in your manual, and make sure the level line on the carrier is parallel to the ground or within the indicated range.
Checking the Installation
Grip the base at the belt path and push side to side and front to back. Widely used child passenger safety guidance says it should move less than one inch. Confirm the level indicator is in the correct range. Click the carrier onto the base and pull up on it to confirm it is locked. Position the carry handle as the manual specifies for travel.
Securing Your Baby in the Harness
For rear-facing use, set the harness straps at or just below your baby's shoulders. Buckle the harness and tighten it until you cannot pinch any excess webbing at the shoulder. Place the chest clip at armpit level. Avoid bulky coats and aftermarket inserts or covers that the manufacturer has not approved.
Getting a Professional Check
If the base will not tighten, the level cannot be reached, or your vehicle seats are unusually shaped, a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) can inspect the installation and show you how to do it yourself. Inspections are commonly offered through local fire departments, hospitals and community safety programs.
What This Guide Does Not Cover
No model-specific data was available for this article, including weight and height limits, lower anchor limits, expiration periods or version-by-version feature lists. Those details are printed on your seat's labels and in its manual. Where this guide and your manual differ, follow the manual.
