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All car seats manufactured for sale in the U.S. are required to pass crash tests that are more severe than 98% of real world crashes. The best car seat is the one that fits the child, fits the vehicle, and is easy to use properly every time.
- What is RideRight?
- Chicco's RideRight™ is a dual bubble system that indicates correct placement for both rear- and forward-facing installations to help you ensure the proper recline is achieved when installing your NextFit.
- What is ReclineSure system?
- ReclineSure™ has a NINE position leveling system offering the most recline options of any convertible seat for an accurate fit in a wide range of vehicles. 30% more recline range than any other convertible on the market to better fit more vehicles. It makes achieving the proper angle a breeze.
- What is the SuperCinch?
- SuperCinch™ is Chicco's innovative force-multiplying technology that makes installation with LATCH so easy it can be done with one hand!
- When should I use the tether?
- ALWAYS use the tether when installing the NextFit in the forward-facing position. A tether will help hold the top of the car seat back and provide better protection for the child's head. The tether is not used when the NextFit is installed in the rear-facing position. Be sure to store the tether properly when not in use.
( See page 36 of the NextFit User Guide )
- Does the NextFit have side-impact protection?
- Like nearly all other car seats sold in the U.S., Chicco car seats are voluntarily side impact tested. All Chicco car seats meet or exceed all applicable federal safety standards and Chicco's side impact standards.
- Does the NextFit have a steel frame?
- Like nearly all other car seats designed to be used forward-facing, the Chicco NextFit has a steel-reinforced frame to manage crash forces.
- Does the NextFit have any rear-facing anti-rebound/rebound management features?
- Recent studies of real-world crashes involving children in rear-facing child car seats have shown that there is limited injury data for rebound. Additionally, there are no current or proposed U.S. regulations addressing rebound. The Chicco NextFit meets or exceeds all applicable federal safety standards.
- What are the age and size limits for the NextFit?
- The NextFit is designed for children who weigh between 5 and 65 pounds and who are less than 50 inches in height. The NextFit is rated up to 40 pounds rear-facing. Children should ride rear-facing in the NextFit until at least 2 years old or until they reach the 40 pound rear-facing weight limit.
- Is the NextFit the right car seat for a preterm or low birth weight baby?
- A preterm or low birth weight baby may be at a special risk in a child car seat, because these babies may have difficulties breathing if improperly reclined in a car seat. It is advisable to have your physician or hospital staff evaluate your baby and recommend the proper car seat or car bed before you leave the hospital.
- Should I use the Chicco KeyFit or KeyFit 30 before using the NextFit?
- You can use the NextFit convertible seat with a newborn baby weighing 5 pounds or more. However, a convertible seat lacks the convenience features of an infant-only seat like a stay-in-car base and a carry handle to take baby in and out of the car with ease. Carriers also snap into several types of strollers for more convenience. You may want to start with an infant-only seat like the Chicco KeyFit (rated up to 22 pounds) or KeyFit 30 (rated up to 30 pounds). Both infant seats can be used until your baby reaches 30 inches in height or until there is less than one inch from the top of the car seat and the top of the baby's head. Once your baby outgrows the infant-only seat, use a convertible seat like the NextFit in the rear-facing mode until at least 2 years old or until baby reaches the 40 pound rear-facing weight limit. This will provide the best protection for your baby.
- Why is riding rear-facing so important?
- Babies and toddlers have heavy heads and fragile necks. Riding rear-facing provides better protection for them. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend rear-facing as long as possible. Children who ride rear-facing up until age 2 are 75% less likely to die or be injured in a car crash.
- Is it dangerous if my baby's feet are touching the vehicle seat back when riding rear-facing?
- It may look uncomfortable to adults, but children are far more flexible than adults. When riding rear-facing, it is acceptable for children to cross their legs, hang them over the sides of the car seat, or put them in any position that is comfortable for them. There is no data that shows children are at greater risk of injuries to their legs and feet when riding rear-facing. In fact, studies show that forward-facing children have a higher risk of lower extremity injuries than rear-facing children.
- When do I have to stop using the newborn insert with my Chicco car seats?
- The newborn insert (bottom pad) on the Chicco infant-only and convertible car seats is designed for use by infants weighing up to 11 pounds. Use of the newborn insert is optional. It should be used when necessary to ensure a proper harness fit. When a child is rear-facing, the harness should be at or below the baby's shoulders.
( See page 23 of the NextFit User Guide page )
- What is the NextFit's height limit for rear-facing?
- The NextFit can be used for rear-facing until the child reaches 40 pounds or 49 inches, whichever comes first.
- When can my child be turned around to face forward in the NextFit?
- Riding rear-facing is safest for children until at least 2 years old. Keep your baby rear-facing as long as possible. The NextFit can be used rear-facing until your baby reaches 40 pounds. Once your baby reaches 40 pounds the NextFit must be used forward-facing.
- My child is within the 49 inch height limit and weighs less than 65 pounds, but the NextFit harness straps seem short. What can I do?
- Children of the same age, height, and weight can still be different in size, proportionally. All car seats are required by the Federal government to give a weight and standing height limit. However, a standing height limit is not the same as torso length. Therefore, children can outgrow a car seat in height before reaching the weight and standing height limits. If the top of your child's ears are above the top of the Head Rest in its fully extended mode, your child has outgrown the NextFit. If the top of your child's ears are below the top of the Head Rest in its fully extended mode, check the User Guide for instructions on adjusting the harness.
(See page 76 of the NextFit User Guide)
- My child has exceeded either the weight or height limit of the NextFit, but not both; can I continue to use the seat?
- No, you should stop using the NextFit when your child either exceeds the 65 pound weight limit OR the height limit, whichever occurs first. A child has exceeded the forward-facing height limit when the top of the ears are above the top of the Head Rest in its fully extended mode.
- When and how do I adjust the crotch strap on the NextFit?
- The child should not be sitting on the crotch strap.
( See page 26 of the NextFit User Guide )
- How do I use the two-position chest clip on the NextFit?
- The chest clip is marked "rear facing" and "forward facing." If you are using the NextFit in the rear-facing position, use the "rear facing" hole on the chest clip. If you are using the NextFit in the forward-facing position, use the "forward facing" hole on the chest clip.
( See page 84 of the NextFit User Guide )
- My child is able to open the chest clip on the car seat. What can I do?
- The chest clip is designed to release with a specific amount of pressure. It needs to be easy to open for caregivers in an emergency. The chest clip is a "pre-crash positioner." It does not have a purpose once a crash occurs. The most important thing is to make sure the harness is snug and on the center of the child's shoulders. As babies get older, they may figure out how to open the chest clip. The biggest deterrent is to make sure the harness is very snug. It is harder for a child to press the release button if the harness and chest clip are properly placed and the harness is snug on the child. The chest clip should be at armpit level. Unfortunately, the older a child gets, the more likely the child will be able to open the chest clip. The next step is to come up with creative ways to teach when it is and is not appropriate to open it. It's important to remember that an effective teaching method is to set the example -- parents should always wear their seat belt and have it properly buckled up.
- What is the proper harness tightness for my car seat?
- A snug but comfortable harness is important for good crash protection.
( See page 86 of the NextFit User Guide )
- How do I keep my child warm in the car seat? Can I use other manufacturers' car seat covers?
- Thick coats, snowsuits, and car seat covers, or blankets under the harness can compress in a crash, leading to loose harness straps and possible ejection of the child. Never add anything to the car seat, especially under the child or between the child and the harness. To keep your baby warm and safe when in the car seat, child passenger safety experts recommend putting your child in lightweight, yet warm, clothing with legs (fleece products are great for this). Once the baby is properly buckled in the harness, blankets may be placed over the baby for additional warmth. One big benefit of using blankets over the top is that they can be removed as it gets warmer in the car, preventing the baby from overheating. Once the child gets older, take the child's coat off in the car, buckle them in the car seat, and then put the coat on backwards. This allows the child to stay warm and when the child begins to get too warm, the coat can easily be removed.
- Can I use my NextFit on an airplane?
- Yes, the Chicco NextFit can be used on an airplane.
( See page 90 of the NextFit User Guide )
- What position in the car is safest for my child?
- The safest place for children traveling in a vehicle is the back seat. The middle is best, if you can get a good fit. A good fit on the side is better than a bad fit in the center.
- Why is the recline angle important when installing a car seat?
- Because a baby has such a heavy head and a weak neck, the baby's head can fall forward, which can cause breathing difficulties to occur. It is important to make sure a rear-facing car seat is at the correct angle so your infant's head does not fall forward. It is important that the car seat is not too reclined in the rear-facing or forward-facing mode because it can affect how the harness performs in a crash.
- Can I install my Chicco car seat where there is an air bag?
- When using a Chicco car seat rear-facing, do NOT place it in a vehicle seating location with a frontal air bag, unless the air bag can be turned off. If the child is old enough to ride forward-facing and the seating position has a frontal air bag, move the vehicle seat as far back as possible, deactivate the airbag if possible, and install the car seat as you normally would in forward-facing mode. Always check the vehicle owners' manual for more information about frontal air bags and side air bags.
- What is LATCH?
- LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) refers to a standardized installation system in vehicles and on child car seats.
( See page 34 of the NextFit User Guide )
- Can I use LATCH in the center position of my vehicle seat?
- The LATCH straps on the Chicco car seats are the length required to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 213 and 225. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 225 requires the vehicle lower anchors to be spaced 280mm (11 inches) apart. Chicco car seats are designed and tested to that standard. Most vehicles do not have LATCH available in the center rear seating position because of space limitations. For more information, review your vehicle owner's manual or contact the vehicle manufacturer. Chicco car seats may not be used with non-standard spaced LATCH anchors. They can only be used in LATCH-designated seating positions that meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 225 â€“ 280mm spacing (~11 inches).
- Can I use the LATCH system and the seat belt at the same time to install the car seat?
- No, the LATCH system and the seat belt cannot be used at the same time. Using both can affect crash performance of the car seat. You must use one or the other.
- Is it safer to use LATCH or the seat belt?
- LATCH and the vehicle seat belt are equally safe when it comes to installing a child car seat. Choose the method that holds the car seat the tightest.
- Are some seat belts unsafe for installing Chicco car seats?
- Seat belts in 1996 model year vehicles and newer, should be compatible with Chicco car seats.
( See page 33 of the NextFit User Guide )
- Can I use an inflatable seat belt to install my Chicco car seat?
- If the seating position has an inflatable seat belt, LATCH is the preferred method of installation. If LATCH is not an option, follow the vehicle manufacturer's instructions for use with child restraints. Do NOT use the shoulder belt Lock-Off with inflatable belt systems.
- Do I need a locking clip with the NextFit?
- No, the NextFit has shoulder belt Lock-Offs. These take the place of a locking clip that is needed in older vehicles.
- How can I tell if my car seat is installed properly and is in tight enough?
- To ensure proper installation of your car seat, it is important that you read, understand, and follow the User Guide. It is also important to review the section on seat belts and child restraints in your vehicle owner's manual. To check for tightness, hold the car seat at each side near the vehicle belt paths. Pull side to side and forward. The car seat should not move more than 1 inch from vehicle seat back or side-to-side. Check installation before every use!
- Is there somewhere I can go to get help installing my car seat?
- For additional help installing your car seat, contact Chicco Customer Service 877-424-4226 or go to: http://www.chiccousa.com/contact-chicco/customer-contact-form.aspx. Another resource is a local certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, visit safercar.gov and select "Find Local Child Seat Help" or call 1-866-SEAT CHECK (1-866-732-8243).
Care and Maintenance
- What is the best way to clean my car seat cover?
- Fabrics may be spot-cleaned with mild soap and water, or machine washed in cold water on delicate cycle using mild detergent. Hang to dry. DO NOT BLEACH. Please consult your product manual for instructions on removing the seat pad and additional care and maintenance instructions.
( See page 94 of the NextFit User Guide )
- How do I clean the harness?
- The harness should be sponged clean with warm water and mild soap. Air dry. Please consult your product manual for additional care and maintenance instructions.
( See page 98 of the NextFit User Guide )
- How do I clean the NextFit shoulder pads?
- The shoulder pads on the NextFit can be easily spot cleaned with warm water and mild soap. If necessary the shoulder pads may be removed for cleaning. However, never use the Child Restraint without the shoulder pads in proper position. Like the seat cover, shoulder pads may be machine washed in cold water on delicate cycle using mild detergent. Hang to dry. Contact Chicco Customer Service at 1-877-424-4226 for assistance in removing or replacing your shoulder pads.
- How long is the lifespan of my Chicco NextFit car seat?
- The NextFit has an 8-year lifespan from the date of manufacture. An expiration date can be found on the white label on the underside of the car seat.
- Do I have to replace my Chicco car seat if it has been involved in a crash?
- Yes. You must replace your child's car seat if it was involved in a crash, no matter what. Even if there appears to be no damage to the car seat on the surface, the impact and force of a collision can cause unseen structural damage to the interior of your car seat. Any such damage may prohibit your car seat from properly protecting your child in the event of a sudden stop or crash. Some insurance carriers will reimburse you for the replacement of a new car seat if it was in a crash. Check with your insurance carrier for more details.