Detroit, Michigan (March 23, 2021) Any problem can be solved when engineering and design work together at Toyota, especially when the development of a solution is motivated by a mother’s love and enthusiasm. At Toyota, security is always a top priority, and daily safety innovation efforts are ongoing. The beginning of a project can occasionally be a chance conversation between coworkers in the break room.
Mother of two, vice chair-elect of the National Child Passenger Safety Board, and lead engineer of vehicle performance development for interior safety at Toyota is Jennifer Pelky. Toyota’s chief engineer for seat body design, Lindsay Babian, is a single mother. In 2019, two Toyota engineers were having lunch when their conversation turned to the difficulty they had both had installing several brands of child car seats in various makes and models of vehicles.
The lightbulb moment occurred at that time. There was probably a need for additional assistance and knowledge on the part of many parents, grandparents, and guardians if even experienced safety engineers and designers had trouble with car seats. The discussion led to the creation of Toyota for Families, a brand-new digital toolbox for the Toyota Sienna that will go on sale in March 2021 and include thorough car seat installation instructions and a video.
Despite the fact that Babian himself created the components for properly installing a car seat, there is still some ambiguity over the process, which might lead to serious issues. ” I recognized a problem when Jen came to me with this. Grandparents, parents, and other caregivers who find it difficult now have a tool to assist them succeed.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, despite greatest efforts, automobile accidents continue to be a significant cause of death for American children (CDC). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted research that revealed that more than half of all car seats are placed incorrectly, despite the fact that car seat technology has advanced significantly since the days when kids rode on box trays or sat on telephone books.
Booster seats can lower the risk of injury by 45% and can reduce injuries in an accident by more than 70% when installed and used properly (NHTSA) (CDC). Consumers could utilize more information on appropriate car seat installation in automobiles to benefit from those safety benefits. Since COVID-19’s social distance restrictions make it more challenging for parents to obtain the in-person installation assistance they frequently demand, there is an even greater need for better access to teaching. Pelky and Babian sought to make information more approachable.
“People can require more assistance because there are so many various seat arrangements in vehicles,” said Pelky.
The invention process is driven by necessity. But in this instance, these inventive mothers were the ones who came up with the inventions. The pair addressed a query that required a logical, straightforward response with the aim of having 100% of car seats positioned correctly. How can Toyota demonstrate and describe how to correctly install a range of car seats in Toyota vehicles using its customer apps and website?
The group also engaged the assistance of Janelle Pharris, a mother of two and senior planner for advanced technology at Toyota, whose prior experience includes marketing for the Graco line of strollers and car seats from Newell Brands.
The three women then started working on their “shared passion project” to improve child seat safety, initially concentrating on the much awaited 2021 Toyota Sienna. The COVID-19 epidemic struck during development, forcing everyone to work remotely. In Michigan, Pelky and Babian, and in Texas, Pharris.
To create Toyota for Families, a sophisticated and useful solution, the team overcame these obstacles and even worked during personal holidays. Toyota proudly recognized Toyota for Families as the winner of both its internal Innovation Fair and Tank2 contests.
Users can choose their vehicle or input the VIN on the Toyota website or within the Toyota Owners App. The user then chooses the car seat location they desire before specifying whether it is a booster, rear-facing, or forward-facing seat. The toolbox also includes a “help-me-choose guide” they may use based on their child’s age and weight if they’re unclear which one to use.
The user is then presented with a customized video and textual step-by-step instructions for installing a generic child seat into the chosen position and installation method (LATCH or seat belt) in the chosen car. The system is built to automatically indicate choices that are known to be incompatible and advise users to select a viable alternative.
The video demonstrates crucial procedures required for proper installation to help prevent errors. If necessary before installing the car seat, the video will also demonstrate further actions, such as how to remove a headrest.
- Prospective buyers can research family safety and convenience features while looking at vehicles at home or at a showroom.
- It can be used by dealerships to teach clients about the convenience and safety aspects of their brand-new vehicle. The dealership may also use it to assist in providing answers to queries from clients who come in for service and have questions.
- Toyota drivers can use the app to get written and visual instructions for setting up their preferred car seat model in a certain seating position in their car.
For the three women, creating this special safety product was a true labor of love.
“We really enjoyed working on this project since it brought together two of our passions: being a mom and wanting to do what is best for our kids and all kids, according to Pharris. “Each of us is passionate about interacting with customers and advancing their expertise to provide them comfort.
Though the 2021 Sienna served as the initial launch vehicle for the App toolkit, Toyota intends to add written information and video directions to other fleet vehicles over the following few years.
In This Article...
Can a Toyota Corolla accommodate a car seat?
You’ll be glad to know that the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross can accommodate a child’s car seat with ease if you currently drive one or wish to. The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross’s interior and second-row proportions are described in further detail below. Toyota Palo Alto in Palo Alto, California is where you can find Toyota automobiles.
A Toyota Corolla can accommodate how many car seats?
The Toyota Corolla has a lot of legroom. We were able to install three child seats: a Mountain Buggy Protect baby capsule, an Infasecure Kompressor 4 (both rear-facing), and a Mountain Buggy Foldaway booster seat in the outside seats. The middle seat had enough capacity for an Infasecure Foldaway booster seat to fit an 184 cm driver. Three top tether anchorages are located in the parcel shelf behind each rear headrest, along with two ISO Fix points, one in each of the outside rear seats.
How is the seatbelt locked on a Toyota Corolla?
Most likely, you’ve heard the phrase “locking the seat belt,” but do you know what it means, how to do it, why, or when?
This explanation will help you comprehend this crucial aspect of seat belt technology and will teach you the right way to use (or not use) it.
A retractor can be found on almost all shoulder belts. This mechanism locks the seat belt and spools the excess webbing to keep you securely fastened during an accident.
An emergency locking retractor is normally present on every shoulder belt. When using this type of retractor, you can lean forward and back while driving normally and the seat belt will glide in and out. However, in an emergency, if you slam on the brakes, the shoulder belt locks and holds you tightly.
The retractor is often a SWITCHABLE retractor if you live in the US and your car is model year 1996 or newer. This indicates that it can change from the typical mode of just locking in an emergency to a state where it locks constantly. The automaticlocking mode is referred to as this always-locked mode.
How does the automatic locking mode work?
It’s simple to switch the belt’s emergency locking mode to automatic locking! Simply slowly draw the shoulder belt all the way out, then at the very end, let the belt re-enter a small amount. You might hear a ratcheting sound when it returns, and if you give the belt a gentle pull, you’ll discover that it is locked and cannot be extended any further. The shoulder belt only gets shorter when the locking mechanism is automatic. You can use it in this way to tighten a car seat because it doesn’t get much longer. When the seat belt is fully retracted, it will return to “normal.”
Some automobiles lack a retractor that can be switched. The majority of Jeep, Chrysler, and Dodge cars lack switchable retractors. They only have the emergency locking retractor instead. Some vehicles manufactured by GM, Ford, Saab, and Volvo may also lack a switchable retractor. Some cars have additional seat belt locking mechanisms. The seat belts’ locking system is covered in detail in your car’s owner’s manual.
Is the automatic locking mode necessary for a proper car seat installation? For this question, there isn’t a clear answer; the real response is “maybe.” If the seat belt retractor needs to be set to automatic locking mode, check the user guide for your car seat. Remember that you might not be using the seat belt at all (if you decide to use lower anchor connectors instead of the seat belt) or that your car seat might already have a seat belt locking mechanism built in, making locking the retractor unnecessary. In every situation, READ THE MANUAL.
Additional justifications for locking the seatbelt include the following: Several youngsters have come dangerously close to dying after finding an unused seatbelt and wrapping it around their necks while playing with it. Find out more about this problem and how to avoid it.
How can I tell whether a car seat will fit in my vehicle?
How to Ensure a Car Seat Fits Your Vehicle Safely
- Investigate the car seat personally. Ask the salesperson if you can test the floor model in your car when you arrive at the store.
- Attend a car seat inspection event.
- Consult the user guide.
- Make sure you comprehend how their vehicle is installed.
- Observe the seat angles when facing backwards.
For a Toyota Camry, where does the car seat go?
We use a Chicco KeyFit 30 infant safety seat, a Graco Contender 65 convertible seat, and a Graco TurboBooster seat for the Car Seat Check. A 6-foot driver and a shorter passenger can both fit comfortably in the front seats. The second row is equipped with the three child seats. The infant and convertible seats are installed behind the front passenger seat, while the booster seat is installed behind the driver’s seat.
In order to determine whether three car seats will fit in the vehicle, we also place the forward-facing convertible in the middle seat of the second row and the booster and infant seat in the outside seats. A child in the booster seat must be able to reach the seat belt buckle. We install the booster seat and a forward-facing convertible if there is a third row. Find out more about the car seat checks we perform.
Parents should also keep in mind that they can install a car seat using the Latch system or a seat belt, and that the combined weight of the kid and the seat itself cannot exceed 65 pounds in Latch anchors.
Three car seats and a Corolla fit?
Will three car seats fit in it? No. Check out the results of our 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross car seat check to see how the Latch system and each car seat performed.
The back of my automobile can accommodate three car seats.
Depending on the state you reside in, different states have different car seat regulations, but most safety experts concur that kids should ride in a car seat until they are 12 years old. Your child will spend over a decade switching between an infant carrier, a convertible car seat, and eventually a booster seat, depending on their height and weight.
Families with more than two young children may find this challenging because the backseat of your car can quickly become crowded. Because typical car seats are so wide, it is improbable that you could accommodate three of them in your backseat even if your vehicle has three latch anchors available.
To help parents put three car seats of various types across the back seat of their automobiles, car seat manufacturers have created narrow car seats. The breadth and overall dimensions of narrow car seats are smaller than those of conventional car seats. The breadth and overall dimensions of narrow car seats are smaller than those of conventional car seats.
In order to make an informed purchasing decision, this four-section 3 Across Car Seat Guide is intended to assist you in selecting the finest 3 across installations for infant, rear-facing, convertible, forward-facing, booster, and all-in-one car seats.
It addresses issues you should think about, such as:
- your car’s category;
- compatibility with automobile seats;
- limited alternatives for automobile seats;
- safe installation of a car seat.
Even while you might only need to buy one car seat right now, you can save money by planning ahead and selecting the finest car seat for your family planning needs. You definitely don’t want to have to buy new car seats in order to fit three crosswise in your car.
Trial and Error
You could discover that despite purchasing smaller car seats, it’s still difficult to fit three of them across. For instance, you might discover that components like the armrests just so happen to meet at the same spot and are grinding against one another as a result.
To make the chairs fit properly, you might need to make a slight adjustment. You might be able to adjust the seats such that their broadest points are apart from one another.
The best way to do this is by using the “Method of Alternate Direction. If you have children who are the same age, this strategy won’t work for you. However, you can arrange your children in alternating positions if you have two who face one direction and a third who faces the other.
Imagine that you have two kids who need to be in rear-facing seats and a third kid who needs to be in a forward-facing seat. The two rear-facing seats can be positioned behind the driver’s and passenger’s seats. The forward-facing seat might then be placed in the middle facing the other way. The youngster in the forward-facing seat can buckle up independently in this arrangement, which may be more convenient.
Whether you select the “Install the middle seat first if you’re using the Alternate Direction approach or you require all three seats facing the same direction. There are a few factors at play here.
You’ll find it difficult to get the middle seat in the first place while having to crawl over chairs on the outside. Second, because the central seat is so small, you have more room to adjust the outer seats than the inner seats.
Consider Using the Seat Belts
Use the seat belts to secure the chair in place rather than the bottom LATCH anchors as another alternative for installing car seats three abreast. The seat belt buckles and some LATCH anchors may overlap, making access challenging.
Additionally, the majority of automakers do not include a specialized lower LATCH anchor in the car’s center narrow seat. Therefore, using the seat belts will give you greater freedom during installation while still protecting your kids.