When it comes to car seat design and development, no detail is too small for Chicco. From strategic fabric selection to increased crash testing, Chicco goes above industry standards to deliver durable What type of materials are Chicco car seats made of?
Made of steel and ultra-durable polymers, these materials feature inherent strength properties that are proven to withstand the rigorous energy management necessary during crash testing – and not just any crash test. Chicco car seats are tested not only to meet US federal standards, but to exceed them.
In addition to seat durability, Chicco uses premium fabrics and innovation to extend car seat longevity through comfort and cleanliness. Strategically placed fabric is soft where your baby touches and durable where growing feet may land. The Fit4® 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat is the only all-in-one car seat with FitKit™: an innovative layered construction that’s designed to last through normal wear and tear over its 10-year lifespan. Convenient zip products, like the NextFit® Max Zip Air Convertible Car Seat, feature a zip-off, machine washable seat pad to easily keep the fabrics looking and feeling like new.
Chicco also offers a variety of car seat replacement parts to help reduce signs of normal wear and tear and increase longevity. From new car seat covers to 5-point harnesses, these replacement parts can help refresh the seat for use by a younger sibling or replace an essential piece, such as a missing infant insert.
What is the expiration date for my Chicco car seat?
While replacement parts can keep your car seat feeling fresh over time, there are situations that warrant complete product replacement and your car seat’s expiration date is one example. The Juvenile Products industry promotes and encourages manufacturers to use expiration dates on car seats for two main reasons. First, car seat standards and regulations are constantly evolving and an older seat may not comply to new standards or regulations; expiration dates remove the older seats from circulation. Second, environmental factors like heat, UV rays, etc. have the potential to affect the integrity of the seat, so a reasonable expiration date helps ensure that material degradation has not occurred.
A car seat’s expiration date varies by the type of seat. You can find the expiration date for your Chicco located on the underside of the car seat or on the car seat base, printed on an adhesive manufacturer label.
Do I need to replace my child’s car seat after a car accident?
Yes, a car crash is another situation that warrants complete replacement of your child’s car seat. Chicco recommends that you replace your car seat or booster seat after a car crash of any level, including minor ones.
Despite their durability, unseen damage could impact the ability to protect your child in a future car crash. With your child’s safety as our top priority, we err on the side of caution if there is any reason to believe that the integrity of the seat may have been compromised. We encourage you to contact your car insurance carrier to discuss potential options for replacement.
Chicco customer service team members are certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians and are trained on all Chicco products. Our team is ready to help answer whatever questions arise as you continue in your parenting journey. Chicco customer service can be reached any time via email at info.usa@artsana.com, via chat session on our web site ChiccoUSA.com or by telephone at 1-877-4CHICCO Monday through Friday, from 8AM to 5PM Eastern.