Installing the Chicco GoFit booster seat involves securing the booster to your vehicle and properly positioning your child with the vehicle's seat belt. While the primary function of a booster seat is to correctly position the adult seat belt, the Chicco GoFit often features LATCH connectors for added stability when the seat is unoccupied.
Understanding Your Chicco GoFit Booster
The Chicco GoFit is typically a backless booster seat designed for older children who have outgrown their forward-facing car seats but are not yet tall enough for the vehicle's seat belt to fit them properly. Its purpose is to elevate the child, ensuring the lap belt sits low on the hips/thighs and the shoulder belt crosses the center of the shoulder and chest.
Step-by-Step Installation: Securing the Booster Seat
There are two main ways to secure the Chicco GoFit booster seat in your vehicle. The LATCH system provides stability, especially when the seat is empty, preventing it from becoming a projectile in a crash. If LATCH is not available or preferred, the booster is simply placed on the vehicle seat, and the child's weight, along with the vehicle's seat belt, holds it in place.
Method 1: Using LATCH Connectors (Recommended for Stability)
Many Chicco GoFit models come equipped with LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) connectors. This method helps keep the booster securely in place.
- Locate Vehicle Lower Anchors: Find the two lower anchor bars in the crease of your vehicle's back seat. These are often marked or accessible between the seat back and cushion.
- Attach LATCH Connectors: Attach both LATCH connectors from the Chicco GoFit booster seat to the vehicle's lower anchor bars. You will typically hear an audible click when they are correctly engaged.
- Tighten the LATCH Strap: Pull on the LATCH tightening strap (usually located at the front of the booster) to remove any slack.
- Snug the Seat: Push back on the seat bottom to snug up the booster seat to the vehicle seat. The booster should be tight against the vehicle seat, with minimal movement side-to-side or front-to-back.
Method 2: Securing with the Vehicle's Seatbelt (When LATCH Isn't Used)
If your vehicle does not have LATCH anchors or if you choose not to use them, the booster seat is simply placed on the vehicle seat. The child's weight, once buckled in, will hold the booster in place.
- Position the Booster: Place the Chicco GoFit booster seat flat and securely on the vehicle's back seat. Ensure it is not on top of the seat belt buckle or any other obstructions.
- Ensure Stability: Even without LATCH, make sure the booster sits flush against the vehicle seat back.
Positioning Your Child and the Vehicle Seat Belt
Correctly buckling your child with the vehicle's seat belt is the most critical step for booster seat safety.
- Seat Child Properly: Have your child sit squarely on the booster seat with their back against the vehicle's seat back. Ensure their bottom is fully against the back of the booster.
- Lap Belt Placement: Thread the vehicle's lap belt under both armrests of the booster seat. The lap belt should lie low across your child's upper thighs, touching the top of their legs, not their stomach.
- Shoulder Belt Placement: Guide the shoulder belt through the red belt guide (if present) on the side of the booster closest to the buckle. The shoulder belt should cross the center of your child's shoulder and chest, not resting on their neck or falling off their shoulder.
- Buckle and Tighten: Buckle the seat belt and pull the shoulder belt upwards to remove any slack from both the lap and shoulder sections. The seat belt should fit snugly and flat against your child's body.
Important Safety Checks and Tips
Always perform these checks every time your child rides in the booster seat:
- Lap Belt Check: Is the lap belt low across the hips/upper thighs, not the abdomen?
- Shoulder Belt Check: Does the shoulder belt cross the middle of the chest and collarbone?
- Booster Stability (LATCH): If using LATCH, is the booster snug against the vehicle seat?
- Child Position: Is the child sitting upright with their back against the seat?
- No Slack: Is there any slack in the seat belt? Pull it taut.
- Vehicle Manual: Always consult your vehicle owner's manual for specific instructions on car seat installation and LATCH anchor locations.
- Booster Manual: Refer to the Chicco GoFit instruction manual for detailed, model-specific guidance.
When to Use a Booster Seat
Children typically need a booster seat once they have outgrown the weight or height limits of their forward-facing car seat, usually around 40 pounds and 4 years old. They should continue using a booster until they are tall enough for the vehicle's seat belt to fit them properly, which is generally when they reach 4 feet 9 inches (57 inches) in height and are between 8 and 12 years old.
| Booster Seat Safety Checklist | Description |
|---|---|
| Child's Fit | Child's back is against the vehicle seat, knees bend naturally at the edge of the seat. |
| Lap Belt Position | Low on the hips/upper thighs, not across the stomach. |
| Shoulder Belt Position | Across the middle of the chest and collarbone, not on the neck or slipping off the shoulder. |
| Booster Stability (with LATCH) | The booster seat is securely attached to the vehicle's LATCH anchors and does not move more than one inch side-to-side or front-to-back at the belt path. |
| Booster Stability (without LATCH) | When the child is not in the seat, it may slide; however, it should sit flat and stable on the vehicle seat when occupied. |
| No Slack | All slack is removed from the lap and shoulder belts once buckled. |
| Proper Seat Belt Path | The seat belt is correctly routed through all designated guides on the booster seat. |
