Parents love nothing more than being able to trust that their children are safe while they’re driving. That’s why it’s so important to know when your Graco car seat expires and what to do about it. Graco is a leading brand in the car seat industry, so you can expect that their products will be around for a while. However, just like any other product, your Graco car seat may eventually expire and need to be replaced. Here are the key details you need to know about expiration and how to tell if your Graco car seat is close to expiring:
What is a Graco Car Seat?
Graco car seats are popular for a reason. They’re reliable and typically last longer than most other brands. Here’s a look at the life expectancy of different car seats:
A Graco SafeNest 65 is designed to last until your child is 8 years old or 135 pounds, whichever comes first.
The Graco SnugRide 35 LS will last until your child is 10 years old or 110 pounds, whichever comes first.
The Graco SnugRide 30 LX will last until your child is 12 years old or 100 pounds, whichever comes first.
How to Find the Age of Your Graco Car Seat
If you’re in the market for a new car seat, Graco has a variety of options to choose from. Here are some tips on how to find the age of your Graco car seat:
The Graco Click Connect system uses a RFID tag built into the shell of your child’s car seat. The tag stores the date and time it was installed in your vehicle, as well as information about the installation (e.g., carrier, weight and height of child). If you have a compatible smartphone, you can use the Graco MyCar app to access this data and see photos of your child in their car seat (and even record video).
Graco also offers a Car Seat Check tool on its website. This tool lets you enter the make, model and year of your vehicle; the tool will then tell you the age range for each type of Graco car seat (based on Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards [FMVSS]) that is certified for use in your vehicle. You can also find this information by visiting gracocarseats.com/seat-check or by calling 1-800-4-GRACO.
Finally, if you don’t have access to a compatible smartphone or online tool, or if you want to confirm an age estimate based on other information (like what your child was wearing when they were admitted to hospital), you can call Graco at 1-800-366-4263 and ask for customer
How to Check the Manufacturer’s Instructions
The expiration date is typically stamped on a label near the bottom of the car seat. To check the manufacturer’s instructions, locate the car seat manual and find the “use by” or “expiration” date. Generally, car seats should be used by the expiration date marked on the car seat or within five years after purchase. Check your car seat frequently for signs of wear, such as tears in fabric or cracks in padding. If your child is no longer using their car seat regularly, it may be time to consider replacing it with a new model.
How to Replace a Graco Car Seat
If you’re thinking about replacing your Graco car seat, here’s how to do it:
1. Remove the old car seat from your car.
2. Compare the dimensions of the new and old car seats. Be sure to measure both the width and height of your vehicle, as well as the length of your child’s torso.
3. Select a replacement car seat that will fit within your vehicle’s dimensions and meet or exceed all safety standards. Make sure to read reviews and compare prices before making a purchase.
4. Replace the old car seat with the new one by reinstalling it in your vehicle using the included mounting hardware and straps.
When Your Graco Car Seat Expires
The Graco car seat may expire anywhere from 10 years to 7 years after manufacture. This means that your car seat could be unsafe to use and/or subject to recalls.
The Graco company provides a 10-year warranty on all of their car seats, but this does not mean that the seat is automatically safe after 10 years. The CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) has issued recalls for car seats that have been used for more than five years. In these cases, the safety straps may not have been tightened enough or the padding may have worn out, increasing the risk of an accident.
If you are unsure whether your Graco car seat is still safe to use, contact the manufacturer for advice. They will be able to tell you whether or not there are any current safety issues with the seat and also provide you with instructions on how to get a replacement if needed.
What to Do If Your Graco Car Seat Expires After Being Used
If you have a Graco car seat that has an expiration date, keep in mind that it will no longer be effective after that date. Before using the car seat after the expiration date, make sure to check to see if it is still within manufacturer’s specifications. Graco also offers a limited lifetime warranty on their car seats.