car seats

Q: When I’m installing my forward-facing car seat, there is a gap between the back of the car seat and the vehicle seat. Is that okay?

A: It is okay to have a gap between the back of a harnessed forward-facing car seat and the vehicle seat if you have installed the seat per our instruction manual and you have a secure install (seat does not move more than 1” side-to-side or front-to-back at the belt path).  Please ensure the vehicle seat headrest is not pushing on the headrest of the car seat.  If it is doing so, consult your vehicle owner’s manual to determine if you can remove the vehicle seat headrest.  All forward-facing harnessed seats should be installed with the tether anchor whenever possible.

Q: According to the label, my mint latch™ is level with the ground, but all of the car seat shell is not touching the vehicle seat, is this ok?

A: Mint latch has been tested on various inclines/reclines of vehicle seats, and each vehicle seat creates a different amount of space between the car seat and the vehicle seat; if the level line on the label is level with the ground, and the LATCH connectors are properly connected, the seat will work as intended.

Q: Are baby carriers safe?

A: Not only are baby carriers safe, but they’re also beneficial to baby’s developing spine by reducing pressure on tiny hips and backs.  Our Savvy™ 4in1 and Savvy™ Lite 3in1 are carefully engineered to cradle your infant’s naturally C-shaped spine, hugging them in their favorite fetal position that’s best for development (and snuggling!)  Plus, our carriers’ specially designed leg support lets your little one sit with knees raised in an ergonomic M-shaped position that promotes healthy back and hip development.

Q: Are savvy™ and savvy™ lite safe for my baby's hips?

A:  Yes! Joie carriers have been certified hip-healthy by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute. Optimal support lets your little one sit smart in an ergonomic M-shaped position that promotes healthy spine and hip development. With baby’s knees raised and hips opened, they’ll be perfectly positioned for both cuddling and growing.

Q: Are the harness covers removable?

A: The harness strap covers on saffron™ SI  are optional and can be used or removed based on your child's comfort needs. 

Q: Are the harness pads on chili spin 360™ optional?

A: The harness pads are required for children weighing up to 22 lb. The harness pads are optional from 22 lb. up to 40 lb. The harness pads MUST be removed when your child reaches 40 lb. They should also be placed ON TOP of your child's shoulders. 

Q: Are there restrictions on when each crotch buckle position should be used?

A: No. Use the crotch buckle position closest to your child without being under their body weight.

Q: At what level should the harness straps be for my child?

A: For an infant that is rear facing, the harness straps should be even with or just below the baby's shoulders. If the harness is above the baby's shoulders with the straps in the lowest position, do not use the car seat until the baby grows into it.

For a child that is forward-facing, the harness straps should be even with or just above their shoulders.

Q: Can I buy a Joie Baby car seat in the United States and use it in Canada?

A: No. Joie Baby car seats are currently only approved for use in the United States. It would be considered illegal to use a car seat that is not compliant with the Canadian Safety Standards for car seats.

Q: Can I buy a separate base?

A: No, saffron™ SI  does not detach. Therefore, you may not purchase a separate base.

Q: Can I disinfect my Joie car seat?

A: While you cannot apply chemical disinfectants to your Joie car seat, you can briefly set the car seat in the sunlight. Ultraviolet rays from the sun can kill germs and surface bacteria.  Be mindful, prolonged sun exposure can compromise material color and integrity.

Q: Can I install chili spin 360™ with a lap-only vehicle belt?

A: You can install chili spin 360™ with any type of seat belt. When installing rearward-facing with a lap-only belt, the seat must be in recline position 4. 

Q: Can I install my car seat next to a side curtain air bag?

A: There are typically no issues installing a car seat in a seating position that is next to a side curtain air bag, but please consult your vehicle owner’s manual before determining which seating position you want to use for your car seat. Your car seat manual should also be consulted prior to install for any noted air bag interference warnings.

Q: Can I install saffron™ SI with two other seats next to it, or two other passengers?

A: This will largely depend on your vehicle make and model, type of car seats in question, the type of vehicle seat belts in use, and the configuration of the seat cushion. The only way to know for sure is to install the car seat next to the adjacent car seats or passengers. 
When installing three car seats next to each other, please make sure the following conditions are met:

  • Each car seat must achieve a correct and tight installation.
  • The positions of the car seat on the vehicle seat are not changed by contact. Each car seat still aligns properly with respect to the seat belt or lower anchors that secure them and do not overlap the adjacent car seat.
  • If the vehicle seat is adjustable front-to-back, both portions of the vehicle seat must be adjusted to the same position.
  • Only one lower anchor connector is connected to a single lower anchor point.
  • There is no contact or force that would bend or deform any of the car seats.
  • The lower anchor belt or seat belt used to install each car seat does not rub on each other or crossover in a way that they interfere with each other.
Q: Can I install this car seat in the center seat of my vehicle?

A: Yes – you can install this seat in the center seat of your vehicle. Please check in your vehicle owner’s manual as to whether you have lower anchors for your center seating position. If there aren’t dedicated lower anchors for your center seat, install Saffron™ SI with the seatbelt.

Q: Can I install three car seats across my back seat?

A: This is highly dependent upon the type of vehicle you have and the type of car seats being used.  We recommend testing out your desired setup ahead of time.

When installing three car seats next to each other, please make sure the following conditions are met:

•    Each car seat must achieve a correct and tight installation.
•    The positions of the car seat on the vehicle seat are not changed by contact. Each car seat still aligns properly with respect to the seat belt or lower anchors that secure them and do not overlap the adjacent car seat.
•    If the vehicle seat is adjustable front-to-back, both portions of the vehicle seat must be adjusted to the same position.
•    Only one lower anchor connector is connected to a single lower anchor point.
•    There is no contact or force that would bend or deform any of the car seats.
•    The lower anchor belt or seat belt used to install each car seat does not rub on each other or crossover in a way that they interfere with each other.

Q: Can I install with both the lower anchors and the seat belt?

A: No. You cannot install saffron™ SI with the lower anchors and the seat belt simultaneously. Joie recommends installing Saffron™ SI with the lower anchors when rear-facing.

Q: Can I recline the vehicle seat to give my child more leg room?

A: Generally, no, the vehicle seat that the car seat is being installed on needs to be at an upright angle similar to what an adult would use. Many of our car seats come with the ability to recline the car seat itself.  Please consult your vehicle manual for specific direction.

Q: Can I still use my saffron™ SI car seat after an accident?

A: You may continue to use your Saffron after a minor accident.  A minor accident is defined as follows (all must apply):

  1. The vehicle was able to be driven away from the crash site.
  2. The vehicle door nearest the child restraint was NOT damaged.
  3. None of the passengers in the vehicle sustained any injuries in the crash.
  4. If the vehicle has air bags, the air bags did not deploy during the crash.
  5. There is no visible damage to the child restraint.
Q: Can I use a mat to protect my vehicle seat while using a car seat?

A: No, we cannot advise the use of a vehicle seat protector under your seat. 3rd party accessories have not been crashed tested with our car seats and can keep the seat from being installed correctly, thus, compromising crash performance. 

Q: Can I use cleaners on the plastic portions of my car seat?

A: When cleaning the plastic portions of your car seat, please use a damp cloth with a bit of ph.-neutral soap if needed.  The car seat should not be soaked, hosed out, or power washed.

Q: Can I use the basil™ booster seat on an airplane?

A: The basil™ is not certified for aircraft use. Airplane seats only have a lap belt and the basil™ must be used with a Lap/Shoulder Belt.

Q: Can I wear my savvy™ and savvy™ lite on an airplane?

A: FAA regulations ban the use of baby carriers during take-off and landing. Wearing a baby carrier is not a replacement for an FAA approved and installed car seat while on an airplane.

Q: Can mint latch™ be installed in my car if I do not have lower anchors?

A: If your vehicle does not have lower anchors, or the lower anchors are difficult to reach (even with the included LATCH guides), you may use the vehicle seat belt (lap & shoulder, or lap belt) to install your car seat. Be sure to lock your vehicle seat belt to maintain installation. If your seat belt does not lock, contact joie customer service for a locking clip. 

Q: Can mint latch™ be used with a base?

A: Currently, mint latch™ does not have a matching base, but installs with mint latch™ are so easy, you do not need one! Rotate the integrated LATCH connectors to the appropriate angle (so the level line is even with the ground), line up the connectors with your vehicle's anchor points, and click in! Both indicators will turn green when they're properly connected. You can also use the vehicle belt to easily install the car seat. 

Q: Can my baby wear winter coats in the car seat?

A: No. Wearing bulky clothing can prevent a proper harness fit. A large “puffy” coat or clothing can compress in a crash introducing slack into the harnesses which need to stay tight on the child. You should not put your child in any car seat wearing bulky clothing or jackets. Instead, remove any bulky clothing and cover your child with a blanket or jacket after securing your child in the seat. We do not recommend using any products or accessories that are not approved by JOIE. To determine if the harnesses are tight enough, the caregiver should use the “pinch” test. If you can pinch the harness between your fingers at the shoulders, then tighten till you cannot pinch any of the harness between your fingers.

Q: Can saffron™ SI be used without the cup holders?

A: No. The cup holders are a structural component of the car seat and must remain in place. If they are removed to be cleaned, they must be re-installed before the seat is used.

Q: Can saffron™ SI be reclined when installed?

A: Yes, saffron™ SI has 6 different recline options (3 rear-facing and 3 forward-facing). When installed rear-facing, please ensure that the blue level line is parallel with the ground. The seat cannot be recline when in highback or backless booster mode.

Q: Can the base of my car seat hang off the front edge of my vehicle seat?

A: Most Joie car seats will require that 80% of the car seat base (front to back) be on the vehicle seat.  The 80% applies to front-to-back space only, namely for vehicles with a narrow center seating position like some minivans.  

Q: Can the rue™ be used forward facing?

A: No. The rue™ is a rear-facing-only infant seat and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises parents to keep their children in rear-facing car seats until age 2, or until they reach the maximum height or weight for their seat. Rue is meant for children from 4 lb. up to 30 lb. and up to 30 inches.  Also check with your local authority for the car seat laws in your state.

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