I can't tell him "because the ladies on car-seat.org say so!") Last updated July 2019. Infant car seats have a service life of 6 years. A question we are asked frequently, and a good one! As opposed to being too cold, many babies struggle in the car because they are too warm. We are reusing my 2 year olds car seat. I have heard that many times (that car seats expire). And with very good reason too! But you have to see when they do it . Let’s start by talking about expiry dates. Babies should never be placed in a car seat wearing a jacket. All manufacturers of car and booster seats in Canada set an expiry date on their seats. I don't know how they can because all they do is make sure the regular car seats are in the correct position (and some offer SIP). Your child sits in the seat hundreds of times, plus the temperatures inside our cars vary greatly with the seasons (from cold to hot and back again). Step 1: Put the coat on your child, sit him or her in the car seat and fasten the harness. The date of manufacture is found on a sticker somewhere on the seat… Car seats are mostly made up of hard plastic, which can deteriorate over time. Do car seats expire? For specific details about your particular seat, please check your user guide. Yes. As to why do car seats expire—now that’s a slightly more complex answer. Follow these important steps to choose the right seat, install it correctly, and keep your child safe. I personally wouldn't risk it. Expiration dates make sense for things like milk, baby food, and other things you can find in the fridge, but since it's not something your child's ingesting, you may wonder why do car seats expire? Yes, car seats expire, all of them. Tighten the harness until you can no longer pinch any of the webbing with your thumb and forefinger. But not everyone is aware that they come with an expiration date. Why do car seats expire? Car seats and boosters provide protection for infants and children in a crash, yet car crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13. Why do car seats expire? Here is a quick guide on what you need to know…. There are a few reasons why your child’s car seat will expire. (Actually, I am looking for some actual research that says WHY a carseat can expire, because my husband doesn't believe me. It might seem like just a ploy by baby gear manufacturers to sell more car seats, but it actually makes sense when you think about it. We were given old car seats by my SIL and we did the trade in a Target. That's why it's so important to choose and use the right car seat correctly every time your child is in the car. Temperature can be a problem for babies when in car seats, but not in the way most parents expect. Think about it: Your car seat goes through a lot during its useful life. Walmart also offered a trade in program. How long a car seat is good for will depend on the make and model of your particular car seat. Can booster seats expire? Convertible car seats generally have a service life of 7 years. A car seat is one of the first purchases you will buy as a new parent. If you own a Britax car seat, here are some rough guidelines for when your car seat may expire. I’m going to answer some common questions parents have about used car seats and explain why purchasing used is not recommended when it comes to your child’s car seat. Britax Car Seats manufactured June 2010 or after. Why do car seats expire? The length of useful life varies and is most often a set amount of time from the date of manufacture. Car seats can be used safely only for a defined period of time, typically 7 to 10 years. I have been told they are good from 5-10 years though.