can someone give me the idiots guide to buckle crunch...

[suzi2]

we're struggling to find a group 1 seat that will fit my mums Honda Jazz. halfords tried out a few today but declared them as buckle crunch. But then the guy tried a Britax Renaissance and said that even though the entire buckle was touching the plastic frame, it was OK. He said it was because it was flat and not being strained. Britax fitfinder confirm that it is OK in this model of car. I just wanted to be sure I fully understood why it was OK and others weren't. It's not my first choice of seat - would prefer something with better safety reviews but they didn't fit. And it's pretty expensive (in Halfords anyway!).

hmm I'd have said that if the buckle rests against the actual car seat frame that is buckle crunch ! Presumably you've tried the Maxi Cosi ones already.

Halfords will always check a car seat for you but it costs (£9.99 i think) if you didn't buy from them. Or if they stock it they will price match if it is cheaper somewhere else.
We just had to buy two new car seats over the weekend as we discovered our seats didn't fit our new Zafira. Then we discovered the were £20 quid cheaper each in toys-r-us so went ack to halfords with the receipt and got a refund for the difference

does this help?
Think its likely to cause buckle crunch if only part of the buckle is resting on the frame rather than it resting above the frame

Yep LIZS - tried the maxi cosi ones as they are my preference. My understanding of buckle crunch was much like yours, that anything pressing or leaning on the buckle could apply force to in and force it open. I've just spoken to Britax and she said it's allowed to touch the sides, it just isn't to be supporting the seat in any way. i didn't quite understand her though!

Debbie - your local Road Safety Officer will probably check them for free, ours certainly double checked my one for me when I wasn't confident that babies r us knew anything!. I've found it cheaper online so the price isn't much of a worry for my mum now.

Although i am usually very sceptical about buckle brunch, Halfords description was actually fairly accurate on this occasion! The buckle can touch the plastic, but is height an angle dependent. ) don't worry, i have been car seat trained myself). I just bought a maxi cosi Tobi and it is fantastic!! has top safety reviews and is a dream to fit. Today i managed to fit a First class si in a honda jazz ) the standard route a) but obviously it depends on the year etc. Good luck!

i couldnt get a seat to fit my zafira, and ended up with a britax first class si.

I might try the First Class out too then. I have the Tobi myself and love it, but it's a mess in my mums car.

definately try the first class si , it's sometimes a workable alternative with buckle xrunch, BUT your webbing has to be long enough to sit through the metal bar ( route b) without the buckle touching - it's never straight forward - lol!, hope it goes well

sorry guys, long day at work and screaming child!!, i didn't mean to type that i was sceptical about Buckle crunch (or brunch, lol) but that i was sceptical about halfords due to bad customer feedback! that'll teach me not to preview!

i use the first class in my car with the alternative routing.
i didnt realise halfords had poor customer feedback. the guy who attended me was great, couldnt have been more helpful.