Weight group
The weight of the child for which the car seat is designed.
In total, there are 5 main weight groups: 0 (0 – 10 kg; a rather rare option nowadays),
0+ (0 – 13 kg),
1 (9 – 18 kg), 2 (15 – 25 kg),
3 (22 – 36 kg). However, many car seats are produced that belong to several groups at once:
0 +/1 (0 – 18 kg),
1/2 (9 – 25 kg),
2/3 (15 – 36 kg),
0 + / 1/2 (0 – 25 kg) and even
1/2/3 (9 – 36 kg) and
0+/1/2/3 (0 – 36 kg). Such versatility affects the price, sometimes quite noticeably. On the other hand, a seat that matches several groups at once remains relevant for a child longer, and it usually costs less than two (or even more) separate products, each for a different weight category.
Note also that the weight group is directly related to age; refer to "Age range" for details.
ADAC test result
The results shown by the seat in crash tests according to the standards of ADAC — the General German Automobile Club, an authoritative European organization of motorists.
Car seats in such tests are evaluated in several categories, but in this point only one parameter is taken into account — the safety of the child, his/her protection in emergency situations. The results of such a test are indicated by the number of points; the fewer points in the end — the safer the product. It should be noted that the ADAC standards are much stricter than those by which the seat is evaluated during mandatory certification; tests are conducted with different directions of impacts (frontal and side), with dummies of different ages and so on. Therefore, the result of the ADAC test very reliably describes the real level of protection that the product provides in accidents.
According to this indicator, modern car seats can be divided into the following categories:
—
very good (< 1.5);
—
good (1.6 – 2.5);
—
satisfactory (2.6 – 3.5);
—
acceptable (3.6 – 4.5);
— unacceptable (more than 4.5).
The downside of a good value is usually a higher price; however, in an accident, that price may be a very small price to pay for the extra protection that can save your baby's life and health.
In c
...onclusion, it should be noted that ADAC test methods are constantly being improved and tests are conducted every year. Therefore, when choosing a seat and comparing it with its counterparts, you should also pay attention to the year of manufacture; as a rule, newer products with the same number of points give a higher actual level of protection than older ones.Age range
The age of the child for which the car seat is designed. Many models combine several age groups at once; such products, naturally, cost more, but remain relevant for the baby longer.
Note that this indicator is directly related to the weight group; Here are the main age ranges that are found nowadays, and the weight categories to which they correspond:
— 1 – 6 months (weight group 0); rare today.
—
1 – 12 months (weight group 0+); almost completely replaced the category "0".
—
8 – 48 months (weight group 1).
—
3 – 7 years (weight group 2).
—
6 – 12 years (weight group 3). Note that if only this weight category is indicated for the car seat, then it is a
booster: a lining without a backrest, which is placed on the standard car seat and allows the grown-up child to use "adult" seat belts. If the note "6 — 12 years" is combined with another weight category - then we have a full-fledged car seat with a backrest.
In conclusion, it is worth saying that this characteristic is not strictly defined: children of the same age may differ in development and build. So, when choosing a seat, first of all, weight should be taken into account, and then age; and if the seat corresponds to the child's height and build, there is nothing wrong with the age discrepancy.
Recommended height
Recommended values of the minimum and maximum height of the child (in centimeters), at which the car seat provides optimal safety and comfort. The parameter must be taken into account when choosing a child car seat along with the age and weight groups, because children of the same age can have different heights and weights.
Additional side protection
The car seat has structural elements that further protect the child from side impacts. At least such elements include sidewalls for head protection made of impact-absorbing material such as polyurethane foam; torso protection may also be provided. If you are looking for a car seat with the maximum level of protection, you should choose from models with
additional side protection.
