Anybody who has sat in a car has probably seen a tag somewhere on the car seat with the words “ISOFIX” on it. You might have also seen ISOFIX being advertised as a feature in car advertisements, with them also selling ISOFIX child seats as accessories. So what is it?
ISOFIX
ISOFIX, which stands for International Standards Organization Fix, is the international standard for attaching child safety seats in cars, also known as ISO 13216. First appearing in 1999 and further amended in 2004, it is present in most modern day vehicles as a compulsory requirement. If you’re investing in a child car seat, make sure to look for one with ISOFIX certification to provide the best protection for your child.
Protecting your child
3 point car seat belts are a necessity for occupants’ safety. However, they aren’t very suitable for babies and small kids, and that’s why there exists child car seats. There are a total of 2 common ways to hold your child car seats in place, either with the existing car seat belts, or using the ISOFIX points on your car to secure them if available.
Vehicles with ISOFIX support will include a base with 2 anchors on your car seat to secure the child seat, which makes installing a child car seat relatively quick and simple. Although installation may vary from car to car, a simple google search with your vehicle model should assist you with any problems you may face during installation.
Other than the 2 points available on the base, it is also common for seats to include a top tether as an additional point to strap down your seat, and some car seats have a leg included to support themselves from the floor of your car, securing the child seats to provide supplemental protection for your child.
If you’re expanding your family and looking to upgrade to a car with ISOFIX support, don’t hesitate to visit www.ezauto.my to get the best value for your old vehicle!