What is an ISOFIX base?
Traveling with a baby is a big deal! Not only because yours is the pinnacle of your pride and joy, but because there’s so much prep that goes into coordinating a trip (no matter how long or short), that you might feel you’re worthy of adding “military precision” to your resumé.
There’s clothing, a backup change of clothing and perhaps a second backup of clothing for the first set of backup-clothing, nappies, wet wipes, towels, dummies, a bottle, a spare bottle, a third spare bottle, food in different containers, spoons for each of those foods in another container — all placed with the best intentions into a bag that’s the size of one that you would travel for weeks with (even though this is just for a few hours, max!)… and that’s all before you’ve even gotten into your car where peace of mind is that thing you simply shouldn’t compromise on — ever.
While safety is no laughing matter, there is almost a sense of comedy when you consider how far we’ve come with regards to all-things car-related — and there’s no exception when it comes to how travelling with a baby has progressed. Think of that device you’d get in a restaurant that allows your baby to be seated in a chair with brackets that attach to the side of your table, and you’re close to glimpsing what the baby’s version of a “car seat” meant and looked like in times gone by.
What is an ISOFIX?
ISOFIX is the international standard for attachment points for child safety seats in passenger cars.
When did ISOFIX become standard?
ISOFIX is the International Organization for Standardization standard ISO 13216, which specifies the anchoring system for Group 1 child safety seats and began its introduction to vehicles (in Europe) as early as 2002. Manufacturers of child restraints — or baby car seats — were challenged with getting their product to be effectively assimilated into as many vehicles in the marketplace as possible.
ISOFIX ensures:
- a permanent connection between our car seat and the car, where — in the case of a sudden brake incident — less force will impact on your little one
- quick installation and easy removal, which is particularly convenient for baby car seats, thanks to the ISOFIX base. Click & Go installation enables you to fit our baby car seat onto the base with a simple “click” and you are ready to “go”
- minimal risk of incorrect installation as indicators indicate a correct installation
What are ISOFIX points?
How to use ISOFIX?
This alternative to using seat belts to secure the child seat in place is a more effective, stable and safe way of enabling child seats to be quickly and safely secured by securing the seats with a single attachment at the top (top tether) and two attachments at the base of each side of the seat.
Not only has this changed the game for baby-safety but has been done so with the focus on simplifying the installation of child restraints (baby car seats).
The Importance & Benefits of ISOFIX
The benefits of ISOFIX underpin why this is an installation feature at manufacturer level, and while this doesn’t mean that ISOFIX can’t be retrofitted, remember that any ISOFIX brackets that need to be installed in a vehicle after purchase must be checked and approved with the vehicle manufacturer concerned.
Which car seats have ISOFIX?
If we were allowed to speak for every car manufacturer out there, you’d be guaranteed our supreme talking points for safety and innovation no matter what car you got into. Unfortunately (or fortunately if you’re a Suabru owner!), we can only speak for ourselves. You and your mini-me are guaranteed of all the safety features, precautions and groundbreaking tech with every Subaru model — ISOFIX included.
While you worry about what goes into that travel bag, we’ve got the safety covered!
If you would like to know more about any- and everything that a Subaru can do for you especially SUVs for Moms, call us on +27 11 608 0116 or email info@subaru.co.za and a skilled member of our team will be happy to assist you. Alternatively, use our store locator to find your nearest dealership, and of course if you’re looking to experience any of our six incredible models first-hand, get behind the steering wheel by booking your test drive today.
