It can be quite complicated for new parents to work out how to use the different car seats on the market since there are so many different models and terminology involved with a car seat. Many parents wonder what ISOFIX is, what a car seat base is and if a Cybex car seat can be used without an ISOFIX base. We’re here to help you with everything you need to know about Cybex car seats, including how to install them without a base.
So the answer is yes; Cybex car seats can be used without the ISOFIX base by securing the seat to your vehicle using the seatbelt, or in some cases, the Cybex car seat may have built-in ISOFIX points without the need for a base. To find out more, keep reading, and it’ll all become crystal clear so you have the confidence to travel in a vehicle with your little bundle of joy.
What is ISOFIX?
ISOFIX is an international standardised car seat fitting system that reduces the risk of fitting a car seat incorrectly. It automatically locks your car seat or car seat base into the two ISOFIX points built within the seat of your vehicle. It makes installing a car seat quick and easy with a simple click-and-go.
Some car seats have ISOFIX points built into them, which means you don’t need an ISOFIX base to attach them to the ISOFIX points in your car. For car seats that don’t have this built-in, you will need to use a base if you want to attach your car seat to the ISOFIX points in your vehicle.
Does my car have ISOFIX?
ISOFIX points were first used in cars in 1997; by 2001, most cars had them, and by 2013 it was a legal requirement that all new cars were fitted with ISOFIX points. The chances are your car probably has ISOFIX points, but if you’re not sure, check the date of your car or look for the ISOFIX labels between the base and back of your car seats and have a feel around for them; they feel like two metal hooks hidden behind your seat.
Cybex car seats with an ISOFIX base
So, using an ISOFIX base is the best way to make sure your little treasure is a car seat that’s fitted, safe and sound. But you can still use the following Cybex car seats without a base by securing them to your car using the vehicle seat belt.
Cybex i-Size car seats, such as the Cybex Cloud Z2 i-Size car seat and Cybex Sirona Z2 i-Size car seat, can be used with an ISOFIX base to secure into any vehicle with ISOFIX points built in. The Cybex Base Z2 not only provides additional safety elements but it allows the Cybex Cloud Z2 to rotate to 180 degrees and the Cybex Sirona Z2 to rotate 360 degrees, making the transition from in and out of the car and from rear-facing to forward-facing much smoother and easier.
How to secure a Cybex car seat into a vehicle without a base
If your car doesn’t have ISOFIX points, or if you’re travelling in someone else’s car and don’t want to lug the base around, here are some simple steps to secure a Cybex i-Size car seat to a vehicle using the seat belt.
- Place the car seat on the seat of the vehicle, remembering to keep your baby rearward facing until at least 15 months old.
- Thread the car seat belt through the two seat belt slots around the middle of the car seat
- When pulling the car seat, make sure it doesn’t have any twists in it
- Put the seat belt into the buckle as you normally would
- Pull on the longer part of the seat belt tightly to create tension
- Take the long part of the seat belt around the back of the seat and thread it through the slot
- Pull the seat belt again to take out all the slack
- Always remember to pull out the side protection wing on your Cybex car seat on the side facing the door for extra protection.
Cybex car seats without an ISOFIX base
Car seats designed for older children, like the Cybex Solution Z i-Fix car seat and the Cybex Solution G i-Fix car seat, which are suitable for 4 to 12 years, are compatible with ISOFIX without the need for a base due to the built-in ISOFIX fixtures.
To conclude, it is always better to choose ISOFIX over a vehicle seat belt because it provides better protection, and you’re less likely to fit the car seat correctly. However, you can use Cybex car seats without a base using the vehicle seatbelt or the built-in ISOFIX fittings on car seats for older children.