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Car seat terms
Parts of the Car Seat - More Information
Here is a list of some of the different parts of a car seat and the purpose of each part. Not all parts of a car seat are listed here. Check in your car seat instruction booklet for a full list.
Car seat shell: It is the plastic or metal frame of the car seat.
Harness straps: Harness straps keep a child in tightly in the rear facing and forward facing car seats. They act like a seat belt and stop a child from coming out of the car seat in a crash or sudden 
stop. They spread the force of a crash over the strongest parts of your child's body. Harness straps are made from fabric "webbing". The straps thread through harness slots on the car seat frame.
Harness slots: The harness straps thread through harness slots on the frame of a car seat. All car seats have at least one set of harness slots. As your child grows, you may need to re-thread them 
through harness slots that are higher up on the car seat. Check your car seat instruction booklet for how and when to re-thread the harness straps on your child's car seat.
Chest clip: A plastic chest clip is attached to the harness straps. It buckles up and should be positioned at armpit level when your child is buckled in the car seat. A chest clip helps keep the harness straps safely in place.
UAS connectors (also called LATCH): UAS stands for Universal Anchorage System. Car seats made after September 1, 2002 come with UAS connectors. The connectors are two metal clips that are attached to each of a strap made from fabric "webbing". The strap and connectors must be threaded through the right pathway on your child's car seat and then buckled into UAS anchors in your car. You can use the UAS connectors or the car's seat belt to hold your child's car seat in your car. Look in your car seat instruction booklet and your car owner's manual for more information about the UAS.
Tether strap: Forward facing car seats use a tether strap to help keep the car seat in place. A tether strap also helps keep the top of the seat and the child's head from moving too far forward in a crash or sudden stop. A tether strap is made from fabric "webbing". One end is attached to the top of your child's car seat. The other end has a hook on it so that it can be hooked to your car's tether anchor.
Locking clip: A locking clip is a metal "H shaped" bar that can be attached to the seat belt to keep the car's seat belt tight when installing a car seat. A locking clip comes with your car seat when you buy it. It is usually stored on the back of the car seat frame. You can also buy one in stores that sell car seats.
Check your car owner's manual to find out if you need to use a locking clip to install a car seat using the seat belt. Many seat belts are designed so that you do not need to use a locking clip.
Parts of the Booster Seat - More Information
Here is a list of some of the different parts of a booster seat and the purpose of each part. Not all parts of a car seat are listed here. Check in your booster seat instruction booklet for a full list.
Booster seat shell: It is the plastic or metal frame of the booster seat.
Shoulder strap slot guide: Some booster seats have a plastic slot guide for the shoulder strap of a seat belt to fit through. The shoulder belt of your car's seat belt can be threaded through a slot guide to help keep the shoulder strap off your child's face and neck when she is riding in the booster seat. Check your booster seat instruction booklet for how to use the slot guide with your child's booster seat.
UAS connectors (also called LATCH): UAS stands for Universal Anchorage System. Car seats made after September 1, 2002 come with UAS connectors. Right now, there is only one seat that uses UAS connectors to hold the booster seat into the car. The UAS connectors are connected to plastic bars on the booster seat. Look in your booster seat instruction booklet and your car owner's manual for more information about the UAS.
Parts of the Car - More Information
Here is a list of some of the different parts of a car that are important to keeping your child safe. Not all parts of a car are listed here. Check in your car owner's manual for a more information on your car.
Seat Belt:
A seat belt protects a person who is wearing it by holding him in place in the car. In a crash, the seat belt keeps an adult or older child safe. Younger children, usually children under age 9, need a booster seat to take the seat belt fit properly.
There are two main types of seat belts: the lap-only belt and the lap and shoulder belt.
Lap-only belt: A lap-only belt has just one strap. It goes across the hips and buckles up. A lap-only belt protects the lower body, but does not protect the upper body (the chest, neck, and head). Some cars have lap-only belts in the back seat. Sometimes the middle seat in the back seat of a car has a lap-only belt.
Lap and shoulder belt: A lap and shoulder belt has two straps. The lap belt goes across the hips and the shoulder strap goes across the chest. A lap and shoulder belt protects the upper and lower body. All cars have lap and shoulder belts in the front seats. Most cars have lap and shoulder belts in at least one of the seats in the back seat of the car.
UAS anchors: Cars made after September 1, 2002 come with UAS anchors (also known as LATCH). Look in your car owner's manual to see if you have UAS anchors in your car. They look like small metal bars and are attached to the car's seat. Your car owner's manual will also show where they are located in your car and how to use them safely with your child's car seat. If your car does not have UAS connectors, use the car's seat belt to install your child's car seat.
Tether anchor: Cars made after September 1, 2002 come with at least one tether anchor. Sometimes parents make the mistake of attaching a tether strap to places in the car that are not tether anchors (for example, cargo hooks, backs of other seats, door handles). Look in your car owner's manual to find the tether anchor in your car. If your car does not have a tether anchor, take it to a dealership to have one put. Do not try to install one yourself. The dealer will know the best place to install a tether strap.
Air bag: click for information on air bags
