Car seats generally expire between 6 to 12 years after their manufacture date, with the most common useful life range being about 7 to 10 years. The exact expiration depends on the manufacturer and the specific car seat model. Reasons for expiration include deterioration of materials due to frequent use and temperature changes, evolving safety regulations and technology, and potential unseen damage from crashes. After expiration, the seat may no longer provide optimal safety. To find the expiration date of your car seat:
- Look for the "Date of Manufacture" (DOM) label on the seat.
- Check the car seat manual or the label for the seat’s useful life (e.g., 7 years for some plastic-reinforced seats or 10 years for steel-reinforced seats).
- Add the useful life to the DOM to calculate the expiration date.
Example: A seat manufactured on 3/15/2020 with a 10-year lifespan expires on 3/15/2030. It's unsafe to use car seats past their expiration dates or that have been in crashes. When expired, the seat should be disposed of to prevent reuse. In summary:
- Typical car seat expiration ranges from 6 to 10 years post-manufacture.
- Check the seat's labels and manual for exact info.
- Expiration is related to both material wear and safety standards updates.
- Do not use expired or crash-damaged seats.
