Ask an expert

Hi Jack, I have just purchased a Toyota Avenis 2005 and am expecting a baby in a few weeks. I picked up my capsule car seat for baby yesterday and Plunket said the best place for the car seat is in the middle of back seat, however we have a arm rest that can come down. Is this still the best place? Also we have rear passenger airbags and wondered how these work with a capsule in the back? e.g. is best place obviously the middle so if the airbags were to activate in an accident the baby would be safe or is the capsule on the left side best to avoid arm rest? I dont think you can turn the backseat airbags off?
Thanks for your help
Natalie

Your Avensis will have curtain or side airbags in the back, which is the reason Plunket will be advising you to put the seat in the middle position. In the event of a side impact, the child seat will be further away from the point of impact or the airbags, in the event of airbag deployment.
However, if the seat will not be stable or properly secured in the middle, then it will need to be placed in one of the other rear seating positions. Obviously, many people carry more than one child in their car, so it is not always possible to use the middle position.
We'd agree with Plunket's advice to use the middle seating position if possible, however, common sense must prevail and if it's not possible, your child will still be safe strapped into an approved seat in one of the other rear seat positions.