Graco 4Ever DLX All-in-1 Car Seat
Like the Fountain of Youth or the Holy Grail, a true “forever” car seat has been eluding desperate searchers for years. Yes, there already are seats that rear-face, forward-face, and turn into a booster, but they are often lacking in at least one function, and when that happens, what’s the point?
So when Graco launched the 4Ever DLX 4-in-1, which rear-faces, forward-faces, and turns into both a highback and a backless booster, it was easy to get excited but also easy to have reservations. Will it really do what it claims, and do it well?
Short answer is, yes! The Graco 4Ever DLX is a CarseatBlog Recommended Carseat.
4Ever DLX Specs:
- Rear-facing: 4-40 lbs. and child’s head must be 1″ from gray headrest adjuster handle
- Forward-facing (with harness): 20-65 lbs and 49″ or less
- Highback booster: 40-100 lbs. and 43-57″
- Backless booster: 40-120 lbs. and 43-57″
4Ever DLX Features:
- No-rethread harness with 10 position headrest
- Forward-facing lockoff for seatbelt installation
- Adjustable base with 6 recline positions (3 for rear-facing, 3 for forward-facing)
- Easy-to-read bubble level indicator
- Steel reinforced frame
- Energy-absorbing EPS foam
- Premium push-on lower LATCH anchor connector
- Dual integrated cup holders (simple assembly – cup holders are required so don’t lose them)
4Ever DLX Fashions: Fairmont, Joslyn, Zagg
4Ever DLX Measurements:
- Lowest harness height (with infant insert): 7″
- Highest harness height: 18″
- Tallest booster height: 18.75″
- Crotch buckle positions: 5″ and 7″
- Widest external seat width: 19.5″ (at cup holders)
Installation/Fit to Vehicle:
In general, the 4Ever DLX is easy-to-install which is always a good thing. It installed nicely both rear-facing and forward-facing modes in all the vehicles I tried it in, with seatbelt or with LATCH (use one system or the other to install, not both simultaneously). The 4Ever DLX has premium push-on LATCH connectors which are always appreciated because they are easy to attach and easy to detach from the lower LATCH anchor bars in the vehicle.
The belt paths are clearly labeled and color-coded both on the seat and in the manual (blue for rear-facing, orange for forward-facing, green for booster).
LATCH Weight Limit: 45 lbs. For forward-facing kids over the LATCH weight limit, install the 4Ever with seatbelt and tether.
Center LATCH Installation with Non-Standard LATCH Spacing: Graco does NOT allow a LATCH installation of the 4Ever DLX in center seating positions where you would have non-standard spacing due to borrowing lower anchors. You may only install with LATCH in the center position if your vehicle has dedicated LATCH anchors for the center.
Inflatable Seat Belts: Graco has determined that the 4Ever DLX CAN be installed with inflatable seat belts found in some Ford/Lincoln vehicles.
Here is a video explaining how to move the LATCH strap from rear-facing to forward-facing mode.
Rear-Facing: This seat lacks a lockoff for rear-facing installations with seatbelt so we recommend that you use the lower LATCH anchors to install the seat when it’s rear-facing. You can install rear-facing with the seatbelt if you have a compelling reason to do so but you MUST lock the seatbelt at the retractor if you are using seatbelt to install the 4Ever DLX.
The 4Ever DLX has a total of six recline positions but only 3 of them are for rear-facing. You’re allowed to use positions 1-3 but you need to make sure that the bubble level on the side of the seat shows an acceptable recline range.
Realistically, you will probably be able to use recline positions 1&2, or positions 2&3 to achieve an acceptable recline position as per the bubble indicator. It all depends on the slope of the vehicle seat cushion in your backseat. One of those positions will make the car seat more reclined, the other will make it a little bit more upright.
Newborns and babies under 6 months old should be more reclined but still within the acceptable range as per the angle indicator. Older babies and toddlers will usually prefer to ride rear-facing in a more upright position as long as it is still within the acceptable angle range of the indicator. By the time they are crawling, most babies prefer to be seated rear-facing in a more upright position because they want to sit up and see the world.
I was impressed by how well the seat fit in my 2014 Civic in its most reclined position #1. The front seat in the Civic isn’t all the way back, but it’s in exactly the same position I have it in for regular use, which is quite comfortable for my husband and me.
Adjusting the recline positions doesn’t make a big difference in the amount of space that the seat takes up front-to-back, however in positions 2 and 3 there is a little more room between the 4Ever and the front seat. This is how it looked in my Odyssey, in position 3. There was plenty of room there.
Forward-Facing: There is a red lockoff hiding under cover in the middle of the forward-facing beltpath for seatbelt installs when your child is forward-facing. In the video above, you can see the placement of this forward-facing lockoff because it’s the same as the lockoff on the 4Ever model used in the video.
If your forward-facing child weighs more than 45 lbs. you MUST install the 4Ever DLX with seatbelt + tether because your child is over the LATCH weight limit for this seat. If your forward-facing child weighs less than 45 lbs., then you have the option to install this seat with lower LATCH anchors + tether. Never use LATCH and seatbelt simultaneously to install. If you install with LATCH when forward-facing, you will need to remember to switch to a seatbelt + tether installation once your child reaches 45 lbs.
There are technically 3 positions for forward-facing, (4-6) but position #4, which is the most reclined of the three forward-facing positions, MUST be used for children who weigh less than 40 lbs. In position 4, the seat is quite reclined. This didn’t pose an installation problem in either car, although in a very small backseat there might not be enough room for a child’s legs in that most reclined forward-facing position.
Booster Mode: In highback booster mode, position 6 (the most upright position) is required. Graco also does not allow any overhang over the edge of the vehicle seat when the seat is being used as a booster seat, so that could be a problem with shallow vehicle seats. The good news, though, is that LATCH use is permitted in highback booster mode. (The LATCH connectors are incorporated into the back of the seat, so LATCH is not an option in backless booster mode when the back of the shell is removed.)
Fit to Child:
When a car seat is rated for use from 4 lbs, it’s important that it actually fit a smaller than average newborn. We used a Huggable Images preemie doll to check the fit with the infant insert, and it did work well, as long as you push the baby’s bum back so it sits on the “bump” created by the insert. This positioning placed the harness straps right at the doll’s shoulders level on our preemie doll. However, this created a large gap between the doll and the crotch strap, so a rolled washcloth might be needed to keep a smaller-than-average newborn from slumping in the seat.
The nicely contoured infant body insert must be used if the child’s shoulders are below the bottom slots without it. It may only be used rear-facing. There is also an infant head pillow, which also can only be used rear-facing, and only when you’re also using the body support. (The head support slides into a strap on the back of the body pillow, so it wouldn’t make much sense to try to use it separately anyway.)
I used the 4Ever rear-facing for my 2-year-old, who weighs 30 lbs. and wears size 2T shirts. He fit wonderfully, with plenty of room to grow.
Although my 37-lb., 43-inch, 5-year-old is forward-facing, I put her in rear-facing just to see how she fit. Not only did she have plenty of growing room left (the headrest was three clicks from the top), the seat left plenty of room behind the driver’s seat in my Odyssey.
I did use the seat forward-facing for her. It sits higher than the seats she normally uses, but she didn’t mind the climb. Because she’s under 40 lbs., we had to use the very reclined position 4. I thought it looked awkward, but she didn’t complain.
She still has plenty of room before she maxes out the 4Ever forward-facing by height, too. My finger is marking where the tallest harness position (18″) is in relation to her shoulder.
It’s important to note that when using the 4Ever as a highback booster, the belt guide doesn’t go much higher than the highest harness positions. That means that a child who outgrows the harness by height won’t have much more time before the highback booster is also outgrown by height. On the plus side, you saw how much room my average 5-year-old has left in the harness, and she’d have a bit more growing room in highback booster mode, too.
I tried her in booster mode although she doesn’t meet the minimum weight requirement of 40 lbs. to use the seat in booster mode yet. The booster was hard for her to buckle. I think part of that was because of the height of the base, but part of it is that she doesn’t ride in a booster yet and isn’t used to buckling herself. The shoulder belt fit well in both the Civic and the Odyssey. The lap belt fit was ok, but keep in mind that at 37 lbs. she’s not big enough yet to use this seat in booster mode.
Here’s a video demonstrating forward-facing and highback booster mode. In it, you’ll see that Darren’s son Jon had a very good fit in the highback booster:
The first thing I noticed about the 4Ever as a backless booster is that it’s BIG! It sits about two inches higher than the Graco TurboBooster, and it’s quite a bit wider, too.
I enlisted my 10-year-old for help. He’s right at the top limits of the seat at 57″ (though only 67 lbs). In the Odyssey, the booster made him so tall that he almost didn’t have enough headrest height to support his his, and the shoulder belt fit was poor – it wasn’t centered on his clavicle. In the Civic, though, the belt fit was fantastic. That’s proof that booster fit will vary by vehicle and seating position, so make sure you always try them out!
Ease of Use/Cover/Maintenance
All in all, the 4Ever is very easy to use. Because the seat is a 4-in-1, I was concerned there would be all sorts of complicated quirks, but it’s really quite intuitive to use.
Some things I especially loved:
- You don’t need to remove the harness to use the seat in booster mode. You do need to tuck it out of the way in a cubby in the shell, but that’s no big deal.
- The cover removes very easily. When I do car seat reviews, the part I dread most is having to remove the cover for our “naked” photos, because that’s often the most frustrating part. With the 4Ever, the cover comes off nicely in three parts, using some tabs and elastic loops/hooks. Getting it back on was just a tad bit more difficult because you have to remember where the elastic loops hook to. You can machine-wash the cover in cold water on the gentle cycle, then hang to dry.
The 4Ever converts to a backless booster easily. Disconnect the harness, pull back the cover, move the red tabs, and pull off the back. That’s it!
FAA-Approval/Lifespan/Crash Guidelines
4Ever DLX is FAA approved for airline use *with the harness*
4Ever DLX has a 10-year lifespan before expiration
4Ever DLX must be replaced after any crash
Graco 4Ever DLX Advantages:
- No-rethread harness with 10 positions
- Installs easily with LATCH or seatbelt
- Lockoff for forward-facing installation with seatbelt
- Relatively compact for rear-facing
- Fits small babies well
- Converts easily to highback and backless booster mode
- Easy-to-remove cover
- Harness doesn’t need to be removed for booster use
- Can use LATCH in highback booster mode
- Instruction manual is clear and well written
- 10-year lifespan before expiration
- Can accommodate basically all children who weigh less than 40 lbs. in the rear-facing position (it’s nearly impossible to outgrow RF by height)
Disadvantages:
(In fairness, these aren’t necessarily problems but I list them here to inform consumers of specific 4Ever issues)
- Forward-facing recline positions are dictated by the child’s weight (under/over 40 lbs.)
- Not very tall as a highback booster
- May be difficult for a child to buckle themselves when using the seat as a booster
Conclusion:
So, does the Graco 4Ever DLX do everything it claims to? Mostly, yes. Because of its height, it is one of the longest-lasting rear-facing seats on the market for tall kids who still weigh less than 40 lbs. Forward-facing, the tall max harness height combined with 65 lb. weight limit should easily get most kids to an appropriate age and size to transition to booster use.
Its shortcomings mostly occur in booster mode, but even those aren’t horrible. Although the booster isn’t much taller than the harness, it will still get most kids to an age and size where a backless is acceptable. As a backless, it’s chunkier than most other boosters, but it can get the job done.
Will the 4Ever last “forever”? Is it the only seat a family will ever need? That depends, but in general, I’m going to say yes. It will fit most newborns well, and will certainly move with a child through most rear-facing, forward-facing and booster seat needs. It also has a very generous 10-year lifespan although wear and tear from frequent usage will always take its toll. You might want to invest in a spare cover to replace the original after a few years.
It might not be the best choice for people who enjoy getting new car seats often (*coughcough*), but for parents who want to stick with one seat for a long time, the Graco 4Ever DLX could be an excellent option.
Currently, the Graco 4Ever DLX retails for $299.99 but can often be found on sale for less. It is relatively expensive upfront but represents a good value considering the 10 years before the seat expires.
Please visit Graco’s website for more information.
Thank you to Graco for providing a 4Ever for our review. No other compensation was provided and the opinions and comments are entirely those of CarseatBlog.
When I wash the car seat cover, can I use baby detergent? Or is the cover only able to be washed without detergent? I cannot find the answer to this anywhere! Please help me lol
Hi Kayla, baby detergent is fine. 🙂
Thanks for the great review! I’m having trouble deciding between the Britax Advocate and the Graco 4ever- do you like or dislike one more than the other for any reason? Thanks
Hi Jordana – both are great seats and you really can’t go wrong with either. However, each carseat has its advantages and disadvantages so make sure you know what they are in advance so you can weigh the pros and cons. If you’ve done that already and you still can’t decide between the two, the best advice is always to go someplace that sells both and try them out in person (buckle your child in them; ask to take the floor models out to the parking lot to try them in your car). Honestly, both are great products and you’ll probably be very happy with either of them but there is usually something that tips the scales one way or the other. Good luck!
Second carseat investment, re-occuring problem, brand new seat, we just upgraded, – they really need to make the straps longer than they are my baby’s only eight months and the straps are fully stretched out to the max limit not to mention he’s a boy, they could take that into consideration when they design the seat and make the strap locking device further out from the seat, my baby is by no means overweight, he is tall, reguardless they seriously give you very little strap room or locking/release room especially for a growing baby. Do they even test their products on actual babies, toddlers, small children if they did they would instantly see the many errors of the product! All that money invested in something he’ll outgrow in a month….!
Hi Melissa, something is wrong. The straps shouldn’t be “fully stretched out to the max limit” on a 8-month old. Make an appointment with a local CPS Tech who can help you troubleshoot the issue. You can find someone local by searching the database in the SafeKids system: http://cert.safekids.org/
Click on “Find a Tech” and then search by state and county to find techs in your area. If you’re not having any luck, post back and we will try to help.
I just bought this seat and I can not find a video anywhere that shows how to correctly instal the car seat with a seatbelt. We have an 08 Ford F-250 and there are no clips to be able to use the latch system much to my dismay and I don’t feel like it’s safe just putting the seat belt through the slot it goes in and clipping it in. There has to be a way to make it stay locked in that I’m just missing. I can’t get the sealt belt to lock and even if I do i have to fix this every time we start going in the car because the seat belt releases. How am I supposed to trust my seat is going to protect my child in a crash properly if I don’t have a way to keep the seatbelt snug?
DeAnn, your seat belts lock by pulling them out all the way slowly to the end, then letting them retract. You have switchable retractors, so when the belt starts to go back into the retractor, you’ll hear a clicking sound which notifies you that you’ve switched it into locked mode.
Make sure you have routed the seat belt through the correct belt path: rear-facing is under the legs, forward-facing is behind the back.
I’m wondering if you could help me in deciding which recline position (5 or 6) for my 4 year old in FF harness mode. I currently have it at 6, but not sure if that’s too upright? Is it OK to have a slight recline when a child is forward facing? I noticed though, if I do set it to 5, I would have to remove the vehicle’s headrest because the seat’s headrest is pushing against it. I have a 2014 Honda Odyssey. Thanks for your time.
How much does your child weigh? If your child is less than 40 pounds, you have to use position 4, which is quite reclined. (As long as the base is on the vehicle seat, it’s okay if most of the 4Ever’s back doesn’t make contact with the vehicle seat.) If your child is over 40 pounds, you can use position 4, 5, or 6, depending on what you prefer.
I’m looking into the Graco 4Ever with Safety Surround. do you think it’s worth it? or is it just a thing to earn extra money cos it’s only exclusive in babies r us
The Safety Surround feature is exclusive on some seats to BRU and Target. The headwings are certainly beefier and contain thicker EPS foam, so while we don’t have any absolute proof that they provide extra safety, they are an upgrade for sure.
Thank you for your review. It was extremely helpful. We just purchased this seat after my little and I were involved in a VERY minor accident but because he was in the carseat, it legally had to be replaced. Thankfully the trade in even at BRU was going on! I was going to get it at Costco but seraching online I only saw the evenflo for the $199 price so unless its a seat that is only available in the stores for that price, everyone else had it for the $299.99 and the “surround sound” one for $329
I just have one question– my little is 6 months, 26.5 inches long but a slender 15.7 lbs (born this way.) I’m trying to figure out if the extra seat insert/padding should be used throughout the rear facing stage or if I can take it out? I feel like my son is sitting on top of all the padding if I leave it in but the photo on the box for rear facing infant has the insert. I think he’d be okay with the bottom half but the head thing is really in the way. He has great head control and can pull himself up towards the seat back in his car seat if not buckled (which is only when i’ve set him down with the car off before buckling him in. )
anu thoughts/ideas/insights
Sara, the inserts can be removed at any time. The only caveat is that if you remove the bottom insert, the head insert must be removed as well (Graco doesn’t want the head insert to float there alone). Since you don’t want the head insert, it’s perfectly fine to remove it.
Hello! Thank you for such a thorough review! We are starting to potty train and I can’t seem to get the booster part of this car seat clean and odor free. I have taken off all of the washable pieces and wiped down the base the best I could with a clorox wipe and reclining it both ways to get into both sides. Do you have any suggestions for cleaning the booster portion? Thank you!
Hi, Thanks for your video on how to take the back off so you can use the backless booster seat. However, It would be GREAT if you could also do a video about how to put the back BACK ON. My daughter is in Germany and I had to take the car seat apart so I could mail it to her in two boxes since the original one was so large. She got the booster back onto the back but knows that if the straps are not correct, the car seat will be dangerous. So … even if you don’t have time to do a video … instructions on your blog would be great also!!
Thanks!!
I went into my local Babies-R-Us intending to buy the Chicco NextFit and walked out with the Graco 4Ever. I have some thoughts to add:
1. Cleaning!
Yes, the pads are easily removed, however, any fluids flow into the pivoting base, which is impossible to completely disassemble. After LO got car sick last winter on a trip back from Grandma’s house, I spent days poking q-tips into the base through every slot. It took 6 months for the smell to dissipate. To us, this completely negates the point of purchasing a single seat to use until our child is ready for the seat belt.
2. Hard to tighten the harness!
The review mentioned that the harness is difficult to tighten. I want to iterate here just what an impediment that is using the seat correctly, especially in winter weather in a cold-soaked car. This is purely the result of bad design. It is a huge blow to this seat’s ease of use. Pulling the harness from behind is an un-intuitive workaround that is difficult to get a grandparent or babysitter to fully grasp. Ease of use has a direct relationship to safety.
We still have the seat, but it has been relegated to “backup” seat status. Ironically, we bought a Cosco Scenera Next to be our backup and airplane travel seat, but we grew to like it so much, that it is now our primary seat. At 1/6th the cost of the 4Ever and made in the USA, we can afford to keep buying an appropriate, affordable seat for each of LO’s growth stages. I’ve now concluded that in opting for a 4Ever, I was chasing a false economy.
I must credit this blog for turning me on to the Scenera.
HELP!! I need a video to show where the elastic bands and hooks reattach after cleaning.
We have a Graco 4ever and drive a 2015 Chevy Traverse. The car seat will be installed with the LATCH system in a captains chair in the middle row. Our baby is 8.5 months old, weighs 22lbs and is 31inches long. The captains chairs are deep. The problem is our babys head slumps to his chest. Is there anyway to fix this? We have tried with and without the infant insert.
Sasha, when you look at the recline angle indicator on the side of the seat, is it closest to the newborn end? There’s quite a range of recline allowed, so you can adjust the recline until the bubble is further back by putting a tightly rolled towel under the base in the vehicle seat bight (crack).
Hello! Great review👍 I own this car seat and recently installed it in my 2014 Ford Fusion, rear facing (my daughter is 12 months, 20 lbs). I actually ended up taking it out and going back to my infant car seat because even in the number 3 recline, my daughter looked as though her head was slumping (is that a word?!) when she would fall asleep. It made me uncomfortable, with the position of her airway. My thought was that backseats tilt upwards too much or this seat and negate the recline position, pushing the seat forward more. I’m hoping to be able to use this seat eventually once my daughter weighs out of the other (30lbs). Any thoughts, advice? Have you heard of this problem with this seat before? Thanks 😁
I’m having the same problem!
3 is a very upright recline. 1 is the most reclined. In both vehicles I’ve installed this seat in, 2 is the best recline and puts the bubble right in the middle. You can take out the infant head pad and leave the body pillow (rear facing only) and this helps from pushing the head forward. I started using this seat when my girls were around 6-7 months, they’re now 20 months. At 12 months, when sleeping, head slouch isn’t as big of a concern, they have the strength and ability to move their head while sleeping.
I love that it has a 10 year lifespan with others are less.
Hi! You mention that “This seat lacks a built-in lockoff device.” Is the detachable metal buckle-looking thing, which the manual calls a locking clip, not a lockoff device? I’m referring to the thing described on this page of the manual.
http://www.manualslib.com/manual/1090119/Graco-4ever.html?term=installation&selected=6&page=105
Even if it is a locking device, it sure seems like it would be a pain to use and easy to lose. Does anyone have experience with using this?
Thanks!–
–SMSS
Hi, I own the Graco 4ever car seat and was wondering if you could provide forward facing installation instructions using the seat belt. I know how to do the latch installation but I don’t trust myself to do the seat belt installation. Is there an instructional video on your website by any chance?
Thanks in advance!
Mike
What’s the difference between the 4Ever and the pricier “safe surround” option I’ve seen at BRU?
Help. I can’t decide between the Britax Marathon G4 or Graco 4ever. Do you have a comparison for these two?
Hi Lola, the Britax G4 is a smaller carseat. The newer ClickTight models are more comparable in size to the Graco 4Ever. The 4Ever offers booster modes, so it will work longer for most kids than the Britax models. The ClickTight system is great for making easy installations.
We have a 2010 Dodge Ram Crew cab and a Graco Size4Me convertible seat that we still need rear facing. We are having a really hard time getting it to fit in our vehicle and still have passenger leg room and it seems that it won’t fit in the middle seat. Are we doing something wrong? Did we choose the wrong seat?
Oh btw it is a Ram 1500.
Hi Jamie, we’ve owned several Ram 1500 models over the years and I can tell you it’s a common problem in the quad cab models. The crew cab models have much more space for a rear-facing carseat but the quad cab models are terrible. All the Ram 1500 models with a backseat (old and new) have that indented center seat and it’s nearly impossible to find a convertible that will fit on that shallow center seat without hanging off the cushion too much (at least 80% of the footprint of the carseat must be on the seat; no more than 20% of the footprint may hang over). And the quad cab models have very little front-to-back space in the backseat so if you put a RF seat behind the front passenger seat it usually means moving the front seat up so far that even a short person is uncomfortable. I’m pretty sure the footprint of the Size4Me is too large to fit safely (at least 80%) on that center seating position but I don’t know that for sure and I don’t have a Size4Me that I can try in our 2012 Ram 1500 to test it out. Have you tried to install it RF in the center? If so, can you take a picture and email it to me at [email protected]?
I have a 2011 Ford Edge. I have a 3 year old LO in a Chicco Nextfit. We are pregnant with twins, and buying a new car isn’t an option right now. What other carseats could I use that would fit all 3 across in the backseat? Could I use 2 of the Graco Snugride?
My husband has a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500, and we use a Graco Headwise for the 3 year old LO, are there any options out there for his truck to fit 3 across? He has a short middle seat, so I don’t know how many options there are for that.
Any suggestions would be great!! Thank you in advance for your assistance!!
Julie
Hi Julie, congratulations on the twins! It’s been a while since I’ve been inside an Edge but if I remember correctly that middle seat is very narrow. I don’t think 3 across is going to be easy in that vehicle. It’s going to take some trial and error. Go to Babies R Us and ask them to let you take some floor models out to the vehicle. You’re just going to have to try a bunch of different combinations and hope you find something that works. As for the Ram, I am very familiar with that vehicle since we Ram 1500 owners too. I can give you specific advice but I need to know which 1500 model he owns. Is it the quad cab or crew cab?
Hi Kecia, I am wondering which car seat you would recommend for a newborn for a 2015 dodge ram 1500 quad cab.
Hi Brittney – are you looking for an infant carseat with base? Does someone frequently ride in the front passenger seat or will it be just the driver and the baby in the back on most rides?
I paid $300 for this thing and all it does is rattle. I have contacted the “consumercare” line. I was told I had to submit a video and a picture of the front and back of the seat. Really!!!??? Ok, so the consumer needs to prove the problem. It’s not like I’m trying to get a new seat on an old purchase, the purchase is recent. So I jump thru the Graco hoops only to learn they cannot open my video because the file is too large. Too bad for me….I’m told nothing will be acted upon until I get that video to them. Meanwhile my grandson is subjected to a constant, annoying rattle in his ear. Hope he doesn’t end up with hearing loss as Graco refuses to believe this Grandmother just trying to right. I’ve read reviews complaining of the same problem. Thumbs down.
I second the comment on the rattling. Seems worse when the seat is unoccupied.
Yep, I also have the rattling. It’s worse as you move the headrest higher (i.e. as your toddler grows)…very frustrating. I’ve taken to moving the whole carseat to the trunk when not in use…
Disadvantages:
-Made in China
Really?
Hi Todd,
I always prefer items made in the USA, Canada or Mexico if there is a choice. Fortunately, many carseats are still made in North America, especially convertible and combination models. I feel the supply chain and manufacturing process management is much better when manufacturing is local, especially for products involving safety like food or carseats. Also, by purchasing products made in North America, it supports domestic jobs and the economies of cities and companies located in countries that are fair trade parnters. Plus, the working conditions and environmental concerns of many manufacturing sites in the far east is always a concern to me.
Finally, many buyers from organizations and state agencies that have federal funding are required to purchase carseats made in the USA. We keep a list for this purpose- https://carseatblog.com/25477/country-of-origin-where-carseats-are-made/
Please note that the country of origin for a carseat does not affect our review, other than this type of notation. Also, if a carseat is certified for use in the USA or Canada, it meets the necessary safety standards regardless of where it was made.
hi! i need to know if the 4 ever car seat is compatible with the modes click connect stroller? thanxs
Hi, Nadia. This seat is designed to stay in the car, not to click into strollers. If you want a rear-facing-only infant seat (the kind that does snap into strollers), you can check our list of recommended seats for some ideas: https://carseatblog.com/carseatblogcoms-recommended-car-seats/
I currently have an infant seat but have purchased the 4ever. I’m not sure if I’m ready to give up the carrier feature on my infant seat yet. My child is 5 months. Any thoughts? I’m sure it’s personal preference but wanted some input. Thanks!
Hi, Kim. You’re right that it’s a matter of personal preference. As long as your child fits properly in the seats, either one is fine. If you live in a place that gets cold in winter, you might find that the infant seat will be more convenient for a few more months, but some people prefer the convertible seat. If you have a second car, you could try out the 4EVER in there while continuing to use the infant seat in your primary vehicle.
My question is does this convert for use in a stroller or would I need to buy a seperate car seat just for that
No, unfortunately this seat can’t be used in a stroller. If you’re interested in a rear-facing-only/infant seat that can snap into a stroller, you can check our list of recommended seats: https://carseatblog.com/carseatblogcoms-recommended-car-seats/