How to know if my car has an ISOFIX system

When we talk about safety on the road, and more about the safety of children and babies, all precautions are few. Traditionally, the seat of the smallest ones was adjusted to the back part of the vehicle making use of the safety belt. However, this system was not entirely safe and, in fact, in case of an accident it did not guarantee that the baby car seat was kept at its correct attachment point.

However, currently the so-called ISOFIX system has become popular, an alternative system that provides many more guarantees for the safety of children. If you are wondering how to know if my car has an ISOFIX system, read on and we'll tell you.

What is the ISOFIX system and how does it work?

The ISOFIX system is an ISO standard (ISO 13216), that is, it is an approved and standardized system that is identical in all vehicles in which it is installed. In particular, this approved system is intended for securing baby strollers, and can be found in the rear seats of vehicles.

The ISOFIX system is made up, in broad strokes, by a pair of metal anchors or rings that are incorporated as standard in the vehicle itself and that serve as attachment points for the car seat, which avoids having to use the seat belt of the passengers in the back seats. In addition to these two anchors that are located in the lower part of the backrest of the rear seats of the vehicle, the ISOFIX system also incorporates a third hitch that can be placed in two different places:

• or on the top and back of the seat
• or in the lower part directly in front of the seat, where the main anchors are located

In this way, the chair fits into the central anchors and is then placed with a third attachment point in one of these two points. In this way, it is ensured that the car seat does not move or move in the event of a collision or traffic accident.

It is, by far, the safest system in terms of driving with small children in the vehicle, so if your case is to have babies or small children in the family, it is best to opt for for a vehicle that has this fastening system, since it makes a big difference in terms of road safety for the little ones.

Which cars have ISOFIX system and from what year

One of the problems when it comes to knowing if the vehicles incorporate ISOFIX system or not is that, currently, the use of this system is optional . In 2017 the European regulation R129 was modified, which is in charge of guaranteeing the safety conditions of minors in vehicles. After the modification, the recommendation was incorporated that the vehicles, especially those of new manufacture, incorporated the ISOFIX system for the best support of the baby seats in the cars.

However, because it is a recommendation and not an obligation, you can not establish a standard on which cars and which do not. In this way, it is possible to find vehicles that do incorporate it as standard, others that do not and, in many cases, others that have the option of installing it as an extra in the choice of the characteristics of the car when it is carried out. the purchase.

How can I know if my car has an ISOFIX system?

The only way to know if a vehicle has incorporated the ISOFIX system is to consult it in the manual of the vehicle in question. In the manual should appear everything related to the kit of the car, which should also include everything related to safety systems, including also those relating to baby seats in the rear seats.

However, another of the easiest ways to know if the ISOFIX system is incorporated in a vehicle is, simply, looking for it . We must not forget that this system is based on a system of anchorages that is visible if the cushions of the rear seats are slightly separated, as well as the third anchoring on the upper rear part or on the lower front part of one of the seats of the rear part of the vehicle, generally, in located in the central seat.

Finally, this system is usually indicated by a type of logo or symbol that is usually located near the anchors of the system itself or, in other cases, in the upper parasol of the passenger seat or the dashboard of the vehicle.

Now that you know how to know if my car has an ISOFIX system, you may be interested in this other article about how to place the child seat in the car.