Support

Convertible Car Seats FAQs

• What are the base overhang restrictions on the Britax Poplar & Poplar S convertible car seats?

  Ensuring that the Britax Poplar and Poplar S car seats are correctly installed is crucial for your child's safety. The black positioning runners on the bottom of the car seat's base must rest entirely flat on your vehicle's seat, however the space beyond the runners’ outside edges is permitted to overhang the vehicle seat edge. You are also permitted to have up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) of the base extending beyond the front edge of your vehicle's seat in either rear-facing or forward-facing modes, as illustrated in the user guide (see illustration on page 12). If the shape of your vehicle's seat prevents the base from making adequate contact, adjusting the car seat to a more upright recline angle may be necessary to help ensure proper installation.
  
  

  Remember: It is essential that the black base positioning runners on the bottom of the car seat's base not only sit flat on the vehicle's seat but also remain parallel to it. This configuration is crucial to help ensure the car seat performs as intended in the event of a collision.

• What is the difference between the Poplar and Poplar S Convertible Car Seats?

  Both Poplar & Poplar S Convertible Car Seats combine the patented ClickTight® Installation system with a 17" slim SpaceSaver™ design, helping to an ensure easy and secure fit in your vehicle. They both offer extended rear-facing fit up to 50 pounds and transition smoothly to forward-facing as your child grows. The ClickTight Technology simplifies installation with wider easy-to follow belt paths and an automatic tensioner. Both seats are designed for 3-across installation* and feature a reinforced frame, SafeCell® crumple zone, and V-shaped top tether for enhanced crash energy management. *Britax cannot guarantee 3-across installation fitment in all vehicles

  • Poplar: The Poplar Convertible Car Seat is machine washable & dryable cover (naturally flame-retardant fabrics), two removable dishwasher-safe cupholders, and lower infant insert (required for certain weight ranges).
  • Poplar S: The Poplar S Convertible Car Seat offers these additional features: a removeable head pad (optional), upper body support pillow, and ReboundReduce™ Stability Bar.
• What is the exterior width of the Britax Poplar & Poplar S Convertible Car Seats?

  At 17 inches wide, the Poplar & Poplar S Convertible Car Seats are designed to fit 3-across* without compromising on trusted Britax safety & premium comfort.

  *Britax cannot guarantee 3-across installation fitment in all vehicles.

• What is the length from front to back of the Britax Poplar & Poplar S Convertible Car Seats when reclined?

  The length from front to back of the Britax Poplar Convertible Car Seat when reclined on a flat surface, like the floor, is 28.5”. Please note this will vary depending on different variables in a vehicle, like the angle of the vehicle seat, and compression of the seatback (and contour thereof). This measurement will be very situationally specific.

• Is the infant insert required for use on the Poplar and Poplar S Convertible Car Seats?

  You MUST use the lower infant insert for children weighing 22 lbs. (10 kg) or less in a rear-facing position. Do not use it for children over 22 lbs. (10 kg) or in a forward-facing position.

• What is the purpose of the ReboundReduce™ Stability Bar and how is it used with these car seats?

  The ReboundReduce® Stability Bar was designed to be exclusively used in rear-facing mode with Britax Poplar and Poplar S Convertible Car Seats. This bar helps minimize motion in the event of a crash.

  • (US): The ReboundReduce™ Stability Bar is optional in the US but included in the box with the Poplar S as well as sold separately as an accessory.
• How can I help ensure a proper harness fit in the Poplar or Poplar S Convertible Car Seats for my child as they grow?

  Both car seats offer one-handed, quick-adjust headrest and harness system for the perfect fit as your child grows, eliminating the need for rethreading.

• How do I adjust the head restraint and harness positions?

  Follow these simple steps to adjust the Britax Poplar & Poplar S Convertible Car Seats head restraint and harness positions:

  
  1. Lift harness release button and pull both harness straps forward.

  
  2. Squeeze the harness height adjuster (on head rest), slide the harness into the desired position and release.

  
  3. Ensure head rest is locked into position before using.

• Can I adjust the recline angle of the Poplar or Poplar S Convertible Car Seat for a better fit?

  Yes, the Poplar and Poplar S Convertible Car Seat can be reclined in accordance with instructions and warnings.

• What if my vehicle seat doesn't allow enough contact for the Poplar or Poplar S Convertible Car Seat base?

  If the car seat base doesn't make proper contact due to the vehicle seat's design, you should adjust the recline angle of the car seat to a more upright position. This will help ensure that the base rests securely on the vehicle seat, which is essential for the proper performance of the car seat. It's equally important to remember that the car seat angle must be appropriate for your child's age, size, and the direction the car seat is facing. For rear-facing seats, a more reclined position is often necessary to support your child's head and neck, while forward-facing seats may require a more upright angle.

  If you're unable to achieve this contact, you should try a different, yet approved, seating position. If you are still unable to position the seat as instructed, feel free to contact customer service.
  

• Is the overhang allowance for the Poplar & Poplar S Convertible Car Seats the same for all vehicle seats?

  Yes, a maximum of 3 inches (7.5 cm) of the base can overhang the front edge of the vehicle seat for rear or forward-facing installations.

• What is the seated shoulder height range of the Britax Poplar & Poplar S Convertible Car Seats?

  The Poplar & Poplar S Convertible Car Seats feature a versatile design with 14 shoulder harness height options, ranging from 8 to 17 inches. It's important to note that when using the insert, the lowest harness position is designed to accommodate even small children comfortably. This helps ensure that the seat can be adjusted to fit a wide range of child sizes, providing a safe and snug fit right from infancy.

• What is the weight of the Britax Poplar & Poplar S Convertible Car Seats?

  The Britax Poplar is 27.2 pounds, and the Poplar S is 28 pounds.

• Does Britax require that the cup holders be used for safe travel?

  The Poplar & Poplar S Convertible Car Seat are equipped with removable dishwasher-safe cup holders for added convenience. It's important to note that when using the car seat, either the cup holder(s) or the cup holder cap(s), which are included, MUST always be used. This helps ensure proper functionality and safety while accommodating your child's needs for drinks or snacks during the journey.

• Can I buy replacement cup holders for my Britax Poplar & Poplar S Convertible Car Seat?

  Yes, the cup holder replacement parts will be for sale on us.britax.com or by contacting Customer Service. Visit: https://us.britax.com/support/contact-us.

• Can the vehicle seat belt retractor be locked / switched to automatic locking model when installing a Poplar car seat with ClickTight?

  After the seat belt installation is achieved in accordance with applicable instructions and warnings, the locking retractor can be switched to the automatic locking mode if desired. DO NOT pull on shoulder belt to get next click out of retractor.

  
  If you locked the retractor or switched it to automatic locking model during installation, Britax recommends you follow the below steps when uninstalling/removing the car seat from the vehicle:

  
  1. Hold the shoulder belt with one hand so that the retractor does not start taking up the seat belt webbing;

  
  2. Unbuckle the vehicle seat belt;

  
  3. Open ClickTight; and

  
  4. Remove the vehicle seat belt completely from the car seat belt path

  
  5. Release the vehicle shoulder belt.

• Can I use the lower anchors for heavier children?

  Do not use the lower anchors for a child weighing more than 35 lbs. (15.8 kg) in both rear-facing and forward-facing installations.

• When should I use the harness pads and when should I store them?

  You MUST use the harness pads with children weighing 22 - 50 lbs. (10 - 22.7 kg) in rear-facing mode and 22 - 65 lbs. (10 – 29.4 kg) in forward-facing positions. However, when installing a lap belt only (Type 1) in forward-facing mode, you MUST store the harness pads for children under 25 lbs. (11.3kg).

• Can I remove the harness pads on my Poplar Convertible Car Seat?

  No, do not attempt to permanently remove the harness pads.

• Which harness buckle slot should I use when installing the Poplar Convertible Car Seat?

  Use the buckle slot closest to your child but not underneath them when installing the Poplar Convertible Car Seat.

• Is the top tether required for use on the Britax Poplar & Poplar S Convertible Car Seats?

  Britax strongly recommends (in Canada it’s required) that the top tether be used when installing the child seat forward-facing. Using the tether will improve the stability of your Poplar Convertible Car Seat and reduce the risk of injury. Do not use the tether with rear-facing installations, and always refer to your vehicle owner’s manual for proper connection and weight limits.

• Where do I find the serial number on my Britax Poplar & Poplar S Convertible Car Seats?

  The serial label can be found on the lower-back of the seat shell.

  

• Do I need to use one or two lock-offs when installing my convertible seat with built-in lock-offs?

  Use one lock-off, closest to where the vehicle belt will be buckled.
  

• Can I use a pool noodle with my convertible?

  Yes. If the appropriate recline cannot be achieved in the fully reclined position, you can place a rolled towel or pool noodle in the vehicle seat bight. See user guide for more information.
  

• How should the Tether be stored when not in use or the excess when in use?

  When the Versa-Tether is being used to install the child seat in your vehicle, any excess webbing should be secured in the attached elastic strap. When the Versa-Tether is not being used to install the seat in your vehicle, it should be stored in the pouch or tether storage compartment on the back of the child seat. To avoid damage or injury, be sure that any excess webbing is contained within your vehicle at all times.

• When does a child outgrow or not appropriately fit in a Britax convertible car seat?

  Please refer to the user guide for your specific car seat and date of manufacture for more information.
  

• How do I adjust the harness on convertible car seats?

  Please visit this page for instructions on how to adjust your harness.
  

• Can I rear-face tether my Britax Convertible?

  Britax removed rear-face tethering as an option in 2015 to address vehicle compatibility concerns with airbag sensing systems. For previous Britax Convertible car seats that have rear-face tethering in the manuals, those seats have been tested and approved for rear-face tethering, but would require the approval by the automobile manufacturer to allow for Swedish tethering (where an anchor point is created with the tether connector strap under the front vehicle seat). The Australian rear-face tethering method (where the top tether is routed around each side of the convertible to the rear vehicle-designated tether anchor) is also no longer recommended due to the large variety of vehicle anchor locations which often make that method incompatible and inconvenient.

• What is a convertible car seat?

  A convertible car seat is a child seat that "converts" from rear facing for infants and small toddlers to forward facing for children. Britax convertible car seats can accommodate children weighing up to 65 pounds.

• Can crotch roll and receiving blankets be used for newborns in rear-facing Britax infant car seats and convertible car seats?

  

  If the positioning insert provided with the Britax car seat does not position the child as needed, it is acceptable to place a rolled receiving blanket on each side of the child for lateral support once the child is properly secured within the harness as instructed in the user guide. The rolled receiving blankets should not be placed between the child and the harness.
  
  

  It is not acceptable to use a crotch roll with any BRITAX car seat to position a child.