When it comes to car seats, it’s important to have them fitted snugly so your child doesn’t get injured in a crash. However, over time the straps can become tight and difficult to loosen. If this is the case with your Graco car seat, read on for tips on how to loosen the straps.
Step 1: Get a seat belt cutter
Step 1: Get a seat belt cutter
If your car seats have hard-to-remove straps, you may need a seat belt cutter to free them. Seat belt cutters come in different shapes and sizes, so find the one that will fit the brackets on your car seat. Some cutters have a blade that slides along the strap, while others have a sharp edge that cuts through the strap.
Step 2: Loosen the straps
Start by loosening one side of the strap. Pull it away from the bracket until it’s loose enough to move. Then do the same thing on the other side. Be careful not to rip or damage the strap during this process.
Step 3: Cut through the strap
If your seat belt cutter has a blade, slide it along the strap and cut it through. If your cutter has an edge, use it to slice through the strap near where it connects to the bracket. Make sure you keep pressure on the blade or edge so that it doesn’t slip and accidentally cut yourself.
Step 2: Cut the straps
Cutting the straps on a Graco car seat can make it easier to remove and adjust the car seat. The straps are typically attached with Velcro, but sometimes they are sewn together. Use a pair of scissors to cut through the layer of fabric that attaches the strap to the car seat. Once you have cut through the strap, pull it away from the car seat. You may need to tug or pull on both straps at once in order to get them separated. If one strap is easier to remove than the other, use that one.
Step 3: Remove the clip
If you have tried all of the other steps and your strapped are still tight, then you may need to remove the strap using a tool. There are many different types of straps, but most likely you will need a Allen wrench or an adjustable wrench. You will also needpliers. The process of removing the strap is as follows:
1) Locate the bolt that attaches the strap to the car seat. This will be on one side or the other of the car seat depending on which side has the clip.
2) Loosen this bolt by turning it counterclockwise with your Allen wrench or adjustable wrench. Be careful not to overtighten it as this can cause damage to the strap.
3) Once the bolt is loose, pull on the strap to release it from the car seat. Be careful not to pinch your fingers between the strap and car seat!