Installing car seats with lower tethers (Minikid 4 Pro or Movekid) 

Installing Axkid’s car seats 

Installing your Axkid car seat correctly ensures maximum safety and stability for your child. Axkid’s car seats with lower tethers can be installed in either the back or front seat, each requiring slightly different installation methods. This guide provides step-by-step instructions to help you correctly attach your child’s car seat for maximum safety and comfort. To quickly access the relevant installation method, select your preferred option below: 

• Installation in the back seat: Learn how to correctly secure the lower tethers (LT) using vehicle attachment loops, seat rail wraps, or under-seat rail wraps for optimal stability. 

• Installation in the front seat: Understand how to use lower tethers (LT) and additional lower tether anchorage straps (LTAS) to secure your car seat safely with methods such as the front seat hinge, seat rail wrap, or under-seat rail wrap. 

If you have a Minikid 4 Max or Minikid 4, click here for the correct installation guide.    

What are lower tethers? 

Lower tethers, also referred to as LT, are used in the installation of child car seats to enhance the seat’s overall stability. This creates a fixed and safe position that ensure that the car seat remains securely in place. In the event of a sudden stop or crash, lower tethers are crucial for preventing excessive movement of the child’s car seat and reduce the forces exerted on your child’s head and neck. 

How to install lower tethers on Axkid car seats step-by-step.

Back seat installation

Installing Axkid’s car seats in the back seat: 

1. Vehicle’s lower tether anchorages (attachment loops) – method*:
   • Thread the lower tether strap through the pre-installed attachment loop at the base of the vehicle’s seat rail. 
   • Guide the metal clip through the slot on the end of the strap and pull the tether up towards the back of the car seat. 
   • Secure the metal clip to the tether connector on the back of the car seat and tighten the strap to ensure stability.
     
2. Hinge of the front seat – method*: 
   • Push the lower tether through the gap between the seat’s backrest and the seat cushion. 
   • Wrap the metal clip around the hinge of the front seat and extend it to the backseat. 
   • Thread the metal clip through the strap slot, pull the metal clip up towards the metal clip connectors on the back of the car seat, and attach it securely. Pull the loose end down to tighten it. The car seat installation is now complete. 
      
3. Seat rail wrap – method**: 
   • Wrap the lower tether between the vehicle’s seat rail and the floor. 
   • Thread the metal clip through the strap. 
   • Pull the metal clip up towards the metal clip connectors on the back of the car seat and fasten the metal clip securely. Tighten the strap by pulling the loose end of the strap down, removing any slack.
     
4. Under Seat rail wrap – method***: 
   • Wrap both ends of the lower tethers underneath the seat rail by pushing the strap around the seat rails connecting point of the floor. Make sure to position the strap beneath the seat rail and loop it around the bolt or screw that anchors the rail to the floor, avoiding wrapping it over the top of the rail.  
   • Thread the metal clip of the strap through the slot on the strap. 
   • Fasten the metal clip to the back of the car seat connectors. Tighten the lower tether by pulling it down, securing the car seat.  
     
       

Front seat installation

Installing Axkid’s car seats with lower tethers in the front seat: 

1. Vehicle’s lower tether anchorages LTA (attachment loops) – method*:  
   • LTA or attachment loops are either pre-installed on the seat rail from your car manufacturer or can be installed using our attachment loops. Read more with our attachment loops guide.  
   • Attach the lower tethers to the LTA by threading the straps through the loops at the base of the seat rail. 
   • If you choose to attach the lower tethers on the front attachment loops of the seat rail, simply attach the lower tether by guiding the metal clip through one of the slots in the strap and route it back up to the back of the car seat. Making sure it attaches securely.
   • If you choose to use the attachment loops on the back of the seat rail, you attach the lower tethers the same way by guiding the metal clip through one of the slots on the strap but then route the strap underneath the vehicle seat. Just make sure the lower tethers are long enough to reach the metal clip connectors on the back of the baby car seat and that the strap can be properly tightened to secure the car seat in place.  
      
2. Front seat hinge – method: 
   • Push the lower tethers through the gap between the seat’s backrest and the seat cushion. 
   • Wrap the strap around the hinge of the front seat. 
   • Thread the metal clip through the strap. Pull the lower tether and connect it to the back of the car seat. Pull the strap down to fasten the car seat. 
     
3. Seat rail wrap – method**: 
   • When using this method, make sure the lower tethers are long enough to reach the metal clip connectors on the back of the car seat and that you are able to tighten the strap to secure the car seat. If the lower tethers are too short you may use LTAS to make the installation secure. 
   • Wrap the lower tethers around the vehicle’s seat rail and the floor in the front. 
   • Thread the metal clip through the slot on the strap. 
   • Route the lower tethers up to the back of the car seat, fastening the metal clip to the meta clip connector. Pull down on the loose strap to securely fasten the car seat.  
     
4. Under seat rail wrap – method***:
   • Wrap both ends of the lower tether underneath the seat rail by pushing the strap around the seat rails connecting points of the floor. For this method the strap should not wrap around the top of the seat rail but underneath and around the bolt or screw connecting the seat rail to the floor.  
   • Thread the metal clip of the lower tether through the slot on the strap tightening it around the base of the seat rail. 
   • Guide the metal clip of the lower tether back up to the metal clip connectors on the back of the car seat and fasten it.  
   • Make sure the car seat is securely fastened by pulling the loose strap of the lower tether down which will tighten the car seat.   
     
     
     *Important Notice: Do not move the front seat backwards after installation, as this might loosen the lower tethers, compromising security. 
     **Important notice: Do not move the seat position after fastening the straps. This could damage the lower tethers. 
     ***Important Notice: Do not move the vehicle’s seat after installing the car seat with this method. Moving the vehicle’s seat changes the positioning of the lower tethers compromising secure installation.  
     

After installation: 
Once the LT or the LTAS are securely in place, gently push the car seat forward and sideways to check for excessive movement. If the seat shifts or moves too much, recheck the installation to ensure it is properly tightened and securely fastened. 

By understanding and properly using lower tethers or LTAS, you’re taking an important step towards ensuring your child’s safety while traveling. At Axkid, we are dedicated to making every ride safer and more secure for your family. 

For more information download the BILT app and search for the required car seat for a 3D guide of the different installations.