How to Install a Diono car seat rear-facing (LATCH + rear-facing tether)

This video applies to all Sunshine Kids & Diono Radian models, as well as all Diono Rainier, Pacifica, and Olympia (many models will have additional numbers and letters at the end - this video applies to all rear-facing Diono car seats).
To install these Diono car seats rear facing with LATCH the child must weigh less than 35 pounds.
If you are going to use the rear-facing tether, make sure to read your vehicle owner's manual very carefully to make sure that pressure under the front seat or against the back of the front seat will not interfere with the sensors for the front airbags.
#DionoCarSeatInstallationInstructions #DionoRadian #thecarseatlady
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[@mattakacas]

Diono needs to hire you to produce their instructional videos. After reading the paper instructions and watching Diono's videos I had no idea how to use the rear ether. Thank goodness I found this video. Great job!

[@thewanderingwitch88]

omg I feel so stupid. I just got the diono radian and the latch is a bit different than our britax and for the life of me i couldnt figure out what i was supposed to do with it! i was reading the instructions and they said something totally different, i was looking for some imaginary hole to feed it through cuz thats what the book said. thank you so much for making this video it's much easier to do than the instructions will have you believe.

[@thomasmiranda4418]

Thanks for filling the gap where the OEM didn’t... very much appreciated

[@midwesternmomma]

I just bought a new Diono for my 2 year old because his car seat got stuck in the base. I've tried taking it apart many times and couldn't so I felt it wasn't safe anymore. I wish the Diono came with better instructions because I spent so much time trying to figure out how to install it before I decided to just hit up KZbin. Thank you so much! My baby loves his new "big boy" car seat, though he's still rear facing 😂

[@Yeep_VR123]

I installed my Radian RXT today and this video has helped me realize I need to re-do it. Thanks!!!

[@dautolover]

Why doesn't diono mention the tether in their video? I was losing my mind as to why it wasn't secure. No wonder they disabled likes/dislikes in their videos (I'm sure everyone finds their video unclear). This video from carseatlady is the one to watch as it is the most complete and straightforward. Wish I would have paid attention to my wife and watched this video first before trying it with dionos video on KZbin.

[@donkanator]

This is the clearest instruction video of the whole internet!

[@williamroseannmacdonald132]

Thanks! This is a well made, very concise and easy to follow video

[@nicnac7777777]

You just saved me a coronary ma'am, you're a lifesaver!

[@mrincodi]

Thanks a lot! So well explained! You are awesome!

[@auditeves]

Thank you so much, that was a very clear and helpful video! Keep up the good work!

[@jl8013]

Thanks for the video. I was reading the review on amazon about this car seat takes up too much room when in rear-facing position. Now I know there is an adjuster I can buy with it

[@miggyz8975]

Thank you, this was very helpful!

[@e_i_e_i_bro]

These videos are a life saver (literally!). I was really daunted when I started reading my Diono Pacifica manual. This helped me so much.

[@spiffylike]

Thank you so much for this video!

[@eplurp]

That was perfect, exactly what I was looking for. Thank you.

[@danlabedois7362]

Excellent video. Diono's instructions are very vague. But this made the installation of the seat very easy.

[@marissastafford4389]

Thank you so much for posting this- i was almost in tears i was so frustrated trying to get the seat tight enough, this video saved mine and my husbands sanity!! THANK you.

[@johnesmart5934]

Saved me another headache. Thanks!

[@davidclawson9391]

Excellent video. Thank you

[@tracyparkesbuker7766]

Great descriptions and videos

[@patryan552]

Excellent video...thanks!

[@timchurch4377]

Saved me a call to support. Thank you!

[@Homeymoto]

this was so clutch good vid

[@choppog]

A thousand thank you's!

[@raymtlee]

Excellent video

[@furious_boye]

Thank you. Wish the manufacturer had been this clear and helpful.

[@danielcrystal3943]

Extremely helpful, thank you!

[@seangeekandfastfretpodcast]

So, so helpful. Thanks a bunch!

[@sthilla1]

Thank you!! This video was exactly what I needed. :)

[@katzav]

Listen lady I don't know who you are but right now you are my god!! Thank you so much, I feel such a doofus for not being able to figure out where the latches go with their instructions. Thank you!!

[@PatriciaGraceLiving]

Used this video today to help install my seat 💕 super easy and much better to follow than the guide that it came with! Thanks so much!

[@tomagirl83]

Best video for learning instaltion! Thank you for making it so clear on how to use and install the latch. This is really the only video I found that was so clear in explanation. Thank you!

[@dllacbain]

Great walkthrough on the tethering installation!

[@clefrinthompson7912]

Thank you,

[@Javajin]

Excellent explanation! You answered all my questions. This video makes installation look less intimidating :) Thank you very much

[@LaheyJ]

Thank u definitely helped

[@nho56]

Very helpful! Thanks so much :)

[@tinaottman589]

Perfect instruction....this is a huge help to a grandma!

[@jimmyp371]

I'm a computer geek and couldn't figure this out. Thanks for saving my life and my Sunday.

[@ericknudtson1956]

Thank you very much! Excellent video and very helpful!

[@picscrazy]

Very well done video, thank you for making this it helped a lot. Especially showing how to make an anchor for the tether!

[@jimbaker]

Thank you for the great explanation!

[@jasonfoss9492]

thanks for the help, especially the part with the tether. I'm putting 3x carseats in the back of my Honda Accord and used this vid for the middle seat install.

[@mpeters613]

Thank you for this video. We couldnt find the superlatch and it was driving us insane, thank god for this video.

[@colindante5164]

thankyou ))

[@jaimiegoofball]

this helped me so much, thank you so much for posting

[@tinatharpe7765]

Thanks for the video. I had no idea you could create a floor tether! Great video

[@IreneTurner]

This video was super helpful! Thanks!

[@froogiez]

thank you for making this!

[@carolpanossian7477]

this is great thanks- one problem -2011 Honda Odyssey cannot remove plastic from car seat track for rear facing teether....suggestions please :) your video was SUPER HELPFUL THANKS!!

[@thecarseatlady1]

You will not be able to tether rear-facing in your Odyssey.

[@6048796362]

Thank you car seat lady!!

[@HarveySandhu]

Great job once again

[@natashamclarty5224]

thank you for this! big help :D

[@garylai1923]

great video thanks! excited to install my Rainier now for my little girl

[@fondoo]

thank you so much for your video

[@Andrewfig1416]

Your instructions are leaps and bounds clearer than the manual, thank you greatly!

[@thecarseatlady1]

You are very welcome!

[@capturedbycaruso]

Thank you kindly for this, love your videos. my Diono Rainier did not come with the small rear tension strap/loop. I have contacted them but I have now read from other comments that it's still ok without the tie down when rear facing. Question: should we use the head cushion and body support for our 1 year old who is 17lbs? She just outgrew her Peg Perego infant car seat. Thx!

[@thecarseatlady1]

I typically do not use the head cushion for any baby, and would not use the body support on a 17 pound 1 year old.

[@jackiiegr]

Thanks so much for this video! We were not using the angle adjuster properly, and in Mexico there doesn't seem to be many places that use carseats, let alone know how to install them properly!

[@TRIGONE]

thanks you. helped so much

[@fromsage9988]

Are the tethers versus using the actual seat belt a personal preference or should one be used over another depending on something? If so, what does it depend on? I've been using the actual seat belt to secure the car seat rear facing. I only happened upon this today, so now I'm wondering if this is safer than using the seat belt. Nothing is tethered.

[@thecarseatlady1]

In our experience you are more likely to get a tight installation with a Diono car seat rear-facing when using LATCH, rather than the seat belt. We would suggest installing the seat as shown in the video whenever possible.

[@loucipher6839]

thank you for this helpful video, the instructions aren’t as easy or clear as you made it...

[@elisabethantos3973]

I have always put the angle adjuster down first, not once I have tightened the seat. Is that wrong?

[@thecarseatlady1]

Elisabeth Antos It isn't wrong, I just prefer to do it last.

[@bavarian11788]

Do you feel this set up is recliner enough for a newborn? Or would it be best to not use angle adjuster?

[@thecarseatlady1]

bavarian11788 The angle adjuster can ONLY be used when the child is able to sit upright unsupported... so therefore not before about 6 months of age.

[@christiankd6208]

Hola podría instalar esta silla a contramarcha (rear facing) de forma lateral pero sin isofix , utilizando el cinturon de dos puntos de mi asiento trasero?

[@thecarseatlady1]

It can be installed with a seat belt - but we find you are more likely to get a tight installation when using the lower anchor strap rather than the seat belt. However, if your vehicle does not have LATCH you must use the seat belt to install it. If you can not get a secure installation with the seat belt, you will need to try a different car seat.

[@lomolvr]

Question. You said I "can use the angle adjuster as soon as baby has enough head control to sit upright unsupported" but the two aren't mutually exclusive. My son has total of head control. He's very strong but can't yet sit up on his own. So is it that he has head control that's important or that he can sit upright independently that is important? If sitting on his own is the case I don't want to use the angle adjuster just yet if it's not safe.

[@thecarseatlady1]

Sitting upright unsupported is a marker for total head control. Babies who are unable to sit upright unsupported must be kept at the maximum recline allowed by their car seat in order to ensure that they can breathe properly.

[@jenniferdilts5507]

Do you have any tips specific to this car seat when installing it RFing with the seatbelt? I have two side-by-side, and unfortunately they only fit that way if I use the seat belt rather than the LATCH. I am eventually able to get one of them tight after ten minutes of grunting and superhuman strength. The one in the center never gets tight enough until I bring out the dreaded locking clip, and I feel like there has to be an easier way! Any tips would be appreciated. :)

[@thecarseatlady1]

+Jennifer Dilts The Diono seats are often very difficult to get a secure rear-facing installation - and we find that in a significant number of vehicles we can not achieve a secure rear-facing installation with the seat belt... which is why we have a LATCH video for this seat rear-facing as this is the installation method we recommend using for this seat whenever possible.

[@thecarseatlady1]

We find that the Diono seats will not install securely rear-facing with the seat belt in a significant number of vehicles. If you want to keep the child rear-facing longer, selecting a new seat that does install well with a seat belt - due to built in seat belt locking devices - like the Clek Foonf or Fllo would be a good option. Alternatively, the Graco Extend2Fit can be used rear-facing with LATCH up to 45 pounds (and up to 50 pounds with seat belt rear-facing). The harness straps will tighten much more easily on the child on the Clek than the Graco.

[@gregschatkowsky9701]

I wish I had known this before I bought the seat. I am not happy with the claims Diono makes about 3 across while being so difficult to install in most vehicles.

[@leeannfields6007]

How do I do the tether anchor? I dont think the one I bought comes with the stuff to do that? Does it need to be done because i don't see it in my manual either 🥴

[@thecarseatlady1]

What is the make and model of your car seat and are you located in the US or outside the US?

[@GamerNxUSN]

Is the rear facing tether needed? Diono does not show it for installation of the seat in latch mode.

[@thecarseatlady1]

GamerNxUSN It is not required, but Diono recommends using it whenever possible. See here for more info - thecarseatlady.com/rearfacingtether/

[@jackobelle]

You said that the adjustor should be closer to the driver's side door. If installing on the passenger side, should it be closer to the passenger side door? And thanks for all of your excellent videos!

[@thecarseatlady1]

jacko belle If installing on the passenger side, the adjuster should still be closer to the driver's side door.

[@jackobelle]

Thank you!

[@LauraContreras1987]

is there anything else to use instead of the angle adjuster?

[@thecarseatlady1]

+Laura Contreras No - the angle adjuster is the only approved method for sitting the Diono more upright while it is rear-facing.

[@aprilbroylesjones8494]

We bought the Diono Olympia and are having trouble installing it in our 2014 Subaru Forester. The seat bight is about two inches above where the back and the seat meet. Should we position the foot into the bight opening or into the seat crease where the back and the seat meet?

[@thecarseatlady1]

+April Broyles Jones The Diono seats do not like bumps at the bight as you have in your Subaru. Sometimes these bumps will prevent you from getting a secure installation of the Diono seat. I would try installing it both ways and see which way is tighter. If you put the foot into the bight (the higher crease) you will almost certainly need to use the Diono angle adjuster ($10 part sold separately) in order to have the Diono sit somewhat more upright otherwise the Diono will take up your entire back and front seat. A Clek Foonf will install VERY nicely in the center or side of the 2014 Forester...

[@aprilbroylesjones8494]

+The Car Seat Lady Thank you for your response! I know on your site you suggest center seat installation. The 2014 Forester manual recommends against center install with latch or the belt. Does that mean they didn't do crash testing with a center install? Any thoughts?

[@thecarseatlady1]

+April Broyles Jones Most vehicle manufacturers do not crash test car seats in their cars (shocking, I know). I believe Subaru put this stipulation in their manual because the center is narrow and may not accommodate all car seats (but honestly, this stipulation should appear in every vehicle manual for most seating positions - as not every car seat is compatible with every seating position). As long as you get the car seat securely installed in the center it is very safe. In The Car Seat Lady family we have 4 Subaru's... and have had Clek seats installed rear-facing in the center of all of them at one point in time.

[@crmiller1403]

Do you have to use the rear facing "foot"? It seems like if you didn't use that when putting the car rear facing, you could maybe avoid having to buy and use the little pad that goes underneath. Of course, assuming your child has neck control and can be sitting more upright while rear facing....

[@thecarseatlady1]

CR Miller Yes, you must use the rear-facing foot.

[@katelynns3131]

Do you have to use the seat belt through the path too or is this the complete installation?

[@thecarseatlady1]

+Katelynn Sovie This video shows the complete installation. If you are using the lower anchors with this seat you do NOT use the vehicle's seat belt. They are mutually exclusive on this and almost every other seat in the US.

[@charismiller4435]

Hello, we are having trouble with the tether aspect of our car seat!! We have A tether but it appears to be only meant for the forward facing option, and we don’t seem to see or have any other tether that can be used for our rear facing option! If anyone could help us figure this out that would be great!

[@thecarseatlady1]

Most car seats in the US do not use a tether while rear-facing. If you would like personalized help, book a virtual consultation with us here - thecarseatlady.com/services

[@rctl83]

Hi just wondering which car that is btw. I'm having trouble getting enough room in my BMW X1.

[@thecarseatlady1]

Ryan Li The X1 is likely one of the worst cars for car seats currently made - as the center is extremely narrow, on a hump, and the seat belt buckle is very long. The side seats are also poorly set up for car seats as they are very close to the front seat, and there is a bump located at the part of the seat cushion where the part your back rests on meets the part your bottom sits on - and this bump makes it difficult/impossible to get a secure installation with many car seats. You may want to try a Clek Fllo installed in the center seat (you may have to remove the anti-rebound bar to allow it to sit more upright and not take up room into the front seats).

[@Mcknz1201]

Question: I have noticed and read in the comments they you are installing in a Subaru. We have a 2010 Subaru Outback and would like to instal in the middle. Are we able to borrow the LATCH from the two window seats or do we have to just use the seatbelt? Thank you so much for this video its very helpful.

[@thecarseatlady1]

You can not steal the lower anchors from the side seats to install your car seat in the center. You will not get a secure installation with a rear-facing Radian in the center of your 2010 Subaru Outback with the seat belt - so I would recommend installing your Radian on the side with LATCH.

[@sarahliu4922]

@@thecarseatlady1 I know this video is old, but I hope you see this. We are attempting to install a Radian rear facing in the center on a 2021 Subaru Forester. Would you say that the same thing would apply to that car? I saw that you did examples with three across in a Forester, but none of the configurations had a Diono rear-facing in the center. Is this why?

[@OLHA767]

Thank you. Looks pretty straight forward. Is the tether strap included with Diono Rainier? Or it is to be purchased separately?

[@thecarseatlady1]

+OLHA767 All car seats in the US that can go forward-facing (a category which the Diono Rainier is in) come with tether straps.

[@Realshugarbaby]

Can this car seat be used with newborns?

[@thecarseatlady1]

It is approved for use for newborns, but we have found that newborns do not fit optimally in this seat and would recommend starting when the child is a larger infant.

[@IsaacMontaine]

@The Car Seat Lady Do I need to tether a rear facing car seat? Or does it make it safer.

[@thecarseatlady1]

Most car seats do NOT allow rear-facing tethering. So, first you need to see if your car seat allows it (currently only Diono, Peg Perego & Combi make car seats that allow for this) - and then your vehicle needs to have a suitable location for the rear-facing tether.

[@mattmidwood6371]

Is this installed into a Subaru Forester? If so what year? And is this the Diono rainier?

[@thecarseatlady1]

+Matt Midwood Its is a Diono Radian RXT in a 2014 Subaru Legacy

[@reillyposey3167]

+The Car Seat Lady I notice the boot is wedged a little higher than where the back meets the actual seat. IS that where the boot should go in a seat like that?

[@thecarseatlady1]

+Reilly Posey It should go wherever you are able to get the tightest installation. It usually prefers the actual seat crack, rather than the stitched seam.

[@josephseymour9626]

Completely wrong if you're Canadian. It`s illegal in Canada to use tether on rear facing car seats.Might want to tell Canadians that.