PSA: Double check your child car seat, especially after service

[stonelance]

On July 3rd my wife had a dealer appointment for an oil change on her car, so I was loading my 3yo into the car seat in my Model 3 so we could drive my wife back home after dropping off the car, and something felt off as i was tightening the restraints. Luckily I investigated further and found the seat belt was completely loose and I could move the child seat multiple inches off the actual seat. At first i thought maybe some passenger in the back seat had accidentally undone the seat belt, but it was buckled in still. Also due to coronavirus I can't even remember the last time I had an adult back there. I also thought maybe something was wrong with the seat belt locking mechanism, but when i pulled the belt out all the way and tested it, it seemed to be working fine. I also noticed some other odd things: the seat protector i had under it was shifted to a position I would not have left it in, the top strap of the seat protector was also totally loose. Also, I had taken the car out the prior weekend and noticed the extra length of strap from the top tether was hanging down over the child seat, but at the time I had assumed it must have just fallen down, although normally I roll them up and tuck them behind the car set.

After all that I remembered I had taken the car in to get the FSD computer installed on June 23th. Obviously i don't know for certain it was the cause, but it seems the most likely. I don't know why they would have removed the child set in order to install the computer, but maybe this is expected? Has anyone else experienced this? I would have much preferred if they had to remove the child seat to just leave it laying in the back seat unconnected. I must have driven at least once with my daughter in that seat, incorrectly installed. I don't know if I should contact Tesla about this since i'm not 100% certain about the cause, and I already filled out the survey they send (everything else about the service was fantastic).

 

[nvx1977]

I've always taken the car seats completely out of the car while in service, just so there's no chance it hinders their ability to perform service. Usually I need to do it anyway so I can put it right into the loaner vehicle once I drop off the car.

 

[Madtinkerer]

As a Mercedes tech, if I have to touch a child seat to perform work, I remove it completely and place it in the trunk so there is no mistaking that it had been touched or moved.

 

[eCharcoal]

In 2 different instances, the Tesla service center told me that they are not allowed to remove or install child seats.

 

[MP3Mike]

After all that I remembered I had taken the car in to get the FSD computer installed on June 23th. Obviously i don't know for certain it was the cause, but it seems the most likely. I don't know why they would have removed the child set in order to install the computer, but maybe this is expected?

I believe that they have to remove the lower back seat cushion to disconnect the HV battery while they are replacing the computer.

 

[TT97]

I believe that they have to remove the lower back seat cushion to disconnect the HV battery while they are replacing the computer.

This. There are a lot of components located under the rear seat and they need to remove the seat to get to them. The first time I brought in my car, they had to remove the chld seat and placed it in the trunk. Odd that they would try to reinstall the seat.

I would recommend to everyone to remove any child seats before getting serviced.

 

[stonelance]

I believe that they have to remove the lower back seat cushion to disconnect the HV battery while they are replacing the computer.

Ok, good to know. I assumed they would only be up in the dash, but I didn't think about the battery disconnect. I really wish they would have just left the seat uninstalled...