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7. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure
it is secure. If the child restraint
isn’t secure, turn the latch plate over and buckle
it
again. Then see if it is secure. If it isn’t, secure the
restraint
in a different place in the vehicle and
contact the child restraint maker for their advice
about how to attach the child restraint properly.
To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s
safety belt. It will be ready to work for an adult or larger
child passenger.
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat You’ll be using the lap-shoulder belt. See the earlier
section about the top strap if the child restraint has one.
1.
n
2.
3.
U
4.
Your vehicle has a right-front passenger’s air bag.
NEVER put a rear-facing child restraint in this seat.
Here’s why: Because
your vehicle has a right-front passenger’s
air bag, always move the seat as far back as it will go
before securing a front-facing child restraint.
Put the restraint on the seat. Follow the instructions
for the child restraint.
Secure the child
in the child restraint as the
instructions say.
Pick up
the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder
portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or
around the restraint. The child restraint instructions
will show you how.
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If the shoulder belt goes in front of the child's face or
neck, put
it behind the child restraint.
6. Pull the rest of the lap belt all the way out of the
retractor to set the lock.
5. Buckle the belt.
Make sure the release button is positioned
so you
would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if
you ever had to.
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7. To tighten the belt, feed the lap belt back into the
retractor while
you push down on the child restraint.
8. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure
it is secure.
To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s
safety belt and let
it go back all the way.
The safety belt will move freely again and be ready to
work for an adult or larger child passenger.
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Larger Children
Children who have outgrown child restraints should
wear the vehicle's safety belts.
If you have the choice, a child should sit next to a
window
so the child can wear a lap-shoulder belt and
get the additional restraint a shoulder belt can provide. Accident statistics show
that children are safer
if they
are restrained
in the rear seat. But they need to use the
safety
belts properly.
0 Children who aren't buckled up can be thrown out in
a crash.
0 Children who aren't buckled up can strike other
people
who are.
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&: What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder belt,
but the child is
so small that the shoulder belt is
very close to the child’s face or neck?
A: Move the child toward the center of the vehicle, but
be sure that the shoulder belt still
is on the child’s
shoulder,
so that in a crash the child’s upper body
would have the restraint that belts provide. If the
child is
so small that the shoulder belt is still very
close to the child’s face or neck, you might want to
place the child in the center seat position, the one
that has only a lap belt.
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Safety Belt Extender
If the vehicle’s safety belt will fasten around you, you
should use it.
But
if a safety belt isn’t long enough to fasten, your
dealer will order you an extender. It’s free. When you go
in to order it, take the heaviest coat you will wear, so the
extender will be long enough for you. The extender will
be just for you, and just for the seat in your vehicle that
you choose. Don’t
let someone else use it, and use it
only for the seat it is made to fit. To wear it, just attach it
to the regular safety belt.
Checking Your Restraint Systems
Now and then, make sure all your belts, buckles, latch
plates, retractors, anchorages and reminder systems are
working properly.
Look for any loose parts or damage.
If you see anything that might keep a restraint system
from doing its
job, have it repaired.
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Replacing Safety Belts After a Crash
If you've had a crash, do you need new belts?
After a very minor collision, nothing may be necessary.
But if the belts were stretched, as they would be
if worn
during a more severe crash, then
you need new belts.
If belts are cut or damaged, replace them. Collision
damage also may mean
you will need to have safety belt
or seat parts repaired or replaced. New parts and repairs
may be necessary even
if the belt wasn't being used at
the time
of the collision.
If your seat adjuster won't work after a crash, the special
part
of the safety belt that goes through the seat to the
adjuster may need to be replaced.
&.' What's wrong with this?
A: The belt is torn.
Torn or frayed belts may
not protect you in a crash.
They can rip apart under impact forces. If a belt
is torn
or frayed, get a new one right away.
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