1995 PONTIAC FIREBIRD Owners Manual

5. To tighten the belt, pull up on the shoulder belt while
you push down on the child restraint.
6. Push and pull the child restraint in different
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.
directions to be sure it is secure.
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position
Your vehicle has a right front passenger air bag. Never
put a rear-facing child restraint in this seat. Here’s why:
1-34
- ProCarManuals.com

You’ll be using the lap-shoulder belt. See the earlier part
about the top strap if the child restraint has one.
You’ll need a safety locking clip to properly secure a
child restraint in this position.
You can get a locking clip
where child restraints are sold, or from you Pontiac
dealer
(GM Part No. 94844571). The locking clip must
be the same as the one shown here.
Until you have this clip, secure a child restraint only in
the rear seat. See the earlier part about securing a child
restraint in the rear seat. Once you have the clip, follow
these instructions:
1. Because your vehicle has a right front passenger air
bag, always move the seat as far back as it will go
before securing a forward-facing child restraint. (See
“Seats’’ in the Index.)
2. Put the restraint on the seat. Follow the instructions
for the child restraint.
3.
4.
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.
If the shoulder belt goes in front of the child’s face or
neck, put it behind the child restraint.
5. Buckle the belt.
1-35
ProCarManuals.com

Make sure the release button is positioned so you
would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if
you ever had to.
through the locking clip.
6. Then thread both lap and shoulder belt portions
A. Lap Belt portion
B. Latch Plate
C. Buckle
D. Shoulder Belt portion
E. Locking Clip
7. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.
I
I
ProCarManuals.com

To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle’s
safety belt and remove the locking clip. Let the safety
belt go back all the way.
The safety belt will move freely again and be ready
to
work for an adult or larger child passenger.
Larger Children
Children who have outgrown child restraints should
wear the vehicle’s safety belts.
1-37
ProCarManuals.com

Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear seat. But they need to use the
safety belts properly.
Children who aren’t buckled up can be thrown out in
a crash.
a Children who aren’t buckled up can strike other
people who are.
@ 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.
ProCarManuals.com

Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of thekelt
should be worn low
and snug on the hips, just,:touching
the child’s thighs.
This applies belt force to the child’s
pelvic bones
in a crash.
1-39
ProCarManuals.com

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 other loose or damaged
restraint system parts.
If you see anything that might
keep a restraint system from doing its job, have it
repaired.
Torn or frayed belts may not protect you in a crash.
They can rip apart under impact foices. If a belt is torn
or frayed, get a new one right away.
Replacing Seat and Restraint System
Parts 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.
1-40
ProCarManuals.com

Section 2 Features & Controls
I
2-1
ProCarManuals.com