Page 19 of 328
yellowblue
1-13
For suspension-type seats (B), if the belt stops before
it reaches the buckle, tilt the latch plate and keep
pulling until you can buckle the belt. Pull up on the
latch plate to make sure it is secure. If the belt is
pulled out all the way so that it locks, press down on
the button on the retractor cover to make it retract.
If the belt isn't long enough, see ªSafety Belt
Extenderº at the end of this section.
Make sure the release button on the buckle is
positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the
safety belt quickly if you ever had to.
Suspension (B)
5. To make the lap part tight on suspension
-type
seats (B), pull down on the buckle end of the belt as
you pull up on the shoulder belt.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 30 of 328
yellowblue
1-24 Smaller Children and Babies
CAUTION:
Smaller children and babies should always be
restrained in a child or infant restraint. The
instructions for the restraint will say whether it is
the right type and size for your child. A very
young child's hip bones are so small that a
regular belt might not stay low on the hips, as it
should. Instead, the belt will likely be over the
child's abdomen. In a crash, the belt would apply
force right on the child's abdomen, which could
cause serious or fatal injuries. So, be sure that
any child small enough for one is always properly
restrained in a child or infant restraint.
Infants need complete support, including support for the
head and neck. This is necessary because an infant's
neck is weak and its head weighs so much compared
with the rest of its body. In a frontal crash, an infant in a
rear
-facing restraint settles into the restraint, so the crash
forces can be distributed across the strongest part of the
infant's body, the back and shoulders. A baby should be
secured in an appropriate infant restraint. This is so
important that many hospitals today won't release a
newborn infant to its parents unless there is an infant
restraint available for the baby's first trip in a
motor vehicle.
We know securing a child can present real problems in a
medium
-duty vehicle like yours. The only place where
you can properly secure a child restraint is the center
seating position, the place that has the lap belt only. But
your vehicle may not have a center seating position. Or,
even if you have one, you may find that the child
restraint keeps you from operating the shift lever or
other controls. The only answer may be to have the
smaller children make the trip in another vehicle, where
they can get the protection they need.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 31 of 328
yellowblue
1-25
CAUTION:
Never hold a baby in your arms while riding in a
vehicle. A baby doesn't weigh much
-- until a
crash. During a crash a baby will become so
heavy you can't hold it. For example, in a crash
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
at only 25 mph (40 km/h), a 12-lb. (5.5 kg) baby
will suddenly become a 240
-lb. (110 kg) force on
your arms. The baby would be almost impossible
to hold.
Secure the baby in an infant restraint.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 33 of 328
yellowblue
1-27
A rear-facing infant restraint (B) positions an infant
to face the rear of the vehicle. Rear
-facing infant
restraints are designed for infants of up to about
20 lbs. (9 kg) and about one year of age. This type
of restraint faces the rear so that the infant's head,
neck and body can have the support they need in a
frontal crash. Some infant seats come in two
parts
-- the base stays secured in the vehicle and
the seat part is removable.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 36 of 328
yellowblue
1-30
When choosing a child restraint, be sure the child
restraint is designed to be used in a vehicle. If it is, it
will have a label saying that it meets federal motor
vehicle safety standards.
Then follow the instructions for the restraint. You may
find these instructions on the restraint itself or in a
booklet, or both. These restraints use the belt system in
your vehicle, but the child also has to be secured within
the restraint to help reduce the chance of personal injury.
The instructions that come with the infant or child
restraint will show you how to do that. Both the owner's
manual and the child restraint instructions are important,
so if either one of these is not available, obtain a
replacement copy from the manufacturer.
The child restraint must be secured properly in the
center of a full bench seat or the center of a
two
-passenger bench seat, if it doesn't interfere with
shifting gears.
Keep in mind that an unsecured child restraint can move
around in a collision or sudden stop and injure people in
the vehicle. Be sure to properly secure any child
restraint in your vehicle
-- even when no child is in it.
Top Strap
If your child restraint has a top strap, it should be
anchored. If you need to have an anchor installed, your
dealer can obtain a kit with anchor hardware and
installation instructions specifically designed for this
vehicle. The dealer can then install the anchor for you.
This work will be done free of charge. Or you may
install the anchor yourself using the instructions
provided in the kit.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 37 of 328
yellowblue
1-31 Securing a Child Restraint in the Center
Seat Position (Full Bench Seat and
Two-Passenger Bench Seat)
You'll be using the lap belt. Be sure to follow the
instructions that came with the child restraint. Secure the
child in the child restraint when and as the instructions
say. But don't use this position if the child restraint
interferes with shifting gears.
See the earlier part about the top strap if the child
restraint has one.
1. Make the belt as long as possible by tilting the latch
plate and pulling it along the belt.
2. Put the restraint on the seat.
3. Run the vehicle's safety belt through or around the
restraint. The child restraint instructions will show
you how.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 38 of 328
yellowblue
1-32
4. 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.
5. To tighten the belt, pull its free end while you push
down on the child restraint. If you're using a
forward
-facing child restraint, you may find it
helpful to use your knee to push down on the child
restraint as you tighten the belt.
6. 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. It will be ready to work for an adult or larger
child passenger.
ProCarManuals.com
Page 148 of 328
yellowblue
4-24
Winter Driving
Here are some tips for winter driving:
Be sure the vehicle is in good shape for winter.
You may want to put winter emergency supplies in
your vehicle.Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a supply
of windshield washer fluid, a rag, some winter outer
clothing, a small shovel, a flashlight, a red cloth and
reflective warning triangles. And, if you will be driving
under severe conditions, include a small bag of sand, a
piece of old carpet or a couple of burlap bags to help
provide traction. Be sure you properly secure these
items in your vehicle.
Driving on Snow or Ice
Most of the time, those places where your tires meet the
road probably have good traction.
However, if there is snow or ice between your tires and
the road, you can have a very slippery situation. You'll
have a lot less traction or ªgripº and will need to be
very careful.
ProCarManuals.com
