2001 CHEVROLET ASTRO Owners Manual

1-52 Top Strap
Some child restraints have a top strap, or ªtop tether.º
It can help restrain the child restraint during a collision.
For it to work, a top strap must be properly anchored to
the vehicle.
If the child restraint does not have a top strap, one can be
obtained, in kit form, for many child restraints. Ask the child
restraint manufacturer whether or not a kit is available.
In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child
restraints have a top strap, and that the strap be
anchored. In the United States, some child restraints
also have a top strap. If your child restraint has a top
strap, it should be anchored.
If your vehicle is a cargo van, the anchoring point for a
top strap is located at the rear of the seat cushion on the
right front passenger's seat spacer bar. Anchor the top
strap through the two slots.
Cargo Van Models

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If your vehicle is a passenger van with rear seats, it is
recommended that you secure a child restraint with a top
strap only in the outboard positions of the second row.
Bucket Seats: An anchoring point is located below the
rear of the seat cushion on the spacer bar. Anchor the top
strap through the two slots on the bar.
Passenger Van Bucket SeatsBench Seats: An anchor bracket is located at the rear of
the seat cushion near the top rear of the seat leg for each
outboard seating position of the second row. For the
third row, an anchor bracket is located at the rear of the
seat cushion near the top rear of the seat leg for the
right
-hand outboard seating position.
If you have adjustable head restraints, raise the head
restraint and route the top strap under it.
Passenger Van Bench Seat (Second row)

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The third row has one anchor for the passenger side
outboard position only.
Anchor the top strap to one of these anchor points.
Be sure to use an anchor point located on the same side
of the vehicle as the seating position where the child
restraint will be placed. If you have an adjustable head
restraint, raise the head restraint and route the top strap
under it.
Once you have the top strap anchored, you'll be ready to
secure the child restraint itself. Tighten the top strap
when and as the child restraint manufacturer's
instructions say.Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Outside Seat Position
You'll be using the lap-shoulder belt. See the earlier
part about the top strap if the child restraint has one.
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.
1. Put the restraint on the seat.
2. 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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Tilt the latch plate to adjust the belt if needed. If the
shoulder belt goes in front of the child's face or neck,
put it behind the child restraint.3. 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.

1-56
4. To tighten the belt, pull up on the shoulder belt 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.
5. 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.

1-57 Securing a Child Restraint in a Center Seat
Position (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.
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.

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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.

1-59 Securing a Child Restraint in the Right
Front Seat Position
Your vehicle has a front passenger air bag. Never put a
rear
-facing child restraint in this seat. Here's why:
CAUTION:
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the front passenger's
air bag inflates. This is because the back of the
rear
-facing child restraint would be very close to
the inflating air bag. If your vehicle is a
passenger van, always secure a rear
-facing child
restraint in a rear seat.
If your vehicle is a cargo van, do not use a
rear
-facing child restraint in this vehicle. If a
forward
-facing child restraint is suitable for your
child, always move the passenger seat as far back
as it will go.
Although a rear seat is a safer place, you can secure a
forward
-facing child restraint in the right front seat.
You'll be using the lap
-shoulder belt. See the earlier
part about the top strap if the child restraint has one.
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.