Page 38 of 384

1-26 Air Bag Off Switch
Your vehicle has a switch in the glove box that you can
use to turn off the passenger's air bag.
This switch should only be turned to AIR BAG OFF
if the person in the passenger's position is a member
of a passenger risk group identified by the national
government as follows:Infant. An infant (less than 1 year old) must ride in the
front seat because:
my vehicle has no rear seat;
my vehicle has a rear seat too small to accommodate
a rear
-facing infant seat; or
the infant has a medical condition which, according
to the infant's physician, makes it necessary for the
infant to ride in the front seat so that the driver can
constantly monitor the child's condition.
Child age 1 to 12. A child age 1 to 12 must ride in
the front seat because:
my vehicle has no rear seat;
although children ages 1 to 12 ride in the rear
seat(s) whenever possible, children ages 1 to 12
sometimes must ride in the front because no space
is available in the rear seat(s) of my vehicle; or
the child has a medical condition which, according
to the child's physician, makes it necessary for the
child to ride in the front seat so that the driver can
constantly monitor the child's condition.
Page 43 of 384

1-31
Q:What are the different types of add-on
child restraints?
A:Add-on child restraints, which are purchased
by the vehicle's owner, are available in four basic
types. Selection of a particular restraint should
take into consideration not only the child's weight,
height and age but also whether or not the restraint
will be compatible with the motor vehicle in which
it will be used.
For most basic types of child restraints, there are
many different models available. When purchasing
a child restraint, be sure it is designed to be used
in a motor vehicle. If it is, the restraint will have a
label saying that it meets federal motor vehicle
safety standards.
The restraint manufacturer's instructions that
come with the restraint state the weight and
height limitations for a particular child restraint.
In addition, there are many kinds of restraints
available for children with special needs.
CAUTION:
Newborn infants need complete support,
including support for the head and neck.
This is necessary because a newborn infant's
neck is weak and its head weighs so much
compared with the rest of its body. In a crash,
an infant in a rear
-facing seat settles into the
restraint, so the crash forces can be distributed
across the strongest part of an infant's body,
the back and shoulders. Infants always should
be secured in appropriate infant restraints.
Page 45 of 384
1-33
A rear-facing infant seat (B) provides restraint with
the seating surface against the back of the infant.
The harness system holds the infant in place and, in a
crash, acts to keep the infant positioned in the restraint.A forward-facing child seat (C-E) provides restraint for
the child's body with the harness and also sometimes
with surfaces such as T
-shaped or shelf-like shields.
Page 46 of 384

1-34
A booster seat (F-G) is a child restraint designed to
improve the fit of the vehicle's safety belt system.
Some booster seats have a shoulder belt positioner,
and some high
-back booster seats have a five-point
harness. A booster seat can also help a child to see out
the window.
Q:How do child restraints work?
A:A child restraint system is any device designed for
use in a motor vehicle to restrain, seat, or position
children. A built
-in child restraint system is a
permanent part of the motor vehicle. An add
-on
child restraint system is a portable one, which is
purchased by the vehicle's owner.
For many years, add
-on child restraints have used
the adult belt system in the vehicle. To help reduce
the chance of injury, the child also has to be
secured within the restraint. The vehicle's belt
system secures the add
-on child restraint in the
vehicle, and the add
-on child restraint's harness
system holds the child in place within the restraint.
One system, the three
-point harness, has straps
that come down over each of the infant's shoulders
and buckle together at the crotch. The five
-point
harness system has two shoulder straps, two hip
straps and a crotch strap. A shield may take the
place of hip straps. A T
-shaped shield has shoulder
straps that are attached to a flat pad which rests low
against the child's body. A shelf
- or armrest-type
shield has straps that are attached to a wide,
shelf
-like shield that swings up or to the side.
Page 47 of 384

1-35
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.
When securing an add
-on child restraint, refer to the
instructions that come with the restraint which may be
on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both, and to this
manual. The child restraint instructions are important, so
if they are not available, obtain a replacement copy from
the manufacturer.
The child restraint must be secured properly in the
passenger seat. If you want to secure a rear
-facing
child restraint in the passenger's seat, turn off the
passenger's air bag. See ªAir Bag Off Switchº and
ªSecuring a Child Restraint in the Passenger Seat
Positionº in the Index for more on this, including
important safety information.
CAUTION:
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the 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. Be sure to turn off the air
bag before using a rear
-facing child restraint in
the passenger seat position.
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.
Page 49 of 384
1-37
If your vehicle is a convertible or has a removable
roof panel, don't use a child restraint that requires a
top strap in your vehicle because the strap cannot be
anchored properly.
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.
If your vehicle is a Z06, an anchor bracket for a top
strap is located behind the passenger's seat in the
cargo area. Anchor the top strap to the bracket.
Page 50 of 384
1-38 Securing a Child Restraint in the
Passenger Seat Position
Your vehicle has a passenger air bag. There's an air bag
off switch in the glove box you can use to turn off
the passenger's air bag when you want to secure a
rear
-facing child restraint at the passenger's position.
See ªAir Bag Off Switchº in the Index for more on
this, including important safety information.
Unless the passenger's air bag has been turned off,
never put a rear
-facing child restraint in this vehicle.
Here's why:
Page 51 of 384

1-39
CAUTION:
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the 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. Do not use a
rear
-facing child restraint in this vehicle unless
the passenger's air bag has been turned off.
If a forward-facing child restraint is suitable
for your child, always move the passenger seat
as far back as it will go.
CAUTION:
If the air bag readiness light ever comes on when
you have turned off the air bag, it means that
something may be wrong with the air bag system.
The passenger's air bag could inflate even though
the switch is off. If this ever happens, don't let
anyone whom the national government has
identified as a member of a passenger air bag
risk group sit in the passenger's position
(for example, don't secure a rear
-facing child
restraint in your vehicle) until you have your
vehicle serviced. See ªAir Bag Off Switchº in
the Index.