2003 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE Owners Manual

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. 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.
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Child Restraint Systems
The body structure of a young child is ,,ite
unlike that of an adult or older child, for whom
the safety belts are designed.
A young child’s
hip bones are still
so small that the vehicle’s
regular safety belt may not remain low on the
hip bones, as
it should. Instead, it may settle
up around the child’s abdomen.
In a crash,
the belt would apply force
on a body area
that’s unprotected by any bony structure.
This alone could cause serious or fatal injuries. Young children always should be
secured in appropriate child restraints.
An infant car bed (A), a special bed made for use in a
to restrain or position a child on a contmuous flat
surface. Make sure that the infant’s head rests toward
the center of the vehicle.
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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.
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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.
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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,
harness.
A booster seat can also help a child to see out
the window.
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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 sirieici rnay iake ihe piace oi 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
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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.
Where to Put the Restraint
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat.
General Motors, therefore, recommends that child
restraints be secured in a rear seat, including an
infant riding in
a rear-facing infant seat, a child riding
in a forward-facing child seat and an older child
riding in a booster seat.
Never put a rear-facing child restraint in the front
passenger seat. Here’s why:
A child
in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the right 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. Always secure
a rear-facing child restraint in a rear seat.
You may secure a forward-facing child restraint
in the right front seat, but before you do, always
move the front passenger seat as far back as
it
will go. It’s better to secure the child restraint
in a rear seat.
Wherever you install it, be sure to secure the child
restraint properly.
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.
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Top Strap
Some child restraints have a top strap, or "top tether".
It can help restrain the child restraint during a collision.
For it to work, a top strap must be properly anchored to
the vehicle. Some top strap-equipped child restraints are
designed for use with or without the top strap being
anchored. Others require the top strap always to be
anchored. Be sure to read and follow the instructions
for
your child restraint. If yours requires that the top strap be
anchored, don't use the restraint unless it is anchored
properly.
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
I
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
top strap, it should be anchored.
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Don’t use a child restraint that requires a top strap in
the right front passenger’s position because there’s
no place to anchor the top strap.
Anchor the top strap to one
of the following 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, 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.
Top Strap Anchor Location
Second Row
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Third Row (50/50)
An anchor bar for a top strap is located at the rear of
the seat cushion for each second and third row outboard
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Third Row (Stowable Seat)
The anchor bar for the stowable bench seat is located
on the passenger's side of the crossbar. Use the center
convenience center
is in the vehicle, you must lift
the tray sill to use the anchor. See Convenience Center
on page
2-60 for more information.
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