2005 Acura RL Page 76

Place the child seat on the vehicle
seat, then attach the seat to the
lower anchors according to the
child seat maker’s instructions.
Some LATCH-compatible seats
have a rigid-type connector as
shown above.Other LATCH-compatible seats
have a f lexible-type connector as
shown above.
Whatever type you have, f ollow
the child seat maker’s instructions
f or adjusting or tightening the f it.
Af ter properly securing the child
seat with the lap/shoulder belt
(see page ), route the tether
strap over the head restraint.Attach the tether strap hook to the
tether anchor, then tighten the
strap as instructed by the child
seat maker.
Push and pull the child seat
f orward and f rom side to side to
verif y that it is secure.
4.
5.
6.7.
8.
47
Installing a Child Seat
46
RIGID TYPE FLEXIBLE TYPE TETHER STRAP HOOK
ANCHOR

A child seat with a tether can be
installed in any seating position in
the back seat, using one of the
anchorage points shown above.
Since a tether can provide additional
security to the lap/shoulder belt
installation, we recommend using a
tether whenever one is required or
available.Af ter properly securing the child
seat with the lap/shoulder belt
(see page ), pivot the head
restraint down (see page ) and
route the tether strap over the
head restraint.Lift the anchor cover, then attach
the tether strap hook to the
anchor, making sure the strap is
not twisted.
Tighten the strap according to the
seat maker’s instructions.
1. 2.
3.
47 120
Installing a Child Seat
Installing a Child Seat with a
TetherUsing t he T et her A nchor
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
49
COVER TETHER STRAP
HOOK
ANCHOR
ANCHOR
TETHER ANCHORAGE P
OINTS

To determine if a lap/shoulder belt
properly f its a child, have the child
put on the seat belt, then ask
yourself :Does the child sit all the way back
against the seat?
Do the child’s knees bend
comf ortably over the edge of the
seat?
When a child reaches the
recommended weight or height limit
for a forward-facing child seat, the
child should sit in a back seat on a
booster seat and wear a lap/shoulder
belt.
The f ollowing pages give
instructions on how to check proper
seat belt f it, what kind of booster
seat to use if one is needed, and
important precautions f or a child
who must sit in f ront.
1.
2. Checking Seat Belt Fit
Protecting L arger Children
50
Allowing a child age 12 or under
to sit in front can result in injury
or death if the passenger’s front
airbag inflates.
If a child must ride in front,
move the vehicle seat as far
back as possible, use a booster
seat if needed, have the child
sit up properly and wear the
seat belt properly.

Booster seats can be high-back or
low-back. Whichever style you select,
make sure the booster meets f ederal
saf ety standards (see page ) and
that you f ollow the booster seat
maker’s instructions.
If a child who uses a booster seat
must ride in f ront, move the vehicle
seat as far to the rear as possible,
and be sure the child is wearing the
seat belt properly.
A child may continue using a booster
seat until the tops of their ears are
even with the top of the vehicle’s or
booster’s seat-back. A child of this
height should be tall enough to use
the lap/shoulder belt without a
booster seat.
Some states also require children to
use a booster seat until they reach a
given age or weight (e.g., 6 years or
60 lbs). Be sure to check current
laws in the state or states where you
intend to drive.
Does the shoulder belt cross
between the child’s neck and arm?
Is the lap part of the belt as low as
possible, touching the child’s
thighs?
Will the child be able to stay
seated like this f or the whole trip?
If you answer yes to all these
questions, the child is ready to wear
the lap/shoulder belt correctly. If
you answer no to any question, the
child needs to ride on a booster seat. A child who has outgrown a f orward- f acing child seat should ride in a
back seat and use a booster seat
until the lap/shoulder belt f its them
properly without the booster.
3.
4.
5.
43
Using a Booster Seat
Protecting L arger Children
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
51

If you decide that a child can saf ely
ride up f ront, be sure to:Caref ully read the owner’s manual,
and make sure you understand all
seat belt instructions and all saf ety
inf ormation.
Move the vehicle seat to the rear-
most position.
Have the child sit up straight, back
against the seat, and feet on or
near the f loor.
Check that the child’s seat belt is
properly and securely positioned.
Supervise the child. Even mature
children sometimes need to be
reminded to f asten the seat belts
or sit properly.
Of course, children vary widely. And
while age may be one indicator of
when a child can saf ely ride in f ront,
there are other important f actors you
should consider.
If the passenger’s f ront airbag
inf lates in a moderate to severe
f rontal collision, the airbag can cause
serious injuries to a child who is
unrestrained, improperly restrained,
sitting too close to the airbag, or out
of position.
A side airbag also poses risks. If any
part of a larger child’s body is in the
path of a deploying side airbag, the
child could receive possibly serious
injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration and Transport
Canada recommend that all children
age 12 and under be properly
restrained in a back seat. Physically, a child must be large
enough f or the lap/shoulder belt to
properly f it (see page ). If the seat
belt does not f it properly, with or
without the child sitting on a booster
seat, the child should not sit in f ront.
To saf ely ride in f ront, a child must
be able to f ollow the rules, including
sitting properly, and wearing the seat
belt properly throughout a ride.50
Protecting L arger Children
Physical Size
Maturity
When Can a L arger Child Sit in
Front
52

The instrument panel has many
indicators to give you important
inf ormation about your vehicle. This indicator comes on when youturn the ignition switch to ON (II). It
reminds you and your passengers to
f asten your seat belts. A beeper also
sounds if you have not f astened your
seat belt.
If you turn the ignition switch to ON
(II) bef ore f astening your belt, the
beeper sounds and the indicator
f lashes. If you do not f asten your
seat belt bef ore the beeper stops, the
indicator stops f lashing but remains
on.
You will also see a ‘‘CHECK
EMISSION SYSTEM’’ message on
the multi-information display. For
more information, see page . The engine can be severely damaged
if this indicator f lashes or stays on
when the engine is running, or if a
‘‘CHECK ENGINE OIL LEVEL’’
message is on the multi-inf ormation
display. For more inf ormation, see
page .
If this indicator comes on when the
engine is running, the battery is not
being charged, and you will also see
a ‘‘CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-information
display. For more inf ormation, see
page .
If you continue driving without
f astening your seat belt, the beeper
sounds and the indicator f lashes
again at regular intervals, and you
will also see a ‘‘FASTEN SEAT
BELT’’ message on the multi-
inf ormation display (see page ). 348
348 349
77
Instrument Panel Indicators
Seat Belt Reminder
Indicator
L ow Oil Pressure
Indicator
Charging System
Indicator
Malf unction Indicator
Lamp
60

This indicator has two f unctions:Itcomesonwhenyouturnthe
ignition switch to ON (II). It is a
reminder to check the parking
brake. Driving with the parking
brake not f ully released can
damage the rear brakes, axles, and
tires.
If you drive without releasing the
parking brake, a chime will sound,
and you will also see a ‘‘RELEASE
PARKING BRAKE’’ message on
the multi-information display (see
page ).
If it stays on after you have fully
released the parking brake while
the engine is running, or if it
comes on while driving, it can
indicate a problem in the brake system. You will also see a
‘‘BRAKE FLUID LOW’’ or
‘‘CHECK BRAKE SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-inf ormation
display (see page ). For more
inf ormation, see page .
This indicator comes on brief ly when
you turn the ignition switch to ON
(II). If it comes on at any other time,
it indicates a potential problem with
your f ront airbags. This indicator will
also alert you to a potential problem
with your side airbags, passenger’s
side airbag automatic cutoff system,
automatic seat belt tensioners, or
side curtain airbags. You will also see
a ‘‘CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM’’
message on the multi-inf ormation
display (see page ). For more
inf ormation, see page . This indicator comes on when you
turn the ignition switch to ON (II). If
it comes on at any other time, it
indicates that the passenger’s side
airbag has automatically shut off.
You will also see a ‘‘PASSENGER
SIDE AIRBAG OFF’’ message on the
multi-inf ormation display (see page
). For more inf ormation, see
page .
1.
2. 76
350
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77
Instrument Panel Indicators
Parking Brake and Brake System
Indicator Side Airbag Of f Indicator
Supplemental Restraint
System Indicator
Inst rument s and Cont rols
61
U.S. Canada U.S. Canada

This indicator reminds you that the
exterior lights are on. It comes on
when the light switch is in either theor position. This indicator
will also come on when the light
switch is in AUTO and the lights
turn on automatically. If you turn the
ignition switch to ACCESSORY (I)
or LOCK (0) without turning of f the
light switch, this indicator will
remain on. A reminder chime will
also sound when you open the driver’s
door. This indicator comes on f or a f ew
seconds when you turn the ignition
switch to ON (II). It will then go of f
if you have a properly-coded remote.
If it is not a properly-coded remote,
the indicator will blink and the
engine will not start (see page ).
If you use the remote, this indicator
blinks several times when you turn
the ignition switch from
ACCESSORY (I) to LOCK (0).
If you use the built-in key, this
indicator blinks several times when
you turn the ignition switch f rom ON
(II) to ACCESSORY (I).This indicator normally comes on f or
a f ew seconds when you turn the
ignition switch to ON (II), and when
the ignition switch is turned to
START (III). If this indicator comes
on at any other time, there is a
problem in the ABS. If this happens,
take the vehicle to your dealer to
have it checked. With this indicator
on, your vehicle still has normal
braking ability but no anti-lock
f unction. You will also see a
‘‘CHECK ABS SYSTEM’’ message
on the multi-information display (see
page ). For more inf ormation, see
page .
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76
Instrument Panel Indicators
Lights On Indicator Immobilizer System
IndicatorAnti-lock Brake System
(A BS) Indicator
62