Page 47 of 370
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 ve-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 at 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.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
nd these instructions on the restraint itself or in a
booklet, or both. These restraints use the belt system or
the LATCH 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.
1-41
Page 48 of 370
Where to Put the Restraint
Passenger Vans without an Airbag
Off Switch
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. We,
therefore, recommend 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. If your
vehicle has a front passenger airbag,neverput a
rear-facing child restraint in the front passenger seat.Here is why:
{CAUTION:
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the airbag in ates.
This is because the back of the rear-facing
child restraint would be very close to the
in ating airbag. If your vehicle has a right front
passenger’s airbag, always secure a
rear-facing child restraint in a rear seat.
If you need to secure a forward-facing child
restraint in the right front seat, always move
the front passenger seat as far back as it will
go. It is 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.
1-42
Page 49 of 370
Passenger Vans with an Airbag
Off Switch
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. We,
therefore, recommend 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. If you
need to secure a rear-facing child restraint in the
right front passenger’s seat, turn off the passenger’s
airbag. SeeAirbag Off Switch on page 1-66and
Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat
Position on page 1-55for more on this, including
important safety information.
{CAUTION:
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the airbag in ates.
This is because the back of the rear-facing
child restraint would be very close to the
in ating airbag. Be sure to turn off the airbag
before using a rear-facing child restraint in the
right front seat position.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Even though the airbag off switch is designed
to turn off the passenger’s frontal airbag, no
system is fail-safe, and no one can guarantee
that an airbag will not deploy under some
unusual circumstance, even though it is turned
off. We recommend that rear-facing child
restraints be transported in vehicles with a
rear seat that will accommodate a rear-facing
child restraint, whenever possible.
If you need to secure a forward-facing child
restraint in the right front seat, always move
the seat as far back as it will go. It is 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.
1-43
Page 50 of 370
Cargo Vans and Cab and Chassis
Models without an Airbag Off Switch
The child restraint must be secured properly in the right
front passenger seat. If your vehicle has a passenger
airbag,neveruse a rear-facing child restraint in this
vehicle Here is why:
{CAUTION:
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the passenger’s
airbag in ates. This is because the back of the
rear-facing child restraint would be very close
to the in ating airbag. Do not use a rear-facing
child restraint in this vehicle.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
If you need to secure a forward-facing child
restraint in the front passenger position,
always move the front passenger seat as far
back as it will go.
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.
1-44
Page 51 of 370
Cargo Vans and Cab and Chassis
Models with an Airbag Off Switch
The child restraint must be secured properly in the right
front passenger seat. If you need to secure a
rear-facing child restraint in the right front passenger’s
seat, turn off the passenger’s airbag. SeeAirbag
Off Switch on page 1-66andSecuring a Child Restraint
in the Right Front Seat Position on page 1-55for
more on this, including important safety information.
{CAUTION:
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the airbag in ates.
This is because the back of the rear-facing
child restraint would be very close to the
in ating airbag. Be sure to turn off the airbag
before using a rear-facing child restraint in the
right front seat position.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Even though the airbag off switch is designed
to turn off the passenger’s frontal airbag, no
system is fail-safe, and no one can guarantee
that an airbag will not deploy under some
unusual circumstance, even though it is turned
off. We recommend that rear-facing child
restraints be transported in vehicles with a
rear seat that will accommodate a rear-facing
child restraint, whenever possible.
If you need to secure a forward-facing child
restraint in the right front seat, always move
the seat as far back as it will go. It is better to
secure the child restraint in a rear seat.
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.
1-45
Page 52 of 370
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, do not 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 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.
1-46
Page 53 of 370
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.
{CAUTION:
Each top tether bracket is designed to anchor
only one child restraint. Attaching more than
one child restraint to a single bracket could
cause the anchor to come loose or even break
during a crash. A child or others could be
injured if this happens. To help prevent injury
to people and damage to your vehicle, attach
only one child restraint per bracket.
Once you have the top strap anchored, you will 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
Passenger Van
There are top strap anchors available for each seating
position in the second row and for the center seating
positions in the third and fourth row (if equipped
with three–passenger bench seats). The anchors are
located at the bottom rear of the seat cushion.
Do not secure a child restraint in the right front
passenger’s position, the outside seating positions
of the third and fourth rows (if equipped with
three–passenger bench seats), or in any four-passenger
rear bench seat, if a national or local law requires
that the top strap be anchored, or if the instructions that
come with the child restraint say that the top strap
must be anchored. There is no place to anchor the top
strap in these positions.
1-47
Page 55 of 370
Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers
for Children (LATCH System)
Your vehicle may have the LATCH system. If it does,
you will nd two sets of anchors in the second row
of seats in the outside seating positions, where
the seatback meets the seat cushion.
This system, designed to make installation of child
restraints easier, does not use the vehicle’s safety belts.
Instead, it uses vehicle anchors and child restraint
attachments to secure the restraints. Some restraints
also use another vehicle anchor to secure a top
tether strap.
A. Lower Anchorage
B. Lower Anchorage
C. Top Tether
1-49
