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Top Tether Anchor
A top tether (A, C) anchors the top of the child restraint
to the vehicle. A top tether anchor is built into the
vehicle. The top tether attachment (B) on the child
restraint connects to the top tether anchor in the vehicle
in order to reduce the forward movement and rotation
of the child restraint during driving or in a crash.Your child restraint may have a single tether (A) or a
dual tether (C). Either will have a single attachment (B)
to secure the top tether to the anchor.
Some top tether-equipped child restraints are designed
for use with or without the top tether being attached.
Others require the top tether always to be attached.
In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing
child restraints have a top tether, and that the tether be
attached. In the United States, some child restraints
also have a top tether. Be sure to read and follow the
instructions for your child restraint.
If the child restraint does not have a top tether, one
can be obtained, in kit form, for many child restraints.
Ask the child restraint manufacturer whether or not
a kit is available.
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For Regular models, see the information following for
installing a child restraint with a top tether in the
third row, if you vehicle has one. Never install two top
tethers using the same top tether anchor.
For models with a second row bench seat, the rear right
side passenger and center seating positions have
exposed metal anchors located in the crease between
the seatback and the seat cushion.
For models with second row bucket seats, both rear
seating positions have exposed metal anchors located
in the crease between the seatback and the seat
cushion.For Regular models, the top tether anchors are located
at the bottom rear of the seat cushion for each seating
position in the second row. Be sure to use an anchor
located on the same side of the vehicle as the seating
position where the child restraint will be placed.
Second Row Seat — Regular Models
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For Extended models with a bench or bucket second row
seating, the top tether anchors are located at the bottom
rear of the seat cushion for each seating position in the
second row. Be sure to use an anchor located on the
same side of the vehicle as the seating position where
the child restraint will be placed.For Regular models with third row seating, there is
one top tether anchor located at the bottom rear of the
seat cushion that can be used for either the center or
passenger side seating position in the third row,
but not for both. Never install two top tethers using
the same top tether anchor.
For Extended models with third row seating, the top
tether anchor is located at the bottom rear of the seat
cushion for the center seating position in the third row. Second Row Seat (Bucket Similar) — Extended
Models
Third Row Seat — Regular Models
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For Regular models, do not secure a child restraint in
the right front passenger’s position or the third row
driver’s side seating position if a national or local law
requires that the top tether be attached, or if the
instructions that come with the child restraint say that
the top tether must be attached. There is no place
to attach the top tether in this position.
For Extended models, do not secure a child restraint in
the right front passenger’s position or the third row
outboard seating positions if a national or locallaw requires that the top tether be attached, or if the
instructions that come with the child restraint say that the
top tether must be attached. There is no place to
attach the top tether in this position.
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. See
Where to Put the Restraint on page 1-60for additional
information.
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System
{CAUTION:
If a LATCH-type child restraint is not attached
to anchors, the restraint will not be able to
protect the child correctly. In a crash, the
child could be seriously injured or killed.
Make sure that a LATCH-type child restraint
is properly installed using the anchors, or
use the vehicle’s safety belts to secure the
restraint, following the instructions that came
with that restraint, and also the instructions in
this manual. Third Row Bench — Extended Models
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{CAUTION:
Each top tether anchor and lower anchor in the
vehicle is designed to hold only one child
restraint. Attaching more than one child
restraint to a single anchor could cause the
anchor or attachment 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 anchor.
1. Attach and tighten the lower attachments to the
lower anchors. If the child restraint does not have
lower attachments or the desired seating position
does not have lower anchors, secure the child
restraint with the top tether and the safety belts.
Refer to your child restraint manufacturer
instructions and the instructions in this manual.
1.1. Find the lower anchors for the desired
seating position.
1.2. Put the child restraint on the seat.
1.3. Attach and tighten the lower attachments on
the child restraint to the lower anchors.2. If the child restraint manufacturer recommends that
the top tether be attached, attach and tighten the
top tether to the top tether anchor, if equipped.
Refer to the child restraint instructions and
the following steps:
2.1. Find the top tether anchor.
2.2. Route, attach and tighten the top tether
according to your child restraint instructions
and the following instructions:
If the position you are
using does not have a
head restraint and you
are using a single tether,
route the tether over
the seatback.
If the position you are
using does not have a
head restraint and you
are using a dual tether,
route the tether over
the seatback.
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If the position you are
using has an adjustable
head restraint and you
are using a dual tether,
route the tether around
the head restraint.
If the position you are
using has an adjustable
head restraint and you
are using a single tether,
raise the head restraint
and route the tether under
the head restraint and
in between the head
restraint posts.
3. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.Securing a Child Restraint in a
Rear Outside Seat Position
If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH
system, seeLower Anchors and Tethers for Children
(LATCH) on page 1-61.
For the third row, if your vehicle has a bench seat,
there are no top tether anchors in the outboard seating
positions. If your vehicle has a 50/50 split bench
seat in the third row, there is no top tether anchor in
the driver-side seating position. Do not secure a
child restraint in these positions if a national or local
law requires that the top tether be anchored or if
the instructions that come with the child restraint say
that the top tether must be anchored.
If your child restraint does not have the LATCH system,
you will be using the lap-shoulder belt to secure the
child restraint in this position. 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 child 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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5. To tighten the belt, push down on the child restraint,
pull the shoulder portion of the belt to tighten the
lap portion of the belt and feed the shoulder
belt back into the retractor. If you are using a
forward-facing child restraint, you may nd it helpful
to use your knee to push down on the child
restraint as you tighten the belt.
6. If your child restraint manufacturer recommends
using a top tether, and the position that you are
using has a top tether anchor, attach and tighten the
top tether to the top tether anchor. Refer to the
instructions that came with the child restraint and to
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)
on page 1-61.7. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.
To remove the child restraint, if the top tether is attached
to the top tether anchor, disconnect it. 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.
Securing a Child Restraint in the
Center Rear Seat Position
Second Row
The center seat position in the second row has a
lap-shoulder belt which works the same way as the
safety belt in the rear outside seat positions. For
instructions on how to secure a child restraint using a
lap-shoulder belt see,Securing a Child Restraint in
a Rear Outside Seat Position on page 1-68.
Third Row
If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH
system, seeLower Anchors and Tethers for Children
(LATCH) on page 1-61.
The center seat position in the third row has a 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.
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1. Make the belt as long as possible by tilting the latch
plate and pulling it along the belt.
2. Put the child restraint on the seat.
3. Run the vehicle’s safety belt through or around the
restraint. The child restraint instructions will show
you how.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 are using a
forward-facing child restraint, you may nd it helpful
to use your knee to push down on the child
restraint as you tighten the belt.
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