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Lower Anchors and Tethers for
Children (LATCH)
The LATCH system holds a child restraint during
driving or in a crash. This system is designed
to make installation of a child restraint easier. The
LATCH system uses anchors in the vehicle and
attachments on the child restraint that are made for
use with the LATCH system.
Make sure that a LATCH-compatible 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.
When installing a child restraint with a top
tether, you must also use either the lower anchors
or the safety belts to properly secure the child
restraint. A child restraint must never be attached
using only the top tether and anchor.
In order to use the LATCH system in your vehicle,
you need a child restraint that has LATCH
attachments. The child restraint manufacturer will
provide you with instructions on how to use the
child restraint and its attachments. The following
explains how to attach a child restraint with these
attachments in your vehicle.Not all vehicle seating positions or child restraints
have lower anchors and attachments or top
tether anchors and attachments.Lower Anchors
Lower anchors (A) are metal bars built into the
vehicle. There are two lower anchors for each
LATCH seating position that will accommodate a
child restraint with lower attachments (B).
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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 child restraints with top tethers 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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To assist you in locating
the lower anchors, each
second row anchor
position has a label,
near the crease
between the seatback
and the seat cushion.
To assist you in locating
the top tether anchors,
the top tether anchor
symbol is located on the
trim cover or near the
anchor.The top tether anchors are located at the bottom
rear of the seatback for each seating position
in the second row. Open the trim cover to access
the anchors. 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 — Bucket Shown, Bench Similar
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The third row has one top tether anchor located at
the bottom rear of the center seatback. This
anchor should be used for the center seating
position only. Never install two top tethers using
the same top tether anchor.Do not secure a child restraint in the right front
passenger position or the third row outboard
seating positions, 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 these positions.
Accident statistics show that children are safer if
they are restrained in the rear rather than the front
seat. SeeWhere to Put the Restraint on page 59
for additional information.
Third Row Seat
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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.
{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.
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{CAUTION:
Children can be seriously injured or
strangled if a shoulder belt is wrapped
around their neck and the safety belt
continues to tighten. Secure any unused
safety belts behind the child restraint so
children cannot reach them. Pull the
shoulder belt all the way out of the
retractor to set the lock, if your vehicle
has one, after the child restraint has been
installed. Be sure to follow the
instructions of the child restraint
manufacturer.
Notice:Contact between the child restraint or
the LATCH attachment parts and the vehicle’s
safety belt assembly may cause damage to
these parts. Make sure when securing unused
safety belts behind the child restraint that
there is no contact between the child restraint
or the LATCH attachment parts and the
vehicle’s safety belt assembly.Folding an empty rear seat with the safety
belts secured may cause damage to the safety
belt or the seat. When removing the child
restraint, always remember to return the safety
belts to their normal, stowed position before
folding the rear seat.
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. Recline the seatback to the full reclined
position.
Make sure the second row bench
seatbacks are aligned at the same
angle before placing the child restraint
on the seat. Make sure the third
row bench seatbacks are both upright
before placing the child restraint on
the seat.
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1.3. Put the child restraint on the seat.
1.4. 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 the vehicle has one. Refer to the child
restraint instructions and the following steps:
2.1. Find the top tether anchor.
2.2. If the anchor is covered, ip open the
trim cover to expose the anchor.2.3. 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 rest/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 rest/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 a xed head
rest/restraint and
you are using a dual
tether, route the
tether around the head
rest/restraint.
If the position you are
using has a xed head
rest/restraint and
you are using a single
tether, route the
tether over the head
rest/restraint.
3. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Seat Position
If your child restraint has the LATCH system, see
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children
(LATCH) on page 61.
There are no top tether anchors in the third row
outboard seating positions. Do not secure a
child restraint in these positions if a national or
local law requires that a top tether be anchored or
if the instructions that come with the 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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