2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO Owners Manual

Some child restraints that have a top tether 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. 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.
Lower Anchor and Top Tether Anchor
Locations
i(Top Tether Anchor):
Seating positions with top
tether anchors.
Do not install a child restraint in the center front seat
position. SeeSecuring a Child Restraint in the Center
Front Seat Position on page 1-61for more information.
Regular
Cab — Two-Passenger
Front Seat
Regular
Cab — Three-Passenger
Front Seat
1-51

i(Top Tether Anchor):
Seating positions with top
tether anchors.
j(Lower Anchor): Seating
positions with two lower
anchors.
For crew and extended cab models, the rear outboard
seating positions have exposed metal lower anchors
located in the crease between the seatback and the seat
cushion.For regular cab models,
there is an anchor symbol
on the covers to assist
you in locating the
top tether anchors.
Crew and Extended Cab
Rear Seat
1-52

Do not install a child restraint in the center seat position.
SeeSecuring a Child Restraint in the Center Front
Seat Position on page 1-61for more information.
For regular cab models, the top tether anchors are
located under covers on the back panel behind
the passenger seat. Remove the trim plug to access the
anchor. 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 crew and extended cab models, the top tether
anchors are the loops located near the top of the
seatback for each rear seating position. These loops will
be used to route the top tether through, as well as, to
secure the top tether in the vehicle. Be sure to use
an anchor (loop) located on the same side of the vehicle
as the seating position where the child restraint will
be placed.
Be sure to read the instructions following to properly
install a child restraint using these loops. Regular Cab
Crew Cab Shown, Extended Cab Similar
1-53

Do not secure a child restraint in a position without a
top tether anchor 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.
According to accident statistics, children and infants are
safer when properly restrained in a child restraint
system or infant restraint system secured in a rear
seating position. SeeWhere to Put the Restraint
on page 1-47for additional information.
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System
{CAUTION:
If a LATCH-type child restraint is not attached to
anchors, the child restraint will not be able to
protect the child correctly. In a crash, the child
could be seriously injured or killed. Install a
LATCH-type child restraint properly using the
anchors, or use the vehicle’s safety belts to secure
the restraint, following the instructions that came
with the child restraint and the instructions in this
manual.
{CAUTION:
Do not attach more than one child restraint to a
single anchor, except for the center top tether
anchors in the crew and extended cabs. 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. To reduce the risk of
serious or fatal injuries during a crash, attach only
one child restraint per anchor.
{CAUTION:
Children can be seriously injured or strangled if a
shoulder belt is wrapped around their neck and
the safety belt continues to tighten. Buckle 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.
1-54

Notice:Do not let the LATCH attachments rub
against the vehicle’s safety belts. This may damage
these parts. If necessary, move buckled safety
belts to avoid rubbing the LATCH attachments.
Do not fold the empty rear seat with a safety belt
buckled. This could damage the safety belt or
the seat. Unbuckle and return the safety belt to its
stowed position, before folding the seat.
Regular Cab Models
1. If the child restraint manufacturer recommends that
the top tether be attached, attach and tighten the
top tether to the top tether anchor, if your
vehicle has one. Refer to the child restraint
instructions and the following steps:
1.1. Pull the passenger seatback forward by
pulling the recliner handle upward to access
the top tether anchor. SeeReclining
Seatbacks on page 1-10for additional
information.
1.2. Find the top tether anchor.
1.3. Remove the cover to expose the anchor.1.4. Route, attach, and tighten the top tether
according to your child restraint instructions
and the following instructions:
If the position you are
using has an adjustable
headrest or head restraint
and you are using a
dual tether, route the tether
around the headrest or
head restraint.
If the position you are
using has an adjustable
headrest or head restraint
and you are using a
single tether, raise the
headrest or head restraint
and route the tether
under the headrest or head
restraint and in between
the headrest or head
restraint posts.
1-55

2. SeeSecuring a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position (With Airbag Off Switch) on page 1-61
orSecuring a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position (With Passenger Sensing System) on
page 1-66orSecuring a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position (Heavy Duty Crew Cab
Only) on page 1-71for instructions on installing the
child restraint using the safety belts.
3. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.
Crew and Extended Cab Models
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 (loop), if
your vehicle has one. Refer to the child restraint
instructions and the following steps:
Example — Rear Driver’s Side Position
1-56

2.1. When using a child restraint with a top tether
in the rear driver side position:
A. Raise the headrest or head restraint.
B. Route the top tether (B) between
the headrest or head restraint posts,
through the loop (A), behind the inboard
headrest or head restraint post, and
under the center shoulder belt (C).
C. Attach the top tether (B) to the top
tether anchor (loop) (D) at the center
rear seating position.2.2. When using a child restraint with a top tether
in the rear center position:
D. Route the top tether (B) through the
center loop (D), and behind the
inboard passenger side headrest or
head restraint post.
E. Attach the top tether (B) to the top
tether anchor (loop) at the rear
passenger side seating position.
2.3. When using a child restraint with a top tether
in the rear passenger position:
F. Raise the headrest or head restraint.
G. Route the top tether (B) between
the headrest or head restraint
posts, through the loop on the
passenger side and behind the inboard
headrest or head restraint post.
H. Attach the top tether (B) to the top
tether anchor (loop) (D) at the center
rear seating position.
2.4. Tighten the top tether when and as the child
restraint manufacturer’s instructions say.
When the top tether is tightened, the anchor
(loop) may bend. This is normal and will
not damage the vehicle.
3. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure. Example — Rear Driver’s Side Position
1-57

Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Seat Position
When securing a child restraint in a rear seating position,
study the instructions that came with the child restraint to
make sure it is compatible with this vehicle.
If the child restraint has the LATCH system, see
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on
page 1-49for how and where to install the child restraint
using LATCH. If a child restraint is secured in the
vehicle using a safety belt and it uses a top tether, see
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)
on page 1-49for top tether anchor locations.
Do not secure a child seat in a position without a top
tether anchor 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 strap must
be anchored.
In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child
restraints have a top tether, and that the tether be
attached.
If the child restraint does not have the LATCH system,
you will be using the safety 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.If more than one child restraint needs to be installed in
the rear seat, be sure to readWhere to Put the
Restraint on page 1-47.
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.
For crew cab second row seatings positions, tilt the
latch plate to adjust the belt if needed.
1-58