Page 52 of 324
Child Safety
Safety of Infants and Small Children
51
Continued
Safe Driving
Protecting Smaller Children
Educate yourself about the laws and regulations
regarding child seat use where you are driving, and
follow the child seat manufacturer's instructions.
Many experts recommend use of a rear-facing seat
up to age two, if the child’s height and weight are
appropriate for a rear-facing seat.
Protecting Smaller Children
If a child is at least one year old and within the weight range indicated by the
child seat manufacturer, the child should be properly restrained in a firmly secured
forward-facing child seat.
Forward-facing child seat placement
We strongly recommend placing a forward-
facing child seat in a rear seating position.
Placing a forward-facing child seat in the front seat can be hazardous, even with
advanced front airbags that automatically turn the passenger's front airbag off. A
rear seat is the safest place for a child.
WARNING
Placing a foward-facing child seat in the
front seat can result in serious injury or
death if the front airbag inflates.
If you must place a forward-facing child
seat in front, move the vehicle seat as far
back as possible, and properly restrain the
child.
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Child Safety
Safety of Infants and Small Children
52Safe Driving
Selecting a Child Seat
Most child seats are LATCH-compatible (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren).
Some have a rigid-type connector, while others have a flexible-type connector.
Both are equally easy to use. Whichever one you choose, follow the manufacturer's
use and care instructions.
LATCH-compatible child seats can be secured to the vehicle by using two lower
anchors and a top tether anchor in one of the outer seating positions.
Important consideration when selecting a child seat
Make sure the child seat meets the following three requirements:
The child seat is the correct type and size for the child. t
The child seat is the correct type for the seating position. t
The child seat is compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 or t
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.
Selecting a Child Seat
Installation of a L ATCH-compatible child seat is
simple.
L ATCH-compatible child seats have been developed
to simplify the installation process and reduce the
likelihood of injuries caused by incorrect installation.
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Child Safety
Safety of Infants and Small Children
54Safe Driving
3. Open the tether anchor cover behind the
head restraint.
4. Release the head restraint, then route the
tether strap between the head restraint
legs, and secure the tether strap hook
onto the anchor.
5. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by
the child seat maker.
6. Make sure the child seat is firmly secured
by rocking it forward and back and side to
side; little movement should be felt.
7. Make sure any unused seat belt that a
child can reach is buckled, the lockable
retractor is activated, and the belt is fully
retracted and locked.
Enhancing Child Safety
P. 5 3
Installing a LATCH-compatible Child Seat
For your child's safety, when using a child seat
installed using the L ATCH system, make sure that
the seat is properly secured to the vehicle. A child
seat that is not properly secured will not adequately
protect a child in a crash and may cause injury to
the child or other vehicle occupants.
Flexible Type
Te t h e r
Strap
Hook
Anchor
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Child Safety
Safety of Infants and Small Children
56Safe Driving
6. Make sure the child seat is firmly secured
by rocking it forward and back and side to
side; little movement should be felt.
7. Make sure any unused seat belt that a
child can reach is buckled, the lockable
retractor is activated, and the belt is fully
retracted and locked.
Enhancing Child Safety
P. 5 3
Installing a Child Seat with a Seat Belt
A child seat that is not properly secured will not
adequately protect a child in a crash and may cause
injury to the child or other vehicle occupants.
To deactivate a lockable retractor, release the buckle
and allow the seat belt to wind up all the way.
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Child Safety
Safety of Infants and Small Children
57Safe Driving
1. Locate the appropriate tether anchorage
point and lift the cover.
2. If using an outer seating position, raise the
head restraint to its highest position, then
route the tether strap through the head
restraint legs. Make sure the strap is not
twisted.
Adding Security with a Tether
A tether anchorage point is provided behind
each rear seating position. A child seat that
is installed with a seat belt and comes with
a tether can use the tether for additional
security.
Adding Security with a Tether
Since a tether can provide additional security to the
lap/shoulder seat belt installation, we recommend
using a tether whenever one is available.
If using the center seating position, raise
the head restraint to its highest position,
then route the tether strap through the
head restraint legs. Make sure the strap is
not twisted.
3. Lift the anchor cover and secure the tether
strap hook onto the anchor.
4. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by
the child seat manufacturer.
Tether Anchorage Points
AnchorAnchor
Cover
Outer Position
Te t h e r Strap Hook
AnchorCenter Position
Te t h e r Strap Hook
Page 59 of 324
Child Safety
Safety of Larger Children
58Safe Driving
Safety of Larger Children
Protecting Larger Children
The following pages give instructions on how to check proper seat belt fit, what
kind of booster seat to use if one is needed, and important precautions for a child
who must sit in front.
Checking Seat Belt Fit
When a child is too big for a child seat, secure the child in a rear seat using the
lap/shoulder seat belt. Have the child sit upright and all the way back, then answer
the following questions.
Checklist
Do the child's knees bend comfortably t
over the edge of the seat?
Does the shoulder belt cross between the t
child's neck and arm?
Is the lap part of the seat belt as low as t
possible, touching the child's thighs?
Will the child be able to stay seated like t
this for the whole trip?
If you answer yes to all these questions, the child is ready to wear the lap/shoulder
seat belt correctly. If you answer no to any question, the child needs to ride on a
booster seat until the seat belt fits properly without a booster seat.
WARNING
Allowing a child to sit in front can result in
serious injury or death if the passenger’s
front airbag inflates.
If a larger child must ride in front, move
the vehicle seat as far to the rear as
possible, have the child sit up properly
and wear the seat belt properly, using a
booster seat if needed. Safety of Larger Children
Page 60 of 324
Child Safety
Safety of Larger Children
59Safe Driving
Booster Seats
If a lap/shoulder seat belt cannot be used
properly, position the child in a booster seat
in a rear seating position. For the child's
safety, check that the child meets the booster
seat manufacturer's recommendations.
Protecting Larger Children - Final Checks
Your vehicle has a rear seat where children can be properly restrained. If you ever
have to carry a group of children, and a child must ride in front:
Make sure you read and fully understand the instructions and safety information t
in this manual.
Move the front passenger seat as far back as possible. t
Have the child sit upright and well back in the seat. t
Check that the seat belt is properly positioned so that the child is secure in the t
seat.
Monitoring child passengers
We strongly recommend that you keep an eye on child passengers. Even older,
more mature children sometimes need to be reminded to fasten their seat belts
and sit up properly.
Booster Seats
When installing a booster seat, make sure to read
the instructions that came with it, and install the
seat accordingly.
There are high- and low-type booster seats. Choose
a booster seat that allows the child to wear the seat
belt correctly.
Some U.S. states and Canadian provinces, and
territories 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 province, or territory where you intend to drive.
Page 71 of 324
70Instrument Panel
Indicators
Indicator Name On/Blinking Explanation Message
Fog Light
Indicator t $ P N F T P O X I F O U I F G P H M J H I U T B S F
on.—
—
U.S.Canada
Side Airbag Off
Indicator t $ P N F T P O G P S B G F X T F D P O E T X I F O
you turn the ignition switch to ON
II
, then goes off.
t $ P N F T P O X I F O U I F Q B T T F O H F S
side airbag system is automatically
shut off. t * U E P F T O P U N F B O U I F S F J T B Q S P C M F N
with your side airbags.
t Comes on when nobody is sitting in
the passenger seat - Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer.
t Comes on when someone is sitting
in the seat - Have the passenger sit
properly.
U.S.Canada
Immobilizer
System Indicator t $ P N F T P O C S J F n Z X I F O Z P V U V S O
the ignition switch to ON
II
,
then goes off.
t $ P N F T P O J G U I F J N N P C J M J [ F S
system cannot recognize the key
information. t Blinks - You cannot start the engine.
Turn the ignition switch to LOCK
0
,
pull the key out, and then insert the key
and turn it to ON
II
again.
t Repeatedly blinks - The system may
be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer.
t % P O P U B U U F N Q U U P B M U F S U I J T T Z T U F N
or add other devices to it. Electrical
problems can occur.
—
Indicator
Security System
Alarm Indicator t # M J O L T X I F O U I F 4 F D V S J U Z 4 Z T U F N
Alarm has been set.
Security System Alarm P.98
—
