2011 LEXUS RX350 Owners Manual

128
1-7. Safety information
Forward facing ⎯ Convertible seat
Booster seat
nSelecting an appropriate child restraint system
lUse a child restraint system appropriate for the child until the child becomes
large enough to properly wear the vehicle’s seat belt.
lIf the child is too large for a child restraint system, sit the child on a rear seat and
use the vehicle's seat belt. (→P. 7 5 )

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1-7. Safety information
1

Before driving
CAUTION
nChild restraint precautions
lFor effective protection in automobile accidents and sudden stops, a child must
be properly restrained, using a seat belt or child restraint system depending on
the age and size of the child. Holding a child in your arms is not a substitute for a
child restraint system. In an accident, the child can be crushed against the wind-
shield, or between you and the vehicle's interior.
lLexus strongly urges the use of a proper child restraint system that conforms to
the size of the child, installed on the rear seat. According to accident statistics, the
child is safer when properly restrained in the rear seat than in the front seat.
lNever install a rear-facing child restraint system on the front passenger seat even
if the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator light is illuminated. In the event of an accident, the
force of the rapid inflation of the front passenger airbag can cause death or seri-
ous injury to the child if a rear-facing child restraint system is installed on the front
passenger seat.
lA forward-facing child restraint system may be allowed to be installed on the
front passenger seat only when it is unavoidable. A child restraint system that
requires a top tether strap should not be used in the front passenger seat since
there is no top tether strap anchor for the front passenger seat. Adjust the seat-
back as upright as possible and always move the seat as far back as possible even
if the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator light is illuminated, because the front passenger
airbag could inflate with considerable speed and force. Otherwise, the child may
be killed or seriously injured.
lDo not use the seat belt extender when installing a child restraint system on the
front or rear passenger seat. If installing a child restraint system with the seat belt
extender connected to the seat belt, the seat belt will not securely hold the child
restraint system, which could cause death or serious injury to the child or other
passengers in the event of a sudden stop, sudden swerve or an accident.
lDo not allow the child to lean his/her head or any part of his/her body against the
door or the area of the seat, front and rear pillars or roof side rails from which the
SRS side airbags or SRS curtain shield airbags deploy even if the child is seated in
the child restraint system. It is dangerous if the side airbags and curtain shield air-
bags inflate, and the impact could cause death or serious injury to the child.

130
1-7. Safety information
CAUTION
nChild restraint precautions
lMake sure you have complied with all installation instructions provided by the
child restraint manufacturer and that the system is properly secured. If it is not
secured properly, it may cause death or serious injury to the child in the event of a
sudden stop, sudden swerve or an accident.
nChild restraint lock function belt precaution
Do not allow children to play with the child restraint lock function belt. If the belt
becomes twisted around a child’s neck, it will not be possible to pull the belt out
leading to choking or other serious injuries that could result in death.
If this occurs and the buckle cannot be unfastened, scissors should be used to cut
the belt.
nWhen the child restraint system is not in use
lKeep the child restraint system properly secured on the seat even if it is not in use.
Do not store the child restraint system unsecured in the passenger compartment.
lIf it is necessary to detach the child restraint system, remove it from the vehicle or
store it securely in the luggage compartment. This will prevent it from injuring
passengers in the event of a sudden stop, sudden swerve or accident.

131
1
1-7. Safety information

Before driving
Installing child restraints
Follow the child restraint system manufacturer's instructions. Firmly
secure child restraints to the seats using the LATCH anchors or a seat belt.
Attach the top tether strap when installing a child restraint.
The lap/shoulder belt can be used if your child restraint system is not com-
patible with the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system.
Child restraint LATCH anchors
LATCH anchors are provided
for the outer rear seats. (Buttons
displaying the location of the
anchors are attached to the
seats.)
Seat belts equipped with a child
restraint locking mechanism
(ALR/ELR belts except driver’s
seat belt) (→P. 7 5 )
Anchor brackets (for top tether
strap)
An anchor bracket is provided
for each rear seat.

132
1-7. Safety information
Installation with LATCH system
Fold the seatback while pulling the
seatback angle adjustment lever.
Return the seatback and secure it
at the first lock position. (→P. 66)
Widen the gap between the seat cushion and seatback slightly.
Type A
Latch the hooks of the lower straps
onto the LATCH anchors. If the
child restraint has a top tether
strap, the top tether strap should
be latched onto the top tether
strap anchor bracket.
For owners in Canada:
The symbol on a child restraint sys-
tem indicates the presence of a
lower connector system.
STEP1
STEP2
Canada only
STEP3

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1-7. Safety information
1

Before driving
Type B
Latch the buckles onto the LATCH
anchors. If the child restraint has a
top tether strap, the top tether
strap should be latched onto the
top tether strap anchor bracket.
For owners in Canada:
The symbol on a child restraint sys-
tem indicates the presence of a
lower connector system.

Canada only
STEP3

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1-7. Safety information
Installing child restraints using a seat belt (child restraint lock function belt)
nRear-facing ⎯ Infant seat/convertible seat
Fold the seatback while pulling the
seatback angle adjustment lever.
Return the seatback and secure it
at the first lock position. (→P. 66)
Place the child restraint system on
the rear seat facing the rear of the
vehicle.
Run the seat belt through the child
restraint system and insert the
plate into the buckle. Make sure
that the belt is not twisted.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

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1-7. Safety information
1

Before driving
Fully extend the shoulder belt and
allow it to retract to put it in lock
mode. In lock mode, the belt can-
not be extended.
While pushing the child restraint
system down into the rear seat,
allow the shoulder belt to retract
until the child restraint system is
securely in place.
After the shoulder belt has
retracted to a point where there is
no slack in the belt, pull the belt to
check that it cannot be extended.
nForward-facing ⎯ Convertible seat
Fold the seatback while pulling the
seatback angle adjustment lever.
Return the seatback and secure it
at the first lock position. (→P. 66)
Place the child restraint system on
the seat facing the front of the vehi-
cle.
STEP4
STEP5
STEP1
STEP2