2012 Acura MDX Owner's Manual

Installing a Child Seat with
LATCH
Your vehicle is equipped with
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers
for CHildren) at each of the second
row seats.
The lower anchors are located
between the seat-back and seat
bottom, and are to be used only with
a child seat designed for use with
LATCH.
The location of each lower anchor is
indicated by a small button above the
anchor point.
When you install a child seat in the
second row seating position, use the
lower anchors as shown in the
illustration. You can install up to
three child seats at a time with
LATCH.
Do not attach two child seat
connectors to a single lower anchor
at a time.
Using the Outer LATCHTo install a LATCH-compatible child
seat in either outer second row seat:
1. Move the seat belt buckle or
tongue away from the lower
anchors.
2. Make sure there are no objects
near the anchors that could
prevent a secure connection
between the child seat and the
anchors.
MARKS
LOWER ANCHORS
Installing a Child Seat50

3. Place the child seat on the vehicle
seat, then attach the seat to the
lower anchors according to the
child seat maker's instructions.
Some LATCH-compatible seats
have a rigid-type connector as
shown above.
Other LATCH-compatible seats
have a flexible-type connector as
shown above.
4. Whatever type you have, follow the
child seat maker's instructions for
adjusting or tightening the fit.
5. Lift the head restraint (see page
150), then route the tether strap
through the legs of the head
restraint and over the seat-back,
making sure the strap is not
twisted.
RIGID TYPE
FLEXIBLE TYPE
TETHER STRAP
CONTINUED
Installing a Child Seat
51
Driver and Passenger Safety

6. Attach the tether strap hook to the
tether anchor, then tighten the
strap as instructed by the child
seat maker.
If the tether strap is too long and
cannot be tightened firmly, find a
route where the strap can be
tightened securely.
7. Push and pull the child seat
forward and from side-to-side to
verify that it is secure.
Using the Center LATCHTo install a LATCH-compatible child
seat in the center seating position on
the second row seat, use the center
lower anchors as shown above.
1. Pull up the cover below the
armrest and find one of the
anchors. The other anchor is
located underneath the flap at the
bottom of the outer seat's inner
bolster.2. Follow step 1 through 4 as
described previously to secure the
child seat.
3. Lower the head restraint first.
Route the tether strap over the
head restraint and seat-back, then
attach the tether strap hook to the
anchor, making sure the strap is
not twisted.
4. Push and pull the child seat
forward and from side-to-side to
verify that it is secure.
Installing a Child Seat52

Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/
Shoulder Belt
When not using the LATCH system,
all child seats must be secured to the
vehicle with the lap part of a lap/
shoulder belt.
In addition, the lap/shoulder belts in
all seating positions except the
driver's have a lockable retractor that
must be activated to secure a child
seat.
If you intend to install a child seat in
the center seating position of second
row seat, make sure the detachable
seat belt is securely latched (see
page 155).
1. With the child seat in the desired
seating position, route the belt
through the child seat according to
the seat maker's instructions, then
insert the latch plate into the
buckle and remove any slack from
the lap portion of the belt.
2. To activate the lockable retractor,
slowly pull the shoulder part of the
belt all the way out until it stops,
then let the belt feed back into the
retractor.
3. After the belt has retracted, tug on
it. If the belt is locked, you will not
be able to pull it out. If you can pull
the belt out, it is not locked, and
you will need to repeat these steps.
CONTINUED
Installing a Child Seat
53
Driver and Passenger Safety

4. After confirming that the belt is
locked, grab the shoulder part of
the belt near the buckle, and pull
up to remove any slack from the
lap part of the belt. Remember, if
the lap part of the belt is not tight,
the child seat will not be secure.
To remove slack, it may help to put
weight on the child seat, or push
on the back of the seat while
pulling up on the belt.
5. Push and pull the child seat
forward and from side-to-side to
verify that it is secure enough to
stay upright during normal driving
maneuvers. If the child seat is not
secure, unlatch the belt, allow it to
retract fully, then repeat these
steps.
To deactivate the lockable retractor
and remove a child seat, unlatch the
buckle, unroute the seat belt, and let
the belt fully retract.Installing a Child Seat with a
Tether
A child seat with a tether can be
installed in any seating position in
the second or third row.
Since a tether can provide additional
security to the lap/shoulder belt
installation, we recommend using a
tether whenever one is required or
available.
Installing a Child Seat54

Second Row InstallationEach second row seat has a tether
anchorage point behind the seat-
back.
1. After properly securing the child
seat (see page 53), lift the head
restraint, then route the tether
strap over the seat-back and
through the head restraint legs.
For the center seat, lower the head
restraint, then route the tether strap
over the head restraint and seat-back.
TETHER ANCHORAGE POINT
TETHER STRAP
Outer Seating Position
CONTINUED
Installing a Child Seat
55
Driver and Passenger Safety

2. Attach the tether strap hook to the
anchor, making sure the tether
strap is not twisted.
3. Tighten the strap according to the
seat maker's instructions.
If the tether strap is too long and
cannot be tightened firmly, find a
route where the strap can be
tightened securely.
Third Row InstallationEach third row seat has a tether
anchorage point on the tailgate sill.
1. Select the anchor point you want to
use. Then open the anchor cover
with a small flat-tip screwdriver.
2. Secure the child seat in the
desired position (see page 53).
3. Remove the head restraint, then
attach the tether strap hook to the
anchor, making sure the strap is
not twisted.
Make sure the removed head
restraint is secured in a safe place.
4. Tighten the strap according to the
seat maker's instructions.
If the tether strap is too long and
cannot be tightened firmly, find a
route where the strap can be
tightened securely.
Installing a Child Seat56

When a child reaches the
recommended weight or height limit
for a forward-facing child seat, the
child should sit in a back seat on a
booster seat and wear the lap/
shoulder belt.
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.
Allowing a child age 12 or under
to sit in front can result in injury
or death if the passenger's front
airbag inflates.
If a child must ride in front,
move the vehicle seat as far
back as possible, use a booster
seat if needed, have the child
sit up properly and wear the
seat belt properly.Checking Seat Belt Fit
To determine if a lap/shoulder belt
properly fits a child, have the child
put on the seat belt, then ask
yourself:
1. Does the child sit all the way back
against the seat?
2. Do the child's knees bend
comfortably over the edge of the
seat?
CONTINUED
Protecting Larger Children
57
Driver and Passenger Safety