These new performance requirements make a
tethe r necessary on most new chi ld seats.
I ns tal ling a child restraint that req uires a top
tether witho ut one can serio usly impair the
performance of the child restraint and its abil
ity to protect the child i n a co llision . Installing
a child restraint that requires a top tether
wi thout the top tether may be a vio lation of
state law.
Child restraint manufacturers offer LATCH lower anchorages on the ir ch ild seats with
hook-on or push-on connectors attached to
adjustable straps.
In addition to the LATCH lower anchorages,
these child restraint systems usually require
the use of tether straps to help keep the child
restraint firmly in place.
A WARNING
Improper installation of child restraints
w ill increase the risk of injury and death in
a crash .
- Always follow the instructions prov ided
by the manufacturer of the ch ild re
st raint you intend to install in your veh i
cle.
- Never install a child restraint witho ut a
properly attached top tether s trap if the
child restrain t manufacturer's instruc
t ions requ ire the top tether strap to be
used.
- Improper use of c hild restra int LA TCH
lower anchorage points can lead to injury
in a collision . The LA TCH lower anchorage
points are des igned to w ithstand only
those loads imposed by correct ly fitted
child restraints.
- Never mount two chi ld restraint systems
on one LATCH lower anc horage point.
- Never secure o r attach any l uggage or
other item to the LATCH lower anchorag
es.
(D Tips
- In Canada, the terms "top tether" with
"lower universa l anchorages" (or "lower
-
Child S afety 1 79
universal anchorage bars") a re used to
describe the system .
- In o ther coun tries, the term " ISOFIX" is
used to describe the lower anchorages .
Location
Fig. 159 Sc hemat ic ove rv iew : LAT CH a nch orag e poin t
l ocat io n s
T he illustration shows the seating locations in
your vehicle which are equipped with the low
er anchorages system .
Description
The lower anchorage positions are marked
for quick loca ting.
Fig. 160 Rea r seat backs : locato r but tons fo r lowe r an ·
cho ra g es
r
~ I
Fi g. 1 61 Re ar seat s: low er an cho rage bra cket lo cat ion s IJI,-
