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uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
54Safe Driving
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. Some existing and previously owned child seats can only be
installed using the seat belt. Whichever ty pe you choose, follow the child seat
manufacturer's use and care instructions as well as the instructions in this manual.
Proper installation is key to maximizing your child's safety.
In seating positions and vehicl es not equipped with LATCH, a LATCH compatible
child seat can be installed using the seat bel t and a top tether for added security.
This is because all child seats are required to be designed so that they can be secured
with a lap belt or the lap part of a lap/sho ulder belt. In addition, the child seat
manufacturer may advise that a seat belt be used to attach a LATCH-compatible seat
once a child reaches a specified weight. Please read the child seat owner’s manual
for proper installation instructions.■Important consideration when sele cting 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.
• The child seat is the correct type for the seating position.
• The child seat is compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 or
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.■
Selecting a Child Seat
1Selecting a Child Seat
Installation of a LATCH-compatible child seat is
simple.
LATCH-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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56Safe Driving
6. Open the tether anchor cover behind the
head restraint.
7. Raise the head restraint to its highest
position, then route the tether strap
between the head restraint legs, and
secure the tether strap hook onto the
anchor.
8. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by
the child seat manufacturer.
9. Make sure the child seat is firmly secured
by rocking it forward and back and side to
side; little movement should be felt.
10. 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.
Flexible Type
1Installing a LATCH-Compatible Child Seat
For your child's safety, when using a child seat
installed using the LATCH 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.
Tether
Strap
Hook
Anchor
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Continued
57
uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
Safe Driving
1. Place the child seat on the vehicle seat.
2. Route the seat belt through the child seat
according to the seat manufacturer’s
instructions, and insert the latch plate into
the buckle.
u Insert the latch plate fully until it clicks.
3. Slowly pull the shoulder part of the belt all
the way out until it stops. This activates the
lockable retractor.
4. Let the seat belt completely wind up into
the retractor, then try to pull it out to make
sure the retractor is locked.
u If you are able to pull the shoulder belt
out, the lockable retractor is not
activated. Pull the seat belt all the way
out, and repeat steps 2 – 4.
5. Grab the shoulder part of the seat belt near
the buckle, and pull up to remove any slack
from the lap part of the belt.
u When doing this, place your weight on
the child seat and push it into the vehicle
seat.
■
Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt
1Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder 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.
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58Safe 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.
1Installing a Child Seat with a Seat Belt
To deactivate a lockable retractor, release the buckle
and allow the seat belt to wind up all the way.
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uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
Safe Driving
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.
1. Locate the appropriate tether anchorage
point and lift the cover.
2. 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. Secure the tether strap hook onto the
anchor.
4. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the
child seat manufacturer.
■
Adding Security with a Tether
1Adding Security with a Tether
Since a tether can provide additional security to the
lap/shoulder seat belt installation, we recommend
using a tether wheneve r one is available.
If you place the child seat in a back seating position,
make sure to remove the head restraint before
securing the child seat. 2 Installing a LATCH-Compatible Child Seat
P. 55
Tether Anchorage Points
Cover
AnchorOuter Position Tether
Strap
HookAnchorCenter Position
Tether
Strap
Hook
Anchor
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60
uuChild Safety uSafety of Larger Children
Safe Driving
Safety of Larger ChildrenThe following pages give instructi ons 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.
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 over
the edge of the seat?
• Does the shoulder belt cross between the
child's neck and arm?
• Is the lap part of the seat belt as low as
possible, touching the child's thighs?
• Will the child be able to stay seated like 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.
■
Protecting Larger Children
■
Checking Seat Belt Fit
1Safety of Larger Children
3
WARNING
Allowing a child age 12 or under to sit in
front can result in inju ry 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.
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Safe Driving
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.
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
in this manual.
• Move the front passenger seat as far back as possible.
• Have the child sit upright and well back in the seat.
• Check that the seat belt is properly positioned so that the child is secure in the
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
1 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.
■
Protecting Larger Children-Final Checks
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74
uuIndicators u
Instrument Panel
*1:Models with the smart entry system have an ENGINE START/STOP button instead of an ignition switch.Indicator
Name
On/Blinking
Explanation
Message
Immobilizer
System Indicator
●Comes on briefly when you turn the
ignition switch to ON
(w
*1, then
goes off.
●Comes on if the immobilizer system
cannot recognize the key
information.
●Blinks - You cannot start the engine.
Turn the ignition switch to LOCK
(0
*1,
pull the key out, and then insert the key
and turn it to ON
(w
*1 again.
●Repeatedly blinks - The system may
be malfunctioning. Have your vehicle
checked by a dealer.●Do not attempt to alter this system or
add other devices to it. Electrical
problems can occur.
—
Security System
Alarm Indicator
●Blinks when the security system
alarm has been set.
2 Security System Alarm P. 116
—
Smart Entry
System Indicator
*
●Comes on for a few seconds when
you change the power mode to ON,
then goes off.●Comes on as soon as a problem is
detected in the smart entry system
or push button starting system.
●Stays on constantly or does not
come on at all - Have your vehicle
checked by a dealer.
Indicator* Not available on all models
