2015 Lexus GS350 Owner's Manual

551-1. For safe use
GS350_OM_OM30F69U_(U)
1
For safety and security
Child restraint systems
Studies have shown that installing a child restraint on a rear seat is much
safer than installing one on the front passenger seat.
●Choose a child restraint system that suits your vehicle and is appropri-
ate to the age and size of the child.
●For installation details, follow the instructions provided with the child
restraint system.
General installation instructions are provided in this manual. (→P. 5 9 )
A child restraint system for a small child or baby must itself be properly
restrained on the seat with the LATCH anchors or the lap portion of the
lap/shoulder belt.
The laws of all 50 states of the U.S.A. and Canada now require the use
of child restraint systems.
Points to remember
GS350_OM_OM30F69U_(U).book Page 55 Monday, January 19, 2015 2:53 PM

561-1. For safe use
GS350_OM_OM30F69U_(U)Child restraint systems are classified into the following 3 types according
to the age and size of the child:
■Selecting an appropriate child restraint system
●Use a child restraint system appropriate for the child until the child becomes large
enough to properly wear the vehicle’s seat belt.
●If 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. 3 0 )
Types of child restraints
XRear facing  Infant seat/con-
vertible seatXForward facing  Convertible
seat
XBooster seat
GS350_OM_OM30F69U_(U).book Page 56 Monday, January 19, 2015 2:53 PM

571-1. For safe use
GS350_OM_OM30F69U_(U)
1
For safety and security
CAUTION
■Child restraint precautions
●For 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.
●Lexus 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.
●Never 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 serious injury to the child if the rear-facing child
restraint system is installed on the front passenger seat.
●A forward-facing child restraint system may 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 seatback as upright as possi-
ble 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.
●Do 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 accident.
●Do 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 SRS side airbags and curtain shield
airbags inflate, and the impact could cause death or serious injury to the child.
●Make 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 accident.
GS350_OM_OM30F69U_(U).book Page 57 Monday, January 19, 2015 2:53 PM

581-1. For safe use
GS350_OM_OM30F69U_(U)
CAUTION
■When children are in the vehicle
Do not allow children to play with the seat belt. If the seat belt becomes twisted
around a child’s neck, it may lead 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.
■When the child restraint system is not in use
●Keep 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.
●If it is necessary to detach the child restraint system, remove it from the vehicle or
store it securely in the trunk. If a head restraint was removed when installing a
child restraint system, always install the head restraint before driving. This will pre-
vent it from injuring passengers in the event of a sudden stop, sudden swerve or
accident.
GS350_OM_OM30F69U_(U).book Page 58 Monday, January 19, 2015 2:53 PM

591-1. For safe use
GS350_OM_OM30F69U_(U)
1
For safety and security
Installing child restraints
Child restraint LATCH anchors
LATCH anchors are provided for the
outboard rear seats. (Buttons display-
ing 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. 32)
Anchor brackets (for top tether
strap)
An anchor bracket is provided for
each rear seat.
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
compatible with the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethe rs for Children)
system.
GS350_OM_OM30F69U_(U).book Page 59 Monday, January 19, 2015 2:53 PM

601-1. For safe use
GS350_OM_OM30F69U_(U)Remove the head restraint.
Widen the gap between the seat cushion and seatback slightly.
XTy p e 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.
For owners in Canada:
The symbol on a child restraint
system indicates the presence of
a lower connector system.
Installation with LATCH system
1
2
Canada only
3
GS350_OM_OM30F69U_(U).book Page 60 Monday, January 19, 2015 2:53 PM

611-1. For safe use
GS350_OM_OM30F69U_(U)
1
For safety and security
XTy p e 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.
For owners in Canada:
The symbol on a child restraint
system indicates the presence of
a lower connector system.
Canada only
3
GS350_OM_OM30F69U_(U).book Page 61 Monday, January 19, 2015 2:53 PM

621-1. For safe use
GS350_OM_OM30F69U_(U)
■Rear-facing  Infant seat/convertible seat
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.
Fully extend the shoulder belt
and allow it to retract to put it
in lock mode. In lock mode, the
belt cannot be extended.
Installing child restraints using a seat belt (child restraint lock
function belt)
1
2
3
GS350_OM_OM30F69U_(U).book Page 62 Monday, January 19, 2015 2:53 PM