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2.With the belt unfastened, unreel the
webbing to its limit. Check that unreeling
is free from snags, and visually check the
webbing for wear. Allow the webbing to retract, checking that retraction is smooth
and complete.
3. With the webbing half unreeled, hold the
tongue plate and pull forward quickly. The
mechanism should lock automatically and
prevent further unreeling.
If a seat belt fails any of these tests, contact
Tesla immediately.
For information about cleaning seat belts, see
Seat Belts on page 120.
Seat Belt WarningsWarning: Seat belts should be worn by all
occupants at all times, even if driving for
a very short distance. Failure to do so
increases the risk of injury or death if a
collision occurs.Warning: Secure small children in a
suitable child safety seat (see Child
Safety Seats on page 24). Always follow
the child safety seat manufacturer
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Guidelines for Seating Children
Your Model 3 seat belts are designed for adults and larger children. You must restrain infants and small children in the rear row seats only, and you must use a suitable child safety seat appropriate
for the child
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Choosing a Child Safety Seat
All children age 12 and under should ride in the rear (second row) seats. Always use a child safety
seat suitable for a young child
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Seating Larger ChildrenIf a child is too large to
fit into a child safety
seat, but too small to safely fit into the
standard seat belts, use a booster seat
appropriate for the child
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Install LATCH child safety seats in the
outboard seating positions only. Use only a seat belt retained seat in the center position.
To install a LATCH child safety seat, slide the
safety seat latches onto the anchor bars until
they click into place. Carefully read and follow
the instructions provided by the child safety
seat manufacturer.
Once installed, test the security of the installation before seating a child. Attempt to twist the child safety seat from side to side
and try to pull it away from the seat, then
check to ensure the anchors remain securely
in place.
Note: Lower LATCH anchors should not be
used with child seats or booster seats that
have an integrated safety belt in situations
where the combined weight of the child plus
the child restraint is more than 65 lbs (29 kg). In these situations, use the safety belt instead.
Attaching Upper Tether Straps If an upper tether strap is provided, attach its
hook to the anchor point located on the shelf behind the rear seating positions.Warning: Tighten upper tether straps
according to the instructions provided by
the manufacturer of the child safety seat.Warning: USE ONLY SEAT BELT
RETAINED CHILD SAFETY SEATS IN THE
CENTER SEATING POSITION.
To access an anchor point, press down on the
back of its cover.
Child Safety Seats
Seating and Safety Restraints27
Page 30 of 165

For dual-strap tethers, position a strap oneach side of the head support.
For single-strap tethers at the outboard
seating positions, run the strap over the outside-facing side of the head support (i.e.
same side of the head support as the seat belt
retraction mechanism).
For a single-strap tether in the center seating
position, fully lower the head support (see Raising/Lowering the Rear Center HeadSupport on page 19) and run the strap over
the top center of the head support.
Testing a Child Safety Seat
Before seating a child, always make sure the
child safety seat is not loose:
1. Hold the child safety seat by the belt path
and try to slide the safety seat from side
to side and front to back.
2. If the seat moves more than one inch
(2.5 cm), it is too loose. Tighten the belt or
reconnect the LATCH retained child safety
seat.
3. If you are unable to reduce slack, try a
different seat location or try another child
safety seat.
Child Safety Seat Warnings
Warning: Extreme hazard! Do not seat a
child on the front passenger seat even if
you are using a child safety seat. This seat
has an airbag in front of it. Although this airbag is disabled when Model 3 detects a
lightweight passenger, do not rely on
technology to protect your child.Warning: Child restraint systems are
designed to be secured in vehicle seats
by lap belts or the lap belt portion of a lap-shoulder belt. Children could be
endangered in a crash if their child restraints are not properly secured in the
vehicle.Warning: According to collision statistics,
children are safer when properly
restrained in the rear seating positions
than in the front seating positions.Warning: Do not use a forward facing
child safety seat until your child weighs
over 20 lbs (9 kg) and can sit
independently. Up to the age of two, a
child
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face and neck, and the lap portion must
not be over the stomach.Warning: Never attach two child safety
seats to one anchor point. In a collision, one anchor point may be incapable of
securing both seats.Warning: Child restraint anchors are
designed to withstand only those loads imposed by correctly
fitted child
restraints. Under no circumstances are
they to be used for adult seat belts,
harnesses, or for attaching other items or
equipment to the vehicle.
Warning: Always check harnesses and
tether straps for damage and wear.Warning: Never leave a child unattended,
even if the child is secured in a child
safety seat.Warning: Never use a child safety seat
that has been involved in a collision. Have
the seat inspected or replaced as
described in the child safety seat
manufacturer
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Location of AirbagsAirbags are located in the approximate areas shown here. Airbag warning information is printed
on the sun visors.
Model 3 is equipped with an airbag and lap/shoulder belt at both front outboard seating
positions. The airbag is a supplemental restraint at those seating positions. All occupants,
including the driver, should always wear their seat belts whether or not an airbag is also provided at their seating position to minimize the risk of severe injury or death in the event of a crash.
1. Knee airbags
2. Front airbags
3. Seat-mounted side airbags
4. Curtain airbags
Airbags
30Model 3 Owner