2021 HONDA RIDGELINE ECU

uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
62
Safe DrivingIf a child has exceeded the weight and heig ht limitations of a rearward-facing child
seat, the child should be properly restrained in a firmly secured forward-facing child
seat until they exceed the weight and height limitations for the forward-facing child
seat.
■Forward-facing child seat placement
We strongly recommend placing a forward-
facing child seat in a rear seating position.
Placing a forward-facing child seat in the front seat can be hazardous, even with
advanced front airbags that automatically turn the passenger’s front airbag off. A
rear seat is the safest place for a child.
■Protecting Smaller Children1 Protecting Smaller Children
Educate yourself about th e laws and regulations
regarding child seat use wh ere you are driving, and
follow the child seat manufacturer’s instructions.
3WARNING
Placing a forward-facing child seat in the
front seat can result in serious injury or
death if the front airbag inflates.
If you must place a forward-facing child
seat in front, move the vehicle seat as far
back as possible, and properly restrain the
child.

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uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
Safe DrivingMost child seats are LATCH-compatible (L ower 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 type you choose, follow the child seat
manufacturer’s use and care instructions including recommended expiration dates
as well as the instructions in this manual. Proper installation is key to maximizing
your child’s safety.
In seating positions and vehicles not equipped with LATCH, a LATCH-compatible
child seat can be installed using the seat belt 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/shoulder 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. Pl ease read the child seat owner’s manual
for proper installation instructions.
■Important consideration wh en selecting 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 Seat1Selecting a Child Seat
Installation of a LATCH-compatible child seat is
simple.
LATCH-compatible child s eats have been developed
to simplify the installati on process and reduce the
likelihood of injuries caused by incorrect installation.

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64
Safe DrivingA LATCH-compatible child seat can be inst alled in any of the three rear seating
positions. A child seat is attached to th e lower anchors with either the rigid or
flexible type of connectors. 1.Locate the lower anchors under the marks.
2. Make sure there are no objects near the
anchors that could prevent a secure
connection between th e child seat and the
anchors.
3. Lower the head restra int to its lowest
position.
4. Lift the upper guide co ver, then route the
tether strap around the upper guide.
5. Route the tether strap downward properly,
then attach the strap hook to the center
tether anchor.
u Making sure the strap is not twisted.
■Installing a LATCH-Compatible Child Seat1Installing a LATCH-Compatible Child Seat
For your child’s safety, when using a child seat
installed using the LATCH system, make sure that the
child 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.
3WARNING
Never attach two child seats to the same
anchor. In a collision, one anchor may not
be strong enough to hold two child seat
attachments and may break, causing
serious injury or death.
Marks
Upper Guide
Center Tether Anchor Point
Center positionCenter position

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uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
Safe Driving
7. Put the outer head restraint to it’s upper-
most position (or remove it), then route
the tether strap over the seat-back and
through the head restraint legs.
8. Lift the upper guide co ver, then route the
tether strap around the upper guide.
9. Route the tether strap downward
properly, then attach the strap hook to the
tether anchor under the seat. See the
label.
u Making sure the strap is not twisted.
10. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by
the child seat manufacturer.
11. Make sure the child seat is firmly secured
by rocking it forward and back and side to
side; little movement should be felt.
12. 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.
2Protecting Child Passengers P. 59
Upper Guide
Outer Tether Anchor PointsOuter positionsOuter positions
Upper Guide
Outer Tether Anchor PointsOuter positionsAll positions

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uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
Safe DrivingA child seat can be installed with a lap/should er belt in any rear seat or, if absolutely
necessary, the front passenger seat. 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 retract a few inches and
check that the retractor has switched
modes by pulling on the webbing. It should
not pull out again until it is reset by
removing the latch pl ate from the buckle.
u If you are able to pull the shoulder belt
out, the lockable retractor is not
activated. Slowly pull the seat belt all the
way out, and repeat steps 3 – 4.
■Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt1Installing 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.

uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
68
Safe Driving
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, plac e your weight on
the child seat and push it into the vehicle
seat.
6. Make sure the child seat is firmly secured by
rocking it forward and back and side to
side; less than one inch of movement
should occur near the seat belt.
7. Make sure any unused seat belt that a child
can reach is buckled, the lockable retractor
is activated, and the be lt is fully retracted
and locked.
2 Protecting Child Passengers P. 59
1Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder 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 DrivingA tether anchor point is provided at each
outside of the seat bottom and between the
lower anchors of the rear center seat. If you
have a child seat that comes with a tether but
can be installed with a seat belt, the tether
may be used for additional security.
■Adding Security with a Tether
Covers
Outer Tether
Anchor Points
Upper Guides
Center Tether Anchor Point
1 Adding Security with a Tether
Always use a tether for forward-facing child seats
whether using the seat belt or lower anchors.

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uuChild Safety uSafety of Larger Children
Safe Driving
Safety of Larger Children
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.
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 thes e questions, the child is read y 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
1 Safety of Larger Children
3WARNING
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 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.