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Continued63
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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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. 
     
        
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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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Continued69
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. 
     
        
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uuChild Safety uSafety of Larger Children
Safe DrivingIf a lap/shoulder seat belt cannot be used 
properly, position the child in a booster seat in 
the rear seat. 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 positi oned 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 remi nded to fasten their seat belts and sit up 
properly.
■Booster Seats1 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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uuIndicators u
Continued
Instrument Panel
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage
Transmission 
System 
Indicator
●The current shift position or all the 
shift positions blink if there is a 
problem with the transmission system 
and the vehicle will no longer move.●Immediately stop  in a safe place.
2Emergency Towing  P. 568●Have your vehicle checked by a dealer.
●The current shift position or all the 
shift positions blink if you cannot 
select 
(P due to the transmission 
system failure.
●The engine can be activated as a 
temporary measure.
2 If the Transmission System Indicator 
Blinks along with the Warning 
Message P. 561
●Set the parking brake when parking.●Have your vehicle checked by a dealer 
immediately.
Seat Belt 
Reminder 
Indicator
●Blinks and the beeper sounds for a 
few seconds if you are not wearing a 
seat belt when you set the power 
mode to ON, then the indicator 
comes on.
●If the front passenger is not wearing a 
seat belt, the indicator comes on a 
few seconds later.
●Blinks while driving if you and/or the 
front passenger has not fastened a 
seat belt. The beeper sounds and the 
indicator blinks at regular intervals.
●The beeper stops and the indicator goes 
off when you and the front passenger 
fasten their seat belts.
●Stays on after you and/or the front 
passenger has fastened the seat 
belt(s)  - A detection error may have 
occurred in the sensor. Have your vehicle 
checked by a dealer.
2 Seat Belt Reminder  P. 38