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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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Safe DrivingA LATCH-compatible child seat can be installed in either of the two outer rear seats. A child
seat is attached to the lower anchors with either the rigid or flexible type of connectors.
1. Locate the anchor marks affixed to the base
of the seat cushion.
2. Pull out the anchor covers under the marks
to expose the lower anchors.
3. Place the child seat on the vehicle seat, then
attach the child seat to the lower anchors
according to the instructions that came
with the child seat.
u When installing the child seat, make sure
that the lower anchors are not
obstructed by the seat belt or any other
object.
■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
Rigid Type
Lower Anchors
Flexible Type
Lower Anchors
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4. Open the tether anchor cover behind the
head restraint.
5. Route the tether strap over the top of the
head restraint and secure the tether strap
hook to the anchor. Make sure the strap is
not twisted.
6. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the
child seat manufacturer.
7. Make sure the child seat is firmly secured by
rocking it forward and back and side to
side; little movement should be felt.
8. 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. 71
1Installing a LATCH-Compatible Child Seat
Installing a LATCH-compatible child seat in the
rear center seat
Each outer rear seat is equipped with a pair of lower
anchors which are used to secure a LATCH-compatible
child seat. The rear center seat, however, is not
equipped with anchors of any kind. The inner and
outer anchors are spaced apart at a standard distance
of 11 inches (280 mm). The distance between the two
inner anchors is 15.0 inches (380 mm).
LATCH-compatible restraint systems that are fitted
with rigid-type attachments cannot be installed in the
rear center seat. However, a system fitted with
flexible-type attachments can be installed in the
center seat, provided that the manufacturer’s
instructions for that system permit the use of the
inner anchors with the stated spacing.
Before seating a child, make sure that the system is
properly attached to both the lower anchors and
tether anchors.
3WARNING
Using the outer rear seats' inner anchors to
secure a LATCH compatib le child seat in the
center seating position may result in failure
of the child seat, causing injury or death.
Only use the outer rear seats' inner anchors
to install a child seat in the center seating
position if the manufa cturer's instructions
expressly permit.
Tether Strap
Hook
Anchor
Straight Top Tether Type
Tether Strap
Hook
Anchor
Other Top Tether Type
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uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
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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 plate 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
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, place 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.1 Installing 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
80
Safe DrivingA tether anchor point is provided behind each
rear seating position. 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.
1. Locate the appropriate tether anchor point
and lift the cover.
2. Route the tether strap over the head
restraint. Make sure the strap is not twisted.
■Adding Security with a Tether1Adding Security with a Tether
Always use a tether for forward-facing child seats
whether using the seat belt or lower anchors.
Tether Anchor Points
CoverAnchor
Straight Top Tether Type in Outer
Position
Tether Strap
Hook
Anchor
Other Top Tether Type in Outer
Position
Tether Strap
Hook
Anchor
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uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
Safe Driving
3. Secure the tether strap hook to the anchor.
4. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the
child seat manufacturer.
Tether Strap
Hook
Anchor
Straight Top Tether Type in Center
Position
Other Top Tether Type in Center
Position
Tether Strap
Hook
Anchor
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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.