2023 HONDA RIDGELINE Owners Manual

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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.

uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
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
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Safe Driving
6. 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.
Rigid Type
Lower Anchors
All positions
Flexible Type
Lower Anchors

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uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
Safe Driving
7. Put the outer head restraint to its 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
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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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Safe Driving
■Using an outer anchor
1. Put the outer head restraint to its upper-
most position, then route the tether strap
between the head restraint legs.
2. Lift the cover, then hook the tether strap
through the upper guide as shown.
3. Route the tether strap downward properly,
making sure the strap is not twisted.
4. Attach the tether strap hook to the outer
tether anchor on the outside of the seat
bottom.
5. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the
child seat manufacturer.
Outer Tether Anchor Points Upper Guide