Using the Tether Strap
Many forward-facing child restraints include a strap that extends from the rear of the child restraint and hooks to an attachment point called the upper tether anchor. Tether straps are available as an accessory for many older child restraints.
Contact the child restraint manufacturer to order a tether strap or to obtain a longer tether strap if the tether strap on your child restraint does not reach the correct upper tether anchor in your vehicle.
After installing the child restraint using the seat belt, the LATCH lower anchors system, or both, you can attach the upper tether strap.
Perform the following steps to install a child restraint with a tether strap.
- Route the tether strap over the seatback. For the outboard seating positions, route the tether strap under the head restraint and between the head restraint posts. For the center seating position, route the tether strap over the top of the head restraint. If necessary, you may also remove the head restraints.

- Locate the correct upper tether anchor behind the cover for the selected seating position.

- Attach the tether strap hook to the anchor as shown.
- Tighten the tether strap as specified in the child restraint manufacturer's instructions.
If your child restraint system has a tether strap and the child restraint manufacturer recommends its use, we also recommend using it.
Test yourself
A quick Ford Escape quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.