Ford Explorer Quiz
Child Safety

Using the Tether Strap

In this manual: Child Safety
Introduction — 10At a Glance — 3Child Safety — 11Seat Belts — 10Personal Safety System™ — 1Supplemental Restraint System — 10Pedestrian Protection — 1911 Assist — 3Keys and Remote Controls — 10MyKey™ — 8Doors & Locks — 9Liftgate — 7Safety — 3Steering Wheel — 11Wipers and Washers — 5Lighting — 13Automatic High Beam Control — 3Windows and Mirrors — 6Instrument Cluster — 4Information Displays — 4Climate Control — 6Cabin Air Quality — 2Seats — 9Garage Door Opener — 2Auxiliary Power Points — 3Storage Compartments — 2Starting and Stopping the Engine — 5Unique Driving Characteristics — 4Fuel and Refueling — 8Engine Emission Control — 3High-Voltage Battery — 1Infection Transmission — 8All-Wheel Drive Vehicle — 1Brakes — 5Reverse Brake Assist — 4Traction Control — 1Stability Control — 3Hill Descent Control — 3Park Aid — 8Cruise Control — 4Adaptive Cruise Control — 19Driver Assistance — 12Drive Mode Control — 4Loading — 6Tow/Haul — 6Driving Tips — 5Roadside Emergencies — 8Customer Assistance — 9Fuses — 3Maintenance — 21Vehicle Care — 12Wheels and Tires — 8Capacities and Specifications — 16Connectivity — 3Wi-Fi Hotspot — 3Audio System — 6SYNC™ 3 — 14Accessories — 1Ford Protect — 1Scheduled Maintenance — 5Appendices — 4
4steps
~24min
2/5difficulty
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Many forward-facing child restraints include a tether strap that extends from the rear of the child restraint and hooks to an anchorage point called the tether anchor. Tether straps are available as an accessory for many older child restraints.

Contact the manufacturer of your child restraint for ordering information for a tether strap or to obtain a longer tether strap if the tether strap on your child restraint does not reach the appropriate upper tether anchor in your vehicle.

After installing the child restraint using the seat belt or the lower LATCH anchors or both, you can attach the upper tether strap.

The tether anchors in your vehicle are located in the following positions (top view shown):

Second-Row Bucket Seats and Third-Row Seats

Second-Row Split Bench Seat and Third-Row Seats

Follow these steps to install a child restraint with tether anchors:

For the outboard second-row seats, route the child restraint tether strap or seat belt through the seatback, under the head restraint, and between the head restraint posts. If necessary, remove the head restraint to improve the fit of the child seat or seat belt. Refer to Head Restraints.

For the second-row center seat, route the child restraint tether strap or seat belt over the head restraint. If necessary, remove the head restraint to improve the fit of the child restraint or seat belt. Refer to Head Restraints.

For third-row seats, route the seat belt through the seatback, under the head restraint, and between the head restraint posts. If necessary, fold the head restraint to improve the fit of the child restraint or seat belt. Refer to Head Restraints.

  1. Pull out the seat belt.
  2. Locate the correct anchor for the selected seating position.
  3. Attach the tether strap hook to the anchor as shown. The hook may be twisted ½ turn for better installation. If you do not attach the tether strap correctly, the child restraint may not be properly secured in the event of a crash.
  4. Tighten the tether strap according to the child restraint manufacturer's instructions.

If you do not secure the child restraint properly, the risk of injury to your child increases significantly in a crash.

If your child restraint system is equipped with a tether strap and the child restraint manufacturer recommends its use, we also recommend using it.

Bucket seats, second row

Bench seats, second row

Third Row Seats

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