Ford Fusion Quiz
Child Safety

Booster Seats

In this manual: Child Safety
Introduction — 7Environment — 1At a Glance — 1Child Safety — 9Seat Belts — 8Personal Safety System™ — 1Additional Restrictions — 8Keys and Remote Controls — 8MyKey™ — 5Doors & Locks — 10Safety — 3Steering Wheel — 5Wipers and Washers — 4Lighting — 8Automatic High Beam Control — 3Windows and Mirrors — 6Instrument Cluster — 4Information Displays — 5Climate Control — 10Seats — 9Garage Door Opener — 1Auxiliary Power Points — 3Storage Compartments — 1Starting and Stopping the Engine — 4Unique Driving Characteristics (if equipped) — 1Fuel and Refueling — 9Engine Emission Control — 5Infection Transmission — 1All-Wheel Drive — 1Brakes — 4Traction Control — 1Stability Control — 1Park Aid — 13Cruise Control — 10Driver Assistance — 14Loading — 1Tow/Haul — 5Driving Tips — 3Roadside Emergencies — 5Customer Assistance — 6Fuses — 3Maintenance — 16Vehicle Care — 9Wheels and Tires — 13Capacities and Specifications — 11Connected Vehicle — 1Wi-Fi Hotspot — 1Audio System — 7SYNC™ — 7SYNC™ 3 — 16Accessories — 1Ford Protect — 3Scheduled Maintenance — 5Appendices — 4
~2min read

Use a booster seat with a seat belt for children who have outgrown or can no longer properly fit in a child restraint (typically children under 57 inches (1.45 m) in height, over 4 years of age and under 12 years of age, and weighing between 40 lbs (18 kg) and 80 lbs (36 kg) and up to 100 lbs (45 kg) if recommended by your child restraint manufacturer). Many states and provinces require that children use approved booster seats until they reach eight years of age, 57 inches (1.45 m) in height or 80 lbs (36 kg).

Boosters should be used until you can answer YES to ALL of these questions when seated without a booster:

Ford Fusion. Booster Seats
  • Can the child sit all the way back against the vehicle seatback with knees bent comfortably at the edge of the seat cushion?
  • Can the child sit without slouching?
  • Does the lap belt lie low across the hips?
  • Does the shoulder belt lie across the center of the shoulder and chest?
  • Can the child stay in this position for the entire trip?

Always use booster seats in combination with the vehicle lap and shoulder belts.

Types of Booster Seats

Ford Fusion. Booster Seats
  • Backless Boosters

If your backless booster seat has a removable shield, remove the shield. If the vehicle seat has a low seatback or no head restraint, a backless booster may position your child's head (measured by the tops of the ears) above the top of the seat. In this case, move the backless booster to another seating position with a higher seatback or head restraint, and the knee and shoulder belts, or consider using a high-back booster seat.

Ford Fusion. Booster Seats
  • High-Back Boosters

If you cannot find a seating position that adequately supports your child's head with a backless booster, a high-back booster seat will be the better choice.

Child restraints and booster seats vary in size and shape. Choose a booster that keeps the lap belt low and snug across the hips, never up on the abdomen, and allows you to adjust the shoulder belt so that it crosses the chest and rests comfortably near the center of the shoulder. The following illustrations compare the correct fit (center) with a shoulder belt that is uncomfortably close to the neck and a shoulder belt that may slip off the shoulder. The illustrations also show how the lap belt should be low and snug across the child's hips.

Ford Fusion. Booster Seats
Ford Fusion. Booster Seats

If the booster slides on the vehicle seat it is used on, placing a non-slip mat, sold as a shelf liner or carpet insert, under the booster seat may improve this condition. Do not place any item thicker than this under the booster seat. Check the booster seat manufacturer's instructions.

Test yourself

A quick Ford Fusion quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.