Installing a Child Seat with the Three-Point Seat Belt

If the vehicle is not equipped with lower anchorages, the installation of child restraint systems of all types must be carried out using the lap portion of the lap-and-shoulder safety belt.

The lap-and-shoulder belt installed on the rear seat is equipped with a retractor, which must be activated during installation of the child safety seat.

The safety belt with a locking mechanism is marked with a label, as shown in the illustration.

For correct installation of the child seat, follow the instructions of its manufacturer.

A list of child restraint systems recommended for use in European countries is provided on page 47.

The following recommendations for installing child restraint systems apply to child seats intended for European countries and installed in the forward-facing position.

1. Place the child seat on the selected rear seating position. Move the child seat fully rearward, against the seatback.

If you are installing a child seat in any outboard rear seating position and will use the upper tether for additional security, lower the head restraint to its lowest position and secure the tether before fastening the seat with the safety belt.

2. In accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, route the lap-and-shoulder belt webbing through the designated attachment points of the child restraint, then insert the belt latch plate into the buckle.

3. To securely lock the child restraint with the locking mechanism, slowly pull the shoulder belt webbing out of the retractor to its full length.

4. Press the release tab. Route the shoulder belt through the side slot of the child restraint, then release the belt and allow it to retract automatically onto the retractor.

5. After the belt has retracted, pull on it. If the belt is locked, you will not be able to pull it out. If you are able to pull the belt out, this means the belt is not securely locked, and you must repeat all previous steps in sequence until the belt is securely locked.

6. After making sure the belt is securely locked, grasp the shoulder belt webbing close to the buckle and pull it to remove all slack from the lap portion. Note that if the lap portion of the lap-and-shoulder belt is loose, the child restraint will not be securely held in place.

To remove all slack from the belt, it is helpful to apply your body weight to the child restraint or press firmly on its seatback while tightening the belt.

7. Press the locking tab to secure the belt in the slot. Make sure the belt is not twisted and is correctly routed through the slot.

8. After installing the child restraint, try to move it forward and backward and from side to side to check that it is securely held in the required position. If the child restraint moves, release the belt, retract it onto the retractor, and repeat all the installation steps described above.

To release the lock and remove the child restraint, unbuckle the safety belt, remove it from the slots of the child restraint, and allow it to retract fully onto the retractor.

For vehicles not supplied to Europe: Vehicles without a retractor on the safety belt of the seat occupied by the child

If the child seat is secured with the lap-and-shoulder safety belt, it is mandatory to use a locking clip fitted on the belt webbing.

Using the Safety Belt Locking Clip

For vehicles not supplied to Europe: Vehicles without a retractor on the safety belt of the seat occupied by the child

If the child seat is secured to the seat with the lap-and-shoulder safety belt, it is mandatory to use a locking clip fitted on the belt webbing. The clip prevents the child seat from shifting or tipping over.

The locking clip is normally supplied with the child seat.

If you need to purchase a clip separately, contact the child seat manufacturer or a store that sells child restraint systems.

If you need to install a forward-facing child seat in the front passenger seat, move this seat fully rearward, make sure the child seat is securely installed, and make sure the child is properly and securely restrained in the child seat (see page 43).

To install the locking clip correctly, perform the following steps:

1. Install the child seat on a seat equipped with a lap-and-shoulder belt.

Route the lap-and-shoulder belt webbing through the seat attachment points, following the child seat manufacturer's instructions.

2. Insert the belt latch plate into the buckle.

Pull the shoulder belt webbing to remove all slack from the lap portion of the belt.

3. Grasp the belt webbing near the latch plate. Press the webbing portions firmly together so that the belt cannot move through the latch plate opening. Unbuckle the safety belt.

4. Install the locking clip on the belt webbing as shown in the illustration. Slide the clip as close as possible to the latch plate.

5. Insert the belt latch plate into the buckle.

Check that the child seat is securely installed by trying to move it in different directions. If the child seat moves, repeat the installation steps described above.