Child Restraint Installation Using the Lap/Shoulder Belt

If the LATCH system is not used, all child restraints must be secured to the rear seat of the vehicle with the lap/shoulder belt.

WARNING

ALWAYS place a rear-facing child restraint on the rear seat. Installing a rear-facing child restraint in the front seat may result in serious injury or death in the event of a collision, due to the deploying airbag striking the child restraint.

Automatic Locking Mode

Because all passenger seat belts move freely under normal conditions and lock only in extreme or emergency situations (emergency locking mode), you must manually pull the seat belt all the way out to move the retractor to the Automatic Locking Mode to secure the child restraint.

The Automatic Locking Mode helps prevent the normal movement of a child in the vehicle from causing the seat belt to loosen and compromise the child restraint system. To secure the child restraint system, use the following procedure.

To install a child restraint system in the rear seats, perform the following steps:

1. Place the child restraint system on the rear seat and route the lap/shoulder belt around or through the child restraint, according to the child restraint manufacturer's instructions. Make sure the seat belt webbing is not twisted.

Information

When using the rear center seat belt, also refer to "Rear Seat Belts – 3-Point Passenger System" in this chapter.

2. Insert the lap/shoulder belt latch plate into the buckle. Listen for a distinct "click."

Information

Position the buckle so that it is easy to access in an emergency.

3. Pull the shoulder belt portion of the seat belt out completely. When the shoulder belt is fully extended, it will move the retractor to the Automatic Locking Mode (child restraint).

4. Slowly allow the shoulder belt portion to retract and listen for an audible "click" or "ratcheting" sound. This indicates the retractor is in the Automatic Locking Mode. If no distinct sound is heard, repeat steps 3 and 4.

5. Remove as much slack from the belt as possible by pressing down on the child restraint system while feeding the shoulder belt back into the retractor.

6. Press and pull on the child restraint system to confirm the seat belt holds it securely in place. If it does not, unbuckle the seat belt and repeat steps 2 through 6.

7. Double-check that the retractor is in the Automatic Locking Mode by attempting to pull more seat belt webbing out of the retractor. If you cannot, the retractor is in the Automatic Locking Mode.

If your child restraint manufacturer specifies or recommends using a tether anchor with the lap/shoulder belt, refer to the previous pages for more information.

Information

When the seat belt can be retracted to its fully stowed position, the retractor will automatically switch from the Automatic Locking Mode to the emergency locking mode for normal adult use.

WARNING

If the retractor is not in the Automatic Locking Mode, the child restraint may move when the vehicle turns or stops suddenly. The child may be seriously injured or killed if the child restraint is not properly secured in the vehicle, including manually pulling the seat belt all the way out to move the retractor to the Automatic Locking Mode.

To remove the child restraint, press the release button on the buckle, then pull the lap/shoulder belt out of the restraint and allow the seat belt to retract fully.