Installing a Child Restraint Using the Lap/Shoulder Belt

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

WARNING

ALWAYS install the child restraint in the rear seat of the vehicle.

Placing a rear-facing child restraint on the front seat may result in serious injury or death if the child restraint is struck by the deploying airbag.

Automatic Locking Mode

Since the passenger seat belts retract freely under normal conditions and lock only in emergency or crash situations (emergency locking retractor mode), you must manually pull the seat belt all the way out to switch the retractor to the "Automatic Locking" mode for installing a child restraint.

The "Automatic Locking" mode helps prevent the child's normal movement in the vehicle from causing the seat belt to loosen and compromise child safety. 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. Install the child restraint system on the rear seat and route the lap/shoulder belt around or through the child restraint, following the child restraint manufacturer's instructions. Make sure the seat belt webbing is not twisted.

NOTICE

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

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

Information

Position the release button so that it is easily accessible in an emergency.

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

4. Slowly allow the shoulder belt to retract and listen for an audible "click" or "ratcheting" sound. This indicates that the retractor is in the "Automatic Locking" mode. If no clear 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 while feeding the shoulder belt back into the retractor.

6. Press and pull on the child restraint system to confirm that the seat belt is holding it securely. If it is not, unbuckle the seat belt and repeat steps 2 through 6.

7. Check twice that the retractor is in the Automatic Locking mode by trying to pull out more seat belt webbing. If you cannot, the retractor is in the Automatic Locking mode.

If your CRS manufacturer instructs or recommends using a tether anchor with the lap/shoulder belt, refer to the previous pages for additional information.

NOTICE

When the seat belt has fully retracted to its stowed position, the retractor will automatically switch from the "Automatic Locking" mode back to the emergency locking mode for normal use by adults.

WARNING

If the retractor is not in Automatic Locking mode, the child restraint may move when your vehicle turns sharply or stops. 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 out fully to move the retractor into 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.