Lap/Shoulder Belt Child Restraint Anchorage

WARNING

ALWAYS install a rear-facing child restraint system in the rear seat of the vehicle.

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

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

Automatic Locking Mode

Since all passenger seat belt retractors move freely under normal conditions and lock only in extreme or emergency situations (emergency locking retractor mode), you must manually pull the seat belt webbing all the way out to change the retractor to Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode to secure the child restraint system.

Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode helps prevent the normal movement of the child in the vehicle from loosening the seat belt and compromising the child restraint system. To secure the child restraint system, use the following procedure.

To install the child restraint system on the rear seat, follow these steps:

1. Install the child restraint system on the rear seat and route the lap/shoulder belt around or through the child restraint system, following 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 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 all the way out. When the shoulder belt is fully extended, the retractor will switch to Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode.

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 down and pull on the child restraint system to confirm that 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 Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode by attempting to pull more seat belt webbing out of the retractor. If you cannot, the retractor is in Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode.

If your child restraint system instructions or recommendations from the manufacturer call for using the lap/shoulder belt tether anchor, 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 system, press the release button on the buckle, then pull the lap/shoulder belt out of the child restraint system and allow the seat belt to retract fully.

WARNING

If the child restraint system is installed in the second row center seat, move the second row seats as far rearward as possible to minimize contact with the front center airbag.