Seat Belt Precautions

Infant or Small Child

Most countries have laws governing the use of child restraint systems. You should be aware of the specific requirements in your country. Child safety seats and/or child seats must be properly positioned and installed in the rear seat. For more information on these restrictions, see "Child Restraint System" in this section.

✽ NOTICE

Small children are best protected from injury in an accident when properly restrained in the rear seat by a child restraint system that meets your country's safety standards. Before buying a child restraint system, make sure it has a label confirming that it meets your country's safety standards. The seat must match the child's height and weight. Check the label on the child restraint for this information. See "Child Restraint System" in this section.

Older children

Children who are too large for child restraint systems should always sit in the rear seat and use the available lap/shoulder belts. The lap portion must be fastened and pressed against the hips as low as possible. Check periodically to make sure the belt fits properly. If the child squirms, the belt may move out of position. Children are safest in an accident when properly restrained in the rear seat. If a larger child (over 13 years old) must ride in the front seat, the child must be securely restrained with the available lap/shoulder belt and the seat must be in the rearmost position. Children aged 13 and under must be securely restrained in the rear seat. NEVER place a child under 13 in the front seat. NEVER install a rear-facing child seat in the front seat of the vehicle.

If the shoulder belt portion lightly touches the child's neck or face, try moving the child closer to the center of the vehicle. If the shoulder belt still touches their face or neck, the child must be returned to the child restraint system.

WARNING! Small Children

Do not allow small children to ride in the vehicle without an appropriate child restraint system. If the shoulder belt contacts your child's neck or face, the child is too small to ride in the vehicle. In an accident, the seat belt may injure the child's neck, throat and face.

Pregnant Women Restriction

Pregnant women should wear the lap and shoulder belt assembly whenever possible, in accordance with the specific recommendations of their doctors. The lap portion of the belt should be worn AS SNUG AND AS LOW AS POSSIBLE.

WARNING - Pregnant Women

Pregnant women should never position the lap portion of the seat belt above or over the abdomen, where the fetus is located. The force of the seat belt in a collision will crush the fetus.

Injured Person

The seat belt should be used when transporting an injured person. When necessary, consult a physician for guidance.

One person per belt

Two people (including children) should never attempt to use one seat belt. This may increase the severity of injuries in an accident.

Do not recline

To reduce the risk of injury in an accident and to achieve maximum effectiveness of the restraint system, all occupants must sit upright, and the front and rear seatbacks must be in the upright position while the vehicle is in motion. The seat belt cannot provide proper protection if the occupant is lying down on the rear seat or if the front or rear seatbacks are reclined.