For safety and security

Child restraint system fixed with a child restraint LATCH anchor

~3min read

■ Child restraint LATCH anchors

LATCH anchors are provided for the outboard rear seats.

Child safety

■ When installing in the rear outboard seats

Install the child restraint system in accordance to the operation manual enclosed with the child restraint system.

1. Adjust the seat.

If there is a gap between the child restraint system and the seatback, adjust the seatback angle until good contact is achieved.

2. If the head restraint interferes with the child restraint system installation and the head restraint can be removed, remove the head restraint.

Child safety

With flexible lower attachments

3. Latch the hooks of the lower attachments onto the LATCH anchors.

For owners in Canada: The symbol on a child restraint system indicates A the presence of a lower connector system.

Child safety

With rigid lower attachments

3. Latch the buckles onto the LATCH anchors.

For owners in Canada: The symbol on a child restraint system indicates A the presence of a lower connector system.

Child safety

4. If the child restraint has a top tether strap, follow the child restraint manufacturer's operation manual regarding the installation, using the top tether strap to latch onto the top tether strap anchor.

5. After installing the child restraint system, rock it back and forth to ensure that it is installed securely.

■ When installing in the rear center seat

There are no LATCH anchors behind the rear center seat.

However, the inboard LATCH anchors of the outboard seats, which are 17.3 in. (440 mm) apart, can be used if the child restraint system manufacturer's instructions permit use of those anchors with the anchor spacing stated.

Child restraint systems with rigid lower attachments cannot be installed in the center seat. This type of child restraint system can only be installed in the outboard seat.

■Laws and regulations pertaining to anchors

The LATCH system conforms to FMVSS225 or CMVSS210.2.

Child restraint systems conforming to FMVSS213 or CMVSS213 specifications can be used.

This vehicle is designed to conform to SAE J1819.

WARNING

■When installing a child restraint system

Observe the following precautions.

Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.

  • When using the LATCH anchors, be sure that there are no foreign objects around the anchors and that the seat belt is not caught behind the child restraint system.
  • Follow all installation instructions provided by the child restraint system manufacturer.
  • Never attach two child restraint system attachments to the same anchor. In a collision, one anchor may not be strong enough to hold two child restraint system attachments and may break.

    If the LATCH anchors are already in use, use the seat belt to install a child restraint system in the center seat.

  • When securing some types of child restraint systems in rear seats, it may not be possible to properly use the seat belts in positions next to the child restraint without interfering with it or affecting seat belt effectiveness.

    Be sure your seat belt fits snugly across your shoulder and low on your hips. If it does not, or if it interferes with the child restraint, move to a different position. Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.

  • If the seat is adjusted, reconfirm the security of the child restraint system.

Test yourself

A quick Toyota RAV4 quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.