2013 Acura MDX Owners Manual

Seat Belt e-pretensioners

OnmodelswithCollisionMitigation BrakingSystem™(CMBS™) For added safety, the front seat belts are equipped with e-pretensioners that work in combination with the collision mitigation braking system™ (CMBS™) (see page 463) and the brake pedal assist function (see page 460).

If your vehicle gets too close to the vehicle ahead of it in your lane, the driver's e-pretensioner slightly retracts the seat belt to alert the driver of the approaching vehicle. If a collision with the vehicle in front of you is likely, the e-pretensioners on both front seats retract the seat belts with enough force to properly restrain you and your front passenger. After they activate, the e- pretensioners release the retracted seat belts. To get the full benefit of the e- pretensioners, you and your front passenger must sit normally in your seats and wear your seat belts properly (see page 16).

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Additional Information About Your Seat Belts

If the automatic seat belt tensioners are activated by a collision, both front seat belts and all related components must be replaced (see page 25). If only the e-pretensioners were activated, no components need to be replaced. In addition, the front passenger's e- pretensioner does not activate when the passenger's airbag is automatically turned off because the weight sensor detects a child in the front passenger's seat.

Seat Belt Maintenance For safety, you should check the condition of your seat belts regularly. Pull each belt out fully, and look for frays, cuts, burns, and wear. Check that the latches work smoothly and the belts retract easily. If a belt does not retract easily, cleaning the belt may correct the problem (see page 534). Any belt that is not in good condition or working properly will not provide good protection and should be replaced as soon as possible. Acura provides a limited warranty on seat belts. See your AcuraWarranty Informationbooklet for details.

If a seat belt is worn during a crash, you should have your dealer inspect the belt, and replace it if necessary. A belt that has been worn during a crash may not provide the same level of protection in a subsequent crash. The dealer should also inspect the anchors for damage and replace them if needed. If the automatic seat belt tensioners activate during a crash, they must be replaced.

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Additional Information About Your Seat Belts

Not checking or maintaining seat belts can result in serious injury or death if the seat belts do not work properly when needed.

Check your seat belts regularly and have any problem corrected as soon as possible.

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Additional Information About Your Airbags

Airbag System Components

(3)

(8)

(13)

(2)

(7)

(10)

(11)

(1)

(13)

(9)

(5)

(4)

(14)

(1) Driver's Front Airbag (2) Passenger's Front Airbag (3) Control Unit (4) Front Seat Belt Tensioners/Seat Belt

e-pretensionersᤳ

(5) Side Airbags (6) Driver's Seat Position Sensor (7) Front Passenger's Weight Sensors (8) Passenger Airbag Off Indicator (9) Occupant Position Detection System

(OPDS) Sensors

(10) Front Passenger's Weight Sensors/OPDS

(5)

(6)

Sensors Control Unit

(11) SRS Indicator (12) e-pretensioner Control Unitᤳ (13) Front Impact Sensors (14) Side Curtain Airbags (15) Side Impact Sensors (First) (16) Side Impact Sensors (Second) (17) Safing Sensor

ᤳ : On models with CMBS

(15)

(4)

(12)

(16)

(16)

(14)

(17)

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Additional Information About Your Airbags

● On models with CMBS, front seat belt e-pretensioners (see page 24).

● Automatic front seat belt tensioners (see page 23).

● Sensors that can detect a moderate to severe front impact, side impact, or if your vehicle is about to rollover.

● Sensors that can detect whether a

child is in the passenger's side airbag path and signal the control unit to turn the airbag off (see page 34).

● Sensors that can detect whether

the driver's seat belt and the front passenger's seat belt are latched or unlatched (see page 21).

● A driver's seat position sensor that

monitors the distance of the seat from the front airbag. If the seat is too far forward, the airbag will inflate with less force (see page 31).

Your Airbag System (SRS) includes: ● Two SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) front airbags. The driver's airbag is stored in the center of the steering wheel; the front passenger's airbag is stored in the dashboard. Both are marked ‘‘SRS AIRBAG’’ (see page 30).

● Two side airbags, one for the

driver and one for a front passenger. The airbags are stored in the outer edges of the seat- backs. Both are marked ‘‘SIDE AIRBAG’’ (see page 33).

● Two side curtain airbags, one for

each side of the vehicle. The airbags are stored in the ceiling above the side windows. The front and rear pillars are marked ‘‘SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG’’ (see page 35).

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Additional Information About Your Airbags

● Weight sensors that monitor the weight on the front passenger's seat. If the weight is about 65 lbs (29 kg) or less (the weight of an infant or small child), the passenger's front airbag will be turned off (see page 31).

● A rollover sensor that can detect if

your vehicle is about to roll over and signal the control unit to deploy both side curtain airbags (see page 35).

● A sophisticated electronic system

that continually monitors and records information about the sensors, the control unit, the airbag activators, the seat belt tensioners, and driver and front passenger seat belt use when the ignition switch is in the ON (II) position.

● An indicator on the instrument

panel that alerts you to a possible problem with your airbag system components (see page 36 and 67).

● An indicator on the instrument

panel that alerts you that the passenger's side airbag has been turned off (see page 36).

● An indicator on the dashboard that

alerts you that the passenger's front airbag has been turned off (see page 37).

● Emergency backup power in case your vehicle's electrical system is disconnected in a crash.

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Additional Information About Your Airbags

How Your Front Airbags Work

If you ever have a moderate to severe frontal collision, sensors will detect the vehicle's rapid deceleration. If the rate of deceleration is high enough, the control unit will inflate the driver's and front passenger's airbags, at the time and with the force needed.

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During a frontal crash, your seat belt restrains your lower body and torso, and the front airbag helps protect your head and chest. Although both airbags normally inflate within a split second of each other, it is possible for only one airbag to deploy. This can happen if the severity of a collision is at the margin, or threshold, that determines whether or not the airbags will deploy. In such cases, the seat belt will provide sufficient protection, and the supplemental protection offered by the airbag would be minimal. Only the driver's airbag will deploy if there is no passenger in the front seat, or if the advanced airbag system has turned the passenger's airbag off (see page 37).

After inflating, the front airbags immediately deflate, so they won't interfere with the driver's visibility, or the ability to steer or operate other controls.

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Additional Information About Your Airbags

The total time for inflation and deflation is less than of a second, so fast that most occupants are not aware that the airbags deployed until they see them lying in their laps. After a crash, you may see what looks like smoke. This is actually powder from the airbag's surface. Although the powder is not harmful, people with respiratory problems may experience some temporary discomfort. If this occurs, get out of the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

Dual-Stage,Multiple- ThresholdFrontAirbags(SRS) Your vehicle is equipped with dual- stage, multiple-threshold front airbags (SRS). During a frontal crash severe enough to cause one or both front airbags to deploy, the airbags can inflate at different rates, depending on the severity of the crash, whether or not the seat belts are latched, and/or other factors. Front airbags are designed to supplement the seat belts to help reduce the likelihood of head and chest injuries in frontal crashes.

AdvancedAirbags Your front airbags are also advanced airbags. The main purpose of this feature is to help prevent airbag- caused injuries to short drivers and children or small statured adults who ride in front. For both advanced airbags to work properly: ● Occupants must sit upright and

wear their seat belts properly. ● Do not spill any liquids on or

under the seats, cover the sensors, or put any objects or metal items under the front seats.

● Objects placed or pushed under

the front passenger's seat may cause the sensor to malfunction, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Failure to follow these instructions could damage the sensors or prevent them from working properly.

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Additional Information About Your Airbags

DRIVER'S SEAT POSITION SENSOR The driver's advanced front airbag system includes a seat position sensor under the seat. If the seat is too far forward, the airbag will inflate with less force, regardless of the severity of the impact. If there is a problem with the sensor, the SRS indicator will come on, and the airbag will inflate in the normal manner regardless of the driver's seating position.

PASSENGER'S SEAT WEIGHT SENSOR The passenger's advanced front airbag system has weight sensors under the seat. Although Acura does not encourage carrying an infant or small child in front, if the sensors detect the weight of an infant or small child (up to about 65 lbs or 29
kg), the system will automatically turn the passenger's front airbag off.

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Be aware that objects placed on the passenger's seat can also cause the airbag to be turned off. When the passenger airbag gets turned off by the weight sensors, a ‘‘passenger airbag off’’ indicator in the center of the dashboard comes on (see page 37). If the weight sensors detect there is no passenger in the front seat, the airbag is automatically turned off. However, the passenger airbag off indicator in this situation will not come on.

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To ensure that the passenger's advanced front airbag system will work properly, donotdoanything thatwouldincreaseordecreasethe weightonthefrontpassenger'sseat. This includes: ● A second-row passenger pushing or pulling on the back of the front passenger's seat.

● Moving the front seat forcibly back

against cargo on the seat or floor behind it.

● Hanging heavy items on the front passenger seat, or placing heavy items in the seat-back pocket.

● Moving the front passenger's seat or seat-back forcibly back against the folded right-side second-row seat.

● Second-row seat passenger should not wedge objects or intentionally force their feet under the front passenger seat.

Additional Information About Your Airbags

Also, make sure the floor mat behind the front passenger's seat is hooked to the floor mat anchor (see page 535). If it is not, the mat may interfere with the proper operation of the sensors and operation of the seat.

How Your Side Airbags Work

If you ever have a moderate to severe side impact, sensors will detect rapid acceleration and signal the control unit to instantly inflate either the driver's or the passenger's side airbag and activate the seat belt tensioner on the affected side.

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Additional Information About Your Airbags

Only one airbag will deploy during a side impact. If the impact is on the passenger's side, the passenger's side airbag may not deploy if there is no passenger. To get the best protection from the side airbags, front seat occupants should wear their seat belts and sit upright and well back in their seats.

SideAirbagCutoffSystem Your vehicle has a side airbag cutoff system designed primarily to protect a child riding in the front passenger's seat. Although Acura does not encourage children to ride in front, if the position sensors detect a child has leaned into the side airbag's deployment path, the airbag will shut off. The side airbag may also shut off if a short adult leans sideways, or a larger adult slouches and leans sideways into the airbag's deployment path. Objects placed on the front passenger seat can also cause the side airbag to be shut off.

If the side airbag off indicator comes on (see page 36), have the passenger sit upright. Once the passenger is out of the airbag's deployment path, the system will turn the airbag back on, and the indicator will go out. There will be some delay between the moment the passenger moves into or out of the airbag deployment path and when the indicator comes on or goes off. A front seat passenger should not use a cushion or another object as a backrest. It may prevent the cutoff system from working properly.

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Additional Information About Your Airbags

How Your Side Curtain Airbags Work

If the impact is on the passenger's side, the passenger's side curtain airbag will inflate even if there are no occupants on that side of the vehicle.

InaSideImpact In a moderate to severe side impact, sensors will detect rapid acceleration and signal the control unit to instantly inflate the side curtain airbag and activate the seat belt tensioner on the impacted side of the vehicle.

InaRollover If the rollover sensor detects your vehicle is about to roll over, it signals the control unit, which immediately deploys both side curtain airbags and activates both front seat belt tensioners. The airbag on the passenger's side will deploy even if there are no passengers on that side of the vehicle. To get the best protection from the side curtain airbags, occupants should wear their seat belts and sit upright and well back in their seats.

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Additional Information About Your Airbags

You will also see a ‘‘CHECK AIRBAG SYSTEM’’ message on the multi- information display (see page 87). If you see any of these indications, the airbag system components may not work properly when you need them.

Ignoring the SRS indicator can result in serious injury or death if the airbag systems or tensioners do not work properly.

Have your vehicle checked by a dealer as soon as possible if the SRS indicator alerts you to a possible problem.

How the Side Airbag Off Indicator Works Canada

U.S.

This indicator alerts you that the

passenger's side airbag has been automatically shut off. It does not mean there is a problem with your side airbags. When you turn the ignition switch to the ON (II) position, the indicator should come on briefly and then go out (see page 70). If it does not come on, stays on, or comes on while driving without a passenger in the front seat, you will also see a ‘‘PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG OFF’’ message on the multi-information display. Have the system checked (see page 87).

How the SRS Indicator Works

The SRS indicator alerts you to a potential problem with

your airbag system components. When you turn the ignition switch to the ON (II) position, this indicator comes on briefly then goes off. This tells you the system is working properly. If the indicator comes on at any other time, or does not come on at all, you should have the system checked by your dealer. For example: ● If the SRS indicator does not come on after you turn the ignition switch to the ON (II) position.

● If the indicator stays on after the

engine starts.

● If the indicator comes on or flashes

on and off while you drive.

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Additional Information About Your Airbags

Be aware that objects placed on the front seat can cause the indicator to come on. If no weight is detected on the front seat, the airbag will be automatically shut off. However, the indicator will not come on. The passenger airbag off indicator may come on and off repeatedly if the total weight on the seat is near the airbag cutoff threshold. If an adult or teenage passenger is riding in front, move the seat as far to the rear as possible, and have the passenger sit upright and wear the seat belt properly.

If the indicator comes on with no front seat passenger and no objects on the seat, or with an adult riding there, something may be interfering with the weight sensors. Look for and remove: ● Any items under the front

passenger's seat.

● Any object(s) hanging on the seat

or in the seat-back pocket.

● Any object(s), such as a folded-

down back seat, that are touching the rear of the seat-back.

If no obstructions are found, have your vehicle checked by a dealer as soon as possible.

How the Passenger Airbag Off Indicator Works

PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR

U.S. Canada

This indicator alerts you that the passenger's front airbag has been shut off because weight sensors detect about 65 lbs (29 kg) or less (the weight of an infant or small child) on the front passenger's seat. It does notmeanthere is a problem with the airbag.

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Additional Information About Your Airbags

● TheSRSindicatoralertsyoutoa problem.Take your vehicle to an authorized dealer as soon as possible. If you ignore this indication, your airbags may not operate properly.

● Ifyourvehiclehasamoderateto

severeimpact.Even if your airbags do not inflate, your dealer should inspect the driver's seat position sensor, the front passenger's weight sensors, the front seat belt tensioners, and all seat belts and their anchors worn during a crash to make sure they are operating properly.

Airbag Service Your airbag systems are virtually maintenance free, and there are no parts you can safely service. However, you must have your vehicle serviced if: ● Anairbageverinflates.Any airbag

that has deployed must be replaced along with the control unit and other related parts. Any seat belt tensioner that activates must also be replaced. We recommend against the use of salvaged airbag system components, including the airbag, tensioners, sensors, and control unit. Do not try to remove or replace any airbag by yourself. This must be done by an authorized dealer or a knowledgeable body shop.

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Additional Information About Your Airbags

Additional Safety Precautions ● Donotattempttodeactivateyour

airbags.Together, airbags and seat belts provide the best protection.

● Donottamperwithairbag

componentsorwiringforany reason.Tampering could cause the airbags to deploy, possibly causing very serious injury.

● Donotexposethefront

passenger'sseat-backtoliquid.If water or another liquid soaks into a seat-back, it can prevent the side airbag cutoff system from working properly.

● Donotremoveormodifyafront

seatwithoutconsultingyour dealer.This could make the driver's seat position sensor or the front passenger's weight sensors ineffective. If it is necessary to remove or modify a front seat to accommodate a person with disabilities, first contact Acura Client Relations. In the US call 800-382-2238 and in Canada call 888-9-ACURA-9.

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Protecting Children － General Guidelines

All Children Must Be Restrained Each year, many children are injured or killed in vehicle crashes because they are either unrestrained or not properly restrained. In fact, traffic collisions are the number one cause of the death of children age 12 and under. To reduce the number of child deaths and injuries, every state, Canadian province and territory requires that infants and children be properly restrained when they ride in a vehicle. Infantsandsmallchildrenmustbe restrainedinanapprovedchildseat thatisproperlysecuredtothevehicle (see pages 45 － 56).

Children who are unrestrained or improperly restrained can be seriously injured or killed in a crash.

Any child too small for a seat belt should be properly restrained in a child seat. A larger child should be properly restrained with a seat belt and use a booster seat if necessary.

Largerchildrenmustberestrained withalap/shoulderbeltandrideona boosterseatuntiltheseatbeltfits themproperly(see pages 57 － 60).

Children depend on adults to protect them. However, despite their best intentions, many adults do not know how to properlyprotect child passengers. If you have children, or ever need to drive with a child in your vehicle, be sure to read this section. It begins with important general guidelines, then presents special information for infants, small children, and larger children.

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Protecting Children － General Guidelines

All Children Should Sit in a Back Seat According to crash statistics, children of all ages and sizes are safer when they are restrained in a back seat. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Transport Canada recommend that all children aged 12 and under be properly restrained in a back seat. Some states have laws restricting where children may ride. Children who ride in the back are less likely to be injured by striking interior vehicle parts during a collision or hard braking. Also, children cannot be injured by an inflating front airbag when they ride in the back.

The Passenger's Front Airbag Can Pose Serious Risks Front airbags have been designed to help protect adults in a moderate to severe frontal collision. To do this, the passenger's front airbag is quite large, and it can inflate with enough force to cause very serious injuries. Even though your vehicle has an advanced front airbag system that automatically turns the passenger's front airbag off under certain circumstances (see page 37), please follow these guidelines: Infants Neverputarear-facingchildseatin thefrontseatofavehicleequipped withapassenger'sfrontairbag.If the airbag inflates, it can hit the back of the child seat with enough force to kill or very seriously injure an infant.

SmallChildren Placingaforward-facingchildseatin thefrontseatofavehicleequipped withapassenger'sfrontairbagcanbe hazardous.If the vehicle seat is too far forward, or the child's head is thrown forward during a collision, an inflating front airbag can strike the child with enough force to kill or very seriously injure a small child. LargerChildren Childrenwhohaveoutgrownchild seatsarealsoatriskofbeinginjured orkilledbyaninflatingpassenger's frontairbag.Whenever possible, larger children should sit in the back seat, on a booster seat if needed, and be properly restrained with a seat belt. (See page 57 for important information about protecting larger children.)

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Protecting Children － General Guidelines

U.S.Models SUN VISORS

DASHBOARD

CanadianModels

SUN VISORS

To remind you of the passenger's front airbag hazards, and that children must be properly restrained in a back seat, your vehicle has warning labels on the dashboard (U.S. models) and on the front visors. Please read and follow the instructions on these labels.

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Protecting Children － General Guidelines

If a Child Requires Close Attention Many parents say they prefer to put an infant or a small child in the front passenger seat so they can watch the child, or because the child requires attention. Placing a child in the front seat exposes the child to hazards in a frontal collision, and paying close attention to a child distracts the driver from the important tasks of driving, placing both of you at risk.

If You Must Drive with Several Children Your vehicle has two rows of back seats where children can be properly restrained. If you ever have to carry a group of children, and a child must ride in front: ● Place the largest child in the front

seat, provided the child is large enough to wear the lap/shoulder belt properly (see page 57).

● Move the vehicle seat as far to the

rear as possible (see page 149).

● Have the child sit upright and well

back in the seat (see page 18).

● Make sure the seat belt is

properly positioned and secured (see page 16).

If a child requires close physical attention or frequent visual contact, we strongly recommend that another adult ride with the child in a back seat. The back seat is far safer for a child than the front.

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Protecting Children － General Guidelines

Additional Safety Precautions ● Neverholdaninfantorchildon yourlap.If you are not wearing a seat belt in a crash, you could be thrown forward and crush the child against the dashboard or a seat-back. If you are wearing a seat belt, the child can be torn from your arms and be seriously hurt or killed.

● Neverputaseatbeltoveryourself

andachild.During a crash, the belt could press deep into the child and cause serious or fatal injuries.

● Usethechildproofdoorlocksto

preventchildrenfromopeningthe reardoors.This can prevent children from accidentally falling out (see page 141).

● Makesureanyunusedseatbelt thatachildcanreachisbuckled, thelockableretractorisactivated, andthebeltisfullyretractedand locked.If a child wraps a loose seat belt around their neck, they can be seriously or fatally injured. (See pages 53 and 54 for how to activate and deactivate the lockable retractor.)

● Neverlettwochildrenusethe sameseatbelt.If they do, they could be very seriously injured in a crash.

● Donotleavechildrenaloneina vehicle.Leaving children without adult supervision is illegal in most states, Canadian provinces/ territories, and can be very hazardous.

For example, infants and small children left in a vehicle on a hot day can die from heatstroke. A child left alone with the key in the ignition switch can accidentally set the vehicle in motion, possibly injuring themselves or others. ● Lockalldoorsandthetailgate

whenyourvehicleisnotinuse. Children who play in vehicles can accidentally get trapped inside. Teach your children not to play in or around vehicles.

● Keepvehiclekeys/remote

transmittersoutofthereachof children.Even very young children learn how to unlock vehicle doors, turn on the ignition switch, and open the tailgate, which can lead to accidental injury or death.

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Protecting Infants and Small Children

Protecting Infants

Two types of seats may be used: a seat designed exclusively for infants, or a convertible seat used in the rear- facing, reclining mode. Donotputarear-facingchildseatin aforward-facingposition.If placed facing forward, an infant could be very seriously injured during a frontal collision.

ChildSeatType An infant must be properly restrained in a rear-facing, reclining child seat until the child reaches the seat maker's weight or height limit for the seat, and the child is at least one year old. Only a rear-facing child seat provides proper support for a baby's head, neck, and back.

Rear-facingChildSeatPlacement A rear-facing child seat can be placed in any seating position in the back seat, but not in the front. Neverputa rear-facingchildseatinthefrontseat. If the passenger's front airbag inflates, it can hit the back of the child seat with enough force to kill or seriously injure an infant. When properly installed in the second row, a rear-facing child seat may prevent the driver or a front passenger from moving their seat as far back as recommended, or from locking their seat-back in the desired position. It can also interfere with proper operation of the passenger's advanced front airbag system.

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Protecting Infants and Small Children

In any of these situations, we strongly recommend that you install the child seat directly behind the front passenger's seat, move the seat as far forward as needed, and leave it unoccupied. Or, you may wish to get a smaller rear-facing child seat.

Placing a rear-facing child seat in the front seat can result in serious injury or death during a crash.

Always place a rear-facing child seat in the back seat, not the front.

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Protecting Small Children

Of the different seats available, we recommend those that have a five- point harness system as shown. We also recommend that a small child use the child seat until the child reaches the weight or height limit for the seat.

ChildSeatType Many states, Canadian provinces and territories allow a child one year of age or older who also meets the minimum size and weight requirements to transition from a rear-facing child seat to a forward facing seat. Know the requirements where you are driving and follow the child seat instructions. Many experts recommend use of a rear-facing seat up to age two, if the child's height and weight are appropriate for a rear-facing seat.

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Protecting Infants and Small Children

ChildSeatPlacement We strongly recommend placing a forward-facing child seat in a back seat, not the front. Placingaforward-facingchildseatin thefrontseatofavehicleequipped withapassenger'sairbagcanbe hazardous.If the vehicle seat is too far forward, or the child's head is thrown forward during a collision, an inflating airbag can strike the child with enough force to cause very serious or fatal injuries.

Even with advanced front airbags that automatically turn the passenger's front airbag off (see page 37), a back seat is the safest place for a small child. If it is necessary to put a forward- facing child seat in the front, move the vehicle seat as far to the rear as possible, be sure the child seat is firmly secured to the vehicle and the child is properly strapped in the seat.

Placing a forward-facing child seat in the front seat can result in serious injury or death if the front airbag inflates.

If you must place a forward- facing child seat in front, move the vehicle seat as far back as possible, and properly restrain the child.

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Selecting a Child Seat

Most child seats are LATCH- compatible (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren). Some have a rigid-type connector, while others have a flexible-type connector. Both are equally easy to use. Some existing and previously owned child seats can only be installed using the seat belt. Whichever type you choose, follow the child seat manufacturer's use and care instructions as well as the instructions in this manual. Proper installation is key to maximizing your child's safety.

In seating positions and vehicles not equipped with LATCH, a LATCH compatible child seat can be installed using the seat belt and a top tether for added security. This is because all child seats are required to be designed so that they can be secured with a lap belt or the lap part of a lap/ shoulder belt. In addition, the child seat manufacturer may advise that a seat belt be used to attach a LATCH- compatible seat once a child reaches a specified weight. Please read the child seat owner's manual for proper installation instructions.

Important considerations when selecting a child seat Make sure the child seat meets the following three requirements: ● The child seat is the correct type

and size for the child.

● The child seat is the correct type

for the seating position.

● The child seat is compliant with

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 or Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.

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After selecting a proper child seat and a good place to install the seat, there are three main steps in installing the seat: 1. Properlysecurethechildseatto

thevehicle.All child seats must be secured to the vehicle with the lap part of a lap/shoulder belt or with the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system. A child whose seat is not properly secured to the vehicle can be endangered in a crash.

2. Makesurethechildseatisfirmly

secured.After installing a child seat, push and pull the seat forward and from side-to-side to verify that it is secure.

A child seat secured with a seat belt should be installed as firmly as possible. However, it does not need to be ‘‘rock solid.’’ Some side-to-side movement can be expected and should not reduce the child seat's effectiveness. If the child seat is not secure, try installing it in a different seating position, or use a different style of child seat that can be firmly secured. 3. Securethechildinthechildseat.

Make sure the child is properly strapped in the child seat according to the child seat maker's instructions. A child who is not properly secured in a child seat can be seriously injured in a crash.

Installing a Child Seat

The following pages provide guidelines on how to properly install a child seat. A forward-facing child seat is used in all examples, but the instructions are the same for a rear- facing child seat.

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Installing a Child Seat

Installing a Child Seat with LATCH Your vehicle is equipped with LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) at each of the second row seats. The lower anchors are located between the seat-back and seat bottom, and are to be used only with a child seat designed for use with LATCH. The location of each lower anchor is indicated by a small button above the anchor point.

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MARKS

UsingtheOuterLATCH

LOWER ANCHORS

When you install a child seat in the second row seating position, use the lower anchors as shown in the illustration. You can install up to three child seats at a time with LATCH. Do not attach two child seat connectors to a single lower anchor at a time.

To install a LATCH-compatible child seat in either outer second row seat: 1. Move the seat belt buckle or tongue away from the lower anchors.

2. Make sure there are no objects

near the anchors that could prevent a secure connection between the child seat and the anchors.

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Installing a Child Seat

RIGID TYPE

3. Place the child seat on the vehicle

seat, then attach the seat to the lower anchors according to the child seat maker's instructions. Some LATCH-compatible seats have a rigid-type connector as shown above.

FLEXIBLE TYPE Other LATCH-compatible seats have a flexible-type connector as shown above.

4. Whatever type you have, follow the child seat maker's instructions for adjusting or tightening the fit.

TETHER STRAP

5. Lift the head restraint (see page 150), then route the tether strap through the legs of the head restraint and over the seat-back, making sure the strap is not twisted.

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UsingtheCenterLATCH

6. Attach the tether strap hook to the

tether anchor, then tighten the strap as instructed by the child seat maker. If the tether strap is too long and cannot be tightened firmly, find a route where the strap can be tightened securely.

7. Push and pull the child seat

forward and from side-to-side to verify that it is secure.

To install a LATCH-compatible child seat in the center seating position on the second row seat, use the center lower anchors as shown above. 1. Pull up the cover below the armrest and find one of the anchors. The other anchor is located underneath the flap at the bottom of the outer seat's inner bolster.

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2. Follow step 1 through 4 as

described previously to secure the child seat.

3. Lower the head restraint first. Route the tether strap over the head restraint and seat-back, then attach the tether strap hook to the anchor, making sure the strap is not twisted.

4. Push and pull the child seat

forward and from side-to-side to verify that it is secure.

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Installing a Child Seat

Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Belt When not using the LATCH system, all child seats must be secured to the vehicle with the lap part of a lap/ shoulder belt. In addition, the lap/shoulder belts in all seating positions except the driver's have a lockable retractor that must be activated to secure a child seat. If you intend to install a child seat in the center seating position of second row seat, make sure the detachable seat belt is securely latched (see page 155).

1. With the child seat in the desired

seating position, route the belt through the child seat according to the seat maker's instructions, then insert the latch plate into the buckle and remove any slack from the lap portion of the belt.

2. To activate the lockable retractor, slowly pull the shoulder part of the belt all the way out until it stops, then let the belt feed back into the retractor.

3. After the belt has retracted, tug on it. If the belt is locked, you will not be able to pull it out. If you can pull the belt out, it is not locked, and you will need to repeat these steps.

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Installing a Child Seat

4. After confirming that the belt is locked, grab the shoulder part of the belt near the buckle, and pull up to remove any slack from the lap part of the belt. Remember, if the lap part of the belt is not tight, the child seat will not be secure. To remove slack, it may help to put weight on the child seat, or push on the back of the seat while pulling up on the belt.

5. Push and pull the child seat

forward and from side-to-side to verify that it is secure enough to stay upright during normal driving maneuvers. If the child seat is not secure, unlatch the belt, allow it to retract fully, then repeat these steps.

To deactivate the lockable retractor and remove a child seat, unlatch the buckle, unroute the seat belt, and let the belt fully retract.

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Installing a Child Seat with a Tether A child seat with a tether can be installed in any seating position in the second or third row. Since a tether can provide additional security to the lap/shoulder belt installation, we recommend using a tether whenever one is required or available.

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SecondRowInstallation

TETHER STRAP

Installing a Child Seat

TETHER ANCHORAGE POINT

Each second row seat has a tether anchorage point behind the seat- back.

Outer Seating Position

1. After properly securing the child seat (see page 53), lift the head restraint, then route the tether strap over the seat-back and through the head restraint legs.

For the center seat, lower the head restraint, then route the tether strap over the head restraint and seat-back.

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ThirdRowInstallation

2. Attach the tether strap hook to the

anchor, making sure the tether strap is not twisted.