2008 Honda Accord Coupe Owners Manual

If you are pregnant, the best way to protect yourself and your unborn child when driving or riding in a vehicle is to always wear a seat belt, and keep the lap part of the belt as low as possible across the hips.

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Protecting Adults and Teens

When driving, remember to sit upright and adjust the seat as far back as possible while allowing full control of the vehicle. When riding as a front passenger, adjust the seat as far back as possible.

This will reduce the risk of injuries to both you and your unborn child that can be caused by a crash or an inflating front airbag.

Each time you have a checkup, ask your doctor if it’s okay for you to drive.

16

Additional Safety Precautions

Twopeopleshouldneverusethe sameseatbelt. could be very seriously injured in a crash.

If they do, they

Donotputanyaccessoriesonseat Devices intended to improve belts. occupant comfort or reposition the shoulder part of a seat belt can reduce the protective capability of the seat belt and increase the chance of serious injury in a crash.

Donotplacehardorsharpobjects betweenyourselfandafront Carrying hard or sharp airbag. objects on your lap, or driving with a pipe or other sharp object in your mouth, can result in injuries if your front airbag inflates.

Keepyourhandsandarmsaway If your fromtheairbagcovers. hands or arms are close to an airbag cover, they could be injured if the airbag inflates.

Donotattachorplaceobjectson Objects on thefrontairbagcovers. the covers marked ‘‘SRS AIRBAG’’ could interfere with the proper operation of the airbags or be propelled inside the vehicle and hurt someone if the airbags inflate.

Donotattachhardobjectsonor If a side airbag or a nearadoor. side curtain airbag inflates, a cup holder or other hard object attached on or near the door could be propelled inside the vehicle and hurt someone.

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Seat Belt System Components Your seat belt system includes lap/ shoulder belts in all five seating positions. The front seat belts are also equipped with automatic seat belt tensioners.

This system uses the same sensors as the front airbags to monitor whether the front seat belts are latched or unlatched, and how much weight is on the front passenger’s seat (see pages

and

25

26

).

The seat belt system includes an indicator on the

instrument panel and a beeper to remind you and your passengers to fasten your seat belts.

This system monitors the front seat belts. If you turn the ignition switch to the ON (II) position before your seat belt is fastened, the beeper will sound and the indicator will flash. If your seat belt is not fastened before

Additional Information About Your Seat Belts

the beeper stops, the indicator will stop flashing but remain on.

If a front passenger does not fasten their seat belt, the indicator will come on about 6 seconds after the ignition switch is turned to the ON (II) position.

If either the driver or a front passenger does not fasten their seat belt while driving, the beeper will sound and the indicator will flash again at regular intervals.

When no one is sitting in the front passenger’s seat, or a child or small adult is riding there, the indicator should not come on and the beeper should not sound.

If the indicator comes on or the beeper sounds when the driver’s seat belt is latched and there is no front seat passenger and no items on the front seat, something may be interfering with the monitoring system. 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) touching the rear of the seat-back.

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

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Additional Information About Your Seat Belts

All seat belts have an emergency locking retractor. In normal driving, the retractor lets you move freely in your seat while it keeps some tension on the belt. During a collision or sudden stop, the retractor automatically locks the belt to help restrain your body.

The seat belts in all positions except the driver’s have a lockable retractor that must be activated to secure a child seat (see page

44

).

If the shoulder part of the belt is pulled all the way out, the lockable retractor will activate. The belt will retract, but it will not allow the passenger to move freely.

To deactivate the lockable retractor, unlatch the buckle and let the seat belt fully retract. To refasten the seat belt, pull it out only as far as needed.

Lap/Shoulder Belt The lap/shoulder belt goes over your shoulder, across your chest, and across your hips.

To fasten the belt, insert the latch plate into the buckle, then tug on the belt to make sure the buckle is latched (see page for how to properly position the belt).

14

To unlock the belt, press the red PRESS button on the buckle. Guide the belt across your body so that it retracts completely. After exiting the vehicle, be sure the belt is out of the way and will not get closed in the door.

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Additional Information About Your Seat Belts

Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners

For added protection, the front seat belts are equipped with automatic seat belt tensioners. When activated, the tensioners immediately tighten the belts to help hold the driver and a front passenger in position.

The tensioners are designed to activate in any collision severe enough to cause the front airbags to deploy.

If a side airbag or side curtain airbag deploys during a side impact, the tensioner on that side of the vehicle will also deploy.

The tensioners can also be activated during a collision in which the front airbags . In this case, the airbags would not be needed, but the additional restraint could be helpful.

donotdeploy

When the tensioners are activated, the seat belts will remain tight until they are unbuckled.

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 330
). Any belt that is not in good condition or working properly will not provide good protection and should be replaced as soon as possible.

Honda provides a limited warranty on seat belts. See your WarrantyInformation details.

booklet for

Honda

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Additional Information About Your Seat Belts

If a seat belt is worn during a crash, it must be replaced by the dealer. 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.

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

(13)

(8)

(8)

(1)

(9)

(2)

(14)

(11)

(1) Driver’s Front Airbag (2) Passenger’s Front Airbag (3) Control Unit (4) Front Seat Belt Tensioners (5) Side Airbags (6) Driver’s Seat Position Sensor (7) Front Passenger’s Weight Sensors (8) Front Impact Sensors (9) Passenger Airbag Off Indicator (10) Side Impact Sensors (First) (11) Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) Sensors (12) Front Passenger’s Weight Sensors Control Unit/

(3)

(6)

OPDS Sensors Control Unit

(13) SRS Indicator (14) Side Curtain Airbags (15) Safing Sensor (16) Side Impact Sensors (Second)

(10)

(4)

(5)

(7)

(16)

(5)

(16)

(4)

(7)

(12)

(15)

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Additional Information About Your Airbags

Your airbag system 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

23

).

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

27

).

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 28

).

22

Automatic front seat belt ). tensioners (see page 19

Sensors that can detect a moderate to severe front impact or side impact.

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

27

).

Sensors that can detect whether the driver’s seat belt and the front passenger’s seat belt are latched or unlatched (see page

17

).

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 25

).

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

26

).

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 airbags, sensors, or seat belt tensioners (see page

29

).

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Additional Information About Your Airbags

An indicator on the instrument panel that alerts you that the passenger’s side airbag has been turned off (see page

29

).

An indicator on the dashboard that alerts you that the passenger’s front airbag has been turned off (see page

30

).

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

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 instantly inflate the driver’s and front passenger’s airbags, at the time and with the force needed.

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 can 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

26

).

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Additional Information About Your Airbags

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-StageAirbags Your front airbags are dual-stage airbags. This means they have two inflation stages that can be ignited sequentially or simultaneously, depending on crash severity.

moresevere

In a crash, both stages will ignite simultaneously to provide the quickest and greatest protection.

lesssevere

crash, one stage will

In a ignite first, then the second stage will ignite a split second later. This provides longer airbag inflation time with a little less force.

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.

The total time for inflation and deflation is one-tenth of a second, so fast that most occupants are not aware that the airbags deployed until they see them lying in their laps.

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Additional Information About Your Airbags

Dual-ThresholdAirbags Your front airbags are also dual- threshold airbags. Airbags with this feature have two deployment thresholds that depend on whether sensors detect the occupant is wearing a seat belt or not.

notlatched

If the occupant’s belt is the airbag will deploy at a slightly lower threshold, because the occupant would need extra protection.

latched

If the occupant’s belt is , the airbag will inflate at a slightly higher threshold, when the airbag would be needed to supplement the protection provided by the seat belt.

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 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.

Back-seat passengers should not put their feet under the front seats.

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

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.

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Additional Information About Your Airbags

Be aware that objects placed on the passenger’s seat can also cause the airbag to be turned off.

Moving the front seat forcibly back against cargo on the seat or floor behind it.

When the airbag is turned off, a ‘‘passenger airbag off’’ indicator in the center of the dashboard comes on (see page

30

).

PASSENGER’S SEAT WEIGHT SENSOR

The passenger’s advanced front airbag system has weight sensors under the seat. Although Honda 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.

If the weight sensors detect there is no passenger in the front seat, the airbag will be off. However, the passenger airbag off indicator will not come on.

To ensure that the passenger’s advanced front airbag system will work properly, donotdoanything thatwouldincreaseordecreasethe weightonthefrontpassenger’sseat. This includes:

A rear passenger pushing or pulling on the back of the front passenger’s seat.

26

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

Moving the front seat or seat-back forcibly back against the folded rear seat.

Also, make sure the floor mat behind the front passenger’s seat is hooked to the floor mat anchor (see page 330
interfere with the proper operation of the sensors and operation of the seat.

). If it is not, the mat may

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Additional Information About Your Airbags

How Your Side Airbags Work

Only one airbag will deploy during a side impact. If the impact is on the passenger’s side, the passenger’s side airbag will deploy even if there is no passenger.

SideAirbagCutoffSystem Your vehicle has a side airbag cutoff system designed primarily to protect a child riding in the front passenger’s seat.

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.

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.

Although Honda 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.

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Additional Information About Your Airbags

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.

One or both side curtain airbags may inflate in a moderate to severe frontal collision which causes the front airbags to deploy.

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.

How Your Side Curtain Airbags Work

SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG

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 driver’s or the passenger’s side of the vehicle.

29

), have the

If the side airbag off indicator comes on (see page 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 other object as a backrest. It may prevent the cutoff system from working properly.

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Additional Information About Your Airbags

How the SRS Indicator Works

The SRS indicator alerts you to a potential problem with your airbags or seat belt tensioners.

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 you see any of these indications, the airbags and seat belt tensioners 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.

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:

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

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.

U.S.

Canada

How the Side Airbag Off Indicator Works

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 off (see page ). If it doesn’t come on, stays on, or comes on while driving without a passenger in the front seat, have the system checked.

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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 hanging on the seat or in the seat-back pocket.

Any object(s) 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

U.S. Canada

PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR

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 there is a problem with the airbag.

notmean

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Additional Information About Your Airbags

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:

Any airbag

Anairbageverinflates. 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.

Do not try to remove or replace any airbag by yourself. This must be done by an authorized dealer or a knowledgeable body shop.

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

Even if your

Ifyourvehiclehasamoderateto severeimpact. 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 worn during a crash to make sure they are operating properly.

Additional Safety Precautions

Donotattempttodeactivateyour airbags. seat belts provide the best protection.

Together, airbags and

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

Donotremoveormodifyafront seatwithoutconsultingyour This could make the dealer. 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 Honda Automobile Customer Service at (800) 999-1009.

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Additional Information About Your Airbags

Donotcoverorreplacefrontseat- backcoverswithoutconsulting Improperly replacing yourdealer. or covering front seat-back covers can prevent your side airbags from inflating during a side impact.

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

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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, vehicle accidents are the number one cause of the death of children ages 12 and under.

To reduce the number of child deaths and injuries, every state and Canadian province requires that infants and children be properly restrained when they ride in a vehicle.

Infantsandsmallchildrenmustbe restrainedinanapprovedchildseat thatisproperlysecuredtothe vehicle

(see pages

46

38

).

−

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/shoulderbeltandrideon aboosterseatuntiltheseatbeltfits ). themproperly

(see pages

47

50

−

33

Children depend on adults to protect them. However, despite their best intentions, many adults do not know how to passengers.

protect child

properly

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 accident 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 age 12 and under be properly restrained in a back seat. Some states have laws restricting where children may ride.

Children who ride in 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 (see page ), please follow these guidelines:

25

Infants Neverputarear-facingchildseatin thefrontseatofavehicleequipped If withapassenger’sfrontairbag. the airbag inflates, it can hit the back of the child seat with enough force to kill or very seriously injure an infant.

34

SmallChildren Placingaforward-facingchildseatin thefrontseatofavehicleequipped withapassenger’sfrontairbagcan If the vehicle seat is behazardous. 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.

Whenever possible,

LargerChildren Childrenwhohaveoutgrownchild seatsarealsoatriskofbeinginjured orkilledbyaninflatingpassenger’s frontairbag. larger children should sit in the back seat, on a booster seat if needed, and be properly restrained with a seat belt (see page information about protecting larger children).

for important

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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.

Protecting Children General Guidelines

−

U.S.Models

SUN VISORS

DASHBOARD

CanadianModels

SUN VISORS

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Protecting Children General Guidelines

−

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

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.

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.

Place the largest child in the front seat, provided the child is large enough to wear the lap/shoulder belt properly (see page

47

).

Move the vehicle seat as far to the rear as possible (see page

92

).

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.

Have the child sit upright and well back in the seat (see page

15

).

Make sure the seat belt is properly positioned and secured (see page 14

).

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Protecting Children General Guidelines

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Additional Safety Precautions

Neverholdaninfantorchildon If you are not wearing a yourlap. 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. belt could press deep into the child and cause serious or fatal injuries.

During a crash, the

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

Makesureanyunusedseatbelt thatachildcanreachisbuckled, thelockableretractorisactivated, andthebeltisfullyretractedand locked. seat belt around their neck, they can be seriously or fatally injured. (See pages activate and deactivate the lockable retractor.)

If a child wraps a loose

for how to

and

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Lockbothdoorsandthetrunk whenyourvehicleisnotinuse. Children who play in vehicles can accidentally get trapped inside. Teach your children not to play in or around vehicles. Know how to operate the emergency trunk opener and decide if your children should be shown how to use this feature (see page

91

).

Donotleavechildrenaloneina Leaving children without vehicle. adult supervision is illegal in most states and Canadian provinces, 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.

Even very young

Keepvehiclekeys/remote transmittersoutofthereachof children. children learn how to unlock vehicle doors, turn on the ignition switch, and open the trunk, 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 If placed aforward-facingposition. 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.

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Rear-facingChildSeatPlacement A rear-facing child seat can be placed in any seating position in the back seat, but not in the front. rear-facingchildseatinthefront seat.

Neverputa

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, 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 collision.

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

Protecting Small Children

ChildSeatType A child who is at least one year old, and who fits within the child seat maker’s weight and height limits, should be restrained in a forward- facing, upright child seat.

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.

ChildSeatPlacement We strongly recommend placing a forward-facing child seat in a back seat, not the front.

If the vehicle seat is too

Placingaforward-facingchildseatin thefrontseatofavehicleequipped withapassenger’sairbagcanbe hazardous. 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.

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Protecting Infants and Small Children, Selecting a Child Seat

Selecting a Child Seat When buying a child seat, you need to choose either a conventional child seat, or one designed for use with the lower anchors and tethers for children (LATCH) system.

Conventional child seats must be secured to a vehicle with a seat belt, whereas LATCH-compatible seats are secured by attaching the seat to hardware built into the two outer seating positions in the back seat.

Since LATCH-compatible child seats are easier to install and reduce the possibility of improper installation, we recommend selecting this style.

In seating positions and vehicles not equipped with LATCH, a LATCH- compatible child seat can be installed using a seat belt.

Whatever type of seat you choose, to provide proper protection, a child seat should meet three requirements:

1.

ThechildseatshouldmeetU.S.or CanadianMotorVehicleSafety Look for FMVSS Standard213. 213 or CMVSS 213 on the box.

2.

Thechildseatshouldbeofthe propertypeandsizetofitthechild. Rear-facing for infants, forward- facing for small children.

Even with advanced front airbags that automatically turn the passenger’s front airbag off (see page place for a small child.

), a back seat is the safest

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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, and 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, Installing a Child Seat

3.

Thechildseatshouldfitthe vehicleseatingposition(or positions)whereitwillbeused.

Before purchasing a conventional child seat, or using a previously purchased one, we recommend that you test the seat in the specific vehicle seating position or positions where the seat will be used.

Installing a Child Seat 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 All child seats must be thevehicle. 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.

After installing a child

Makesurethechildseatisfirmly secured. 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.

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 rear- facing child seats.

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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 the outer rear 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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BUTTON

LOWER ANCHORS

Rigid type

To install a LATCH-compatible child seat:

1.

2.

Move the seat belt buckle or tongue away from the lower anchors.

Make sure there are no objects near the anchors that could prevent a secure connection between the child seat and the anchors.

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.

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Installing a Child Seat

TETHER STRAP HOOK

7.

Push and pull the child seat forward and from side-to-side to verify that it is secure.

Flexible type

ANCHOR

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.

5.

Lift the head restraint (see page ), then route the tether strap 96
through the legs of the head restraint and over the seat-back, making sure the strap is not twisted.

6.

Attach the tether strap hook to the tether anchor, then tighten the strap as instructed by the child seat maker.

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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.

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.

2.

3.

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.

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

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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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.

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Installing a Child Seat

Installing a Child Seat with a Tether

UsinganAnchor

TETHER STRAP HOOK

TETHER STRAP HOOK

TETHER ANCHORAGE POINTS

A child seat with a tether can be installed in any seating position in the back seat, using one of the anchorage points shown above.

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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Outer Position

ANCHOR

Center Position

ANCHOR

3.

Tighten the strap according to the seat maker’s instructions.

1.

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

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2.

Lift the cover, then attach the tether strap hook to the anchor, making sure the strap is not twisted.

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When a child reaches the recommended weight or height limit for a forward-facing child seat, the child should sit in a back seat on a booster seat and wear a lap/shoulder belt.

The following pages give instructions on how to check proper seat belt fit, what kind of booster seat to use if one is needed, and important precautions for a child who must sit in front.

Allowing a child age 12 or under to sit in front can result in injury or death if the passenger’s front airbag inflates.

If a child must ride in front, move the vehicle seat as far back as possible, use a booster seat if needed, have the child sit up properly and wear the seat belt properly.

Protecting Larger Children

Checking Seat Belt Fit

To determine if a lap/shoulder belt properly fits a child, have the child put on the seat belt, then ask yourself:

1.

Does the child sit all the way back against the seat?

2.

Do the child’s knees bend comfortably over the edge of the seat?

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Using a Booster Seat

A child who has outgrown a forward- facing child seat should ride in a back seat and use a booster seat until the lap/shoulder belt fits them properly without the booster.

Some states and Canadian provinces also require children to use a booster seat until they reach a given age or weight (e.g., 6 years or 60 lbs). Be sure to check current laws in the states or provinces where you intend to drive.

Booster seats can be high-back or low-back. Whichever style you select, make sure the booster seat meets federal safety standards (see page 40
seat maker’s instructions.