Download PDF Manual

or puts one or both feet up, the chance of injury during a crash is greatly increased.


Protecting Adults and Teens


In addition, an occupant who is out of position in the front seat can be seriously or fatally injured in a crash by striking interior parts of the vehicle or being struck by an inflating front airbag.


Sitting improperly or out of position can result in serious injury or death in a crash.


Always sit upright, well back in the seat, with your feet on the floor.


19


Information Provided by: Protecting Adults and Teens


Advice for Pregnant Women


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.


20


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.


Additional Safety Precautions


Neverletpassengersrideinthe cargoareaorontopofafolded- If they do, they downbackseat. could be very seriously injured in a crash.


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.


Passengersshouldnotstandupor changeseatswhilethevehicleis A passenger who is not moving. wearing a seat belt during a crash or emergency stop can be thrown against the inside of the vehicle, against other occupants, or out of the vehicle.


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


If they do, they


Information Provided by: 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 nearafrontdoor. or a 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.


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.


Protecting Adults and Teens


21


Information Provided by: Additional Information About Your Seat Belts


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


The seat belt system includes an indicator on the


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


If you turn the ignition switch to ON (II) without fastening your belt, a beeper will sound and the indicator will flash. If you do not fasten your seat belt before the beeper stops, the indicator will stop flashing but remain on.


If you continue driving without fastening your seat belt, the beeper will sound and the indicator will flash again at regular intervals.


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).


16


To unlock the belt, push 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.


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


22


restrain your body.


The seat belts in all positions except the driver’s have an additional locking mechanism that must be activated to secure a child seat (see page


48


).


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


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


Information Provided by: 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 place.


Additional Information About Your Seat Belts


The tensioners are designed to activate primarily in frontal collisions, and they should activate in any collision severe enough to cause front-airbag inflation.


The tensioners are also designed to activate when sensors detect side impact and when your vehicle is about to roll over (see page ).


32


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


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


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. 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 lifetime warranty on seat belts for U.S. models. See your HondaWarrantyInformation booklet for details.


CONTINUED


23


Information Provided by: 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.


For information on how to clean the seat belts, see page


343


24


Information Provided by: Airbag System Components


Your Airbag System includes:


Additional Information About Your Airbags


(6)


(1)


(9)


(10)


(2)


(9)


(12)


(5)


(4)


(11)


(7)


(8)


(5)


(4)


(3)


(13)


(11)


(1) Driver’s Front Airbag (2) Passenger’s Front Airbag (3) Control Unit (4) Seat Belt Tensioners (5) Side Airbags (6) Side Curtain Airbag (7) Driver’s Seat Position Sensor


(8) Front Passenger’s Weight Sensors (9) Front Impact Sensors (10) Passenger Airbag Off Indicator (11) Side Impact Sensors (12) Occupant Position Detection


System (OPDS) Sensors


(13) Rollover Sensor


Two SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) front airbags. The driver’s airbag is stored in the center of the steering wheel; the front passengers’ airbag is stored in the dashboard. Both are marked ‘‘SRS AIRBAG’’ (see page


27


).


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


30


).


Two side curtain airbags, one for each side of the vehicle. The airbags are stored in the ceiling above the side windows. All pillars are marked ‘‘SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG’’ (see page


32


).


CONTINUED


25


Information Provided by: Additional Information About Your Airbags


Automatic seat belt tensioners (see page


23


).


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 automatically turn the airbag off (see page


33


).


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 is in the ON (II) position.


26


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 29


).


Weight sensors that monitor the weight on the front passenger’s seat. These automatically turn off the passenger’s front airbag if they detect an infant or small child may be in the seat (see page ).


29


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


33


).


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


33


).


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


An indicator on the instrument panel that alerts you to a possible problem with your airbags (see page


32


).


A rollover sensor that monitors the degree and rate your vehicle may roll over and automatically deploy the side curtain airbags and activate the front seat belt tensioners if needed (see page


32


).


Information Provided by: 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 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 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


33


).


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


CONTINUED


27


Information Provided by: Additional Information About Your Airbags


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.


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


notlatched


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


latched


It 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.


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.


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.


28


Information Provided by: Advanced Airbags 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 cargo or metal objects 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.


Additional Information About Your Airbags


PASSENGER’S SEAT WEIGHT SENSOR


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.


The passenger’s advanced front airbag system has weight sensors under the seat. If the sensors detect an infant or small child may be in the seat, the system will automatically turn the passenger’s front airbag off.


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.


CONTINUED


29


Information Provided by: Additional Information About Your Airbags


How Your Side Airbags Work


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.


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.


When the airbag is turned off, an indicator in the center of the dashboard will come on indicating passenger airbag ‘‘OFF’’ (see page 33


).


If 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 passenger’s seat.


30


Information Provided by: 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 will deploy even if there is no passenger.


SideAirbagCutoffSystem To reduce the risk of injury from an inflating side airbag, your vehicle has an automatic cutoff system for the passenger’s side airbag.


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.


Although Honda does not encourage children to ride in front, this system is designed to shut off the side airbag if a child leans into the side airbag’s deployment path.


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.


33


), 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.


31


Information Provided by: Additional Information About Your Airbags


How Your Side Curtain Airbags Work


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


32


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.


InaRollover A rollover sensor monitors the degree and rate your vehicle may roll over and automatically deploy the side curtain airbags and activate the front seat belt tensioners (see page 23


).


In a rollover toward the front passenger’s side of the vehicle, both side curtain airbags will inflate and the front seat belt tensioners will activate even if there are no occupants 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.


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 ON (II), this indicator will come on briefly then go out. 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 ON (II).


If the indicator stays on after the engine starts.


If the indicator comes on or flashes on and off while you drive.


Information Provided by: Additional Information About Your Airbags


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.


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


U.S.


How the Side Airbag Off Indicator Works Canada


This indicator alerts you that the passenger’s side airbag has been automatically shut off. It does mean there is a problem with your side airbags.


not


When you turn the ignition switch to ON (II), the indicator should come on briefly and then go off (see page ). If it doesn’t come on, stays on, 64
or comes on while driving without a passenger in the front seat, have the system checked.


How the Passenger Airbag Off Indicator Works


PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR This indicator alerts you that the passenger’s front airbag is shut off because weight sensors detect an infant or small child may be in the front passenger’s seat. It does not mean there is a problem with the airbag.


CONTINUED


33


Information Provided by: Even if your


Ifyourvehiclehasamoderateto severeimpact. airbags do not inflate, your dealer should inspect the driver’s seat position sensor and the front passenger’s weight sensors to make sure they are operating properly.


Additional Information About Your Airbags


If no one is riding in the front seat, the airbag will be automatically shut off. However, the indicator will not come on.


If the indicator comes on with no passenger in the front, or with an adult in the seat, there may be a problem with the advanced airbag system. Have the vehicle checked by the dealer as soon as possible.


The Passenger Airbag Off indicator may also come on and off repeatedly if total weight on the seat is near the airbag cutoff threshold.


If this happens, have the passenger ride properly restrained in a back seat. If the passenger must ride in front, move the seat as far to the rear as possible, and have the passenger sit upright and wear the seat belt 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:


Any airbag


Anairbageverinflates. that has deployed must be replaced along with the control unit and other related parts. If a front airbag inflates, the seat belt tensioners must also be replaced.


Do not try to remove or replace any airbag by yourself. This must be done by your 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.


34


Information Provided by: 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 American Honda at 800-999-1009.


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.


35


Information Provided by: 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


41


51


).



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


51


55



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


36


Information Provided by: 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.


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, which can automatically turn the passenger’s front airbag off (see page guidelines below.


), please follow the


29


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.


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


51


37


Information Provided by: Protecting Children General Guidelines



CanadianModels


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 driver’s and front passenger’s visors. Please read and follow the instructions on these labels. U.S.Models


38


Information Provided by: Protecting Children General Guidelines



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:


If a Child Requires Close Attention Many parents say they prefer to put an infant or 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


52


).


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


13


).


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


19


).


Make sure the seat belt is properly positioned and secured (see page 16


).


39


Information Provided by: Protecting Children General Guidelines



Additional Safety Precautions


Neverholdaninfantorchildon If you are not wearing a yourlap. seat belt in 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.


40


Usechildproofdoorlocksto preventchildrenfromopeningthe This can prevent children doors. from accidentally falling out (see page


138


).


Usethepowerslidingdoormain switchtopreventchildrenfrom This operatingtheslidingdoors. will prevent unintended use of the doors.


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 can accidentally set the vehicle in motion, possibly injuring themselves or others.


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


Children


Even very young


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


Information Provided by: 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.


ChildSeatPlacement A rear-facing child seat can be placed in any seating position in the back seat, but not in the front. Never put a rear-facing child seat in the front seat.


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 the seat as far back as recommended, or from locking the seat-back in the desired position.


Or, it can interfere with proper operation of the passenger’s advanced front airbag system.


CONTINUED


41


Information Provided by: Protecting Infants and Small Children


In any situation, 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.


42


Protecting Small Children


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


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


), a back seat is the safest


29


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.


Information Provided by: Protecting Infants and Small Children, Selecting a Child Seat


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.


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.


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.


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 second- row seat and the center seating position of the third row.


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


We also recommend selecting a LATCH-compatible seat with a rigid, rather than a flexible, anchor (see page


45


).


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


CONTINUED


43


Information Provided by: Selecting a Child Seat, Installing a Child Seat


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.


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.


44


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.


Information Provided by: Installing a Child Seat with LATCH Your vehicle is equipped with LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) in the two second row seats and the center seating position of the third row.


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.


Installing a Child Seat


LOWER ANCHOR MARKS


LOWER ANCHORS


To install a LATCH-compatible child seat in a second row 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.


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.


CONTINUED


45


Information Provided by: Installing a Child Seat


6.


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


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 153
through the legs of the head restraint, over the seat-back, making sure the strap is not twisted.


46


Information Provided by: To install a LATCH-compatible child seat in the center seating position of the third row:


1.


Unlatch the detachable seat belt anchor and retract the seat belt all the way into the ceiling. Place the latch plate and anchor latch in 18
their holding slots (see page


).


2.


Follow steps 1 through 4 of the second row installation (see pages 45


and


46


).


Installing a Child Seat


3.


4.


Remove the head restraint, then route the tether strap over the seat-back, making sure the strap is not twisted.


Slide the anchor cover to open it, then follow steps 6 and 7 of the second row installation (see page 46


).


47


Information Provided by: 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 locking mechanism that must be activated to secure a child seat.


If you intend to install a child seat in the center seating position of the third row, make sure the detachable seat belt anchor is securely latched.


48


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.


Information Provided by: Installing a Child Seat


49


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 firmly secured. If the child seat is not secure, unlatch the belt, allow it to retract fully, then repeat these steps.


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


Information Provided by: SecondRowInstallation


Installing a Child Seat


Installing a Child Seat with a Tether A child seat with a tether can be installed in any seating position in the second or the center seating position of the third row.


Since a tether can provide additional security, we recommend using a tether whenever one is required or available.


TETHER ANCHORAGE POINT


Each second row bucket seat has a tether anchorage point at the bottom of the seat-back.


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.


48


50


Information Provided by: Installing a Child Seat, Protecting Larger Children


ThirdRowInstallation


2.


Attach the tether strap hook to the anchor, making sure the strap is not twisted.


The center seating position of the third row has an anchorage point on the tailgate sill.


ANCHORAGE POINT


3.


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


1.


Remove the bead restraint, then route the tether strap over the seat-back.


2.


Slide the anchor cover to open it.


3.


Follow step 2 and 3 of the second row installation.


Protecting Larger Children 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.


CONTINUED


51


Information Provided by: Checking Seat Belt Fit


Protecting Larger Children


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.


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?


52


3.


Does the shoulder belt cross between the child’s neck and arm?


4.


Is the lap part of the belt as low as possible, touching the child’s thighs?


5.


Will the child be able to stay seated like this for the whole trip?


If you answer yes to all these questions, the child is ready to wear the lap/shoulder belt correctly. If you answer no to any question, the child needs to ride on a booster seat.


Information Provided by: 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 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 state or states where you intend to drive.


Protecting Larger Children


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


37


If a child who uses a booster seat must ride in front, move the vehicle seat as far to the rear as possible, and be sure the child is wearing the seat belt properly.


A child may continue using a booster seat until the tops of their ears are even with the top of the vehicle’s or booster’s seat-back. A child of this height should be tall enough to use the lap/shoulder belt without a booster seat.


When Can a Larger Child Sit in Front The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Transport Canada recommend that all children age 12 and under be properly restrained in a back seat.


If the passenger’s airbag inflates in a moderate to severe frontal collision, the airbag can cause serious injuries to a child who is unrestrained, improperly restrained, sitting too close to the airbag, or out of position.


A side airbag also poses risks. If any part of a larger child’s body is in the path of a deploying side airbag, the child could receive possibly serious injuries.


53


Information Provided by: Protecting Larger Children


Loading...
x