Installing a Child Seat

Installing a LATCH-Compatible Child Seat

A LATCH-compatible child seat can be installed in any of the three rear seating positions. A child seat is attached to the lower anchors with either the rigid or flexible type of connectors.

  • Marks

  • Lower Anchors

  1. Locate the lower anchors under the marks.

  • Lower Anchors

  • Rigid Type

  • Lower Anchors

  • Flexible Type

  1. Place the child seat on the vehicle seat, then attach the child seat to the lower anchors according to the instructions that came with the child seat.
    1. When installing the child seat, make sure that the lower anchors are not obstructed by the seat belt or any other object.
Straight Top Tether Type

  • Top Tether Anchor Symbol

  • Tether Strap Hook

  • Anchor

Other Top Tether Type

  • Top Tether Anchor Symbol

  • Tether Strap Hook

  • Anchor

Outer position
  1. Raise the outer head restraint to its highest position, then route the tether strap as shown in the image.

Make sure the strap is not twisted.

Straight Top Tether Type

  • Top Tether Anchor Symbol

  • Tether Strap Hook

  • Anchor

Other Top Tether Type

  • Top Tether Anchor Symbol

  • Tether Strap Hook

  • Anchor

Center position
  1. Lower the center head restraint to its lowest position, then route the tether strap over the top of the head restraint.

Make sure the strap is not twisted.

All positions
 
  1. Secure the tether strap hook to the anchor.
  2. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the child seat manufacturer.
  3. Make sure the child seat is firmly secured by rocking it forward and back and side to side; less than one inch of movement should occur near the seat belt.
  4. Make sure any unused seat belt that a child can reach is buckled, the lockable retractor is activated, and the belt is fully retracted and locked.

For your child’s safety, when using a child seat installed using the LATCH system, make sure that the child seat is properly secured to the vehicle.

A child seat that is not properly secured will not adequately protect a child in a crash and may cause injury to the child or other vehicle occupants.

WARNING

Never attach two child seats to the same anchor. In a collision, one anchor may not be strong enough to hold two child seat attachments and may break, causing serious injury or death.

Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt

A child seat can be installed with a lap/shoulder belt in any rear seat or, if absolutely necessary, the front passenger seat.

  1. Place the child seat on the vehicle seat.
  2. Route the seat belt through the child seat according to the seat manufacturer’s instructions, and insert the latch plate into the buckle.
    1. Insert the latch plate fully until it clicks.
  1. Slowly pull the shoulder part of the belt all the way out until it stops. This activates the lockable retractor.
  2. Let the seat belt retract a few inches and check that the retractor has switched modes by pulling on the webbing. It should not pull out again until it is reset by removing the latch plate from the buckle.
    1. If you are able to pull the shoulder belt out, the lockable retractor is not activated. Slowly pull the seat belt all the way out, and repeat steps 3 – 4.
  1. Grab the shoulder part of the seat belt near the buckle, and pull up to remove any slack from the belt.
    1. Push the child seat firmly into the vehicle seat while tightening the vehicle seat belt to remove excess slack.
  1. Make sure the child seat is firmly secured by rocking it forward and back and side to side; less than one inch of movement should occur near the seat belt.
  2. Make sure any unused seat belt that a child can reach is buckled, the lockable retractor is activated, and the belt is fully retracted and locked.

A child seat that is not properly secured will not adequately protect a child in a crash and may cause injury to the child or other vehicle occupants.

To deactivate a lockable retractor, release the buckle and allow the seat belt to wind up all the way.

Adding Security with a Tether

  • Top Tether Anchor Symbol

  • Tether Anchor Points

A tether anchor point is provided behind each rear seating position.

If you have a child seat that comes with a tether but can be installed with a seat belt, the tether may be used for additional security.

If you have a child seat that comes with a tether, consult the child seat owner's manual for additional instructions on tether usage.

Always use a tether for forward-facing child seats whether using the seat belt or lower anchors.

Using an outer anchor

Straight Top Tether Type

  • Tether Strap Hook

  • Anchor

Straight Top Tether Type
  1. Raise the outer head restraint to its highest position, then route the tether strap through the head restraint legs. Make sure the strap is not twisted.
Other Top Tether Type

  • Tether Strap Hook

  • Anchor

Other Top Tether Type
  1. Raise the outer head restraint to its highest position, then route the tether strap outside the head restraint legs. Make sure the strap is not twisted.
All types
  1. Secure the tether strap hook to the anchor.
  2. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the child seat manufacturer.

Using the center anchor

Straight Top Tether Type

  • Tether Strap Hook

  • Anchor

Other Top Tether Type

  • Tether Strap Hook

  • Anchor

  1. Lower the center head restraint to its lowest position.
  2. Route the tether strap over the top of the head restraint. Make sure the strap is not twisted.
  3. Secure the tether strap hook to the anchor.
  4. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the child seat manufacturer.