Fiat 500X (2022 year). Manual in english — page 13

SAFETY

199

(Continued)

Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtain (SABIC)

SABICs may help reduce the risk of head and other

injuries to front and rear seat outboard occupants

in certain side impacts, in addition to the injury

reduction potential provided by the seat belts and

body structure.
The SABIC deploys downward, covering the side

windows. An inflating SABIC pushes the outside

edge of the headliner out of the way and covers the

window. The SABICs inflate with enough force to

injure occupants if they are not belted and seated

properly, or if items are positioned in the area

where the SABICs inflate. Children are at an even

greater risk of injury from a deploying air bag.
The SABICs may help reduce the risk of partial or

complete ejection of vehicle occupants through

side windows in certain side impact events.

Side Impacts
The Side Air Bags are designed to activate in

certain side impacts. The Occupant Restraint

Controller (ORC) determines whether the

deployment of the Side Air Bags in a particular

impact event is appropriate, based on the severity

and type of collision. The side impact sensors aid

the ORC in determining the appropriate response

to impact events. The system is calibrated to

deploy the Side Air Bags on the impact side of the

vehicle during impacts that require Side Air Bag

occupant protection. In side impacts, the Side Air

Bags deploy independently; a left side impact

deploys the left Side Air Bags only and a right-side

impact deploys the right Side Air Bags only. Vehicle

damage by itself is not a good indicator of whether

or not Side Air Bags should have deployed.
The Side Air Bags will not deploy in all side

collisions, including some collisions at certain

angles, or some side collisions that do not impact

the area of the passenger compartment. The Side

Air Bags may deploy during angled or offset frontal

collisions where the front air bags deploy.
Side Air Bags are a supplement to the seat belt

restraint system. Side Air Bags deploy in less time

than it takes to blink your eyes.

WARNING!



Do not mount equipment, or stack luggage or

other cargo up high enough to block the

deployment of the SABICs. The trim covering

above the side windows where the SABIC and

its deployment path are located should

remain free from any obstructions.



In order for the SABICs to work as intended, do

not install any accessory items in your vehicle

which could alter the roof. Do not add an after

-

market sunroof to your vehicle. Do not add

roof racks that require permanent attach

-

ments (bolts or screws) for installation on the

vehicle roof. Do not drill into the roof of the

vehicle for any reason.

WARNING!



Occupants, including children, who are up

against or very close to Side Air Bags can be

seriously injured or killed. Occupants,

including children, should never lean on or

sleep against the door, side windows, or area

where the side air bags inflate, even if they are

in an infant or child restraint.

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200

SAFETY

NOTE:

Air bag covers may not be obvious in the interior

trim, but they will open during air bag deployment.
Rollover Events
Side Air Bags and seat belt pretensioners are

designed to activate in certain rollover events. The

Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) determines

whether deployment in a particular rollover event

is appropriate, based on the severity and type of

collision. Vehicle damage by itself is not a good

indicator of whether or not Side Air Bags and seat

belt pretensioners should have deployed.
The Side Air Bags and seat belt pretensioners will

not deploy in all rollover events. The rollover

sensing system determines if a rollover event may

be in progress and whether deployment is

appropriate. In the event the vehicle experiences a

rollover or near rollover event, and deployment is

appropriate, the rollover sensing system will deploy

the side air bags and seat belt pretensioners on

both sides of the vehicle.
The SABICs may help reduce the risk of partial or

complete ejection of vehicle occupants through

side windows in certain rollover or side impact

events.

Air Bag System Components

NOTE:

The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) monitors

the internal circuits and interconnecting wiring

associated with electrical Air Bag System Compo

-

nents listed below:



Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)



Air Bag Warning Light



Steering Wheel and Column



Instrument Panel



Knee Impact Bolsters



Driver and Front Passenger Air Bags



Seat Belt Buckle Switch



Supplemental Side Air Bags



Supplemental Knee Air Bags



Front and Side Impact Sensors



Seat Belt Pretensioners



Seat Track Position Sensors



Seat belts (and child restraints where appro

-

priate) are necessary for your protection in all

collisions. They also help keep you in position,

away from an inflating Side Air Bag. To get the

best protection from the Side Air Bags, occu

-

pants must wear their seat belts properly and

sit upright with their backs against the seats.

Children must be properly restrained in a child

restraint or booster seat that is appropriate for

the size of the child.

WARNING!



Side Air Bags need room to inflate. Do not lean

against the door or window. Sit upright in the

center of the seat.



Being too close to the Side Air Bags during

deployment could cause you to be severely

injured or killed.



Relying on the Side Air Bags alone could lead

to more severe injuries in a collision. The Side

Air Bags work with your seat belt to restrain

you properly. In some collisions, Side Air Bags

won’t deploy at all. Always wear your seat belt

even though you have Side Air Bags.

WARNING!

SAFETY

201

If A Deployment Occurs

The front air bags are designed to deflate

immediately after deployment.
NOTE:

Front and/or side air bags will not deploy in all colli

-

sions. This does not mean something is wrong with

the air bag system.
If you do have a collision which deploys the air

bags, any or all of the following may occur:



The air bag material may sometimes cause

abrasions and/or skin reddening to the occu

-

pants as the air bags deploy and unfold. The

abrasions are similar to friction rope burns or

those you might get sliding along a carpet or

gymnasium floor. They are not caused by

contact with chemicals. They are not permanent

and normally heal quickly. However, if you

haven’t healed significantly within a few days, or

if you have any blistering, see your doctor imme

-

diately.



As the air bags deflate, you may see some

smoke-like particles. The particles are a normal

by-product of the process that generates the

non-toxic gas used for air bag inflation. These

airborne particles may irritate the skin, eyes,

nose, or throat. If you have skin or eye irritation,

rinse the area with cool water. For nose or throat

irritation, move to fresh air. If the irritation

continues, see your doctor. If these particles

settle on your clothing, follow the garment

manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning.

Do not drive your vehicle after the air bags have

deployed. If you are involved in another collision,

the air bags will not be in place to protect you.

NOTE:



Air bag covers may not be obvious in the interior

trim, but they will open during air bag deploy

-

ment.



After any collision, the vehicle should be taken

to an authorized dealer immediately.

Enhanced Accident Response System

In the event of an impact, if the communication

network remains intact, and the power remains

intact, depending on the nature of the event, the

Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) will determine

whether to have the Enhanced Accident Response

System perform the following functions:



Cut off fuel to the engine (if equipped).



Cut off battery power to the electric motor (if

equipped).



Flash hazard lights as long as the battery has

power.



Turn on the interior lights, which remain on as

long as the battery has power or for 15 minutes

from the intervention of the Enhanced Accident

Response System.



Unlock the power door locks.

Your vehicle may also be designed to perform any

of these other functions in response to the

Enhanced Accident Response System:



Turn off the Fuel Filter Heater, Turn off the HVAC

Blower Motor, Close the HVAC Circulation Door



Cut off battery power to the:



Engine



Electric Motor (if equipped)



Electric power steering



Brake booster



Electric park brake



Automatic transmission gear selector



Horn



Front wiper



Headlamp washer pump (if equipped)

WARNING!

Deployed air bags and seat belt pretensioners

cannot protect you in another collision. Have the

air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and the seat

belt retractor assemblies replaced by an

authorized dealer immediately. Also, have the

Occupant Restraint Controller System serviced

as well.

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202

SAFETY

NOTE:

After an accident, remember to cycle the ignition to

the STOP (OFF/LOCK) position and remove the key

from the ignition switch to avoid draining the

battery. Carefully check the vehicle for fuel leaks in

the engine compartment and on the ground near

the engine compartment and fuel tank before

resetting the system and starting the engine. If

there are no fuel leaks or damage to the vehicle

electrical devices (e.g. headlights) after an

accident, reset the system by following the

procedure described below. If you have any doubt,

contact an authorized dealer.

Enhanced Accident Response System

Reset Procedure

After the event occurs, when the system is active,

a message regarding fuel cutoff is displayed. Turn

the ignition switch from ignition AVV/START or

MAR/ACC/ON/RUN to ignition STOP/OFF/LOCK.

Carefully check the vehicle for fuel leaks in the

engine compartment and on the ground near the

engine compartment and fuel tank before

resetting the system and starting the engine.
Depending on the nature of the event the left and

right turn signal lights, located in the instrument

panel, may both be blinking and will continue to

blink. In order to move your vehicle to the side of

the road, you must follow the system reset

procedure.

Customer Action

Customer Will See

NOTE:

Each step MUST BE held for at least two seconds
1. Turn ignition STOP/OFF/LOCK. (Turn Signal Switch Must be placed in

Neutral State).

2. Turn ignition MAR/ACC/ON/RUN.

Right turn light BLINKS.
Left turn light is OFF.

3. Turn right turn signal switch ON.

Right turn light is ON SOLID.
Left turn light BLINKS.

4. Place turn signal in neutral state.

Right turn light is OFF.
Left turn light BLINKS.

5. Turn left turn signal switch ON.

Right turn light BLINKS.
Left turn light is ON SOLID.

6. Place turn signal in neutral state.

Right turn light BLINKS.
Left turn light is OFF.

SAFETY

203

If a reset procedure step is not completed within 60 seconds, then the turn signal lights will blink and the reset procedure must be performed again in order to

be successful.

7. Turn right turn signal switch ON.

Right turn light is ON SOLID.
Left turn light BLINKS.

8. Place turn signal in neutral state.

Right turn light is OFF.
Left turn light BLINKS.

9. Turn left turn signal switch ON.

Right turn light is ON SOLID.
Left turn light is ON SOLID.

10. Turn left turn signal switch OFF. (Turn Signal Switch Must be placed in

Neutral State).

Right turn light is OFF.
Left turn light is OFF.

11. Turn ignition STOP/OFF/LOCK.
12. Turn ignition MAR/ACC/ON/RUN. (Entire sequence needs to be completed

within one minute or sequence will need to be repeated).

System is now reset and the engine may be started.

Turn hazard flashers OFF (Manually).

Customer Action

Customer Will See

NOTE:

Each step MUST BE held for at least two seconds

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204

SAFETY

Maintaining Your Air Bag System

Event Data Recorder (EDR)

This vehicle is equipped with an event data

recorder (EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to

record, in certain crash or near crash-like

situations, such as an air bag deployment or hitting

a road obstacle, data that will assist in

understanding how a vehicle’s systems performed.

The EDR is designed to record data related to

vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short

period of time, typically 30 seconds or less. The

EDR in this vehicle is designed to record such

data as:



How various systems in your vehicle were oper

-

ating;



Whether or not the driver and passenger safety

belts were buckled/fastened;



How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the

accelerator and/or brake pedal; and,



How fast the vehicle was traveling.

These data can help provide a better

understanding of the circumstances in which

crashes and injuries occur.

NOTE:

EDR data are recorded by your vehicle only if a

non-trivial crash situation occurs; no data are

recorded by the EDR under normal driving condi

-

tions and no personal data (e.g., name, gender,

age, and crash location) are recorded. However,

other parties, such as law enforcement, could

combine the EDR data with the type of personally

identifying data routinely acquired during a crash

investigation.
To read data recorded by an EDR, special

equipment is required, and access to the vehicle or

the EDR is needed. In addition to the vehicle

manufacturer, other parties, such as law

enforcement, that have the special equipment,

can read the information if they have access to the

vehicle or the EDR.

C

HILD

R

ESTRAINTS

Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up at

all times, including babies and children. Every

state in the United States, and every Canadian

province, requires that small children ride in

proper restraint systems. This is the law, and you

can be prosecuted for ignoring it.
Children 12 years or younger should ride properly

buckled up in a rear seat, if available. According to

crash statistics, children are safer when properly

restrained in the rear seats rather than in the front.

WARNING!



Modifications to any part of the air bag system

could cause it to fail when you need it. You

could be injured if the air bag system is not

there to protect you. Do not modify the compo

-

nents or wiring, including adding any kind of

badges or stickers to the steering wheel hub

trim cover or the upper passenger side of the

instrument panel. Do not modify the front

fascia/bumper, vehicle body structure, or add

aftermarket side steps or running boards.



It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the air

bag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who

works on your vehicle that it has an air bag

system.



Do not attempt to modify any part of your air

bag system. The air bag may inflate accidentally

or may not function properly if modifications are

made. Take your vehicle to an authorized dealer

for any air bag system service. If your seat,

including your trim cover and cushion, needs to

be serviced in any way (including removal or

loosening/tightening of seat attachment bolts),

take the vehicle to an authorized dealer. Only

manufacturer approved seat accessories may

be used. If it is necessary to modify the air bag

system for persons with disabilities, contact an

authorized dealer.

SAFETY

205

There are different sizes and types of restraints for

children from newborn size to the child almost

large enough for an adult safety belt. Always check

the child seat Owner’s Manual to make sure you

have the correct seat for your child. Carefully read

and follow all the instructions and warnings in the

child restraint Owner’s Manual and on all the

labels attached to the child restraint.
Before buying any restraint system, make sure that

it has a label certifying that it meets all applicable

Safety Standards. You should also make sure that

you can install it in the vehicle where you will use it.

NOTE:



For additional information, refer to http://

www.nhtsa.gov/parents-and-caregivers or call

1-888-327-4236.



Canadian residents should refer to Transport

Canada’s website for additional information:

http://www.tc.gc.ca/en/services/road/

child-car-seat-safety.html.

Summary Of Recommendations For Restraining Children In Vehicles

WARNING!

In a collision, an unrestrained child can become

a projectile inside the vehicle. The force required

to hold even an infant on your lap could become

so great that you could not hold the child, no

matter how strong you are. The child and others

could be badly injured or killed. Any child riding

in your vehicle should be in a proper restraint for

the child’s size.

Child Size, Height, Weight Or Age

Recommended Type Of Child Restraint

Infants and Toddlers

Children who are two years old or younger and who

have not reached the height or weight limits of their

child restraint

Either an Infant Carrier or a Convertible Child

Restraint, facing rearward in a rear seat of the

vehicle

Small Children

Children who are at least two years old or who have

outgrown the height or weight limit of their

rear-facing child restraint

Forward-Facing Child Restraint with a five-point

Harness, facing forward in a rear seat of the

vehicle

Larger Children

Children who have outgrown their forward-facing

child restraint, but are too small to properly fit the

vehicle’s seat belt

Belt Positioning Booster Seat and the vehicle seat

belt, seated in a rear seat of the vehicle

Children Too Large for Child Restraints

Children 12 years old or younger, who have

outgrown the height or weight limit of their booster

seat

Vehicle Seat Belt, seated in a rear seat of the

vehicle

6

206

SAFETY

(Continued)

Infant And Child Restraints

Safety experts recommend that children ride

rear-facing in the vehicle until they are two years

old or until they reach either the height or weight

limit of their rear-facing child restraint. Two types of

child restraints can be used rear-facing: infant

carriers and convertible child seats.
The infant carrier is only used rear-facing in the

vehicle. It is recommended for children from birth

until they reach the weight or height limit of the

infant carrier. Convertible child seats can be used

either rear-facing or forward-facing in the vehicle.

Convertible child seats often have a higher weight

limit in the rear-facing direction than infant carriers

do, so they can be used rear-facing by children who

have outgrown their infant carrier but are still less

than at least two years old. Children should remain

rear-facing until they reach the highest weight or

height allowed by their convertible child seat.

Older Children And Child Restraints

Children who are two years old or who have

outgrown their rear-facing convertible child seat

can ride forward-facing in the vehicle.

Forward-facing child seats and convertible child

seats used in the forward-facing direction are for

children who are over two years old or who have

outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit of

their rear-facing convertible child seat. Children

should remain in a forward-facing child seat with a

harness for as long as possible, up to the highest

weight or height allowed by the child seat.
All children whose weight or height is above the

forward-facing limit for the child seat should use a

belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle’s

seat belts fit properly. If the child cannot sit with

knees bent over the vehicle’s seat cushion while

the child’s back is against the seatback, they

should use a belt-positioning booster seat. The

child and belt-positioning booster seat are held in

the vehicle by the seat belt.

WARNING!



Never place a rear-facing child restraint in

front of an air bag. A deploying passenger

front air bag can cause death or serious injury

to a child 12 years or younger, including a

child in a rear-facing child restraint.



Never install a rear-facing child restraint in the

front seat of a vehicle. Only use a rear-facing

child restraint in the rear seat. If the vehicle

does not have a rear seat, do not transport a

rear-facing child restraint in that vehicle.

WARNING!

WARNING!



Improper installation can lead to failure of an

infant or child restraint. It could come loose in

a collision. The child could be badly injured or

killed. Follow the child restraint manufac

-

turer’s directions exactly when installing an

infant or child restraint.



After a child restraint is installed in the

vehicle, do not move the vehicle seat forward

or rearward because it can loosen the child

restraint attachments. Remove the child

restraint before adjusting the vehicle seat

position. When the vehicle seat has been

adjusted, reinstall the child restraint.



When your child restraint is not in use, secure

it in the vehicle with the seat belt or LATCH

anchorages, or remove it from the vehicle. Do

not leave it loose in the vehicle. In a sudden

stop or accident, it could strike the occupants

or seatbacks and cause serious personal

injury.

SAFETY

207

Children Too Large For Booster Seats

Children who are large enough to wear the

shoulder belt comfortably, and whose legs are long

enough to bend over the front of the seat when

their back is against the seatback, should use the

seat belt in a rear seat. Use this simple 5-step test

to decide whether the child can use the vehicle’s

seat belt alone:
1. Can the child sit all the way back against the

back of the vehicle seat?

2. Do the child’s knees bend comfortably over

the front of the vehicle seat – while the child is

still sitting all the way back?

3. Does the shoulder belt cross the child’s

shoulder between the neck and arm?

4. Is the lap part of the belt as low as possible,

touching the child’s thighs and not the

stomach?

5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole

trip?

If the answer to any of these questions was “no”,

then the child still needs to use a booster seat in

this vehicle. If the child is using the lap/shoulder

belt, check seat belt fit periodically and make sure

the seat belt buckle is latched. A child’s squirming

or slouching can move the belt out of position. If

the shoulder belt contacts the face or neck, move

the child closer to the center of the vehicle, or use

a booster seat to position the seat belt on the child

correctly.

Recommendations For Attaching Child Restraints

WARNING!

Never allow a child to put the shoulder belt

under an arm or behind their back. In a crash,

the shoulder belt will not protect a child properly,

which may result in serious injury or death. A

child must always wear both the lap and

shoulder portions of the seat belt correctly.

Restraint Type

Combined Weight of

the Child + Child

Restraint

Use Any Attachment Method Shown With An “X” Below

LATCH – Lower

Anchors Only

Seat Belt Only

LATCH – Lower

Anchors + Top Tether

Anchor

Seat Belt + Top Tether

Anchor

Rear-Facing Child Restraint

Up to 65 lbs

(29.5 kg)

X

X

Rear-Facing Child Restraint

More than 65 lbs

(29.5 kg)

X

Forward-Facing Child Restraint

Up to 65 lbs

(29.5 kg)

X

X

Forward-Facing Child Restraint

More than 65 lbs

(29.5 kg)

X

6

208

SAFETY

Lower Anchors And Tethers For CHildren

(LATCH) Restraint System

LATCH Label

Your vehicle is equipped with the child restraint

anchorage system called LATCH, which stands for

Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren. The

LATCH system has three vehicle anchor points for

installing LATCH-equipped child seats. There are

two lower anchorages located at the back of the

seat cushion where it meets the seatback and one

top tether anchorage located behind the seating

position. These anchorages are used to install

LATCH-equipped child seats without using the

vehicle’s seat belts. Some seating positions may

have a top tether anchorage but no lower

anchorages. In these seating positions, the seat

belt must be used with the top tether anchorage to

install the child restraint. Please see the following

table for more information.

LATCH Positions For Installing Child

Restraints In This Vehicle

LATCH Positions

Lower Anchorage Symbol (2 Anchorages Per

Seating Position)

Top Tether Anchorage Symbol

SAFETY

209

Frequently Asked Questions About Installing Child Restraints With LATCH

What is the weight limit (child’s weight + weight of the child

restraint) for using the LATCH anchorage system to attach the

child restraint?

65 lbs (29.5 kg)

Use the LATCH anchorage system until the combined weight of

the child and the child restraint is 65 lbs (29.5 kg). Use the seat

belt and tether anchor instead of the LATCH anchorage system

once the combined weight is more than 65 lbs (29.5 kg).

Can the LATCH anchorages and the seat belt be used together to

attach a rear-facing or forward-facing child restraint?

No

Do not use the seat belt when you use the LATCH anchorage

system to attach a rear-facing or forward-facing child restraint.
Booster seats may be attached to the LATCH anchorages if

allowed by the booster seat manufacturer. See your booster seat

owner’s manual for more information.

Can a child seat be installed in the center position using the inner

LATCH lower anchorages from the outboard seating positions?

No

Use the seat belt and tether anchor to install a child seat in the

center seating position.

Can two child restraints be attached using a common lower

LATCH anchorage?

No

Never “share” a LATCH anchorage with two or more child

restraints. If the center position does not have dedicated LATCH

lower anchorages, use the seat belt to install a child seat in the

center position next to a child seat using the LATCH anchorages

in an outboard position.

Can the rear-facing child restraint touch the back of the front

passenger seat?

Yes

The child seat may touch the back of the front passenger seat if

the child restraint manufacturer also allows contact. See your

child restraint owner’s manual for more information.

Can the rear head restraints be removed?

Yes

The head restraints can be removed in each seating position if

they interfere with the installation of the child restraint

Ú

page 30.

6

210

SAFETY

Locating The LATCH Anchorages

The lower anchorages are round bars

that are found at the rear of the seat

cushion where it meets the seatback,

below the anchorage symbols on the

seatback. They are just visible when you lean into

the rear seat to install the child restraint. You will

easily feel them if you run your finger along the gap

between the seatback and seat cushion.

Lower Anchorage Location

Locating The Upper Tether Anchorages

There are tether strap anchorages

behind each rear seating position

located on the back of the seat.

Tether Anchorage Locations

LATCH-compatible child restraint systems will be

equipped with a rigid bar or a flexible strap on each

side. Each will have a hook or connector to attach

to the lower anchorage and a way to tighten the

connection to the anchorage. Forward-facing child

restraints and some rear-facing child restraints will

also be equipped with a tether strap. The tether

strap will have a hook at the end to attach to the

top tether anchorage and a way to tighten the strap

after it is attached to the anchorage.

Center Seat LATCH:

Always follow the directions of the child restraint

manufacturer when installing your child restraint.

Not all child restraint systems will be installed as

described here.

WARNING!



Do not install a child restraint in the center

position using the LATCH system. This position

is not approved for installing child seats using

the LATCH attachments. You must use the

seat belt and tether anchor to install a child

seat in the center seating position.



Never use the same lower anchorage to

attach more than one child restraint. See

Ú

page 211 for typical installation instruc

-

tions.

SAFETY

211

(Continued)

To Install A LATCH-Compatible Child

Restraint

If the selected seating position has a Switchable

Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) seat belt, stow

the seat belt, following the instructions below. See

Ú

page 211 to check what type of seat belt each

seating position has.
1. Loosen the adjusters on the lower straps and

on the tether strap of the child seat so that

you can more easily attach the hooks or

connectors to the vehicle anchorages.

2. Place the child seat between the lower

anchorages for that seating position. If the

second row seat can be reclined, you may

recline the seat and/or raise the head restraint

(if adjustable) to get a better fit. If the rear seat

can be moved forward and rearward in the

vehicle, you may wish to move it to its

rear-most position to make room for the child

seat. You may also move the front seat forward

to allow more room for the child seat.

3. Attach the lower hooks or connectors of the

child restraint to the lower anchorages in the

selected seating position.

4. If the child restraint has a tether strap, connect

it to the top tether anchorage. See

Ú

page 213 for directions to attach a tether

anchor.

5. Tighten all of the straps as you push the child

restraint rearward and downward into the

seat. Remove slack in the straps according to

the child restraint manufacturer’s instructions.

6. Test that the child restraint is installed tightly

by pulling back and forth on the child seat at

the belt path. It should not move more than

1 inch (25.4 mm) in any direction.

How To Stow An Unused Switchable-ALR

(ALR) Seat Belt:

When using the LATCH attaching system to install

a child restraint, stow all ALR seat belts that are not

being used by other occupants or being used to

secure child restraints. An unused belt could injure

a child if they play with it and accidentally lock the

seat belt retractor. Before installing a child

restraint using the LATCH system, buckle the seat

belt behind the child restraint and out of the child’s

reach. If the buckled seat belt interferes with the

child restraint installation, instead of buckling it

behind the child restraint, route the seat belt

through the child restraint belt path and then

buckle it. Do not lock the seat belt. Remind all

children in the vehicle that the seat belts are not

toys and that they should not play with them.

Installing Child Restraints Using The

Vehicle Seat Belt

Child restraint systems are designed to be secured

in vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap belt portion

of a lap/shoulder belt.

WARNING!



Improper installation of a child restraint to the

LATCH anchorages can lead to failure of the

restraint. The child could be badly injured or

killed. Follow the child restraint manufac

-

turer’s directions exactly when installing an

infant or child restraint.



Child restraint anchorages are designed to

withstand only those loads imposed by

correctly-fitted child restraints. Under no

circumstances are they to be used for adult

seat belts, harnesses, or for attaching other

items or equipment to the vehicle.

WARNING!



Improper installation or failure to properly

secure a child restraint can lead to failure of

the restraint. The child could be badly injured

or killed.

6

212

SAFETY

The seat belts in the passenger seating positions

are equipped with a Switchable Automatic Locking

Retractor (ALR) that is designed to keep the lap

portion of the seat belt tight around the child

restraint so that it is not necessary to use a locking

clip. The ALR retractor can be “switched” into a

locked mode by pulling all of the webbing out of the

retractor and then letting the webbing retract back

into the retractor. If it is locked, the ALR will make

a clicking noise while the webbing is pulled back

into the retractor.
See the “Automatic Locking Mode” description

Ú

page 194 for additional information on ALR.

Please see the table below and the following

sections for more information.

Lap/Shoulder Belt Systems For Installing

Child Restraints In This Vehicle

Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) Locations



Follow the child restraint manufacturer’s

directions exactly when installing an infant or

child restraint.

WARNING!

ALR — Switchable Automatic Locking Retractor

Top Tether Anchorage Symbol

Frequently Asked Questions About Installing Child Restraints With Seat Belts

What is the weight limit (child’s weight + weight of the child

restraint) for using the Tether Anchor with the seat belt to attach

a forward facing child restraint?

Weight limit of the

Child Restraint

Always use the tether anchor when using the seat belt to install a

forward facing child restraint, up to the recommended weight

limit of the child restraint.

Can the rear-facing child restraint touch the back of the front

passenger seat?

Yes

Contact between the front passenger seat and the child restraint

is allowed, if the child restraint manufacturer also allows contact.

Can the rear head restraints be removed?

Yes

The head restraints can be removed in each seating position if

they interfere with the installation of the child restraint

Ú

page 30.

Can the buckle stalk be twisted to tighten the seat belt against

the belt path of the child restraint?

No

Do not twist the buckle stalk in a seating position with an ALR

retractor.

SAFETY

213

Installing A Child Restraint With A

Switchable Automatic Locking Retractor

(ALR):

Child restraint systems are designed to be secured

in vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap belt portion

of a lap/shoulder belt.

1. Place the child seat in the center of the

seating position. If the second row seat can

be reclined, you may recline the seat and/or

raise the head restraint (if adjustable) to get a

better fit. If the rear seat can be moved

forward and rearward in the vehicle, you may

wish to move it to its rear-most position to

make room for the child seat. You may also

move the front seat forward to allow more

room for the child seat.

2. Pull enough of the seat belt webbing from the

retractor to pass it through the belt path of the

child restraint. Do not twist the belt webbing in

the belt path.

3. Slide the latch plate into the buckle until you

hear a “click.”

4. Pull on the webbing to make the lap portion

tight against the child seat.

5. To lock the seat belt, pull down on the shoulder

part of the belt until you have pulled all the

seat belt webbing out of the retractor. Then,

allow the webbing to retract back into the

retractor. As the webbing retracts, you will hear

a clicking sound. This means the seat belt is

now in the Automatic Locking mode.

6. Try to pull the webbing out of the retractor. If it

is locked, you should not be able to pull out any

webbing. If the retractor is not locked, repeat

step 5.

7. Finally, pull up on any excess webbing to

tighten the lap portion around the child

restraint while you push the child restraint

rearward and downward into the vehicle seat.

8. If the child restraint has a top tether strap and

the seating position has a top tether

anchorage, connect the tether strap to the

anchorage and tighten the tether strap. See

Ú

page 213 for directions to attach a tether

anchor.

9. Test that the child restraint is installed tightly

by pulling back and forth on the child seat at

the belt path. It should not move more than

1 inch (25.4 mm) in any direction.

Any seat belt system will loosen with time, so check

the belt occasionally, and pull it tight if necessary.

Installing Child Restraints Using The Top

Tether Anchorage:

WARNING!



Improper installation or failure to properly

secure a child restraint can lead to failure of

the restraint. The child could be badly injured

or killed.



Follow the child restraint manufacturer’s

directions exactly when installing an infant or

child restraint.

WARNING!

Do not attach a tether strap for a rear-facing car

seat to any location in front of the car seat,

including the seat frame or a tether anchorage.

Only attach the tether strap of a rear-facing car

seat to the tether anchorage that is approved for

that seating position, located behind the top of

the vehicle seat. See

Ú

page 208 for the

location of approved tether anchorages in your

vehicle.

6

214

SAFETY

1. Look behind the seating position where you

plan to install the child restraint to find the

tether anchorage. If the seat can be moved,

you may need to move the seat forward to

provide better access to the tether

anchorage. If there is no top tether anchorage

for that seating position, move the child

restraint to another position in the vehicle if

one is available.

2. Route the tether strap to provide the most

direct path for the strap between the anchor

and the child seat. If your vehicle is equipped

with adjustable rear head restraints, raise the

head restraint, and where possible, route the

tether strap under the head restraint and

between the two posts. If not possible, lower

the head restraint and pass the tether strap

around the outboard side of the head restraint.

3. Attach the tether strap hook of the child

restraint to the top tether anchorage as shown

in the diagram.

Tether Anchorage Locations

4. Remove slack in the tether strap according to

the child restraint manufacturer’s instructions.

SAFETY TIPS

T

RANSPORTING

P

ASSENGERS

NEVER TRANSPORT PASSENGERS IN THE CARGO

AREA.

WARNING!



An incorrectly anchored tether strap could

lead to increased head motion and possible

injury to the child. Use only the anchorage

position directly behind the child seat to

secure a child restraint top tether strap.



If your vehicle is equipped with a split rear

seat, make sure the tether strap does not slip

into the opening between the seatbacks as

you remove slack in the strap.

WARNING!



Do not leave children or animals inside parked

vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up

may cause serious injury or death.



It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo

area, inside or outside of a vehicle. In a colli

-

sion, people riding in these areas are more

likely to be seriously injured or killed.



Do not allow people to ride in any area of your

vehicle that is not equipped with seats and

seat belts.



Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat

and using a seat belt properly.