Choosing a Child Safety Seat
All children age 12 and under should ride in the rear seats. Always use a child safety seat suitable for a young child’s
age and weight. The following table is based on child safety seat recommendations determined by National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). For more information, go to
www.nhtsa.gov/ChildSafety/Guidance
Category
Infants
Toddlers
Young children
Age
Birth to 1 year*
Over 1 year*
4 years and older, and
less than 57 in.
(145 cm) tall
Weight
Up to at least 20 lbs (9 kg)* Over 20 lbs (9 kg) (minimum)
and up to 40 lbs (18 kg)*
Over 40 lbs (18 kg)
Type of child safety seat
Rear facing (or convertible) Forward facing (or
convertible)*
Forward facing or seat
belt retained booster
seat****
Seat position
Rear facing only*
Rear facing as long as
possible, then forward facing*
Forward facing
Recommended attachment
method
If combined weight of child
and safety seat is up to
65 lbs (29 kg), attach using
either LATCH** (lower
anchor only) or the seat
belt only.*** If combined
weight of child and safety
seat is over 65 lbs (29 kg),
attach using the seat belt
only.***
If combined weight of child
and safety seat is up to 65 lbs
(29 kg), attach using either
LATCH** (both lower anchors
and top tether anchor), or the
seat belt and upper tether
strap.*** If combined weight
of child and safety seat is over
65 lbs (29 kg), attach using
the seat belt and upper tether
strap.***
Attach booster seats
using the seat belt
only
* Many child safety seats currently available allow children to ride rear-facing using the child safety seat’s
integrated 5-point harness for a longer period of time BASED UPON SPECIFIC HEIGHT AND WEIGHT LIMITS. Keep
your child in a rear facing seat for as long as possible. CHECK THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT MANUFACTURER’S
INSTRUCTIONS AND CAREFULLY FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS.
** LATCH ("Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children") and ISOFIX are international standards for attachment points
for
in passenger cars that enable compliant child safety seats to be quickly and safely secured.
The system has other regional names including LUAS ("Lower Universal Anchorage System") or Canfix in Canada.
It has also been called the "Universal Child Safety Seat System" or UCSSS.
*** Subject to instructions provided by the child safety seat manufacturer.
****Keep your child in a forward facing child safety seat with a harness and tether until the child reaches the child
safety seat's maximum allowable height or weight as specified by the manufacturer of the child safety seat.
WARNING:
Do not use LATCH anchors with child safety seats or booster seats that have an integral safety belt
where the combined weight of the child plus the child safety seat exceeds 65 lbs (29.5 kg).
WARNING:
Laws that govern how and where children should be carried when traveling in a vehicle are subject
to change. It is the driver’s responsibility to keep up to date on, and comply with, all current regulations in the
region(s) where Model S is driven. To check the child passenger safety laws for states in the U.S., go to:
www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/childsafety_laws.html
.
Child Safety Seats
33
Seating and Safety Restraints