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Vehicle Belts
If LATCH is not an option,
you must use the vehicle
seat belt system to install
the child restraint. There
are some vehicle belts that
will not work with a child
restraint or will require special attention.
See next page and check your vehicle’s owner’s manual for
specific instructions.
The LATCH System
LATCH (Lower Anchors
and Tethers for CHildren)
is a universal system for
installing child restraints
without using vehicle seat
belts.
The LATCH system can
ONLY be used in vehicles
that have the LATCH anchor bars installed and designated
LATCH seating positions. Most vehicles manufactured after
September 2002 are equipped with LATCH.
Check your vehicle owner’s manual to see which seating
positions may be equipped with the LATCH system.
D-3
Choosing LATCH or Vehicle Belts
LATCH Anchor Bars
Do not use both the LATCH belt and vehicle belt
at the same time.
Review your vehicle owner’s manual for vehicle seat belt
use with child restraints. This is your best source for
information concerning your vehicle.
Not all vehicle belts will work with this child restraint.
This child restraint must be tightly locked in place at all
times, during travel. You must determine if your vehicles
belts are compatible with this child restraint.
Vehicle Belts
• Automatic/Passive vehicle seat belts
You MUST have a vehicle lap belt to install any child
restraint. An automatic (passive) shoulder vehicle belt
may or may not have a separate vehicle lap belt. Consult
your vehicle owner’s manual.
• Vehicle belts in center of the
door or side panel
You must move the child restraint
to another seating location. Consult
your vehicle owner’s manual.
• Vehicle belts that are in front
of the seat bight
You may need to move the child
restraint to another seating location.
Consult your vehicle owner’s
manual.
• Do Not Use with inflatable seat belts
You may
need to move the child restraint to another seating
location or use LATCH belts only.
• ELR (Emergency Locking
Retractor) vehicle belts
These lap and shoulder vehicle
belts only lock in a sudden stop or
crash, and do not properly secure
a child restraint alone. Consult your
vehicle owner’s manual.
To learn if you have this type of vehicle belt, gently pull
the vehicle belt all the way out of the retractor (spool),
let it return several inches, then pull on it again. If it
moves freely, it is an ELR vehicle belt. If it is locked and
will not allow any more vehicle belt to come out, it is a
switchable retractor.
D-4
Knowing Your Vehicle Belts
continued on next page.
D. General Vehicle Installation
31