GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH system, see Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) .

There are no top tether anchors in the third row seating positions. Do not secure a child restraint in the third row if a national or local law requires that a top tether be anchored or if the instructions that come with the restraint say that the top tether must be anchored.

If your child restraint does not have the LATCH system, you will be using the lap-shoulder belt to secure the child restraint in this position. Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint when and as the instructions say.

Caution: In a crash, a child secured in a rear-facing child restraint in the center rear seating position could be injured by the vehicle's armrest. To reduce this risk, the armrest should first be secured with a special armrest retention strap. You can get this from your dealer/retailer.

Center Seat Armrest Retention Strap -- Canadian Version, US Similar


Object Number: 1273895  Size: B3

Install the armrest retention strap following the instructions that come with it.

  1. Put the child restraint on the seat.
  2. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder portions of the vehicle's safety belt through or around the restraint. The child restraint instructions will show you how.

  3. Object Number: 1379321  Size: B3
  4. Buckle the belt. Make sure the release button is positioned so you would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly if you ever had to.

  5. Object Number: 1379324  Size: B3
  6. Pull the rest of the shoulder belt all the way out of the retractor to set the lock.

  7. Object Number: 1379355  Size: B3
  8. To tighten the belt, push down on the child restraint, pull the shoulder portion of the belt to tighten the lap portion of the belt and feed the shoulder belt back into the retractor. If you are using a forward-facing child restraint, you may find it helpful to use your knee to push down on the child restraint as you tighten the belt.
  9. If your child restraint has a top tether, and the position that you are using has a top tether anchor, attach and tighten the top tether to the top tether anchor. Refer to the instructions that came with the child restraint and to Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) .
  10. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure.

To remove the child restraint, just unbuckle the vehicle's safety belt and let it go back all the way. The safety belt will move freely again and be ready to work for an adult or larger child passenger.