The LATCH system holds a child restraint during driving or in a crash. This system is designed to make installation of a child restraint easier. The LATCH system uses anchors in the vehicle and attachments on the child restraint that are made for use with the LATCH system.

Make sure that a LATCH-compatible child restraint is properly installed using the anchors, or use the vehicle's safety belts to secure the restraint, following the instructions that came with that restraint, and also the instructions in this manual. When installing a child restraint with a top tether, you must also use either the lower anchors or the safety belts to properly secure the child restraint. A child restraint must never be installed using only the top tether and anchor.

In order to use the LATCH system in your vehicle, you need a child restraint that has LATCH attachments. The child restraint manufacturer will provide you with instructions on how to use the child restraint and its attachments. The following explains how to attach a child restraint with these attachments in your vehicle.

Not all vehicle seating positions or child restraints have lower anchors and attachments or top tether anchors and attachments.

Lower Anchors

Lower anchors (A) are metal bars built into the vehicle. There are two lower anchors for each LATCH seating position that will accommodate a child restraint with lower attachments (B).

Top Tether Anchor

A top tether (A, C) anchors the top of the child restraint to the vehicle. A top tether anchor is built into the vehicle. The top tether attachment (B) on the child restraint connects to the top tether anchor in the vehicle in order to reduce the forward movement and rotation of the child restraint during driving or in a crash.

Your child restraint may have a single tether (A) or a dual tether (C). Either will have a single attachment (B) to secure the top tether to the anchor.

Some child restraints that have a top tether are designed for use with or without the top tether being attached. Others require the top tether always to be attached. In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child restraints have a top tether, and that the tether be attached. In the United States, some child restraints also have a top tether. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for your child restraint.

If the child restraint does not have a top tether, one can be obtained, in kit form, for many child restraints. Ask the child restraint manufacturer whether or not a kit is available.

Lower Anchor and Top Tether Anchor Locations

(Top Tether Anchor): Seating positions with top tether anchors.

(Top Tether Anchor): Seating positions with top tether anchors.

Do not install a child restraint in the center front seat position. See Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Front Seat Position for more information.

(Top Tether Anchor): Seating positions with top tether anchors.

(Lower Anchor): Seating positions with two lower anchors.

(Top Tether Anchor): Seating positions with top tether anchors.

(Lower Anchor): Seating positions with two lower anchors.

For crew cab models, the rear passenger side and center seating positions have exposed metal lower anchors located in the crease between the seatback and the seat cushion.

For extended cab models, the rear outboard seating positions have exposed metal lower anchors located in the crease between the seatback and the seat cushion.

For regular and crew cab models, there is an anchor symbol on the trim covers to assist you in locating the top tether anchors.

For regular cab models with a bench seat, the top tether anchors are located under trim covers on the back panel behind the center and passenger seats. Do not install a child restraint in the center seat position. See Securing a Child Restraint in the Center Front Seat Position for more information. For regular cab models with bucket seats, the top tether anchor is located under a trim covers on the back panel behind the passenger seat. Remove the trim plug to access the anchor.

For extended cab models, the top tether anchors are located near the top of the seatback for each rear seating position. In addition to the top tether anchors, each seating position has a fabric loop at the top of the seatback that you will use to route the top tether through. Be sure to use an anchor located on the same side of the vehicle as the seating position where the child restraint will be placed.

For crew cab models, there are covered top tether anchors for each seating position located on the back panel of your vehicle, behind the rear seat. Remove the trim covers to access the anchors.

Do not secure a child restraint in the front passenger's position if your vehicle has rear seats, if a national or local law requires that the top tether be attached, or if the instructions that come with the child restraint say that the top tether must be attached. There is no place to attach the top tether in this position.

Accident statistics show that children are safer if they are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. See Where to Put the Restraint for additional information.

Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System

Caution: If a LATCH-type child restraint is not attached to anchors, the child restraint will not be able to protect the child correctly. In a crash, the child could be seriously injured or killed. Install a LATCH-type child restraint properly using the anchors, or use the vehicle's safety belts to secure the restraint, following the instructions that came with the child restraint and the instructions in this manual.

Caution: Each top tether anchor, except the center top tether anchor in an extended cab model, and lower anchors in the vehicle are designed to hold only one child restraint. Attaching more than one child restraint to a single anchor could cause the anchor or attachment to come loose or even break during a crash. A child or others could be injured if this happens. To help prevent injury to people and damage to your vehicle, attach only one child restraint per anchor.

Caution: Children can be seriously injured or strangled if a shoulder belt is wrapped around their neck and the safety belt continues to tighten. Buckle any unused safety belts behind the child restraint so children cannot reach them. Pull the shoulder belt all the way out of the retractor to set the lock, if your vehicle has one, after the child restraint has been installed.

Notice: Do not let the LATCH attachments rub against the vehicle’s safety belts. This may damage these parts. If necessary, move buckled safety belts to avoid rubbing the LATCH attachments.

Regular Cab Models

1. If the child restraint manufacturer recommends that the top tether be attached, attach and tighten the top tether to the top tether anchor, if your vehicle has one. Refer to the child restraint instructions and the following steps:

1.1.	Pull the passenger seatback forward by pulling the recliner handle upward to access the top tether anchor. See Reclining Seatbacks for additional information.

1.2.	Find the top tether anchor.

1.3.	Remove the trim cover to expose the anchor.

1.4.	Route, attach, and tighten the top tether according to your child restraint instructions and the following instructions:





If the position you are using does not have a head restraint and you are using a single tether, route the tether over the seatback.





If the position you are using does not have a head restraint and you are using a dual tether, route the tether over the seatback.





If the position you are using has an adjustable head restraint and you are using a dual tether, route the tether around the head restraint.





If the position you are using has an adjustable head restraint and you are using a single tether, raise the head restraint and route the tether under the head restraint and in between the head restraint posts.

2. See Securing a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat Position for instructions on installing the child restraint using the safety belts.
3. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure.

Extended Cab Models

1. Attach and tighten the lower attachments to the lower anchors. If the child restraint does not have lower attachments or the desired seating position does not have lower anchors, secure the child restraint with the top tether and the safety belts. Refer to your child restraint manufacturer instructions and the instructions in this manual.

1.1.	Find the lower anchors for the desired seating position.

1.2.	Put the child restraint on the seat.

1.3.	Attach and tighten the lower attachments on the child restraint to the lower anchors.

2. If the child restraint manufacturer recommends that the top tether be attached, attach and tighten the top tether to the top tether anchor, if your vehicle has one. Refer to the child restraint instructions and the following steps:




2.1.	When using a child restraint with a top tether in the rear driver's side position, raise the head restraint and route the top tether through the fabric loop and under the center shoulder belt. Then, attach the top tether to the metal anchor point at the center rear seating position.

2.2.	When using a child restraint with a top tether in the rear passenger position, raise the head restraint and route the top tether through the fabric loop. Then, attach the top tether to the metal anchor point at the center rear seating position.

2.3.	When using a child restraint with a top tether in the rear center position, route the top tether through the fabric loop. Then, raise the head restraint on the passenger side and attach the top tether to the metal anchor point located at the rear passenger position.





2.4.	Tighten the top tether when and as the child restraint manufacturer's instructions say.

3. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure.

Crew Cab Models

1. If the child restraint manufacturer recommends that the top tether be attached, attach and tighten the top tether to the top tether anchor, if your vehicle has one. Refer to the child restraint instructions and the following steps:

1.1.	To access the top tether anchors, raise the seat cushion by pulling up on the strap loop at the rear of the seat cushion and fold the seat cushion forward. Then fold the seatback forward. See Rear Seat Operation for additional information.

1.2.	Place the child restraint in the vehicle, near the seating position that you are using.

1.3.	Route the top tether according to your child restraint instructions and the following instructions:





If the position you are using does not have a head restraint and you are using a single tether, route the tether over the seatback.





If the position you are using does not have a head restraint and you are using a dual tether, route the tether over the seatback.





If the position you are using has an adjustable head restraint and you are using a dual tether, route the tether around the head restraint.





If the position you are using has an adjustable head restraint and you are using a single tether, raise the head restraint and route the tether under the head restraint and in between the head restraint posts.

1.4.	Remove the trim cover to expose the top tether anchor.

1.5.	Attach the top tether attachment to the top tether anchor.

Caution: If either seatback is not locked, it could move forward in a sudden stop or crash. That could cause injury to the person sitting there. Always push and pull on the seatbacks to be sure they are locked.

1.6.	Lift the seatback up and push it rearward. Then lower the seat cushion until the seatback and the seat cushion lock into position.

2. Attach and tighten the lower attachments to the lower anchors. If the child restraint does not have lower attachments or the desired seating position does not have lower anchors, secure the child restraint with the top tether and the safety belts. Refer to your child restraint manufacturer instructions and the instructions in this manual.

2.1.	Find the lower anchors for the desired seating position.

2.2.	Put the child restraint on the seat.

2.3.	Attach and tighten the lower attachments on the child restraint to the lower anchors.

3. Tighten the top tether.
4. Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure.