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. 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
Rear Seat
(Top Tether Anchor): Seating positions with top tether anchors.
(Lower Anchor): Seating positions with two lower anchors.
The rear outboard seating positions have exposed metal lower anchors located in the crease between the seatback and the seat cushion.
Crew Cab Shown
The top tether anchors are the loops located near the top of the seatback for each rear seating position. These loops will be used to route the top tether through, as well as, to secure the top tether in the vehicle. Be sure to use an anchor (loop) located on the same side of the vehicle as the seating position where the child restraint will be placed.
Be sure to read the instructions below to properly install a child restraint using these loops.
Do not secure a child restraint in a position without a top tether anchor 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.
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: Do not attach more than one child restraint to a single anchor, except for the center top tether anchors in the crew cab models. 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. To reduce the risk of serious or fatal injuries during a crash, 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.
Do not fold the empty rear seat with a safety belt buckled. This could damage the safety belt or the seat. Unbuckle and return the safety belt to its stowed position, before folding the seat.- 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.
- If the child restraint manufacturer recommends that the top tether be attached, attach and tighten the top tether to the top tether anchor (loop), if your vehicle has one. Refer to the child restraint instructions and the following steps:
- Push and pull the child restraint in different directions to be sure it is secure.
| 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. |
Example -- Rear Driver Side Position
| 2.1. | When using a child restraint with a top tether in the rear driver side position: |
Raise the headrest or head restraint .
Route the top tether (B) between the headrest or head restraint posts, through the loop (A), behind the inboard headrest or head restraint post, and under the center shoulder belt (C).
Attach the top tether (B) to the top tether anchor (loop) (D) at the center rear seating position.
| 2.2. | When using a child restraint with a top tether in the rear center position: |
Route the top tether (B) through the center loop (D), and behind the inboard passenger side headrest or head restraint post.
Attach the top tether (B) to the top tether anchor (loop) at the passenger side rear seating position.
| 2.3. | When using a child restraint with a top tether in the rear passenger position: |
Raise the headrest or head restraint .
Route the top tether (B) between the headrest or head restraint posts, through the loop on the passenger side and behind the inboard headrest or head restraint post.
Attach the top tether (B) to the top tether anchor (loop) (D) at the center rear seating position.
| 2.4. | Tighten the top tether when and as the child restraint manufacturer's instructions say. |
When the top tether is tightened, the anchor (loop) may bend.
