If your child restraint is equipped with the LATCH system, see
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)
. See
Top Strap
if the child restraint has one.
If your child restraint does not have the LATCH system, you'll 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.
- Put the restraint on the seat.
- 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.
- 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.
- Pull the rest of the shoulder belt all the
way out of the retractor to set the lock.
- To tighten the belt, feed the
shoulder belt back into the retractor while you push down on the child restraint.
If you're 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.
- 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.