Precautions on booster seats

WARNING

If a booster seat and seat belt are not used properly, the risk of a child being injured in a sudden stop or collision greatly increases:

• Make sure the shoulder portion of the belt is away from the child’s face and neck and the lap portion of the belt does not cross the stomach.

• Make sure the shoulder belt is not behind the child or under the child’s arm.

• A booster seat must only be installed in a seating position that has a lap/shoulder belt.

Booster seats of various sizes are offered by several manufacturers. When selecting any booster seat, keep the following points in mind:

• Choose only a booster seat with a label certifying that it complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 or Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.

• Check the booster seat in your vehicle to be sure it is compatible with the vehicle’s seat and seat belt system.

• Make sure the child’s head will be properly supported by the booster seat or vehicle seat. The seatback must be at or above the center of the child’s ears. For example, if a low back booster seat 1 is chosen, the vehicle seatback must be at or above the center of the child’s ears. If the seatback is lower than the center of the child’s ears, a high back booster seat2 should be used.

• If the booster seat is compatible with your vehicle, place your child in the booster seat and check the various adjustments to be sure the booster seat is compatible with your child. Always follow all recommended procedures.

All U.S. states and Canadian provinces or territories require that infants and small children be restrained in an approved child restraint at all times while the vehicle is being operated.

The instructions in this section apply to booster seat installation in the rear seats or the front passenger seat.

Booster seat installation

CAUTION

Do not use the lap/shoulder belt Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode when using a booster seat with the seat belts.

Refer to all Warnings and Cautions in the “Child safety”, “Child restraints” and “Booster seats” sections earlier in this section before installing a child restraint.

Follow these steps to install a booster seat in the rear seat or in the front passenger seat:

1. If you must install a booster seat in the front seat, move the seat to the rearmost position.

2. Position the booster seat on the seat. Only place it in a forward-facing direction. Always follow the booster seat manufacturer’s instructions.

Front passenger position

3. The booster seat should be positioned on the vehicle seat so that it is stable.

If necessary, adjust or remove the head restraint to obtain the correct booster seat fit. If the head restraint is removed, store it in a secure place. Be sure to reinstall the head restraint when the booster seat is removed. See “Head restraints/Headrests”  for head restraint adjustment, removal and installation information.

If the seating position does not have a head restraint and it is interfering with the proper booster seat fit, try another seating position or a different booster seat.

4. Position the lap portion of the seat belt low and snug on the child’s hips. Be sure to follow the booster seat manufacturer’s instructions for adjusting the seat belt routing.

5. Pull the shoulder belt portion of the seat belt toward the retractor to take up extra slack.

Be sure the shoulder belt is positioned across the top, middle portion of the child’s shoulder. Be sure to follow the booster seat manufacturer’s instructions for adjusting the seat belt routing.

6. Follow the warnings, cautions and instructions for properly fastening a seat belt shown in “Seat belts” .

7. If the booster seat is installed in the front passenger seat, place the ignition switch in the ON position. The front passenger air bag status light may or may not illuminate depending
on the size of the child and the type of booster seat used. See “Front passenger air bag and status light” .