Buying A S On The Web Buying A S Afer C r · 2008-01-24 · can be installed using the vehicle...
Transcript of Buying A S On The Web Buying A S Afer C r · 2008-01-24 · can be installed using the vehicle...
Bu
ying
A SA
fer CA
r for C
hild
pASSen
ger
S 2006
www.safercar.gov
On The Webwww.safercar.gov
DOT Vehicle Safety Hotline888-327-4236
TDD 800-424-9153
DOT HS 810 610 May 2006
Buying A SAfer CAr for chilD passengers
2006a guiDe for parenTs
What To look for When Buying A new Car
Child Safety and Booster Seat Basics
Vehicle Safety Tips, fAQs and Contact information
conTenTs
Safety Features For Child Passengers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 ManualAirBagOn-OffSwitch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 RearCenter-SeatLapAndShoulderBelts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 AdjustableUpperBelts(Rear) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 LowerAnchorsandTethersForChildren(LATCH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 PushDown/PullUpWindowSwitches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Anti-Pinch/AutoReversalWindows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Built-InChildSafetySeats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Additional Safety Features to Consider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Rear-SeatActiveHeadRestraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 FrontalAirBags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 AdvancedFrontalAirBags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Side-ImpactAirBags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 InteriorTrunkRelease . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Child Safety Features By Model - 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 MiniPassengerCar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 LightPassengerCar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 CompactPassengerCar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 MediumPassengerCar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 HeavyPassengerCar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 SportUtilityVehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Pickup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Van . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Child Safety Seats and Booster Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 VehicleCompatibilityConsiderations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Ease-of-UseRatings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Keeping Children Safe In and Around Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 BeyondSafetyTechnologiesAndEquipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Additional Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25Guidelines And Usage Chart: Child Safety & Booster Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13
Bu
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On The Webwww.safercar.gov
DOT Vehicle Safety Hotline888-327-4236
TDD 800-424-9153
DOT HS 810 610 May 2006
Buying A SAfer CAr for chilD passengers
2006a guiDe for parenTs
What To look for When Buying A new Car
Child Safety and Booster Seat Basics
Vehicle Safety Tips, fAQs and Contact information
conTenTs
Safety Features For Child Passengers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 ManualAirBagOn-OffSwitch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 RearCenter-SeatLapAndShoulderBelts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 AdjustableUpperBelts(Rear) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 LowerAnchorsandTethersForChildren(LATCH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 PushDown/PullUpWindowSwitches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Anti-Pinch/AutoReversalWindows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Built-InChildSafetySeats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Additional Safety Features to Consider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Rear-SeatActiveHeadRestraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 FrontalAirBags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 AdvancedFrontalAirBags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Side-ImpactAirBags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 InteriorTrunkRelease . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Child Safety Features By Model - 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 MiniPassengerCar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 LightPassengerCar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 CompactPassengerCar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 MediumPassengerCar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 HeavyPassengerCar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 SportUtilityVehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Pickup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Van . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Child Safety Seats and Booster Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 VehicleCompatibilityConsiderations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Ease-of-UseRatings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Keeping Children Safe In and Around Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 BeyondSafetyTechnologiesAndEquipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Additional Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25Guidelines And Usage Chart: Child Safety & Booster Seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13
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safer cars, safer chilDrenSafer Cars And Safer Child Passengers 2006 is a NationalHighwayTrafficSafetyAdministration(NHTSA)guidebookdesigned to help parents understand vehicle child safetyfeatures,makeaninformedbuyingdecisionwhenpurchasingafamilycar,properlyusechildsafetyandboosterseats,andhelpkeepchildrenassafeaspossiblewhenevertheyareinoraroundvehicles .
Whenreferencedasavehiclebuyingguideforyourfamily,thisbrochureshouldbeused in tandemwith theNHTSABuying A Safer Car 2006 brochure, which contains a fullrangeofsafetyfeatureinformation,crashtests,androlloverresistanceresultsoncars, lighttrucks,SUVs,andvans .Toviewthemostupdatedgovernmentcrashtestresults,accesstheBuying A Safer Car 2006brochureororderafreecopy,visitwww.safercar.govtoday .
aDDiTional resourcesToaccessadditionalinformationonchildandvehiclesafety,visittheNationalHighwayTrafficSafetyAdministrationWeb site at www .nhtsa .gov . For specific information about vehicle safety technologies and to obtain updatedGovernmentcrashtestresults,visitwww .safercar .govorcalltheDOTVehicleSafetyHotlineat888-327-4236 (TDD 800-424-9153) .
LookingforaChildSafetySeatInspectionStation?Visitwww .nhtsa .dot .gov/cps/cpsfittingandclickontheFitting/InspectionStationslink,calltheDOTVehicleSafetyHotlineor866-SEATCHECK .
Think Your Vehicle or child safety seat has a safety Defect?
Visit
www.safercar.govcall
888-327-4236Mail
nhTsa, office of Defects investigation (nVs-210)400 7th st., sW
Washington, Dc 20590
All complaints are carefully reviewed by our team of safety experts. We welcome your input.
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placedinthefrontseatofavehicleequippedwithanactivepassengerairbag .Infantsandchildrencanbe seriously injured—orevenkilled— if theairbaginflates .
Refer to your owner’s manual for information on the correct use of the
air bag ON-OFF switch.
Therearecircumstanceswheresomepeopleshouldnotbeexposedtoaninflatingairbag .Someofthesesituationsinvolvechildpassengerswhomaybeputatriskifanairbaginflates .
Ifyoucancertifythatyouorsomeoneelsewhousesyourvehiclewouldbeatriskiftheairbaginflates,youcanhaveanON-OFFswitchinstalledinyourvehicle . Please review the information below onair bag ON-OFF switches to decide whether yourdriving situation fits one or more risk profilesnecessarytohaveanON-OFFswitchinstalledbyadealerorrepairfacility .
People whose risk profiles justify having an ON-OFFairbagswitchinstalledincludethefollowing:nPeople who must transport infants riding
in rear-facing infant seats in the frontpassengerseat .
nPeople who must transport children under 13inthefrontpassengerseat .
nDrivers who cannot change their customarydrivingpositionstokeep10inchesbetweenthecenter of the steering wheel and the center oftheirbreastbone .
nPeoplewhosedoctorssaythatduetotheirmedicalconditions the air bags pose a special risk thatoutweighs theriskofhitting theirheads,necksorchestsinacrashiftheairbagsareturnedoff .
safeTY feaTures for chilD passengers
Safetyisoneofthemostimportantconsiderationswhenbuyingafamilyvehicle .Manufacturersoffermanysafetyfeaturesyoushouldlookfortotransportchildren safely . These features cannot, however,replacetheneedtomonitorchildrenwhentheyareinandaroundmotorvehiclesortheimportanceofseeingthatchildrenaresafelybuckledup .
In fact, the most important action a parent orcaregiver can do to promote occupant protectionfor children is to secure all children up to age 13in an age and weight appropriate child restraintorsafetybelt—inthevehicle’srearseat .Statisticsshow that children are much less likely to beseriously injured in a crash if they are properlyrestrainedinthebackseat .
Thesafetyfeatureslistedherewillhelpyousecureyour children safely in your vehicle and reducetheir risk of incurring crash-related injuries .Moreover, these featurescanhelpprotectchildrenfrom other vehicle-related dangers, such as thoseposedbycertaintypesofpowerwindowswitches .For details, see the “Child Safety Features By Model – 2006”charts,whichbeginonpage6ofthisbooklet .
Manual Air Bag On-Off Switch
Vehicleswithnorearseat,orarearseatthatisnotappropriateforachildsafetyseat,mayhaveaswitchthatletsthedrivercontrolthefront-seatpassengerair bag . The switch has a warning light that mustbeclearlyvisible toall front-seatpassengers to letthemknowwhen theairbaghasbeen turnedoff .A rear-facing child safety seat should NEVER be
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Q. Which vehicles have the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system?
A. Since September 2000, all new passengervehicles (except most convertibles) have beenequipped with the top tether anchors . AllvehiclesmanufacturedafterSeptember1,2002,areequippedwiththeloweranchors .Althoughconvertible vehicles are exempt from tetheranchorrequirements,somemanufacturersofferthemasasafetyenhancement .
Check your owner’s manual or contact themanufacturer to see if your older vehicle isequippedwithtetheranchorsorhaspre-drilledpointswheretetheranchorscanbeinstalled .
Q. What if my vehicle is not LATCH-equipped?
A. Any child safety seat, even one with LATCH,can be installed using the vehicle safety beltand,ifavailable,atoptether .Besuretofollowthe vehicle owner’s manual and child safetyseatinstructions .
See the Guidelines and Usage Chart on pages 12-13 for specifics and tips on how to choose and use the right child safety and/or
booster seat for your children.
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To receive a brochure about retrofitting ON-OFFswitchesorobtainanInstallationRequestform:nVisit the air bag section of NHTSA’s Web site,
www.safercar.gov/airbags,ornCall the DOT Vehicle Safety Hotline at
888-327-4236 (TDD 800-424-9153) .
Given that ON-OFF switches are not available for all vehicles, make sure a switch is
available for your vehicle before you request authorization to have it installed.
Rear Center-Seat Lap and Shoulder Belts
Allrearcenterseatsmustbeequippedwithatleastalapbelt .Asanaddedfeature,somemanufacturersincludelapandshoulderbeltsinrearcenterseats .Thisbenefitsolderchildrenandchildreninboosterseats who often ride in the rear center position .A Federal ruling recently mandated that all newpassenger vehicles must be equipped with rearcenter-seatlap/shouldersafetybeltsby2008 .
Adjustable Upper Belts (Rear)
Becausesafetybeltsmustfitpeopleofvarioussizes,includingolderchildren,somemanufacturersofferan adjustable upper belt that lets you change theposition of the shoulder strap to accommodate aperson’s size . This feature allows adjustment andmayimprovetheshoulderbeltfitforthepassenger .Checkthemanufacturer’s instructionstocorrectlyadjustthesafetybeltsinyourvehicle .
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)
LATCHisarelativelynewsystemthatmakeschildsafety seat installation easier — without usingseat belts . How does LATCH work? Anchors ona LATCH-equipped vehicle are used to install asafety seat equipped with LATCH fasteners . MostLATCH-equipped vehicles have anchors in therightandleftrearseatpositions .If thecenterseatdoesn’t have anchors, you can still install yourchildsafetyseatusingasafetybelt .Ifyourvehicleisn’t LATCH-equipped, use the safety belt and, ifavailable,atoptether .LATCHisrequiredonchildsafetyseatsandvehiclesmanufacturedafterSeptember1,2002 .Note:SincetheLATCHsystemhasbeenrequiredequipmentonallnewvehiclesforthepastseveralyears,youwillnotfinda listingforLATCH-equippedvehicles inthe“ChildSafetyFeaturesByModel–2006”chartsincludedinthisbooklet .
Attachtoptethertotopanchor .
Fastenlowerattachmentstoloweranchors .
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Q. Will the vehicle safety belt system meet the needs of my children?
A. Correctsafetybeltuseforallvehicleoccupantsshould be the rule in your vehicle . Childrenwho have clearly outgrown child safety seatsandboosterseatsshouldbeabletofittheadultbeltsystemcorrectly .
Readthevehicleowner’smanualtobesureyouunderstandhowtousethesafetybeltcorrectly,andrememberthefollowing:nThe lap belt should fit low over the child’s
upper thighs when the child is sittingstraight against the vehicle seat back .The child’s knees should bend naturallyand comfortably over the edge of thevehicleseat .
nTheshoulder beltshouldstayontheshoulderand lie against the child’s chest . Never putthe shoulder belt under the arm or behindthechild’sback .
nA lap-only belt (without a shoulder belt)shouldbeusedtorestrainachildonlyifnoother safety belt system is available . If youmusttransportseveralchildreninavehiclethat has a lap-only belt in the middle rearseat, and one of the children is in a rear-facing or a convertible/toddler child safetyseat,followtheseguidelines:
nHavetheolderchildrenusethelapand shoulderbelts .
nPutthechildridinginachildsafetyseat inthemiddle .
nSecurethechildsafetyseatwiththelap- onlybelt .
Q. Is it safe to use the child safety seat after it has been in a crash?
A. NHTSArecommendsthatchildsafetyseatsbereplaced following a moderate or severe crashin order to ensure a continued high level ofcrashprotection forchildpassengers .NHTSArecommends that child safety seats do notautomatically need to be replaced following aminorcrash .MinorcrashesarethosethatmeetALLofthefollowingcriteria:nThevehiclewasabletobedrivenawayfrom
thecrashsite;nThevehicledoornearestthesafetyseatwas
undamaged;nTherewerenoinjuriestoanyofthevehicle
occupants;nThe air bags (if present) did not deploy;
ANDnThereisnovisibledamagetothesafetyseat .
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Push-Down, Pull-Up Window Switches
Withaconventionalrockerortoggletypewindowswitch, a child can accidentally lean or kneel ontheswitchandcausethewindowtoclose,trappinghands, arms or other body parts in the powerwindow . However, Push-Down, Pull-Up Switcheshelpeliminatethissafetyriskbymakingitvirtuallyimpossible to accidentally close power windows .A Federal rule mandates that safer switches beinstalled inall cars,vans,pickup trucksandsportutilityvehiclesmadeforsaleintheUnitedStatesonorafterOctober1,2008 .
Anti-Pinch/Auto Reversal Windows
Automatic reversal windows, sometimes called“pinchprotection,”“anti-entrapment,”or“bounce-back” windows are designed to stop closing andreversedirection if they senseanything, suchasachild’shands, armsorhead, in theway .Thereareseveral different types of systems available . Checkwith your dealer about the specific operation ofanti-pinch/autoreversalwindows .
Built-In Child Safety Seats
Somemanufacturersofferbuilt-inchildsafetyseatsthataredesignedtorestrainchildrenatleast1yearoldandover20pounds .Specificweightandheightrequirements may vary; check with the vehiclemanufacturer for details . Since the introductionof the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Childrensystem, which was designed to make child safetyseatseasiertoinstall,onlyaverysmallpercentageofmanufacturersofferthisfeature .Asaresult,youwillnotfindthissafetyfeaturelistedinthe“ChildSafetyFeaturesByModel–2006”chartsincludedinthisbooklet . Check with your dealer or manufacturerfor more information about vehicle models thatincludebuilt-inchildsafetyseats .
aDDiTional safeTY feaTures To consiDer
The following safety features aren’t typicallyconsideredspecifictochildren,buttheydohaveanimpactonchildrenand/orteenagers .Inresearchingthepurchaseofaneworusedvehicle,it’simportantto consider how these technologies may affecteveryoneinyourfamily .
Rear-Seat Active Head Restraints
Thenewesttypeofheadrestraintisanactiveheadrestraint,whichcomes inanumberofdesignsforthe front and back seats of vehicles . Preliminaryresearchhasshownthatactiveheadrestraintsmayhelpreducewhiplash .
While this safety feature has no impact on youngchildren, who should be properly secured intheir own child safety seats, rear-seat active headrestraints may provide additional protection forolder children or teenagers during a rear-endcrash . In such a crash, active head restraintsautomaticallyclosethegapbetweentheoccupant’sheadandtheheadrestraint—andinsomeinstancesincrease their height relative to the occupant’shead .(Notethatactiveheadrestraintsmayalsobeadjustedmanually .)
Frontal Air Bags
Frontalairbagsdeployforcefullyandrapidly,posinga danger for children 12 and younger . Therefore,NHTSA recommends all children 12 and undershouldalwaysrideintherearseat,whereit’ssafestforthem .Vehicleswithnorearseat,orarearseatthat isnotappropriate forachildsafety seat,mayhaveaswitchthatletsthedrivercontrolthefront-seatpassengerairbag .Refertothe“ManualAirBagOn-OffSwitch”sectionofthisbookletonpage1tolearnmoreabouttheseswitchesandhowandwhentousethemtoprotectyourchildpassengers .
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When faced with having to choose which childotherthananinfantinarear-facingchildsafetyseattoplaceinfrontofanairbaginthefrontseat,selectthechildthatcanbemostreliedupontoremaininaproperseatingposition .Thismaynotnecessarilybetheoldestchild .
Remember: Infants in rear-facing child safety seats must NEVER ride in the front seat of a vehicle with an active
front passenger air bag.
Q. Based on the age and size and my child, what is the most appropriate restraint?
A. Refer to the “Guidelines And Usage Chart: Child Safety & Booster Seats” on page 12-13to help you choose the child restraint systemthat is correct for the age, size, and weight ofyourchild .
Q. When should your child use a booster seat?
A. All children who have outgrown child safetyseats should be properly restrained in boosterseats until they are at least 8 years old, unlesstheyare4’9”ortaller .
Whenusedcorrectly,boosterseatscanhelppreventinjurytoolderchildrenbymakingadult-sizedsafetybelts fit properly . The adult lap and shoulder beltshould fit the child snugly, with the lap belt lyingflat across the upper thigh area, and the shoulderbeltcrossingthechest,restingagainstthemiddleofthechild’sshoulder .
Q. What could happen if my child doesn’t use a booster seat?
A. Withoutaboosterseat: nThelapbeltcanrideupoverthechild’s
stomachandcauseseriousinternalinjuries inacrash .
nThe shoulder belts may be uncomfortably high, leading to misuse if children put the safety belts behind their backs or under their arms . These misuses can cause very seriousinternalinjuries .
Regardless of weight or height, all children 12 and younger should be properly restrained in the back seat. Always read the child safety seat or
booster seat manufacturer’s instructions, as well as the vehicle owner’s manual before installing a child safety seat.
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Advanced Frontal Air Bags
Designed tomeet theneedsofoccupants inava-riety of specific crash situations, advanced frontalair bag systems use sensors to automaticallydetermineif—andwithwhatlevelofpower—thedriverfrontalairbagandpassengerfrontalairbagwillinflate .
Theappropriatelevelofpowerisbaseduponsensorinputsthatcantypicallydetect:1)occupantsize,2)seatposition,3)safetybeltuseoftheoccupant,and4)crashseverity .
Even in vehicles equipped with advanced frontalair bags, children 12 and younger should neverride in the front seat . However parents whoseteenagers13andolderrideinthefrontseatofthefamily vehicle should be aware of the advantagesof this new technology, particularly as teenagerstendtobeofsmallerstaturethantheaverageadult .Currently,vehiclesequippedwithadvancedfrontalairbagsarebeingphasedintothemarketplace .Infact, all passenger cars and light trucks producedafter September 1, 2006, will be required to haveadvancedfrontalairbags .Side-Impact Air Bags
Side-impactairbag(SAB)technologyhasadvancedrapidlyoverrecentyearsandvarioustypesofSABshaveemerged .SABsofferadditionalprotection totwoprincipalareasofthebody—theheadandthechest—duringside-impactcrashes .
Head-protecting curtain or tubular SABs deployoverheadanddownwardfromtheroofrail .Door-mounted or seat-mounted SABs, also called torsobags,aredesignedtoofferprotectiontothechest .AcombinationSAB,or“combobag,”deploysfromtheseatbackandoffersprotectiontoboththechestandhead .
ATechnicalWorkingGroupofexpertsrepresentingthe automotive and insurance industries hasdeveloped voluntary SAB testing procedures tominimizethepotentialriskofSAB-relatedinjuriesforout-of-positionoccupants,whichoftenincludeschildren who are seated very close (called “out ofposition”)toadeployingSAB .
Ifavehiclehasa“meetsrequirements”inthecolumnlabeled“SABOut-of-PositionTesting,”onthewww.safercar.gov Web site, it means the manufacturerhas reported to the government that all SABs inthe vehicle have successfully completed the fullbatteryofout-of-positiontestsspecifiedunderthevoluntaryguidelines .
You should read the owner’s manual or contactyour manufacturer for specific information abouthowthesideairbagsysteminyourvehicleworksintheeventofacrash .Visitwww.safercar.gov/airbagsformoredetailonSABsandchildren .NHTSAalsoprovidesmoredetailedinformationinasearchableSABdatabaseatwww.safercar.gov .
Some facts that parents will want to rememberaboutchildoccupantprotectioningeneral—andsideairbagsinparticular—arelistedhere:nALL children should use safety restraints
appropriatefortheirageandsize(thiscouldbeasafetyseat,boosterseat,oradultsafetybelt) .
nChildren12andyoungeraresafestsittingintherearseatproperlyrestrained .
nTominimizeinjuryrisks,NHTSArecommendsthatchildrennotleanorrestagainstchest-onlyorhead/chestcombinationSABs .
nNHTSAhasnot seenany indicationof risks tochildrenfromcurrentroof-mountedheadSABs .
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freQuenTlY asKeD QuesTions
Q. Is the back seat the safest place for my child?
A. Yes,children12andyoungershouldbeproperlyrestrainedinthebackseatofthevehicle .Itisestimatedthatchildrenare26-percentlesslikelytobefatallyinjuredinacrashifseatedintherearseatofapassengervehicle .
Q. What if I have no choice but to place a child under 12 in the front seat?
A. Theremaybeoccasionswhenaparentorcaregiverhasnootheroptionthantoplaceachildinthefrontseat,forexample:nInapickuptruckwithinsufficientorno availablerearseat,ornIfaparentistransportingtoomanychildren foralltorideintheback,ornWhentransportingachildwithamedical conditionthatrequiresmonitoringand anotheradultisnotavailable .
Infants in rear-facing child safety seats must never ride in the front seat of a vehicle with an active front passenger air bag. In the event there is no available rear seatandparentshaveno otheroptionthantoplaceachild(otherthananinfantinarear-facingchildsafetyseat)inafrontpassengerseatingposition,takethesesteps:
1 . Ensurethechildisproperlyrestrained,2 . Movethevehicleseatasfarbackaspossible,3 . Makesurethechildisnotleaningoutof position,and4 . SettheairbagON-OFFswitch,ifavailable, totheOFFposition .
Keeping chilDren safe in anD arounD Vehicles
The dangers of leaving a child unattended in ornearavehiclearewidelymisunderstoodandunder-estimated .Butinreality, if leftalone—sometimesevenformeremoments—achildcould:nStart the car, or put it in neutral, and cause a
crash,resultingininjuriesordeath .nDie of heat stroke, exposure to cold, or carbon
monoxidepoisoning .nBecometrappedinyourvehicle’strunkanddie
ofheatstrokeorsuffocation .nGet hit or run over by another vehicle while
insideoroutofyourcar .nBe killed or seriously injured by a driver who
maynotbeawareoforseeachildwhenbackingoutofaparkingspaceordriveway .
Beyond Safety Technologies and Equipment
Vehicle safety technologies and proper childrestraints can go a long way towards helping tokeep child passengers safe . However, these are noreplacement forcarefulmonitoringbyaparentoradult caregiverwhenevera child is insideor evennearavehicle .Tokeepchildrensafe fromdanger,neverallowthemaccesstoyourcarkeysoraremotelocking/unlockingdevice .
Bottom line: keep children out of your vehicle and away from other vehicles unless
you are there to watch them!
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Interior Trunk Release
AlmostallpassengercarswithtrunksmanufacturedafterSeptember1,2001,arerequiredtobeequippedwith interior trunk releases . This safety feature isintended to help all individuals — and especiallychildren—whomaybecome locked in the trunkofavehicletoescape .Checkwithyourautomobiledealer for specific information on the type oftrunk release system offered and which vehiclemanufacturers offer retrofit kits for older cars .Ensurethatyourchildrenknowwheretheinteriortrunkreleaseislocatedandhowtouseit .
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chilD safeTY seaTs anD BoosTer seaTs
Ifyouhavechildrenandareshoppingforafamilycar,you’llwanttochecktoseethatyourchildsafetyseatandboosterseatiscompatiblewiththevehicle .After all, vehicles and seat styles are extensive .Review the following compatibility information,ease-of-use ratings, and child safety and boosterseatusagecharttomakesureyournewvehicleandsafety seat will work together properly to protectyourchildintheeventofacrash .
Vehicle Compatibility Considerations
Not all child safety seats can be installed in allvehiclesandinallseatingpositions .Withsomanymodelsofchildsafetyseats,morethan300modelsof passenger vehicles, and the wide range of seattypes and belt systems available today, correctlyinstallingachildsafetyseatcanbeachallenge .
Vehicledesignfactorsthatcanaffectchildsafetyseatplacement include: two-door vehicles, small backseats, deep bucket seats, slope and contour of theback seat, splits in bench seats, forward-anchoredbelts, and pickup truck jump seats/extended cabs .(Note:side-facingjumpseatsareunsafeforachildsafetyseatunderallcircumstances!)
Toensureyourchildsafetyseatiscompatiblewiththe vehicle you are looking to purchase, NHTSArecommends testing thefitof thechildsafetyseatin the vehicle before you buy . Alternatively, if thevehicleyouwanttopurchaseisn’tcompatiblewithyour current child safety seat(s), it’s importantto purchase and install safety seats that arecompatible .
Read the child safety seat’s instruction manualandreview the information in thevehicleowner’smanualaboutcorrectinstallation .Oncetheseatisinstalled,checkitbyfirmlypullingatthebaseofthechildseat,atthesafetybeltpath,fromsidetosideandforward .Thechildsafetyseatshouldnotmovemorethanoneinchinanydirection .
Go to www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cps/cpsfitting and clickon the Fitting/Inspection Stations button for helpin finding the child safety seat inspection stationnearestyou .Youcanalsocall888-327-4236 or 866-SEATCHECK .
Ease-of-Use Ratings
Theeasiera child safety seat is touse, thegreaterthe chance it will be installed and used correctly .And a seat that is used correctly is more likely toprotectyourchildintheeventofacrash .That’swhyNHTSAdevelopedanease-of-useratingsystemtoratechildsafetyseatsandboosterseats .Thesearenotsafetyratings,sinceallchildrestraintsarerequiredtomeetFederalsafetystandards . Instead, thenewratingscangiveyoutheconfidencetoselectachildrestraint thatwillbeeasier to installandcorrectlyuse .Childsafetyseatsandboosterseatsareratedonseveralfactors:nAssemblynEvaluationoflabelsnEvaluationofinstructionsnInstallationfeaturesnSecuringthechildsafetyseatfeaturesVisitwww.nhtsa.govandclickonChildSafetySeatUsage Ratings, or go directly to www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CPS/CSSRating/Index.cfm to find updatedease-of-use ratings for both child safety seats andboosterseats .
chilD safeTY feaTures BY MoDel - 2006
The following charts, ordered by vehicle type, aredesignedtohelpyouselectafamilyvehiclewithkeychildsafetyfeatures .
Includedinthesecharts—listedhereintheorderpresented the charts — is information about thefollowingchildsafetyfeatures:n AdjustableUpperBelt-Rearn RearCenterLap/ShoulderBeltn AirbagOn-OffSwitchn PushDown/PullUpWindowSwitchn Anti-Pinch/AutoReversalWindowsn SideAirBag-ChestAirBag–2ndRown SideAirBag-HeadAirBag–2ndRown SideAirBagOutofPositionTests
Specific information about some safety features isnot available . While LATCH is available in everynew vehicle, position of LATCH systems in eachmodel is not known . Similarly, information onmodelsthatincludecertainfeatures,suchasbuilt-inchildsafetyseats,isnotavailable .Checkwithyourdealertofindoutmoreaboutsuchfeatures .
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Make Model Body
Mini Passenger CarHonda Insight 2-DR SLight Passenger CarChevrolet Aveo 4-DR S S MMazda MX-5/Miata 2-DRConvertible S S MMercedes-Benz SLK-Class Convertible SMercedes-Benz SLR-Class 2-DR S S Toyota ScionxA 4-DR S D S Ac MToyota ScionxB 4-DR S D SCompact Passenger CarAcura RSX 2-DR S MBMW Z4 2-DR S S S MChevrolet Cobalt 4-DR S S S Ac MChevrolet Cobalt 2-DR S S S Ac MFord Focus 4-DR Ford Focus 2-DR Honda Civic 4-DR S S S Sc MHonda Civic 2-DR S S S Sc MHonda CivicHybrid 4-DR S S S Sc MHonda S2000 Convertible SHyundai Accent 4-DR S S ScHyundai Elantra 4-DR S S MKia Rio 4-DR S A A Sc MKia Rio 4-DR S A A Sc MKia Spectra 4-DR S A A Ac MMazda Mazda3 4-DR S S Ac MMINI Cooper 2-DR A S St MMitsubishi Eclipse 2-DR S M
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Key
Code Definition
S Standardonallvehiclesinthatmodelline A Availableasanoptiononsomeorallvehiclesinthatmodel line;orstandardonsomevehiclesinthatmodellinebut notavailableoran optiononothers;orwillbeintroducedpartwaythroughthat modelyearasstandardonallvehiclesinthatmodelline D Speaktoyourdealeraboutthissafetyfeature . M MeetsRequirementsforTWGSABoutofpositiontests
Make Model Body
Ford Freestar 3-DR S S Acr* MGMC Savana S SGMC Savana15Passenger S SHonda Odyssey 4-DR S S S Sx Scr* MKia Sedona 4-DR S S A S Ac MMazda Mazda5 S S Sc* MMazda MPV S MMercury Monterey 3-DR S S Acr* MNissan Quest S S S S S Sc* MPontiac MontanaSV6 S S S Ab Ab MSaturn Relay S S S Ab Ab MToyota Sienna S S D S A Ac* M
Key
Code Definition
c CurtainAirBagforheadprotection d Door-MountedTorsoAirBagforchestprotection r HeadAirBagalsodeploysasrolloverairbag s Seat-MountedTorsoAirBagforchestprotection t TubeAirBagforheadprotection x ForDriverOnly * CurtainAirBagForThirdRow
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Make Model Body
Mitsubishi EclipseSpyder Convertible SMitsubishi Lancer 4-DR S A MMitsubishi LancerEvolution 4-DR S A Nissan Sentra 4-DR S S Pontiac Vibe 4-DR S S MSaturn Ion 4-DR S Ac MSaturn Ion 2-DR Ac MSuzuki Aerio 4-DR S S MSuzuki Forenza 4-DR S S S MSuzuki Reno 5-DR S S S MToyota Corolla 4-DR S D A Ac MToyota Matrix 4-DR S D A Ac MToyota Prius 4-DR S D S S Ac MToyota SciontC 2-DR S D S S Ac MVolkswagen Golf 4-DR S S S S S ScVolkswagen Golf 4-DR S S S S As Sc MVolkswagen Golf/GTI 2-DR S S S S Sc MVolkswagen NewBeetle 2-DR S S S MMedium Passenger CarAcura TSX 4-DR S S Sx Sc MAudi A3 4-DR S S S S As Sc MAudi A4 4-DR S S S S As Sc MAudi A6Sedan 4-DR S S S S As Sc MAudi S4 4-DR S S S S As Sc MAudi TT 2-DRConvertible S S S BMW 3Series 4-DR S S S Sc MBMW 3Series 2-DR S S S Ad Sc M
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Make Model Body
Isuzu I-280 2-DR S S MIsuzu I-350 4-DR S S S Ac MLincoln MarkLT 4-DR SMazda B-Series 2-DR SMazda B-Series 2-DR SNissan Frontier 4-DR S S S Ac MNissan Frontier 2-DR S S Ac MNissan Titan 2-DR S S S A Acr MNissan Titan 4-DR S S S S Acr MSubaru Baja 4-DR S SToyota Prerunner 2-DR S A Toyota Prerunner 4-DR S D S Ac MToyota Tacoma 2-DR S A Toyota Tacoma 4-DR S D S Ac MToyota Tundra 2-DR S S A Toyota Tundra 4-DR S S D S Ac MVanBuick Terraza S S S Ab Ab MChevrolet Express S SChevrolet Express15Passenger S SChevrolet Uplander S S S Ab Ab MChrysler PTCruiser 4-DR S S MChrysler Town&Country S S Ac* MChrysler Town&Country S Ac* MDodge Caravan S Ac* MDodge GrandCaravan S Ac* MFord E-150Ford E-35015Passenger
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Make Model Body
BMW M3 2-DR S S Ad BMW M5 4-DR S A S S Ad St MBMW M6 2-DR S S S MCadillac XLR Convertible MChevrolet Corvette 2-DR S MChevrolet CorvetteZ06 2-DR S MChevrolet Malibu 4-DR S S S Ac MChevrolet Malibu 4-DR S S S Ac MChevrolet MalibuMaxx 4-DR S S S Ac MChevrolet MonteCarlo 2-DR S S S MChrysler Crossfire 2-DR S MChrysler CrossfireRoadster Convertible S MChrysler Sebring 2-DRConvertible SChrysler Sebring 4-DR S S Ac MDodge Stratus 4-DR S S Ac MDodge ViperSRT-10 Convertible SFord Fusion 4-DR S S Ac MFord Fusion 4-DR S S Ac MFord GT 2-DR SFord Mustang 2-DR S MFord Taurus 4-DR S Ford Taurus 4-DR S Honda Accord 2-DR S S Sx Sc MHonda Accord 4-DR S S Sx Sc MHonda AccordHybrid 4-DR S S Sx Sc MHonda FCX 2-DRHyundai Azera 4-DR S S S S Ss Sc MHyundai Sonata 4-DR S S S Sc M
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Suzuki GrandVitaraXL-7 4-DR S S S Toyota 4Runner 4-DR S D S S Acr MToyota Highlander S D S S Acr MToyota HighlanderHybrid S D S S Acr MToyota Landcruiser 4-DR S S D S S Acr MToyota RAV4 4-DR S D S A Ac MToyota Sequoia 4-DR S S D S S Acr MVolkswagen Touareg 4-DR S S S S S Sc MVolvo XC90 4-DR S S S S Scr* MPickupChevrolet Colorado 2-DR S S Ac MChevrolet Colorado 4-DR S S S Ac MChevrolet Silverado 4-DR S S Chevrolet Silverado 2-DR SChevrolet SSR 2-DR S MDodge Dakota 2-DR S S S Ac MDodge Dakota 4-DR S S Ac MDodge Ram1500 2-DR S MDodge Ram1500 4-DR S Ac MFord F-150 2-DR SFord F-150 4-DR SFord Ranger 2-DR SFord Ranger 2-DR SGMC Canyon 2-DR S S MGMC Canyon 4-DR S S S Ac MGMC Sierra 2-DR SGMC Sierra 4-DR S SHonda Ridgeline 4-DR S S Sx Scr M
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Make Model Body
Hyundai Tiburon 2-DR S S MInfiniti G35Coupe 2-DR S S S MInfiniti G35Sedan 4-DR S S S S Sc MInfiniti M35/45 4-DR S S S S Sc MInfiniti Q45 4-DR S S S S Sc MJaguar NewX-Type 4-DR S S S Sc MJaguar XK 2-DR S S Jaguar X-Type 4-DR S S S Sc MKia NewOptima 4-DR S A S A AcKia Optima 4-DR S S Lexus ES330 4-DR S D S S Sc MLexus IS250/350 4-DR S D S S Sc MLexus SC430 Convertible S D S S MLincoln Zephyr 4-DR S S S Sc MMazda Mazda6 4-DR S S Ac MMazda Mazda6 4-DR S S Ac MMazda RX-8 4-DR S Sc MMercedes-Benz C-Class 4-DR S S S S S Ad ScMercedes-Benz CL-Class 2-DR S S Sd ScrMercedes-Benz CLK-Class 2-DR S S S Ad ScrMercury Milan 4-DR S S Ac MMercury Milan 4-DR S S Ac MMitsubishi Galant 4-DR S SNissan 350Z 2-DR A S S MNissan Altima 4-DR S S S S Ac MNissan Maxima 4-DR S S S S Sc MPontiac G6 2-DR S S Ac MPontiac G6 4-DR S S S Ac M
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Make Model Body
LandRover LR3 4-DR S S S Scr* MLandRover RangeRover 4-DR S S S S StrLandRover RangeRoverSport 4-DR S S S Scr MLexus GX470 4-DR S S D S S Scr MLexus LX470 4-DR S S D S S Scr MLexus RX330 4-DR S D S S Scr MLexus RX400h 4-DR S D S S Scr MLincoln Navigator 4-DR S S S Scr MMazda Tribute 4-DR S Acr MMercedes-Benz ML-Class 4-DR S S S S As Scr MMercedes-Benz R-Class 4-DR S S S S As Scr* MMercury Mariner 4-DR S Acr MMercury MarinerHybrid 4-DR S Ac MMercury Mountaineer 4-DR S S Acr MMitsubishi Endeavor 4-DR S S MMitsubishi Montero 4-DR S S MMitsubishi Outlander 4-DR S S MNissan Armada 4-DR S S S S Scr* MNissan Murano 4-DR S S S S S Sc MNissan Pathfinder 4-DR S S S S Ac MNissan Xterra 4-DR S S S S Ac MPontiac Torrent 4-DR S Ac MPorsche Cayenne 4-DR S S S ScSaab 9-7X 4-DR S S S Scr MSaturn VUE 4-DR S Acr MSubaru Outback 4-DR S S S Sc MSubaru Tribeca 4-DR S S S S Sc MSuzuki GrandVitara 4-DR S S Sc
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Make Model Body
Pontiac GrandPrix 4-DR S S Ac MPontiac GTO 2-DRPontiac Solstice Convertible SPorsche 911Carrera 2-DR A MPorsche 911Carrera4 2-DR A MPorsche Boxster Convertible A MPorsche CaymanS 2-DR ASaab 9-2X 4-DR S S S S MSaab 9-3 Convertible S S S MSaab 9-3 4-DR S S S Sc MSubaru Forester 4-DR S S S S MSubaru Impreza 4-DR S S A S MSubaru Legacy 4-DR S S S Sc MSuzuki Verona 4-DR S S S MToyota Camry 4-DR S D S A Ac MToyota CamrySolara 2-DR S D S Sc MVolkswagen Jetta 4-DR S S S S As Sc MVolkswagen Passat 4-DR S S S S As Sc MVolvo S40 4-DR S S S S Sc MVolvo S60 4-DR S S S S Sc MVolvo V50 4-DR S S S S Sc MVolvo V70 4-DR S S S S Sc MVolvo XC70 4-DR S S S S Sc MHeavy Passenger CarAcura RL 4-DR S S S Sc MAcura TL 4-DR S S Sc MAudi A8 4-DR S S S S Ss Sc MBentley ArnageR 4-DR S S Ss Sc M
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Chrysler Pacifica 4-DR A S Ac* MDodge Durango 4-DR S S S Ac* MFord Escape 4-DR S Acr MFord EscapeHybrid 4-DR S Ac MFord Expedition 4-DR S S Acr MFord Explorer 4-DR S S Acr MFord Freestyle 5-DR S S Acr* MGMC Envoy 4-DR S S S Ac MGMC EnvoyXL 4-DR S S S Ac MGMC Yukon 4-DR S S S MGMC YukonXL 4-DR S S S MHonda CR-V 4-DR S S Sx Scr MHonda Element 4-DR S Sx MHonda Pilot 4-DR S S Sx Scr* MHummer H2 4-DR S S S Hummer H3 4-DR S S Acr MHyundai SantaFe 4-DR S S Hyundai Tucson 4-DR S S Sc MInfiniti FX35/45 4-DR S S S S S Sc MInfiniti QX56 4-DR S S S S Scr* MIsuzu Ascender5 4-DR S S S Acr MIsuzu Ascender7 4-DR S S S Acr MJeep Commander 4-DR S S Scr* MJeep GrandCherokee 4-DR S S Acr* MJeep Liberty 4-DR S Ac MJeep Wrangler 2-DR SKia Sorento 4-DR S A S Sc MKia Sportage 4-DR S S Ac M
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Make Model Body
Bentley ArnageRL 4-DR S Ss MBentley ArnageT 4-DR S S Ss Sc MBentley ContinentalGT 2-DR S S Sc MBMW 5Series 4-DR S A S S Ad St MBMW 6Series 2-DR S S S MBMW 7Series 4-DR S A S S Ad St MBuick LaCrosse 4-DR S S Sc MBuick Lucerne 4-DR S S Sc MCadillac CTS 4-DR S S Sc MCadillac DTS 4-DR S S S Sc MCadillac STS 4-DR S S S Sc MChevrolet Impala 4-DR S S S Sc MChrysler 300 4-DR S S A Ac MDodge Charger 4-DR S S Ac MDodge Magnum 4-DR S S Ac MFord CrownVictoria 4-DR S MFord CrownVictoria 4-DR S MFord FiveHundred 4-DR S S Acr MJaguar S-Type 4-DR S S S S ScJaguar XJ 4-DR S S S S Sc MKia Amanti 4-DR S S S S Ss Sc MLexus GS300/430 4-DR S D S S Sc MLexus LS430 4-DR S D S S Sc MLincoln LS 4-DR S Ac MLincoln TownCar 4-DR S MMercedes-Benz CLS-Class 4-DR S S S S Sd ScrMercedes-Benz E-Class 4-DR S S S S S Sd ScrMercedes-Benz Maybach 4-DR S S Sd Scr
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Mercedes-Benz S-Class 4-DR S S S Sd ScrMercedes-Benz SL-Class Convertible S S Mercury GrandMarquis 4-DR S MMercury GrandMarquis 4-DR S MMercury Montego 4-DR S S Acr MPorsche 911CarreraCabriolet Convertible A MRolls-Royce Phantom 4-DR S S S StSaab 9-5 4-DR S S S SToyota Avalon 4-DR S D S S Sc MVolkswagen Phaeton(4Pass .) 4-DR A S S S Ss Sc MVolvo S80 4-DR S S S S Sc MSport Utility VehicleAcura MDX 4-DR S S Sx Scr* MBMW X3 4-DR S A S S Ad Sc MBMW X5 5-DR S A S S Ad MBuick Rainier 4-DR S S S Acr MBuick Rendezvous 4-DR S S MCadillac Escalade 4-DR S S S MCadillac EscaladeESV 4-DR S S S MCadillac EscaladeEXT 4-DR S S S MCadillac SRX 4-DR S S Scr MChevrolet Avalanche 4-DR S S S MChevrolet Equinox 4-DR S Ac MChevrolet HHR 4-DR S S Ac MChevrolet Suburban 4-DR S S S MChevrolet Tahoe 4-DR S S S MChevrolet Trailblazer 4-DR S S S Acr MChevrolet TrailblazerEXT 4-DR S S S Acr M
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guiDelines anD usage charT: chilD safeTY anD BoosTer seaTsCHilDren 12 AnD yOunger Are SAfeST WHen prOperly BuCkleD in THe reAr SeAT.
Always refer to the child seat and vehicle manufacturer instructions for proper use and installation.
Age/Weight Seat Type/Seat Position Usage TipsINFANTS
Birthto1yearandupto20lbs
Lessthan1year/20-35lbs
Seat should be secured to the vehicle by the safety belts or by the
LATCH system.
InfantOnlySeat/rear-facingORConvertibleSeat/usedrearfacing
ConvertibleSeat/usedrearfacing(selectonerecommendedforheavierinfants)
Neveruseinafrontseatwhereanairbagispresent .Tightlyinstallchildseatinrearseat,facingtherear .Childseatshouldreclineatapprox .a45-degreeangle .Harnessstraps/slotsatorbelowshoulderlevel .(Seemanufacturer’sinstructionsfordetails .)
PRESCHOOLERS/TODDLERS1to4yearsandatleast20lbs(uptoapprox .40lbs)
Seat should be secured to the vehicle by the safety belts or by the
LATCH system.
ConvertibleSeat/Forward-FacingORForward-FacingOnlySeatORHighBackBoosterSeatw/Harness(notshown)
Tightlyinstallchildseatinrearseat,facingforward .Harnessstraps/slotsatorabovechild’sshoulders .(Seemanufacturer’sinstructionsfordetails .)Harnessstrapssnugonchild;harnessclipatarmpitlevel .
YOUNG CHILDREN 4toatleast8years/unlesstheyare4’9”(57”)ortaller
Stay informed about child safety seat
recalls; be sure and fill out the registration card that comes with
new child seats.
Boosterseat:nHigh-BackBoosterSeatw/BeltPositioner,ORnNo-BackBoosterSeat
Boosterusedwithadultlapandshoulderbeltinrearseat .High-backboosteroffershead/necksupportforvehicleswithrearseatshavinglittleornoheadsupport .Shoulderbeltshouldrestsnuglyacrosschest,andshouldNEVERbeplacedunderthearmorbehindtheback .Lapbeltshouldrestlow,acrosslap/upperthigharea—notacrossthestomach .
Infant Only Convertible/ Rear Facing
Convertible/ Forward Facing
Forward Facing5-Point Harness
High-back Booster No-back Booster
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Safety feature description on page 5*See Key on page 19 Safety feature description on page 5*See Key on page 19
Make Model Body
Bentley ArnageRL 4-DR S Ss MBentley ArnageT 4-DR S S Ss Sc MBentley ContinentalGT 2-DR S S Sc MBMW 5Series 4-DR S A S S Ad St MBMW 6Series 2-DR S S S MBMW 7Series 4-DR S A S S Ad St MBuick LaCrosse 4-DR S S Sc MBuick Lucerne 4-DR S S Sc MCadillac CTS 4-DR S S Sc MCadillac DTS 4-DR S S S Sc MCadillac STS 4-DR S S S Sc MChevrolet Impala 4-DR S S S Sc MChrysler 300 4-DR S S A Ac MDodge Charger 4-DR S S Ac MDodge Magnum 4-DR S S Ac MFord CrownVictoria 4-DR S MFord CrownVictoria 4-DR S MFord FiveHundred 4-DR S S Acr MJaguar S-Type 4-DR S S S S ScJaguar XJ 4-DR S S S S Sc MKia Amanti 4-DR S S S S Ss Sc MLexus GS300/430 4-DR S D S S Sc MLexus LS430 4-DR S D S S Sc MLincoln LS 4-DR S Ac MLincoln TownCar 4-DR S MMercedes-Benz CLS-Class 4-DR S S S S Sd ScrMercedes-Benz E-Class 4-DR S S S S S Sd ScrMercedes-Benz Maybach 4-DR S S Sd Scr
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Mercedes-Benz S-Class 4-DR S S S Sd ScrMercedes-Benz SL-Class Convertible S S Mercury GrandMarquis 4-DR S MMercury GrandMarquis 4-DR S MMercury Montego 4-DR S S Acr MPorsche 911CarreraCabriolet Convertible A MRolls-Royce Phantom 4-DR S S S StSaab 9-5 4-DR S S S SToyota Avalon 4-DR S D S S Sc MVolkswagen Phaeton(4Pass .) 4-DR A S S S Ss Sc MVolvo S80 4-DR S S S S Sc MSport Utility VehicleAcura MDX 4-DR S S Sx Scr* MBMW X3 4-DR S A S S Ad Sc MBMW X5 5-DR S A S S Ad MBuick Rainier 4-DR S S S Acr MBuick Rendezvous 4-DR S S MCadillac Escalade 4-DR S S S MCadillac EscaladeESV 4-DR S S S MCadillac EscaladeEXT 4-DR S S S MCadillac SRX 4-DR S S Scr MChevrolet Avalanche 4-DR S S S MChevrolet Equinox 4-DR S Ac MChevrolet HHR 4-DR S S Ac MChevrolet Suburban 4-DR S S S MChevrolet Tahoe 4-DR S S S MChevrolet Trailblazer 4-DR S S S Acr MChevrolet TrailblazerEXT 4-DR S S S Acr M
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Make Model Body
Pontiac GrandPrix 4-DR S S Ac MPontiac GTO 2-DRPontiac Solstice Convertible SPorsche 911Carrera 2-DR A MPorsche 911Carrera4 2-DR A MPorsche Boxster Convertible A MPorsche CaymanS 2-DR ASaab 9-2X 4-DR S S S S MSaab 9-3 Convertible S S S MSaab 9-3 4-DR S S S Sc MSubaru Forester 4-DR S S S S MSubaru Impreza 4-DR S S A S MSubaru Legacy 4-DR S S S Sc MSuzuki Verona 4-DR S S S MToyota Camry 4-DR S D S A Ac MToyota CamrySolara 2-DR S D S Sc MVolkswagen Jetta 4-DR S S S S As Sc MVolkswagen Passat 4-DR S S S S As Sc MVolvo S40 4-DR S S S S Sc MVolvo S60 4-DR S S S S Sc MVolvo V50 4-DR S S S S Sc MVolvo V70 4-DR S S S S Sc MVolvo XC70 4-DR S S S S Sc MHeavy Passenger CarAcura RL 4-DR S S S Sc MAcura TL 4-DR S S Sc MAudi A8 4-DR S S S S Ss Sc MBentley ArnageR 4-DR S S Ss Sc M
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Chrysler Pacifica 4-DR A S Ac* MDodge Durango 4-DR S S S Ac* MFord Escape 4-DR S Acr MFord EscapeHybrid 4-DR S Ac MFord Expedition 4-DR S S Acr MFord Explorer 4-DR S S Acr MFord Freestyle 5-DR S S Acr* MGMC Envoy 4-DR S S S Ac MGMC EnvoyXL 4-DR S S S Ac MGMC Yukon 4-DR S S S MGMC YukonXL 4-DR S S S MHonda CR-V 4-DR S S Sx Scr MHonda Element 4-DR S Sx MHonda Pilot 4-DR S S Sx Scr* MHummer H2 4-DR S S S Hummer H3 4-DR S S Acr MHyundai SantaFe 4-DR S S Hyundai Tucson 4-DR S S Sc MInfiniti FX35/45 4-DR S S S S S Sc MInfiniti QX56 4-DR S S S S Scr* MIsuzu Ascender5 4-DR S S S Acr MIsuzu Ascender7 4-DR S S S Acr MJeep Commander 4-DR S S Scr* MJeep GrandCherokee 4-DR S S Acr* MJeep Liberty 4-DR S Ac MJeep Wrangler 2-DR SKia Sorento 4-DR S A S Sc MKia Sportage 4-DR S S Ac M
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Make Model Body
Hyundai Tiburon 2-DR S S MInfiniti G35Coupe 2-DR S S S MInfiniti G35Sedan 4-DR S S S S Sc MInfiniti M35/45 4-DR S S S S Sc MInfiniti Q45 4-DR S S S S Sc MJaguar NewX-Type 4-DR S S S Sc MJaguar XK 2-DR S S Jaguar X-Type 4-DR S S S Sc MKia NewOptima 4-DR S A S A AcKia Optima 4-DR S S Lexus ES330 4-DR S D S S Sc MLexus IS250/350 4-DR S D S S Sc MLexus SC430 Convertible S D S S MLincoln Zephyr 4-DR S S S Sc MMazda Mazda6 4-DR S S Ac MMazda Mazda6 4-DR S S Ac MMazda RX-8 4-DR S Sc MMercedes-Benz C-Class 4-DR S S S S S Ad ScMercedes-Benz CL-Class 2-DR S S Sd ScrMercedes-Benz CLK-Class 2-DR S S S Ad ScrMercury Milan 4-DR S S Ac MMercury Milan 4-DR S S Ac MMitsubishi Galant 4-DR S SNissan 350Z 2-DR A S S MNissan Altima 4-DR S S S S Ac MNissan Maxima 4-DR S S S S Sc MPontiac G6 2-DR S S Ac MPontiac G6 4-DR S S S Ac M
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LandRover LR3 4-DR S S S Scr* MLandRover RangeRover 4-DR S S S S StrLandRover RangeRoverSport 4-DR S S S Scr MLexus GX470 4-DR S S D S S Scr MLexus LX470 4-DR S S D S S Scr MLexus RX330 4-DR S D S S Scr MLexus RX400h 4-DR S D S S Scr MLincoln Navigator 4-DR S S S Scr MMazda Tribute 4-DR S Acr MMercedes-Benz ML-Class 4-DR S S S S As Scr MMercedes-Benz R-Class 4-DR S S S S As Scr* MMercury Mariner 4-DR S Acr MMercury MarinerHybrid 4-DR S Ac MMercury Mountaineer 4-DR S S Acr MMitsubishi Endeavor 4-DR S S MMitsubishi Montero 4-DR S S MMitsubishi Outlander 4-DR S S MNissan Armada 4-DR S S S S Scr* MNissan Murano 4-DR S S S S S Sc MNissan Pathfinder 4-DR S S S S Ac MNissan Xterra 4-DR S S S S Ac MPontiac Torrent 4-DR S Ac MPorsche Cayenne 4-DR S S S ScSaab 9-7X 4-DR S S S Scr MSaturn VUE 4-DR S Acr MSubaru Outback 4-DR S S S Sc MSubaru Tribeca 4-DR S S S S Sc MSuzuki GrandVitara 4-DR S S Sc
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Make Model Body
BMW M3 2-DR S S Ad BMW M5 4-DR S A S S Ad St MBMW M6 2-DR S S S MCadillac XLR Convertible MChevrolet Corvette 2-DR S MChevrolet CorvetteZ06 2-DR S MChevrolet Malibu 4-DR S S S Ac MChevrolet Malibu 4-DR S S S Ac MChevrolet MalibuMaxx 4-DR S S S Ac MChevrolet MonteCarlo 2-DR S S S MChrysler Crossfire 2-DR S MChrysler CrossfireRoadster Convertible S MChrysler Sebring 2-DRConvertible SChrysler Sebring 4-DR S S Ac MDodge Stratus 4-DR S S Ac MDodge ViperSRT-10 Convertible SFord Fusion 4-DR S S Ac MFord Fusion 4-DR S S Ac MFord GT 2-DR SFord Mustang 2-DR S MFord Taurus 4-DR S Ford Taurus 4-DR S Honda Accord 2-DR S S Sx Sc MHonda Accord 4-DR S S Sx Sc MHonda AccordHybrid 4-DR S S Sx Sc MHonda FCX 2-DRHyundai Azera 4-DR S S S S Ss Sc MHyundai Sonata 4-DR S S S Sc M
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Suzuki GrandVitaraXL-7 4-DR S S S Toyota 4Runner 4-DR S D S S Acr MToyota Highlander S D S S Acr MToyota HighlanderHybrid S D S S Acr MToyota Landcruiser 4-DR S S D S S Acr MToyota RAV4 4-DR S D S A Ac MToyota Sequoia 4-DR S S D S S Acr MVolkswagen Touareg 4-DR S S S S S Sc MVolvo XC90 4-DR S S S S Scr* MPickupChevrolet Colorado 2-DR S S Ac MChevrolet Colorado 4-DR S S S Ac MChevrolet Silverado 4-DR S S Chevrolet Silverado 2-DR SChevrolet SSR 2-DR S MDodge Dakota 2-DR S S S Ac MDodge Dakota 4-DR S S Ac MDodge Ram1500 2-DR S MDodge Ram1500 4-DR S Ac MFord F-150 2-DR SFord F-150 4-DR SFord Ranger 2-DR SFord Ranger 2-DR SGMC Canyon 2-DR S S MGMC Canyon 4-DR S S S Ac MGMC Sierra 2-DR SGMC Sierra 4-DR S SHonda Ridgeline 4-DR S S Sx Scr M
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Make Model Body
Mitsubishi EclipseSpyder Convertible SMitsubishi Lancer 4-DR S A MMitsubishi LancerEvolution 4-DR S A Nissan Sentra 4-DR S S Pontiac Vibe 4-DR S S MSaturn Ion 4-DR S Ac MSaturn Ion 2-DR Ac MSuzuki Aerio 4-DR S S MSuzuki Forenza 4-DR S S S MSuzuki Reno 5-DR S S S MToyota Corolla 4-DR S D A Ac MToyota Matrix 4-DR S D A Ac MToyota Prius 4-DR S D S S Ac MToyota SciontC 2-DR S D S S Ac MVolkswagen Golf 4-DR S S S S S ScVolkswagen Golf 4-DR S S S S As Sc MVolkswagen Golf/GTI 2-DR S S S S Sc MVolkswagen NewBeetle 2-DR S S S MMedium Passenger CarAcura TSX 4-DR S S Sx Sc MAudi A3 4-DR S S S S As Sc MAudi A4 4-DR S S S S As Sc MAudi A6Sedan 4-DR S S S S As Sc MAudi S4 4-DR S S S S As Sc MAudi TT 2-DRConvertible S S S BMW 3Series 4-DR S S S Sc MBMW 3Series 2-DR S S S Ad Sc M
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Isuzu I-280 2-DR S S MIsuzu I-350 4-DR S S S Ac MLincoln MarkLT 4-DR SMazda B-Series 2-DR SMazda B-Series 2-DR SNissan Frontier 4-DR S S S Ac MNissan Frontier 2-DR S S Ac MNissan Titan 2-DR S S S A Acr MNissan Titan 4-DR S S S S Acr MSubaru Baja 4-DR S SToyota Prerunner 2-DR S A Toyota Prerunner 4-DR S D S Ac MToyota Tacoma 2-DR S A Toyota Tacoma 4-DR S D S Ac MToyota Tundra 2-DR S S A Toyota Tundra 4-DR S S D S Ac MVanBuick Terraza S S S Ab Ab MChevrolet Express S SChevrolet Express15Passenger S SChevrolet Uplander S S S Ab Ab MChrysler PTCruiser 4-DR S S MChrysler Town&Country S S Ac* MChrysler Town&Country S Ac* MDodge Caravan S Ac* MDodge GrandCaravan S Ac* MFord E-150Ford E-35015Passenger
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Make Model Body
Mini Passenger CarHonda Insight 2-DR SLight Passenger CarChevrolet Aveo 4-DR S S MMazda MX-5/Miata 2-DRConvertible S S MMercedes-Benz SLK-Class Convertible SMercedes-Benz SLR-Class 2-DR S S Toyota ScionxA 4-DR S D S Ac MToyota ScionxB 4-DR S D SCompact Passenger CarAcura RSX 2-DR S MBMW Z4 2-DR S S S MChevrolet Cobalt 4-DR S S S Ac MChevrolet Cobalt 2-DR S S S Ac MFord Focus 4-DR Ford Focus 2-DR Honda Civic 4-DR S S S Sc MHonda Civic 2-DR S S S Sc MHonda CivicHybrid 4-DR S S S Sc MHonda S2000 Convertible SHyundai Accent 4-DR S S ScHyundai Elantra 4-DR S S MKia Rio 4-DR S A A Sc MKia Rio 4-DR S A A Sc MKia Spectra 4-DR S A A Ac MMazda Mazda3 4-DR S S Ac MMINI Cooper 2-DR A S St MMitsubishi Eclipse 2-DR S M
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Key
Code Definition
S Standardonallvehiclesinthatmodelline A Availableasanoptiononsomeorallvehiclesinthatmodel line;orstandardonsomevehiclesinthatmodellinebut notavailableoran optiononothers;orwillbeintroducedpartwaythroughthat modelyearasstandardonallvehiclesinthatmodelline D Speaktoyourdealeraboutthissafetyfeature . M MeetsRequirementsforTWGSABoutofpositiontests
Make Model Body
Ford Freestar 3-DR S S Acr* MGMC Savana S SGMC Savana15Passenger S SHonda Odyssey 4-DR S S S Sx Scr* MKia Sedona 4-DR S S A S Ac MMazda Mazda5 S S Sc* MMazda MPV S MMercury Monterey 3-DR S S Acr* MNissan Quest S S S S S Sc* MPontiac MontanaSV6 S S S Ab Ab MSaturn Relay S S S Ab Ab MToyota Sienna S S D S A Ac* M
Key
Code Definition
c CurtainAirBagforheadprotection d Door-MountedTorsoAirBagforchestprotection r HeadAirBagalsodeploysasrolloverairbag s Seat-MountedTorsoAirBagforchestprotection t TubeAirBagforheadprotection x ForDriverOnly * CurtainAirBagForThirdRow
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Interior Trunk Release
AlmostallpassengercarswithtrunksmanufacturedafterSeptember1,2001,arerequiredtobeequippedwith interior trunk releases . This safety feature isintended to help all individuals — and especiallychildren—whomaybecome locked in the trunkofavehicletoescape .Checkwithyourautomobiledealer for specific information on the type oftrunk release system offered and which vehiclemanufacturers offer retrofit kits for older cars .Ensurethatyourchildrenknowwheretheinteriortrunkreleaseislocatedandhowtouseit .
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chilD safeTY seaTs anD BoosTer seaTs
Ifyouhavechildrenandareshoppingforafamilycar,you’llwanttochecktoseethatyourchildsafetyseatandboosterseatiscompatiblewiththevehicle .After all, vehicles and seat styles are extensive .Review the following compatibility information,ease-of-use ratings, and child safety and boosterseatusagecharttomakesureyournewvehicleandsafety seat will work together properly to protectyourchildintheeventofacrash .
Vehicle Compatibility Considerations
Not all child safety seats can be installed in allvehiclesandinallseatingpositions .Withsomanymodelsofchildsafetyseats,morethan300modelsof passenger vehicles, and the wide range of seattypes and belt systems available today, correctlyinstallingachildsafetyseatcanbeachallenge .
Vehicledesignfactorsthatcanaffectchildsafetyseatplacement include: two-door vehicles, small backseats, deep bucket seats, slope and contour of theback seat, splits in bench seats, forward-anchoredbelts, and pickup truck jump seats/extended cabs .(Note:side-facingjumpseatsareunsafeforachildsafetyseatunderallcircumstances!)
Toensureyourchildsafetyseatiscompatiblewiththe vehicle you are looking to purchase, NHTSArecommends testing thefitof thechildsafetyseatin the vehicle before you buy . Alternatively, if thevehicleyouwanttopurchaseisn’tcompatiblewithyour current child safety seat(s), it’s importantto purchase and install safety seats that arecompatible .
Read the child safety seat’s instruction manualandreview the information in thevehicleowner’smanualaboutcorrectinstallation .Oncetheseatisinstalled,checkitbyfirmlypullingatthebaseofthechildseat,atthesafetybeltpath,fromsidetosideandforward .Thechildsafetyseatshouldnotmovemorethanoneinchinanydirection .
Go to www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cps/cpsfitting and clickon the Fitting/Inspection Stations button for helpin finding the child safety seat inspection stationnearestyou .Youcanalsocall888-327-4236 or 866-SEATCHECK .
Ease-of-Use Ratings
Theeasiera child safety seat is touse, thegreaterthe chance it will be installed and used correctly .And a seat that is used correctly is more likely toprotectyourchildintheeventofacrash .That’swhyNHTSAdevelopedanease-of-useratingsystemtoratechildsafetyseatsandboosterseats .Thesearenotsafetyratings,sinceallchildrestraintsarerequiredtomeetFederalsafetystandards . Instead, thenewratingscangiveyoutheconfidencetoselectachildrestraint thatwillbeeasier to installandcorrectlyuse .Childsafetyseatsandboosterseatsareratedonseveralfactors:nAssemblynEvaluationoflabelsnEvaluationofinstructionsnInstallationfeaturesnSecuringthechildsafetyseatfeaturesVisitwww.nhtsa.govandclickonChildSafetySeatUsage Ratings, or go directly to www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CPS/CSSRating/Index.cfm to find updatedease-of-use ratings for both child safety seats andboosterseats .
chilD safeTY feaTures BY MoDel - 2006
The following charts, ordered by vehicle type, aredesignedtohelpyouselectafamilyvehiclewithkeychildsafetyfeatures .
Includedinthesecharts—listedhereintheorderpresented the charts — is information about thefollowingchildsafetyfeatures:n AdjustableUpperBelt-Rearn RearCenterLap/ShoulderBeltn AirbagOn-OffSwitchn PushDown/PullUpWindowSwitchn Anti-Pinch/AutoReversalWindowsn SideAirBag-ChestAirBag–2ndRown SideAirBag-HeadAirBag–2ndRown SideAirBagOutofPositionTests
Specific information about some safety features isnot available . While LATCH is available in everynew vehicle, position of LATCH systems in eachmodel is not known . Similarly, information onmodelsthatincludecertainfeatures,suchasbuilt-inchildsafetyseats,isnotavailable .Checkwithyourdealertofindoutmoreaboutsuchfeatures .
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Advanced Frontal Air Bags
Designed tomeet theneedsofoccupants inava-riety of specific crash situations, advanced frontalair bag systems use sensors to automaticallydetermineif—andwithwhatlevelofpower—thedriverfrontalairbagandpassengerfrontalairbagwillinflate .
Theappropriatelevelofpowerisbaseduponsensorinputsthatcantypicallydetect:1)occupantsize,2)seatposition,3)safetybeltuseoftheoccupant,and4)crashseverity .
Even in vehicles equipped with advanced frontalair bags, children 12 and younger should neverride in the front seat . However parents whoseteenagers13andolderrideinthefrontseatofthefamily vehicle should be aware of the advantagesof this new technology, particularly as teenagerstendtobeofsmallerstaturethantheaverageadult .Currently,vehiclesequippedwithadvancedfrontalairbagsarebeingphasedintothemarketplace .Infact, all passenger cars and light trucks producedafter September 1, 2006, will be required to haveadvancedfrontalairbags .Side-Impact Air Bags
Side-impactairbag(SAB)technologyhasadvancedrapidlyoverrecentyearsandvarioustypesofSABshaveemerged .SABsofferadditionalprotection totwoprincipalareasofthebody—theheadandthechest—duringside-impactcrashes .
Head-protecting curtain or tubular SABs deployoverheadanddownwardfromtheroofrail .Door-mounted or seat-mounted SABs, also called torsobags,aredesignedtoofferprotectiontothechest .AcombinationSAB,or“combobag,”deploysfromtheseatbackandoffersprotectiontoboththechestandhead .
ATechnicalWorkingGroupofexpertsrepresentingthe automotive and insurance industries hasdeveloped voluntary SAB testing procedures tominimizethepotentialriskofSAB-relatedinjuriesforout-of-positionoccupants,whichoftenincludeschildren who are seated very close (called “out ofposition”)toadeployingSAB .
Ifavehiclehasa“meetsrequirements”inthecolumnlabeled“SABOut-of-PositionTesting,”onthewww.safercar.gov Web site, it means the manufacturerhas reported to the government that all SABs inthe vehicle have successfully completed the fullbatteryofout-of-positiontestsspecifiedunderthevoluntaryguidelines .
You should read the owner’s manual or contactyour manufacturer for specific information abouthowthesideairbagsysteminyourvehicleworksintheeventofacrash .Visitwww.safercar.gov/airbagsformoredetailonSABsandchildren .NHTSAalsoprovidesmoredetailedinformationinasearchableSABdatabaseatwww.safercar.gov .
Some facts that parents will want to rememberaboutchildoccupantprotectioningeneral—andsideairbagsinparticular—arelistedhere:nALL children should use safety restraints
appropriatefortheirageandsize(thiscouldbeasafetyseat,boosterseat,oradultsafetybelt) .
nChildren12andyoungeraresafestsittingintherearseatproperlyrestrained .
nTominimizeinjuryrisks,NHTSArecommendsthatchildrennotleanorrestagainstchest-onlyorhead/chestcombinationSABs .
nNHTSAhasnot seenany indicationof risks tochildrenfromcurrentroof-mountedheadSABs .
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freQuenTlY asKeD QuesTions
Q. Is the back seat the safest place for my child?
A. Yes,children12andyoungershouldbeproperlyrestrainedinthebackseatofthevehicle .Itisestimatedthatchildrenare26-percentlesslikelytobefatallyinjuredinacrashifseatedintherearseatofapassengervehicle .
Q. What if I have no choice but to place a child under 12 in the front seat?
A. Theremaybeoccasionswhenaparentorcaregiverhasnootheroptionthantoplaceachildinthefrontseat,forexample:nInapickuptruckwithinsufficientorno availablerearseat,ornIfaparentistransportingtoomanychildren foralltorideintheback,ornWhentransportingachildwithamedical conditionthatrequiresmonitoringand anotheradultisnotavailable .
Infants in rear-facing child safety seats must never ride in the front seat of a vehicle with an active front passenger air bag. In the event there is no available rear seatandparentshaveno otheroptionthantoplaceachild(otherthananinfantinarear-facingchildsafetyseat)inafrontpassengerseatingposition,takethesesteps:
1 . Ensurethechildisproperlyrestrained,2 . Movethevehicleseatasfarbackaspossible,3 . Makesurethechildisnotleaningoutof position,and4 . SettheairbagON-OFFswitch,ifavailable, totheOFFposition .
Keeping chilDren safe in anD arounD Vehicles
The dangers of leaving a child unattended in ornearavehiclearewidelymisunderstoodandunder-estimated .Butinreality, if leftalone—sometimesevenformeremoments—achildcould:nStart the car, or put it in neutral, and cause a
crash,resultingininjuriesordeath .nDie of heat stroke, exposure to cold, or carbon
monoxidepoisoning .nBecometrappedinyourvehicle’strunkanddie
ofheatstrokeorsuffocation .nGet hit or run over by another vehicle while
insideoroutofyourcar .nBe killed or seriously injured by a driver who
maynotbeawareoforseeachildwhenbackingoutofaparkingspaceordriveway .
Beyond Safety Technologies and Equipment
Vehicle safety technologies and proper childrestraints can go a long way towards helping tokeep child passengers safe . However, these are noreplacement forcarefulmonitoringbyaparentoradult caregiverwhenevera child is insideor evennearavehicle .Tokeepchildrensafe fromdanger,neverallowthemaccesstoyourcarkeysoraremotelocking/unlockingdevice .
Bottom line: keep children out of your vehicle and away from other vehicles unless
you are there to watch them!
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Push-Down, Pull-Up Window Switches
Withaconventionalrockerortoggletypewindowswitch, a child can accidentally lean or kneel ontheswitchandcausethewindowtoclose,trappinghands, arms or other body parts in the powerwindow . However, Push-Down, Pull-Up Switcheshelpeliminatethissafetyriskbymakingitvirtuallyimpossible to accidentally close power windows .A Federal rule mandates that safer switches beinstalled inall cars,vans,pickup trucksandsportutilityvehiclesmadeforsaleintheUnitedStatesonorafterOctober1,2008 .
Anti-Pinch/Auto Reversal Windows
Automatic reversal windows, sometimes called“pinchprotection,”“anti-entrapment,”or“bounce-back” windows are designed to stop closing andreversedirection if they senseanything, suchasachild’shands, armsorhead, in theway .Thereareseveral different types of systems available . Checkwith your dealer about the specific operation ofanti-pinch/autoreversalwindows .
Built-In Child Safety Seats
Somemanufacturersofferbuilt-inchildsafetyseatsthataredesignedtorestrainchildrenatleast1yearoldandover20pounds .Specificweightandheightrequirements may vary; check with the vehiclemanufacturer for details . Since the introductionof the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Childrensystem, which was designed to make child safetyseatseasiertoinstall,onlyaverysmallpercentageofmanufacturersofferthisfeature .Asaresult,youwillnotfindthissafetyfeaturelistedinthe“ChildSafetyFeaturesByModel–2006”chartsincludedinthisbooklet . Check with your dealer or manufacturerfor more information about vehicle models thatincludebuilt-inchildsafetyseats .
aDDiTional safeTY feaTures To consiDer
The following safety features aren’t typicallyconsideredspecifictochildren,buttheydohaveanimpactonchildrenand/orteenagers .Inresearchingthepurchaseofaneworusedvehicle,it’simportantto consider how these technologies may affecteveryoneinyourfamily .
Rear-Seat Active Head Restraints
Thenewesttypeofheadrestraintisanactiveheadrestraint,whichcomes inanumberofdesignsforthe front and back seats of vehicles . Preliminaryresearchhasshownthatactiveheadrestraintsmayhelpreducewhiplash .
While this safety feature has no impact on youngchildren, who should be properly secured intheir own child safety seats, rear-seat active headrestraints may provide additional protection forolder children or teenagers during a rear-endcrash . In such a crash, active head restraintsautomaticallyclosethegapbetweentheoccupant’sheadandtheheadrestraint—andinsomeinstancesincrease their height relative to the occupant’shead .(Notethatactiveheadrestraintsmayalsobeadjustedmanually .)
Frontal Air Bags
Frontalairbagsdeployforcefullyandrapidly,posinga danger for children 12 and younger . Therefore,NHTSA recommends all children 12 and undershouldalwaysrideintherearseat,whereit’ssafestforthem .Vehicleswithnorearseat,orarearseatthat isnotappropriate forachildsafety seat,mayhaveaswitchthatletsthedrivercontrolthefront-seatpassengerairbag .Refertothe“ManualAirBagOn-OffSwitch”sectionofthisbookletonpage1tolearnmoreabouttheseswitchesandhowandwhentousethemtoprotectyourchildpassengers .
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When faced with having to choose which childotherthananinfantinarear-facingchildsafetyseattoplaceinfrontofanairbaginthefrontseat,selectthechildthatcanbemostreliedupontoremaininaproperseatingposition .Thismaynotnecessarilybetheoldestchild .
Remember: Infants in rear-facing child safety seats must NEVER ride in the front seat of a vehicle with an active
front passenger air bag.
Q. Based on the age and size and my child, what is the most appropriate restraint?
A. Refer to the “Guidelines And Usage Chart: Child Safety & Booster Seats” on page 12-13to help you choose the child restraint systemthat is correct for the age, size, and weight ofyourchild .
Q. When should your child use a booster seat?
A. All children who have outgrown child safetyseats should be properly restrained in boosterseats until they are at least 8 years old, unlesstheyare4’9”ortaller .
Whenusedcorrectly,boosterseatscanhelppreventinjurytoolderchildrenbymakingadult-sizedsafetybelts fit properly . The adult lap and shoulder beltshould fit the child snugly, with the lap belt lyingflat across the upper thigh area, and the shoulderbeltcrossingthechest,restingagainstthemiddleofthechild’sshoulder .
Q. What could happen if my child doesn’t use a booster seat?
A. Withoutaboosterseat: nThelapbeltcanrideupoverthechild’s
stomachandcauseseriousinternalinjuries inacrash .
nThe shoulder belts may be uncomfortably high, leading to misuse if children put the safety belts behind their backs or under their arms . These misuses can cause very seriousinternalinjuries .
Regardless of weight or height, all children 12 and younger should be properly restrained in the back seat. Always read the child safety seat or
booster seat manufacturer’s instructions, as well as the vehicle owner’s manual before installing a child safety seat.
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To receive a brochure about retrofitting ON-OFFswitchesorobtainanInstallationRequestform:nVisit the air bag section of NHTSA’s Web site,
www.safercar.gov/airbags,ornCall the DOT Vehicle Safety Hotline at
888-327-4236 (TDD 800-424-9153) .
Given that ON-OFF switches are not available for all vehicles, make sure a switch is
available for your vehicle before you request authorization to have it installed.
Rear Center-Seat Lap and Shoulder Belts
Allrearcenterseatsmustbeequippedwithatleastalapbelt .Asanaddedfeature,somemanufacturersincludelapandshoulderbeltsinrearcenterseats .Thisbenefitsolderchildrenandchildreninboosterseats who often ride in the rear center position .A Federal ruling recently mandated that all newpassenger vehicles must be equipped with rearcenter-seatlap/shouldersafetybeltsby2008 .
Adjustable Upper Belts (Rear)
Becausesafetybeltsmustfitpeopleofvarioussizes,includingolderchildren,somemanufacturersofferan adjustable upper belt that lets you change theposition of the shoulder strap to accommodate aperson’s size . This feature allows adjustment andmayimprovetheshoulderbeltfitforthepassenger .Checkthemanufacturer’s instructionstocorrectlyadjustthesafetybeltsinyourvehicle .
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)
LATCHisarelativelynewsystemthatmakeschildsafety seat installation easier — without usingseat belts . How does LATCH work? Anchors ona LATCH-equipped vehicle are used to install asafety seat equipped with LATCH fasteners . MostLATCH-equipped vehicles have anchors in therightandleftrearseatpositions .If thecenterseatdoesn’t have anchors, you can still install yourchildsafetyseatusingasafetybelt .Ifyourvehicleisn’t LATCH-equipped, use the safety belt and, ifavailable,atoptether .LATCHisrequiredonchildsafetyseatsandvehiclesmanufacturedafterSeptember1,2002 .Note:SincetheLATCHsystemhasbeenrequiredequipmentonallnewvehiclesforthepastseveralyears,youwillnotfinda listingforLATCH-equippedvehicles inthe“ChildSafetyFeaturesByModel–2006”chartsincludedinthisbooklet .
Attachtoptethertotopanchor .
Fastenlowerattachmentstoloweranchors .
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Q. Will the vehicle safety belt system meet the needs of my children?
A. Correctsafetybeltuseforallvehicleoccupantsshould be the rule in your vehicle . Childrenwho have clearly outgrown child safety seatsandboosterseatsshouldbeabletofittheadultbeltsystemcorrectly .
Readthevehicleowner’smanualtobesureyouunderstandhowtousethesafetybeltcorrectly,andrememberthefollowing:nThe lap belt should fit low over the child’s
upper thighs when the child is sittingstraight against the vehicle seat back .The child’s knees should bend naturallyand comfortably over the edge of thevehicleseat .
nTheshoulder beltshouldstayontheshoulderand lie against the child’s chest . Never putthe shoulder belt under the arm or behindthechild’sback .
nA lap-only belt (without a shoulder belt)shouldbeusedtorestrainachildonlyifnoother safety belt system is available . If youmusttransportseveralchildreninavehiclethat has a lap-only belt in the middle rearseat, and one of the children is in a rear-facing or a convertible/toddler child safetyseat,followtheseguidelines:
nHavetheolderchildrenusethelapand shoulderbelts .
nPutthechildridinginachildsafetyseat inthemiddle .
nSecurethechildsafetyseatwiththelap- onlybelt .
Q. Is it safe to use the child safety seat after it has been in a crash?
A. NHTSArecommendsthatchildsafetyseatsbereplaced following a moderate or severe crashin order to ensure a continued high level ofcrashprotection forchildpassengers .NHTSArecommends that child safety seats do notautomatically need to be replaced following aminorcrash .MinorcrashesarethosethatmeetALLofthefollowingcriteria:nThevehiclewasabletobedrivenawayfrom
thecrashsite;nThevehicledoornearestthesafetyseatwas
undamaged;nTherewerenoinjuriestoanyofthevehicle
occupants;nThe air bags (if present) did not deploy;
ANDnThereisnovisibledamagetothesafetyseat .
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placedinthefrontseatofavehicleequippedwithanactivepassengerairbag .Infantsandchildrencanbe seriously injured—orevenkilled— if theairbaginflates .
Refer to your owner’s manual for information on the correct use of the
air bag ON-OFF switch.
Therearecircumstanceswheresomepeopleshouldnotbeexposedtoaninflatingairbag .Someofthesesituationsinvolvechildpassengerswhomaybeputatriskifanairbaginflates .
Ifyoucancertifythatyouorsomeoneelsewhousesyourvehiclewouldbeatriskiftheairbaginflates,youcanhaveanON-OFFswitchinstalledinyourvehicle . Please review the information below onair bag ON-OFF switches to decide whether yourdriving situation fits one or more risk profilesnecessarytohaveanON-OFFswitchinstalledbyadealerorrepairfacility .
People whose risk profiles justify having an ON-OFFairbagswitchinstalledincludethefollowing:nPeople who must transport infants riding
in rear-facing infant seats in the frontpassengerseat .
nPeople who must transport children under 13inthefrontpassengerseat .
nDrivers who cannot change their customarydrivingpositionstokeep10inchesbetweenthecenter of the steering wheel and the center oftheirbreastbone .
nPeoplewhosedoctorssaythatduetotheirmedicalconditions the air bags pose a special risk thatoutweighs theriskofhitting theirheads,necksorchestsinacrashiftheairbagsareturnedoff .
safeTY feaTures for chilD passengers
Safetyisoneofthemostimportantconsiderationswhenbuyingafamilyvehicle .Manufacturersoffermanysafetyfeaturesyoushouldlookfortotransportchildren safely . These features cannot, however,replacetheneedtomonitorchildrenwhentheyareinandaroundmotorvehiclesortheimportanceofseeingthatchildrenaresafelybuckledup .
In fact, the most important action a parent orcaregiver can do to promote occupant protectionfor children is to secure all children up to age 13in an age and weight appropriate child restraintorsafetybelt—inthevehicle’srearseat .Statisticsshow that children are much less likely to beseriously injured in a crash if they are properlyrestrainedinthebackseat .
Thesafetyfeatureslistedherewillhelpyousecureyour children safely in your vehicle and reducetheir risk of incurring crash-related injuries .Moreover, these featurescanhelpprotectchildrenfrom other vehicle-related dangers, such as thoseposedbycertaintypesofpowerwindowswitches .For details, see the “Child Safety Features By Model – 2006”charts,whichbeginonpage6ofthisbooklet .
Manual Air Bag On-Off Switch
Vehicleswithnorearseat,orarearseatthatisnotappropriateforachildsafetyseat,mayhaveaswitchthatletsthedrivercontrolthefront-seatpassengerair bag . The switch has a warning light that mustbeclearlyvisible toall front-seatpassengers to letthemknowwhen theairbaghasbeen turnedoff .A rear-facing child safety seat should NEVER be
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Q. Which vehicles have the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system?
A. Since September 2000, all new passengervehicles (except most convertibles) have beenequipped with the top tether anchors . AllvehiclesmanufacturedafterSeptember1,2002,areequippedwiththeloweranchors .Althoughconvertible vehicles are exempt from tetheranchorrequirements,somemanufacturersofferthemasasafetyenhancement .
Check your owner’s manual or contact themanufacturer to see if your older vehicle isequippedwithtetheranchorsorhaspre-drilledpointswheretetheranchorscanbeinstalled .
Q. What if my vehicle is not LATCH-equipped?
A. Any child safety seat, even one with LATCH,can be installed using the vehicle safety beltand,ifavailable,atoptether .Besuretofollowthe vehicle owner’s manual and child safetyseatinstructions .
See the Guidelines and Usage Chart on pages 12-13 for specifics and tips on how to choose and use the right child safety and/or
booster seat for your children.
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safer cars, safer chilDrenSafer Cars And Safer Child Passengers 2006 is a NationalHighwayTrafficSafetyAdministration(NHTSA)guidebookdesigned to help parents understand vehicle child safetyfeatures,makeaninformedbuyingdecisionwhenpurchasingafamilycar,properlyusechildsafetyandboosterseats,andhelpkeepchildrenassafeaspossiblewhenevertheyareinoraroundvehicles .
Whenreferencedasavehiclebuyingguideforyourfamily,thisbrochureshouldbeused in tandemwith theNHTSABuying A Safer Car 2006 brochure, which contains a fullrangeofsafetyfeatureinformation,crashtests,androlloverresistanceresultsoncars, lighttrucks,SUVs,andvans .Toviewthemostupdatedgovernmentcrashtestresults,accesstheBuying A Safer Car 2006brochureororderafreecopy,visitwww.safercar.govtoday .
aDDiTional resourcesToaccessadditionalinformationonchildandvehiclesafety,visittheNationalHighwayTrafficSafetyAdministrationWeb site at www .nhtsa .gov . For specific information about vehicle safety technologies and to obtain updatedGovernmentcrashtestresults,visitwww .safercar .govorcalltheDOTVehicleSafetyHotlineat888-327-4236 (TDD 800-424-9153) .
LookingforaChildSafetySeatInspectionStation?Visitwww .nhtsa .dot .gov/cps/cpsfittingandclickontheFitting/InspectionStationslink,calltheDOTVehicleSafetyHotlineor866-SEATCHECK .
Think Your Vehicle or child safety seat has a safety Defect?
Visit
www.safercar.govcall
888-327-4236Mail
nhTsa, office of Defects investigation (nVs-210)400 7th st., sW
Washington, Dc 20590
All complaints are carefully reviewed by our team of safety experts. We welcome your input.