belt Acura MDX 2016 Owner's Guide

56
Safe Driving
Child Safety
Protecting Child Passengers
Each year, many children are injured or killed in vehicle crashes because they are
either unrestrained or not properly restra ined. In fact, vehicle accidents are the
number one cause of death of children ages 12 and under.
To reduce the number of child deaths and in juries, every state, Canadian province
and territory requires that infants and childre n be properly restrained when they ride
in a vehicle.
Children should sit properly restrained in a rear seat. This is because:
• An inflating front or side airbag can injure
or kill a child sitting in the front seat.
• A child in the front seat is more likely to
interfere with the driver ’s ability to safely
control the vehicle.
• Statistics show that ch ildren of all sizes and
ages are safer when they are properly
restrained in a rear seat.1 Protecting Child Passengers
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
and Transport Canada recommend that all children
ages 12 and under be properl y restrained in a rear
seat. Some states or provin ces/territories have laws
restricting where ch ildren may ride.
3WARNING
Children who are unrestrained or
improperly restrained can be seriously
injured or killed in a crash.
Any child too small for a seat belt should be
properly restrained in a child seat. A larger
child should be properly restrained with a
seat belt, using a booster seat if necessary.
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57
uuChild Safety uProtecting Child Passengers
Safe Driving
• Any child who is too small to wear a seat belt correctly must be restrained in an
approved child seat that is properly secured to the vehicle using either the lap belt
portion of the lap/shoulder belt or the lower anchors of the LATCH system.
• Never hold a child on your lap because it is impossible to protect them in the
event of a collision.
• Never put a seat belt over yourself and a child. During a crash, the belt would
likely press deep into the child and cause serious or fatal injuries.
• Never let two children use the same seat belt. Both children could be very
seriously injured in a crash.
• Do not allow children to operate the doors, windows or seat adjustments.
• Do not leave children in the vehicle unatte nded, especially in hot weather when
the inside of the vehicle can get hot enough to kill them. They could also activate
vehicle controls causing it to move unexpectedly.1 Protecting Child Passengers
To deactivate a lockable retractor, release the buckle
and allow the seat belt to wind up all the way.
To remind you of the pa ssenger’s front airbag
hazards and child safety, y our vehicle warning came
with a label on the dashboard (U.S. models) and has
labels on the front visors. Pl ease read and follow the
instructions on these labels.
2 Safety Labels P. 69
3WARNING
Allowing a child to play with a seat belt or
wrap one around their neck can result in
serious injury or death.
Instruct children not to play with any seat
belt and make sure any unused seat belt a
child can reach is buckled, fully retracted,
and locked.
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uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
60
Safe DrivingMost child seats are LATCH-compatible (L ower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren).
Some have a rigid-type conn ector while others have a flexible-type connector. Both
are equally easy to use. Some existing and previously owned child seats can only be
installed using the seat belt. Whichever type you choose, follow the child seat
manufacturer’s use and care instructions as well as the instructions in this manual.
Proper installation is key to ma ximizing your child’s safety.
In seating positions and vehicles not equipped with LATCH, a LATCH-compatible
child seat can be installed using the seat belt and a top tether for added security.
This is because all child seats are required to be designed so that they can be secured
with a lap belt or the lap part of a lap/sh oulder belt. In addition, the child seat
manufacturer may advise that a seat belt be used to attach a LATCH-compatible seat
once a child reaches a specified weight. Please read the child seat owner’s manual
for proper installation instructions.
■Important consideration when selecting a child seat
Make sure the child seat meets th e following three requirements:
• The child seat is the correct type and size for the child.
• The child seat is the correct type for the seating position.
• The child seat is compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 or
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.
■Selecting a Child Seat1Selecting a Child Seat
Installation of a LATCH-co mpatible child seat is
simple.
LATCH-compatible child s eats have been developed
to simplify the installati on process and reduce the
likelihood of injuries caused by incorrect installation.
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61
uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
Continued
Safe DrivingA LATCH-compatible child seat can be instal led in the second row seats. A child seat
is attached to the lower anc hors with either the rigid or flexible type of connectors.
1. Locate the lower anchors under the marks.
2. Place the child seat on the vehicle seat then
attach the child seat to the lower anchors
according to the ins tructions that came
with the child seat.
u When installing the child seat, make sure
that the lower anchors are not
obstructed by the seat belt or any other
object.
■Installing a LATCH-Compatible Child Seat
Marks
Rigid Type
Lower Anchors
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uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
62
Safe Driving
3. Put the outer head restraint to it’s upper-
most position, then route the tether strap
between the head restraint legs, and secure
the tether strap hook onto the anchor.
Make sure the strap is not twisted.
3. Put the center head restraint to it’s lowest
position, then route the tether strap over
the top of the head restraint and secure the
tether strap hook onto the anchor. Make
sure the strap is not twisted.
4. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the
child seat manufacturer.
5. Make sure the child seat is firmly secured by
rocking it forward and back and side to
side; little movement should be felt.
6. Make sure any unused seat belt that a child
can reach is buckled, the lockable retractor
is activated, and the be lt is fully retracted
and locked.
2 Protecting Child Passengers P. 56
Flexible Type
Outer positions1Installing a LATCH-Compatible Child Seat
For your child’s safety, when using a child seat
installed using the LATCH system, make sure that the
child seat is properly secured to the vehicle. A child
seat that is not properly secured will not adequately
protect a child in a crash and may cause injury to the
child or other vehicle occupants.
Tether Strap Hook
AnchorCenter position
All positions
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Continued63
uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
Safe Driving1. Place the child seat on the vehicle seat.
2. Route the seat belt through the child seat
according to the seat manufacturer’s
instructions, and insert the latch plate into
the buckle.
u Insert the latch plate fully until it clicks.
3. Slowly pull the shoulder part of the belt all
the way out until it stops. This activates the
lockable retractor.
4. Let the seat belt completely wind up into
the retractor, then try to pull it out to make
sure the retractor is locked.
u If you are able to pull the shoulder belt
out, the lockable retractor is not
activated. Pull the seat belt all the way
out, and repeat steps 3 – 4.
5. Grab the shoulder part of the seat belt near
the buckle, and pull up to remove any slack
from the lap part of the belt.
u When doing this, place your weight on
the child seat and push it into the vehicle
seat.
■Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt1Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt
A child seat that is not properly secured will not
adequately protect a child in a crash and may cause
injury to the child or other vehicle occupants.
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uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
64
Safe Driving
6. Make sure the child seat is firmly secured by
rocking it forward and back and side to
side; little movement should be felt.
7. Make sure any unused seat belt that a child
can reach is buckled, the lockable retractor
is activated, and the be lt is fully retracted
and locked.
2 Protecting Child Passengers P. 56
A tether anchorage point is provided behind
each second and third row seating position. A
child seat that is installed with a seat belt and
comes with a tether can use the tether for
additional security.
1Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt
To deactivate a lockable retractor, release the buckle
and allow the seat belt to wind up all the way.
■Adding Security with a Tether
Tether Anchorage Points
Second row seat
1 Adding Security with a Tether
Since a tether can provide additional security to the
lap/shoulder seat belt in stallation, we recommend
using a tether whenever one is available.
Tether Anchorage Points
Third row seat
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66
uuChild Safety uSafety of Larger Children
Safe Driving
Safety of Larger Children
The following pages give instructions on how to check proper seat belt fit, what kind
of booster seat to use if one is needed , and important precautions for a child who
must sit in front.
When a child is too big for a child seat, secure the child in a rear seat using the lap/
shoulder seat belt. Have the child sit upright and all the way back, then answer the
following questions.
■Checklist
• Do the child’s knees bend comfortably over
the edge of the seat?
• Does the shoulder belt cross between the
child’s neck and arm?
• Is the lap part of the seat belt as low as
possible, touching the child’s thighs?
• Will the child be able to stay seated like this
for the whole trip?
If you answer yes to all these questions, the child is ready to wear the lap/shoulder
seat belt correctly. If you answer no to any question, the child needs to ride on a
booster seat until the seat belt fits properly without a booster seat.
■Protecting Larger Children
■Checking Seat Belt Fit
1 Safety of Larger Children
3WARNING
Allowing a child age 12 or under to sit in
front can result in injury or death if the
passenger’s front airbag inflates.
If a larger child must ri de in front, move the
vehicle seat as far to the rear as possible,
have the child sit up properly and wear the
seat belt properly, us ing a booster seat if
needed.
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uuChild Safety uSafety of Larger Children
Safe DrivingIf a lap/shoulder seat belt cannot be used
properly, position the child in a booster seat in
a rear seating position. For the child’s safety,
check that the child meets the booster seat
manufacturer’s recommendations.
Your vehicle has a rear seat where children can be properly restrained. If you ever
have to carry a group of children, and a child must ride in front:
• Make sure you read and fully understand the instructions and safety information
in this manual.
• Move the front passenger seat as far back as possible.
• Have the child sit upright and well back in the seat.
• Check that the seat belt is properly positi oned so that the child is secure in the
seat.
■Monitoring child passengers
We strongly recommend that you keep an ey e on child passengers. Even older, more
mature children sometimes need to be remind ed to fasten their seat belts and sit up
properly.
■Booster Seats1 Booster Seats
When installing a booster seat, make sure to read the
instructions that came with it, and install the seat
accordingly.
There are high- and low-type booster seats. Choose a
booster seat that allows the child to wear the seat
belt correctly.
Some U.S. states, and Canadian provinces and
territories require children to use a booster seat until
they reach a given age or we ight (e.g. six years or 60
lbs). Be sure to check current laws in the state or
province, or territory where you intend to drive.
■Protecting Larger Children-Final Checks
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76
uuIndicators u
Instrument Panel
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage
Seat Belt
Reminder
Indicator
●Comes on and the beeper sounds
if you are not wearing a seat belt
when you set the power mode to
ON.
●If the front passenger is not
wearing a seat belt, the indicator
comes on about a few seconds
later.
●Blinks while driving if either you
or the front passenger has not
fastened a seat belt. The beeper
sounds and the indicator blinks at
regular intervals.
●The beeper stops and the indicator goes off
when you and the front passenger fasten their
seat belts.
●Stays on after you or the front passenger
has fastened the seat belt - A detection
error may have occurred in the sensor. Have
your vehicle checked by a dealer.
2 Seat Belt Reminder P. 34
Low Fuel Indicator
●Comes on when the fuel reserve
is running low (approximately 2.5
U.S. gal./9.5 Liter left).
●Blinks if there is a problem with
the fuel gauge.
●Comes on - Refuel your vehicle as soon as
possible.
●Blinks - Have your vehicle checked by a
dealer.
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