Acura RDX 2020 Repair Manual

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uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
Safe Driving
Safety of Infants and Small Children
An infant must be properly restrained in a rear-facing, reclining child seat until the
infant reaches the seat manufacturer’s weig ht or height limit for the seat, and the
infant is at least one year old.
■Positioning a rear-facing child seat
Child seats must be placed and secured in a
rear seating position.
When properly installed, a rear-facing child seat may prevent the driver or a front
passenger from moving their seat all the way back, or from locking their seat-back
in the desired position. Make sure that th ere is no contact between the child seat
and the seat in front of it.
It can also interfere with pr oper operation of the passenger’s advanced front airbag
system.
2 Airbags P. 42
If this occurs, we recommend that you install the child seat directly behind the front
passenger’s seat, move the seat as far fo rward as needed, and leave it unoccupied.
Or, you may wish to get a sm aller rear-facing child seat.
■Protecting Infants1Protecting Infants
Many experts recommend us e of a rear-facing seat
for a child up to two years old if the child's height and
weight are appropriate for a rear-facing seat.
Rear-facing child seats should never be installed in a
forward-facing position.
Always refer to the child seat manufacturer’s
instructions before installation.
Do not allow a front seat to rest against a child seat
installed in a rear seating position:
The weight sensor in the fr ont seat may not correctly
detect the actual weight of the occupant.
3WARNING
Placing a rear-facing child seat in the front
seat can result in serious injury or death
during a crash.
Always place a rear-fac ing child seat in the
rear seat, not the front.
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uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
Safe DrivingIf a child is at least one year old and has exceeded the weight and height limitations
of a rear-facing child seat, the child should be properly restrained in a firmly secured
forward-facing child seat until they exceed the weight and height limitations for the
forward-facing child seat.
■Forward-facing child seat placement
We strongly recommend placing a forward-
facing child seat in a rear seating position.
Placing a forward-facing child seat in th e front seat can be hazardous, even with
advanced front airbags that automatically turn the passeng er’s front airbag off. A
rear seat is the safest place for a child.
■Protecting Smaller Children1 Protecting Smaller Children
Educate yourself about th e laws and regulations
regarding child seat use wh ere you are driving, and
follow the child seat manufacturer’s instructions.
3WARNING
Placing a forward-facing child seat in the
front seat can result in serious injury or
death if the front airbag inflates.
If you must place a forward-facing child
seat in front, move the vehicle seat as far
back as possible, and properly restrain the
child.
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uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
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Safe DrivingMost child seats are LATCH-compatible (L ower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren).
Some have a rigid-type connector, while ot hers 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 including recommended expiration dates
as well as the instructions in this manual. Proper installation is key to maximizing
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 wh en 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 Federa l Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 or
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.
■Selecting a Child Seat1 Selecting a Child Seat
Installation of a LATCH-compatible 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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uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
Safe DrivingA LATCH-compatible child seat can be installe d in either of the two outer rear seats.
A child seat is attached to th e lower anchors with either th e rigid or flexible type of
connectors. 1.Raise the head restraint to its highest
position.
2. Locate the anchor marks affixed to the base
of the seat cushion.
3. Pull out the anchor cove rs with the marks to
expose the lower anchors.
4. Place the child seat on the vehicle seat, then
attach the child seat to the lower anchors
according to the instructions 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 Seat1 Installing 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.
3WARNING
Never attach two child seats to the same
anchor. In a collision, one anchor may not
be strong enough to hold two child seat
attachments and may break, causing
serious injury or death.
Marks
Covers
Rigid Type
Lower Anchors
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uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
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Safe Driving
5. Route the tether strap between the head
restraint legs, and secure the tether strap
hook to the anchor.
5. Route the tether strap outside the head
restraint legs, and secure the tether strap
hook to the anchor.
6. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the
child seat manufacturer.
7. Make sure the child seat is firmly secured by
rocking it forward and back and side to
side; little movement should be felt.
8. 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. 58
1Installing a LATCH-Compatible Child Seat
Installing a LATCH-compatible child seat in the
rear center seat
Each outer rear seat is equi pped with a pair of lower
anchors which are used to secure a LATCH-
compatible child seat. The rear center seat, however,
is not equipped with anchors of any kind.
The inner and outer anchors are spaced apart at a
standard distance of 11 inches (280 mm). The
distance between the two inner anchors is 16.3
inches (415 mm).
LATCH-compatible restraint systems that are fitted
with rigid-type attachments cannot be installed in the
rear center seat. However, a system fitted with
flexible-type attachments can be installed in the
center seat, provided that the manufacturer’s
instructions for that system permit the use of the
inner anchors with the stated spacing.
Before seating a child, make sure that the system is
properly attached to both the lower anchors and
tether anchors.
3WARNING
Do not use the lower inner anchors of the
outer rear seats to secure a LATCH-
compatible child seat to the rear center
seat, unless the manufacturer’s instructions
for that system permit the use of inner
anchors with the stated spacing.
Flexible Type
Tether Strap Hook
Anchor
Straight Top Tether Type
Other Top Tether Type
Tether Strap Hook
Anchor
Straight Top Tether Type
Other Top Tether Type
All Types
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uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
Safe DrivingA child seat can be installed with a lap/should er belt in any rear seat or, if absolutely
necessary, the front passenger seat. 1.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 retract a few inches and
check that the retractor has switched
modes by pulling on the webbing. It should
not pull out again until it is reset by
removing the latch pl ate from the buckle.
u If you are able to pull the shoulder belt
out, the lockable retractor is not
activated. Slowly pull the seat belt all the
way out, and repeat steps 3 – 4.
■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
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Safe Driving
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, plac e your weight on
the child seat and push it into the vehicle
seat.
6. Make sure the child seat is firmly secured by
rocking it forward and back and side to
side; less than one inch of movement
should occur near the seat belt.
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.1 Installing 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.
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uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
Safe DrivingA tether anchorage point is provided behind
each rear seating position.
If you have a child s eat that comes with a
tether but can be installed with a seat belt, the
tether may be used for additional security.
■Using an outer anchor
1. Put the head restraint to its upper-most
position, then route the tether strap
through the head restraint legs. Make sure
the strap is not twisted.
1. Put the head restraint to its upper-most
position, then route th e tether strap outside
the head restraint legs. Make sure the strap
is not twisted.
2. Secure the tether strap hook to the anchor.
3. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the
child seat manufacturer.
■Adding Security with a Tether1 Adding Security with a Tether
Always use a tether for forward-facing child seats
when using the seat be lt or lower anchors.
Tether Anchorage Points
Tether Strap Hook
Anchor
Tether Strap Hook
Anchor
Straight Top Tether Type
Other Top Tether Type
Straight Top Tether Type
Other Top Tether Type
All Types
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uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
Safe Driving
■Using the center anchor
1. Lower the head restra int to its lowest
position.
2. Route the tether strap over the head
restraint. Make sure the strap is not twisted.
2. Route the tether strap outside the head
restraint. Make sure the strap is not twisted.
3. Secure the tether strap hook to the anchor.
4. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the
child seat manufacturer.
Tether Strap Hook
Anchor
Tether Strap Hook
Anchor
Straight Top Tether Type
Other Top Tether Type
Straight Top Tether Type
Other Top Tether Type
All Types
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uuChild Safety uSafety of Larger Children
Continued
Safe Driving
Safety of Larger Children
The following pages give instructions on ho w 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 upri ght 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, th e 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, using a booster seat if
needed.
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