belt Acura ZDX 2012 Owner's Guide

uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
54
Safe DrivingMost child seats are LATCH-compatible (L ower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren).
Some have a rigid-type connector, while othe rs 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 maximizing your child’s safety.
In seating positions and vehicles not e quipped 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/shoulder 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. Pl ease 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 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-co mpatible child seat is
simple.
LATCH-compatible child s eats have been developed
to simplify the installation process and reduce the
likelihood of injuries caused by incorrect installation.

uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
56
Safe Driving
3. Place the child seat on the vehicle seat then
attach the child seat to the lower anchors
according to th e 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.
Rigid Type
Lower Anchors
Flexible
Type
1Installing a LATCH-Compatible Child Seat
For your child’s safety, when using a child seat
installed using the LATCH sy stem, make sure that the
seat is properly secured to the vehicle. A child seat
that is not properly secu red will not adequately
protect a child in a crash an d may cause injury to the
child or other vehicle occupants.

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uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
Continued
Safe Driving
4. Raise the head restraint, then route the
tether strap between the head restraint
legs, and secure the tether strap hook onto
the anchor.
5. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the
child seat maker.
6. Lower the head restraint until it locks in
place.
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 belt is fully retracted
and locked.
Tether
Strap
Hook Anchor

uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
58
Safe Driving1. Place the child seat on the vehicle seat.
2. Route the seat belt th rough the child seat
according to the seat maker’s instructions,
and insert the latch pl ate 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 st ops. 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 pul l the shoulder belt
out, the lockable retractor is not
activated. Pull the seat belt all the way
out, and repeat steps 2 – 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.

Continued59
uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
Safe Driving
6. Make sure the child restraint system 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 belt is fully retracted
and locked.1Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt
To deactivate a lockable re tractor, release the buckle
and allow the seat belt to wind up all the way.

uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
60
Safe DrivingA tether anchorage point is provided behind
each rear seating position. A child seat that is
installed with a seat belt and comes with a
tether can use the tether for additional
security.
■Using an outer anchor
1. Raise the head restra int, then route the
tether strap through th e head restraint legs.
Make sure the strap is not twisted.
2. Secure the tether strap hook onto the
anchor.
3. Lower the head restraint until it locks in
place.
4. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the
child seat manufacturer.
■Adding Security with a Tether1Adding 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.
Anchor
Tether Anchorage Points
Outer Position
Tether Strap Hook

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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, se cure 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, 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 fi ts properly without a booster seat.
■Protecting Larger Children
■Checking Seat Belt Fit
1Safety 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 ride 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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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 positio ned 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 remi nded 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 th e 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 weight (e.g. 6 years or 60
lbs). Be sure to check curre nt laws in the state or
province, or territory where you intend to drive.
■Protecting Larger Children-Final Checks

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uuIndicators u
Continued
Instrument Panel
*1: Models with the keyless access system have an ENGINE START/STOP button instead of an ignition switch.
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage
Seat Belt
Reminder
Indicator
●Comes on and the beeper sounds if
you are not wearing a seat belt when
you turn the ignition switch to ON
(w*1. 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 the
vehicle checked by a dealer.
2 Seat Belt Reminder P. 28
Low Fuel Indicator
●Comes on when the fuel reserve is
running low (approximately
2.9 U.S. gal./10.8 Liter left).
●Blinks if there is a problem with the
fuel gauge.
●Comes on - Refuel your vehicle as
soon as possible.
●Blinks - Have the vehicle checked by a
dealer.
ABS (Anti-lock
Brake System)
Indicator
●Comes on for a fe w seconds when
you turn the igniti on switch to ON
(w*1, then goes off.●If it comes on at any other time, there
is a problem with the ABS.
●Stays on constantly - Have the
vehicle checked by a dealer. With this
indicator on, your vehicle still has
normal braking ability but no anti-lock
function.
2 ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
P. 255

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uuIndicators u
Instrument Panel
*1: Models with the keyless access system have an ENGINE START/STOP button instead of an ignition switch.
IndicatorNameOn/BlinkingExplanationMessage
Supplemental
Restraint System
Indicator
●Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON
(w*1, then goes off.●Comes on if a problem with any of
the following is detected:
-Supplemental restraint system
- Side airbag system
- Side curtain airbag system
- Seat belt tensioner
- Seat belt e-pretensioner
*
●Stays on constantly or does not
come on at all - Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer.
VSA ® (Vehicle
Stability Assist)
System Indicator
●Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON
(w*1, then goes off.●Blinks when VSA ® is active.●Comes on if there is a problem with
the VSA® system or hill start assist
system.
●Stays on constantly - Have the vehicle
checked by a dealer.
2 VSA ® (Vehicle Stability Assist), aka
ESC (Electronic Stability Control),
System P. 243
VSA ® (Vehicle
Stability Assist)
OFF Indicator
●Comes on for a few seconds when
you turn the ignition switch to ON
(w*1, then goes off.●Comes on when you deactivate
VSA ®.2 VSA ® On and Off P. 244—
* Not available on all models