Acura MDX 2017 Repair Manual

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 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 the seat belt. In addition, the child seat manufacturer may advise that a seat
belt be used to attach a LATCH-compatib le seat once a child reaches a specified
weight. Please read the child seat ow ner’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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uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
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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.
■Installing a LATCH-Compatible Child Seat
Models with second row captain seat
Marks
Marks
Models with second row bench seat
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uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
Safe Driving
2. 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.
Rigid Type
Lower Anchors
Flexible Type
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uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
Safe Driving
3. Put the outer head restraint to its upper-
most position, then route the tether strap
between the head restraint legs, and secure
the tether strap hook to the anchor. Make
sure the strap is not twisted.
3. Put the center head restraint to its lowest
position, then route the tether strap over
the top of the head restraint and secure the
tether strap hook to 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
Models with second row captain seat
Tether Strap Hook
Anchor
Outer positions1 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.
Tether Strap Hook
Anchor
Models with second row bench seatCenter position of second row bench seat
All positions
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uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
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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 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 plate 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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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.
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
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.
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uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
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Safe DrivingA tether anchorage point is provided behind
each second and third row seating position. If
you have a child restraint system that comes
with a tether but can be installed with a seat
belt, the tether may be used for additional
security.
■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.
Models with second row captain seat
Tether Anchorage Points
Tether Anchorage Points
Models with second row bench seat
Tether Anchorage Points
Third row seat
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Safe Driving
■Using a second row anchor
1. Put the outer head restraint to its upper-
most position, then route the tether strap
between the head restraint legs, and secure
the tether strap hook to the anchor. Make
sure the strap is not twisted.
1. Put the center head restraint to its lowest
position, then route the tether strap over
the top of the head restraint and secure the
tether strap hook to the anchor. Make sure
the strap is not twisted.
2. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the
child seat manufacturer.Models with second row captain seat
Anchor
Tether Strap Hook
Outer positions
Anchor
Models with second row bench seat
Tether Strap Hook
Center position of second row bench seat
All positions
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uuChild Safety uSafety of Infants and Small Children
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■Using a third row anchor
1. Pull up the head restraint and push
rearwards until it latc hes, then route the
tether strap through the head restraint legs.
Make sure the strap is not twisted.
2. Open the anchor cover.
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
Third row seat
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uuChild Safety uSafety of Larger Children
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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 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, us ing a booster seat if
needed.
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