CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2001 1.G Repair Manual

1-48
Q:How do child restraints work?
A:A child restraint system is any device designed for
use in a motor vehicle to restrain, seat, or position
children. A built
-in child restraint system is a
permanent part of the motor vehicle. An add
-on
child restraint system is a portable one, which is
purchased by the vehicle's owner.
For many years, add
-on child restraints have
used the adult belt system in the vehicle. To help
reduce the chance of injury, the child also has to
be secured within the restraint. The vehicle's belt
system secures the add
-on child restraint in the
vehicle, and the add
-on child restraint's harness
system holds the child in place within the restraint.
One system, the three
-point harness, has straps
that come down over each of the infant's shoulders
and buckle together at the crotch. The five
-point
harness system has two shoulder straps, two hip
straps and a crotch strap. A shield may take the
place of hip straps. A T
-shaped shield has shoulder straps that are
attached to a flat pad which rests low against the
child's body. A shelf
- or armrest-type shield has
straps that are attached to a wide, shelf
-like shield
that swings up or to the side.
When choosing a child restraint, be sure the child
restraint is designed to be used in a vehicle. If it is,
it will have a label saying that it meets federal motor
vehicle safety standards.
Then follow the instructions for the restraint. You may
find these instructions on the restraint itself or in a
booklet, or both. These restraints use the belt system in
your vehicle, but the child also has to be secured within
the restraint to help reduce the chance of personal injury.
When securing an add
-on child restraint, refer to the
instructions that come with the restraint which may be
on the restraint itself or in a booklet, or both, and to this
manual. The child restraint instructions are important, so
if they are not available, obtain a replacement copy from
the manufacturer.

1-49 Where to Put the Restraint
(Regular Cab Pickup)
The child restraint must be secured properly in the right
front passenger seat. If you want to secure a rear
-facing
child restraint in the right front passenger's seat, turn off
the passenger's air bag. See ªAir Bag Off Switchº and
ªSecuring a Child Restraint in the Right Front Seat
Positionº in the Index for more on this, including
important safety information.
CAUTION:
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the right front
passenger's air bag inflates. This is because the
back of the rear
-facing child restraint would be
very close to the inflating air bag. Be sure to turn
off the air bag before using a rear
-facing child
restraint in the right front seat position.
Keep in mind that an unsecured child restraint can move
around in a collision or sudden stop and injure people in
the vehicle
-- even when no child is in it.
Where to Put the Restraint
(Extended Cab Pickup)
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat.
General Motors, therefore, recommends that child
restraints be secured in the rear seat, including an infant
riding in a rear
-facing infant seat, a child riding in a
forward
-facing child seat and an older child riding in a
booster seat. There is limited space in the rear seating
area of an extended cab model. If you want to secure a
child restraint in a rear seating position of an extended
cab model, especially in the rear center position, be sure
to study the instructions that came with your child
restraint to see if there is enough room to secure your
seat properly.
If a forward
-facing child seat must be secured in the
vehicle's right front seat, the seat should be moved back
as far as possible. However, it is better to secure the
restraint in a rear seat.
If you want to secure a rear
-facing child restraint in the
right front passenger's seat, turn off the passenger's air
bag. See ªAir Bag Off Switchº and ªSecuring a Child
Restraint in the Right Front Seat Positionº in the Index
for more on this, including important safety information.

1-50
CAUTION:
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be
seriously injured or killed if the right front
passenger's air bag inflates. This is because the
back of the rear
-facing child restraint would be
very close to the inflating air bag. Be sure to turn
off the air bag before using a rear
-facing child
restraint in the right front seat position.
Wherever you install it, be sure to secure the child
restraint properly.
Keep in mind that an unsecured child restraint can move
around in a collision or sudden stop and injure people in
the vehicle. Be sure to properly secure any child restraint
in your vehicle
-- even when no child is in it.
Where to Put the Restraint
(Crew Cab Pickup)
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat.
General Motors, therefore, recommends that child
restraints be secured in the rear seat, including an infant riding in a rear
-facing infant seat, a child riding in
a forward
-facing child seat and an older child riding in
a booster seat.
If a forward
-facing child seat must be secured in the
vehicle's right front seat, the seat should be moved as
far back as possible. However, it is better to secure the
restraint in a rear seat. Never put a rear
-facing child
restraint in the right front passenger seat. Here's why:
CAUTION:
A child riding in a rear-facing child restraint can
be seriously injured or killed if the right front
passenger's air bag inflates. This is because the
back of the rear
-facing child restraint would be
very close to the inflating air bag. Always secure
a rear
-facing child restraint in the rear seat.
You may secure a forward-facing child restraint
in the right front seat, but before you do, always
move the front passenger seat as far back as it
will go. It's better to secure the child restraint in
a rear seat.

1-51
Wherever you install it, be sure to secure the child
restraint properly.
Keep in mind that an unsecured child restraint can move
around in a collision or sudden stop and injure people in
the vehicle. Be sure to properly secure any child
restraint in your vehicle
-- even when no child is in it.
Top Strap
Some child restraints have a top strap, or ªtop tether.º
It can help restrain the child restraint during a collision.
For it to work, a top strap must be properly anchored
to the vehicle.
If the child restraint does not have a top strap, one
can be obtained, in kit form, for many child restraints.
Ask the child restraint manufacturer whether or not a
kit is available.
In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing
child restraints have a top strap, and that the strap be
anchored. In the United States, some child restraints also
have a top strap. If your child restraint has a top strap,
it should be anchored.

1-52 Right Front Passenger Position Top Strap
Anchor (All Models)
You'll find the top strap anchor for the right front
passenger seat behind the seat, near the floor.
If your vehicle is a regular cab model, there is also a
top strap anchor for the right front passenger position
located on the back panel of your vehicle, behind the
right front passenger seat. In order to get to the anchor,
you'll have to remove the trim plug covering it.
Once you have the top strap anchored, you'll be ready
to secure the child restraint itself. Tighten the top
strap when and as the child restraint manufacturer's
instructions say.

1-53 Rear Seat Top Strap Anchors
(Extended Cab Models)
If your vehicle is an extended cab model, you'll find the
top strap anchors for the rear seating positions near the
top of the seatback. In addition to the top strap anchors,
each seating position has a fabric loop at the top of the
seatback that you'll use to route a top strap through.
When using a child restraint with a top strap in either
rear outboard position, raise the head restraint and route
the top strap through the fabric loop on the seatback.
Then, attach the top strap to the anchor point at the
center rear seating position.

1-54
When using a child restraint with a top strap in the
center rear position, route the top strap through the
fabric loop on the seatback. Then, raise the head
restraint and attach the top strap to the anchor point
located at the closest outboard position.
Once you have the top strap anchored, you'll be ready
to secure the child restraint itself. Tighten the top
strap when and as the child restraint manufacturer's
instructions say.
Rear Seat Top Strap Anchors
(Crew Cab Models)
If you vehicle is a crew cab model, you'll find top strap
anchors for the rear seating positions located on the back
panel of your vehicle, behind the rear seat.
In order to get to the brackets, you'll have to remove the
trim plugs covering them.

1-55
There are also anchorage points at the rear base of the
front passenger's seat.
Anchor the top strap to one of these anchor points.
Be sure to use an anchor point located on the same
side of the vehicle as the seating position where the
child restraint will be placed. Raise the head restraint
and route the top strap under it.
Once you have the top strap anchored, you'll be ready
to secure the child restraint itself. Tighten the top
strap when and as the child restraint manufacturer's
instructions say.Lower Anchorages and Top Tethers for
Children (LATCH System)
Your vehicle may have the LATCH system. If it does,
you'll find anchors in the rear of the seat cushion.
For front passenger seat positions, there is an anchor
behind and to the bottom of the seat to secure the top
strap. For rear center seat positions, there is an anchor
near the driver's side rear seat head restraint.

1-56
In order to use the system, you need either a forward-facing
child restraint that has attaching points (A) at its base and
a top tether anchor (B), or a rear
-facing child restraint that
has attaching points (A), as shown here.
With this system, use the LATCH system instead of the
vehicle's safety belts to secure a child restraint.
CAUTION:
If a LATCH-type child restraint isn't attached
to its anchorage points, the restraint won't be
able to protect a child sitting there. In a crash,
the child could be seriously injured or killed.
Make sure that a LATCH
-type child restraint is
properly installed using the anchorage points,
or use the vehicle's safety belts to secure the
restraint. See ªSecuring a Child Restraint in the
Center Rear Seat Position (Extended Cab) and
(Crew Cab)º or ªSecuring a Child Restraint in
the Right Front Seat Positionº in the Index for
information on how to secure a child restraint in
your vehicle using the vehicle's safety belts.

1-57
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the
LATCH System

Find the anchors for the seating position you want
to use, where the bottom of the seatback meets the
back of the seat cushion.

Put the child restraint on the seat.

Attach the anchor points on the child restraint to
the anchors in the vehicle. The child restraint
instructions will show you how.

Attach the top strap to the top strap anchor.
See ªTop Strapº in the Index. Tighten the top
strap according to the child restraint instructions.

Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.
To remove the child restraint, simply unhook the top
strap from the top tether anchor and then disconnect
the anchor points.Securing a Child Restraint in a
Rear Outside Seat Position
(Extended Cab and Crew Cab)
There is limited space in the rear seating area of an
extended cab model. If you want to secure a child
restraint in a rear outside seating position, be sure to
study the instructions that came with your child
restraint to see if there is enough room to secure
your seat properly.
You'll be using the lap-shoulder belt. See the earlier
part about the top strap if the child restraint has one.
Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the
child restraint. Secure the child in the child restraint
when and as the instructions say.