GMC SIERRA 2008 Workshop Manual

Some child restraints that have a top tether are designed
for use with or without the top tether being attached.
Others require the top tether always to be attached. In
Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child
restraints have a top tether, and that the tether be
attached. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for
your child restraint.
If the child restraint does not have a top tether, one can
be obtained, in kit form, for many child restraints. Ask
the child restraint manufacturer whether or not a kit
is available.
Lower Anchor and Top Tether Anchor
Locations
i(Top Tether Anchor):
Seating positions with top
tether anchors.
Do not install a child restraint in the center front seat
position. SeeSecuring a Child Restraint in the Center
Front Seat Position on page 1-57for more information.
Regular
Cab — Two-Passenger
Front Seat
Regular
Cab — Three-Passenger
Front Seat
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i(Top Tether Anchor):
Seating positions with top
tether anchors.
j(Lower Anchor):
Seating positions with
two lower anchors.
For crew and extended cab models, the rear outboard
seating positions have exposed metal lower anchors
located in the crease between the seatback and the
seat cushion.For regular cab models,
there is an anchor symbol
on the covers to assist
you in locating the
top tether anchors.
Crew and Extended Cab
Rear Seat
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Do not install a child restraint in the center seat position.
SeeSecuring a Child Restraint in the Center Front
Seat Position on page 1-57for more information.
For regular cab models, the top tether anchors are
located under covers on the back panel behind
the passenger seat. Remove the trim plug to access the
anchor. Be sure to use an anchor located on the
same side of the vehicle as the seating position where
the child restraint will be placed.For crew and extended cab models, the top tether
anchors are the loops located near the top of the
seatback for each rear seating position. These loops will
be used to route the top tether through, as well as, to
secure the top tether in the vehicle. Be sure to use
an anchor (loop) located on the same side of the vehicle
as the seating position where the child restraint will
be placed.
Be sure to read the instructions following to properly
install a child restraint using these loops. Regular Cab
Crew Cab Shown, Extended Cab Similar
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Do not secure a child restraint in a position without a
top tether anchor if a national or local law requires that
the top tether be attached, or if the instructions that
come with the child restraint say that the top tether must
be attached.
Accident statistics show that children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear rather than the front seat. See
Where to Put the Restraint on page 1-44for additional
information.
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for
the LATCH System
{CAUTION:
If a LATCH-type child restraint is not attached
to anchors, the restraint will not be able to
protect the child correctly. In a crash, the child
could be seriously injured or killed. Make sure
that a LATCH-type child restraint is properly
installed using the anchors, or use the vehicle’s
safety belts to secure the restraint, following the
instructions that came with that restraint, and
also the instructions in this manual.
{CAUTION:
Each lower anchor and top tether anchor in the
vehicle is designed to hold only one child
restraint, except the center top tether anchor in
crew and extended cab models. Attaching
more than one child restraint to a single
anchor could cause the anchor or attachment
to come loose or even break during a crash. A
child or others could be injured if this
happens. To help prevent injury to people and
damage to your vehicle, attach only one child
restraint per anchor.
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{CAUTION:
Children can be seriously injured or strangled
if a shoulder belt is wrapped around their neck
and the safety belt continues to tighten.
Secure any unused safety belts behind the
child restraint so children cannot reach them.
Pull the shoulder belt all the way out of the
retractor to set the lock, if your vehicle has
one, after the child restraint has been installed.
Be sure to follow the instructions of the child
restraint manufacturer.Notice:Contact between the child restraint LATCH
attachment parts and the vehicle’s safety belt
assembly may cause damage to these parts. Make
sure when securing unused safety belts behind
the child restraint that there is no contact between
the child restraint LATCH attachment parts and
the vehicle’s safety belt assembly.
Folding an empty rear seat with the safety belts
secured may cause damage to the safety belt or the
seat. When removing the child restraint, always
remember to return the safety belts to their normal,
stowed position before folding the rear seat.
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Regular Cab Models
1. If the child restraint manufacturer recommends that
the top tether be attached, attach and tighten the
top tether to the top tether anchor, if your
vehicle has one. Refer to the child restraint
instructions and the following steps:
1.1. Pull the passenger seatback forward by
pulling the recliner handle upward to access
the top tether anchor. SeeReclining
Seatbacks on page 1-8for additional
information.
1.2. Find the top tether anchor.
1.3. Remove the cover to expose the anchor.
1.4. Route, attach, and tighten the top tether
according to your child restraint instructions
and the following instructions:
If the position you are
using has an adjustable
headrest or head restraint
and you are using a
dual tether, route the tether
around the headrest or
head restraint.If the position you are
using has an adjustable
headrest or head restraint
and you are using a
single tether, raise the
headrest or head restraint
and route the tether
under the headrest or head
restraint and in between
the headrest or head
restraint posts.
2. SeeSecuring a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position (With Airbag Off Switch) on page 1-58
orSecuring a Child Restraint in the Right Front
Seat Position (With Passenger Sensing System) on
page 1-62orSecuring a Child Restraint in the
Right Front Seat Position (Heavy Duty Crew Cab
Only) on page 1-66for instructions on installing the
child restraint using the safety belts.
3. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure.
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Crew and Extended Cab Models
1. Attach and tighten the lower attachments to the
lower anchors. If the child restraint does not have
lower attachments or the desired seating position
does not have lower anchors, secure the child
restraint with the top tether and the safety belts.
Refer to your child restraint manufacturer
instructions and the instructions in this manual.
1.1. Find the lower anchors for the desired
seating position.
1.2. Put the child restraint on the seat.
1.3. Attach and tighten the lower attachments on
the child restraint to the lower anchors.2. If the child restraint manufacturer recommends that
the top tether be attached, attach and tighten the
top tether to the top tether anchor (loop), if
your vehicle has one. Refer to the child restraint
instructions and the following steps:
Example — Rear Driver’s Side Position
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2.1. When using a child restraint with a top tether
in the rear driver side position:
A. Raise the headrest or head restraint.
B. Route the top tether (B) between
the headrest or head restraint posts,
through the loop (A), behind the inboard
headrest or head restraint post, and
under the center shoulder belt (C).
C. Attach the top tether (B) to the top
tether anchor (loop) (D) at the center
rear seating position.2.2. When using a child restraint with a top tether
in the rear center position:
D. Route the top tether (B) through the
center loop (D), and behind the
inboard passenger side headrest or
head restraint post.
E. Attach the top tether (B) to the top
tether anchor (loop) at the rear
passenger side seating position.
2.3. When using a child restraint with a top tether
in the rear passenger position:
F. Raise the headrest or head restraint.
G. Route the top tether (B) between
the headrest or head restraint
posts, through the loop on the
passenger side and behind the inboard
headrest or head restraint post.
H. Attach the top tether (B) to the top
tether anchor (loop) (D) at the center
rear seating position.
2.4. Tighten the top tether when and as the child
restraint manufacturer’s instructions say.
When the top tether is tightened, the anchor
(loop) may bend. This is normal and will
not damage the vehicle.
3. Push and pull the child restraint in different
directions to be sure it is secure. Example — Rear Driver’s Side Position
1-54

Securing a Child Restraint in a Rear
Seat Position
When securing a child restraint in a rear seating
position, study the instructions that came with your child
restraint to make sure it is compatible with this vehicle.
If your child restraint has the LATCH system, seeLower
Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) on
page 1-45for how to install your child restraint using
LATCH. If you secure a child restraint using a safety belt
and it uses a top tether, seeLower Anchors and
Tethers for Children (LATCH) on page 1-45for top
tether anchor locations.
Do not secure a child restraint in a position without a
top tether anchor if a national or local law requires that
the top tether be anchored, or if the instructions that
come with the child restraint say that the top strap must
be anchored.
In Canada, the law requires that forward-facing child
restraints have a top tether, and that the tether be
attached.
If your child restraint does not have the LATCH system,
you will be using the safety belt to secure the child
restraint in this position. 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.If you need to install more than one child restraint in the
rear seat, be sure to readWhere to Put the Restraint
on page 1-44.
1. Put the child restraint on the seat.
2. Pick up the latch plate, and run the lap and shoulder
portions of the vehicle’s safety belt through or
around the restraint. The child restraint instructions
will show you how.
3. Push the latch plate into the buckle until it clicks.
Make sure the release button is positioned so you
would be able to unbuckle the safety belt quickly
if necessary.
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4. Pull the rest of the shoulder belt all the way out of
the retractor to set the lock.5. To tighten the belt, push down on the child restraint,
pull the shoulder portion of the belt to tighten the
lap portion of the belt, and feed the shoulder
belt back into the retractor. If you are using a
forward-facing child restraint, you may nd it helpful
to use your knee to push down on the child
restraint as you tighten the belt.
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