child restraint LEXUS RX350 2011 User Guide

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1-7. Safety information
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Before driving
*4: Never install a rear-facing child restraint system on the front passen-
ger seat. A forward-facing child restraint system should only be
installed on the front passenger seat when it is unavoidable.
(→P. 127)
*5: In case indicator light is not illuminated, consult this manual on how to
install the child restraint system properly. (→P. 131)
CAUTION
nFront passenger occupant classification system precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding the front passenger occupant classifi-
cation system.
Failure to do so may cause death or serious injury.
lWear the seat belt properly.
lMake sure the front passenger’s seat belt tab has not been left inserted into the
buckle before someone sits in the front passenger seat.
lMake sure the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator light is not illuminated when using the
seat belt extender for the front passenger seat. If the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator
light is illuminated, disconnect the extender tongue from the seat belt buckle,
then reconnect the seat belt. Reconnect the seat belt extender after making sure
the “AIR BAG ON” indicator light is illuminated. If you use the seat belt extender
while the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator light is illuminated, the front passenger air-
bag, side airbag on the front passenger side and front passenger knee airbag may
not activate correctly, which could cause death or serious injury in the event of
collision.
lDo not apply a heavy load to the front passenger seat or equipment.
lDo not put weight on the front passenger seat by putting your hands or feet on
the front passenger seat seatback from the rear passenger seat.
lDo not let a rear passenger lift the front passenger seat with their feet or press on
the seatback with their legs.
lDo not put objects under the front passenger seat.

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1-7. Safety information
CAUTION
nFront passenger occupant classification system precautions
lDo not recline the front passenger seatback so far that it touches a rear seat. This
may cause the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator light to be illuminated, which indicates
that the passenger’s airbags will not deploy in the event of a severe accident. If the
seatback touches the rear seat, return the seatback to a position where it does
not touch the rear seat. Keep the front passenger seatback as upright as possible
when the vehicle is moving. Reclining the seatback excessively may lessen the
effectiveness of the seat belt system.
lIf an adult sits in the front passenger seat, the “AIR BAG ON” indicator light is illu-
minated. If the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator is illuminated, ask the passenger to sit
up straight, well back in the seat, feet on the floor, and with the seat belt worn cor-
rectly. If the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator still remains illuminated, either ask the pas-
senger to move to the rear seat, or if that is not possible, move the front passenger
seat fully rearward.
lWhen it is unavoidable to install the forward-facing child restraint system on the
front passenger seat, install the child restraint system on the front passenger seat
in the proper order. (→P. 1 3 1 )
lDo not modify or remove the front seats.
lDo not kick the front passenger seat or subject it to severe impact. Otherwise,
the SRS warning light may come on to indicate a malfunction of the detection sys-
tem. In this case, contact your Lexus dealer immediately.
lChild restraint systems installed on the rear seat should not contact the front seat-
backs.
lDo not use a seat accessory, such as a cushion or seat cover, that covers the seat
cushion surface.
lDo not modify or replace the upholstery of the front seat.

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1-7. Safety information

Before driving
Child restraint systems
Points to remember
Studies have shown that installing a child restraint on a rear seat is much
safer than installing one to the front passenger seat.
lChoose a child restraint system that suits your vehicle and is appropri-
ate to the age and size of the child.
lFor installation details, follow the instructions provided with the child
restraint system.
General installation instructions are provided in this manual. (→P. 1 3 1 )
Types of child restraints
Child restraint systems are classified into the following 3 types according
to the age and size of the child.
Rear facing ⎯ Infant seat/convertible seat
A child restraint system for a small child or baby must itself be properly
restrained on the seat with the lap portion of the lap/shoulder belt.
The laws of all 50 states of the U.S.A. and Canada now require the use of
child restraint systems.

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1-7. Safety information
Forward facing ⎯ Convertible seat
Booster seat
nSelecting an appropriate child restraint system
lUse a child restraint system appropriate for the child until the child becomes
large enough to properly wear the vehicle’s seat belt.
lIf the child is too large for a child restraint system, sit the child on a rear seat and
use the vehicle's seat belt. (→P. 7 5 )

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Before driving
CAUTION
nChild restraint precautions
lFor effective protection in automobile accidents and sudden stops, a child must
be properly restrained, using a seat belt or child restraint system depending on
the age and size of the child. Holding a child in your arms is not a substitute for a
child restraint system. In an accident, the child can be crushed against the wind-
shield, or between you and the vehicle's interior.
lLexus strongly urges the use of a proper child restraint system that conforms to
the size of the child, installed on the rear seat. According to accident statistics, the
child is safer when properly restrained in the rear seat than in the front seat.
lNever install a rear-facing child restraint system on the front passenger seat even
if the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator light is illuminated. In the event of an accident, the
force of the rapid inflation of the front passenger airbag can cause death or seri-
ous injury to the child if a rear-facing child restraint system is installed on the front
passenger seat.
lA forward-facing child restraint system may be allowed to be installed on the
front passenger seat only when it is unavoidable. A child restraint system that
requires a top tether strap should not be used in the front passenger seat since
there is no top tether strap anchor for the front passenger seat. Adjust the seat-
back as upright as possible and always move the seat as far back as possible even
if the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator light is illuminated, because the front passenger
airbag could inflate with considerable speed and force. Otherwise, the child may
be killed or seriously injured.
lDo not use the seat belt extender when installing a child restraint system on the
front or rear passenger seat. If installing a child restraint system with the seat belt
extender connected to the seat belt, the seat belt will not securely hold the child
restraint system, which could cause death or serious injury to the child or other
passengers in the event of a sudden stop, sudden swerve or an accident.
lDo not allow the child to lean his/her head or any part of his/her body against the
door or the area of the seat, front and rear pillars or roof side rails from which the
SRS side airbags or SRS curtain shield airbags deploy even if the child is seated in
the child restraint system. It is dangerous if the side airbags and curtain shield air-
bags inflate, and the impact could cause death or serious injury to the child.

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1-7. Safety information
CAUTION
nChild restraint precautions
lMake sure you have complied with all installation instructions provided by the
child restraint manufacturer and that the system is properly secured. If it is not
secured properly, it may cause death or serious injury to the child in the event of a
sudden stop, sudden swerve or an accident.
nChild restraint lock function belt precaution
Do not allow children to play with the child restraint lock function belt. If the belt
becomes twisted around a child’s neck, it will not be possible to pull the belt out
leading to choking or other serious injuries that could result in death.
If this occurs and the buckle cannot be unfastened, scissors should be used to cut
the belt.
nWhen the child restraint system is not in use
lKeep the child restraint system properly secured on the seat even if it is not in use.
Do not store the child restraint system unsecured in the passenger compartment.
lIf it is necessary to detach the child restraint system, remove it from the vehicle or
store it securely in the luggage compartment. This will prevent it from injuring
passengers in the event of a sudden stop, sudden swerve or accident.

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Before driving
Installing child restraints
Follow the child restraint system manufacturer's instructions. Firmly
secure child restraints to the seats using the LATCH anchors or a seat belt.
Attach the top tether strap when installing a child restraint.
The lap/shoulder belt can be used if your child restraint system is not com-
patible with the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system.
Child restraint LATCH anchors
LATCH anchors are provided
for the outer rear seats. (Buttons
displaying the location of the
anchors are attached to the
seats.)
Seat belts equipped with a child
restraint locking mechanism
(ALR/ELR belts except driver’s
seat belt) (→P. 7 5 )
Anchor brackets (for top tether
strap)
An anchor bracket is provided
for each rear seat.

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1-7. Safety information
Installation with LATCH system
Fold the seatback while pulling the
seatback angle adjustment lever.
Return the seatback and secure it
at the first lock position. (→P. 66)
Widen the gap between the seat cushion and seatback slightly.
Type A
Latch the hooks of the lower straps
onto the LATCH anchors. If the
child restraint has a top tether
strap, the top tether strap should
be latched onto the top tether
strap anchor bracket.
For owners in Canada:
The symbol on a child restraint sys-
tem indicates the presence of a
lower connector system.
STEP1
STEP2
Canada only
STEP3

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Before driving
Type B
Latch the buckles onto the LATCH
anchors. If the child restraint has a
top tether strap, the top tether
strap should be latched onto the
top tether strap anchor bracket.
For owners in Canada:
The symbol on a child restraint sys-
tem indicates the presence of a
lower connector system.

Canada only
STEP3

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1-7. Safety information
Installing child restraints using a seat belt (child restraint lock function belt)
nRear-facing ⎯ Infant seat/convertible seat
Fold the seatback while pulling the
seatback angle adjustment lever.
Return the seatback and secure it
at the first lock position. (→P. 66)
Place the child restraint system on
the rear seat facing the rear of the
vehicle.
Run the seat belt through the child
restraint system and insert the
plate into the buckle. Make sure
that the belt is not twisted.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3