LEXUS RX400H 2008 Owners Manual

109
1-8. Safety information
1
Before driving
RX400h_UConvertible seat
Booster seat
■Selecting an appropriate child restraint system
Get an appropriate child restraint system for the child. If a child is too large for a
child restraint system, sit the child on a rear seat and use the vehicle's seat belt.
(
→ P. 5 8 )
CAUTION
■Child restraint precautions
●For 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.

110
1-8. Safety information
RX400h_U
CAUTION
■Child restraint precautions
●Lexus 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.
●Never install a rear-facing child restraint system on the front passenger seat even
if 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 the rear-facing child restraint system is installed on the
front passenger seat.
●A forward-facing child restraint system should allowed to be installed on the front
passenger seat only when it is unavoidable. Always move the seat as far back as
possible even if 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.
●Do 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 collision.
●Do 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 pillar or roof side rail from which the side
airbags or 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 airbags
inflate, and the impact could cause death or serious injury to the child.
●Make 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 or accident.

111
1-8. Safety information
1
Before driving
RX400h_U
CAUTION
■Child 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.
■When the child restraint system is not in use
●Keep the child restraint system properly secured on the seat even if it is not in use.
Do not store the restraint unsecured in the passenger compartment.
●If 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 or accident.

112
1-8. Safety information
RX400h_U
Installing child restraints
Follow the child restraint system manufacturer's instructions. Firmly
secure child restraints to the rear seats using a seat belt or a child restraint
lower anchorage. Attach the top strap when installing a child restraint.
Seat belts equipped with a
child restraint locking mecha-
nism (ALR/ELR belts except
driver’s seat belt) (→P. 58)
Child restraint lower anchor-
ages
Lower anchorages are pro-
vided for the outside rear seats.
(Buttons displaying the location
of the anchorages are attached
to the seats.)
Anchor bracket
(for top strap)
Anchor brackets are provided
for all rear seats.

113
1-8. Safety information
1
Before driving
RX400h_U
Installing child restraints using a seat belt (child restraint lock function belt)
■Rear facing  Infant seat/convertible seat
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.
Fully extend the shoulder belt and
then allow it to retract slightly in
order to activate the ALR lock
mode.
Lock mode allows the seat belt to
retract only.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

114
1-8. Safety information
RX400h_UWhile pushing the child restraint
system down into the rear seat,
allow the shoulder belt to retract
until the child restraint system is
securely in place.
After the shoulder belt has
retracted to a point where there is
no slack in the belt, pull the belt to
check that it cannot be extended.
■
Forward facing  Convertible seat
Place the child restraint system on
the seat facing the front of the vehi-
cle.
Run the seat belt through the child
restraint system and insert the
plate into the buckle. Make sure
that the belt is not twisted.
Fully extend the shoulder belt and
then allow it to retract slightly into
the ALR lock mode.
Lock mode allows the seat belt to
retract only.
STEP4
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

115
1-8. Safety information
1
Before driving
RX400h_UWhile pushing the child restraint
system into the rear seat, allow the
shoulder belt to retract until the
child restraint system is securely in
place.
After the shoulder belt has
retracted to a point where there is
no slack in the belt, pull the belt to
check that it cannot be extended.
■
Booster seat
Place the child restraint system on
the seat facing the front of the vehi-
cle.
Sit the child in the child restraint
system. Fit the seat belt to the child
restraint system according to the
manufacturer's instructions and
insert the plate into the buckle.
Make sure that the belt is not
twisted.
Check that the shoulder belt is cor-
rectly positioned over the child's
shoulder, and that the lap belt is as
low as possible. (→
P. 5 8)
STEP4
STEP1
STEP2

116
1-8. Safety information
RX400h_U
Removing a child restraint installed with a seat beltPush the buckle release button
and fully retract the seat belt.
Installation with child restraint lower anchorages
Fold the seatback forward and
then back to the 1st lock position
(most upright position) until it locks
into place. Adjust the seatback to
the 3rd lock position.1st lock position
3rd lock position
Widen the gap between the seat cushion and seatback slightly.
STEP1
STEP2

117
1-8. Safety information
1
Before driving
RX400h_UType A
Latch the hooks of lower straps
onto the anchorages.
Type B
Latch the buckles onto the anchor-
ages.
If the child restraint has a top strap, the top strap should be latched onto
the anchorages. ( →P. 1 1 8 )
STEP3
Canada only
STEP3
Canada only

118
1-8. Safety information
RX400h_UFor owners in Canada:
The symbol on a child restraint system indicates the presence of a lower
connector system.
Child restraint systems with a top strap
Secure the child restraint using a
seat belt or a lower anchorage,
and remove the head restraint.
Open the anchor bracket cover,
latch the hook onto the anchor
bracket and tighten the top strap.
Replace the head restraint and lift
it up to the uppermost lock posi-
tion.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3