seats PONTIAC G8 2008 Service Manual

Lower Anchors and
Tethers for Children
(LATCH)
The LATCH system holds a child
restraint during driving or in a crash.
This system is designed to make
installation of a child restraint easier.
The LATCH system uses anchors
in the vehicle and attachments
on the child restraint that are made
for use with the LATCH system.
Make sure that a LATCH-compatible
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. When installing a
child restraint with a top tether, you
must also use either the lower
anchors or the safety belts to
properly secure the child restraint. A
child restraint must never be
installed using only the top tether
and anchor.In order to use the LATCH system
in your vehicle, you need a child
restraint that has LATCH
attachments. The child restraint
manufacturer will provide you with
instructions on how to use the
child restraint and its attachments.
The following explains how to attach
a child restraint with these
attachments in your vehicle.
Not all vehicle seating positions or
child restraints have lower anchors
and attachments or top tether
anchors and attachments.
Lower Anchors
Lower anchors (A) are metal bars
built into the vehicle. There are
two lower anchors for each LATCHseating position that will
accommodate a child restraint with
lower attachments (B).
Top Tether Anchor
A top tether (A, C) anchors the top
of the child restraint to the
vehicle. A top tether anchor is built
into the vehicle. The top tether
attachment (B) on the child restraint
connects to the top tether anchor
in the vehicle in order to reduce the
forward movement and rotation
of the child restraint during driving
or in a crash.
1-40 Seats and Restraints
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Your child restraint may have
a single tether (A) or a dual
tether (C). Either will have a single
attachment (B) to secure the top
tether to the anchor.
Some child restraints with top
tethers 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.
j(Lower Anchor): Seating positions
with two lower anchors.To assist you in locating the lower
anchors, each seating position
with lower anchors has two labels,
near the crease between the
seatback and the seat cushion.
Rear Seat
Seats and Restraints 1-41
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

The top tether anchors are located
on the rear seatback ller panel.
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.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.
There is no place to attach the top
tether in this position.
Accident statistics show that
children are safer if they are
restrained in the rear rather than the
front seat. SeeWhere to Put the
Restraint on page 1-38for additional
information.
Securing a Child Restraint
Designed for the LATCH
System
{CAUTION
If a LATCH-type child restraint
is not attached to anchors, the
child restraint will not be able
to protect the child correctly. In
a crash, the child could be
seriously injured or killed.
Install a LATCH-type child
restraint properly using the
anchors, or use the vehicle’s
safety belts to secure the
restraint, following the
instructions that came with the
child restraint and the
instructions in this manual.
1-42 Seats and Restraints
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

{CAUTION
Do not attach more than one
child restraint to a single
anchor. 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. To reduce the risk of
serious or fatal injuries during
a crash, attach only one child
restraint per anchor.
{CAUTION
Children can be seriously
injured or strangled if a
shoulder belt is wrapped
around their neck and the
safety belt continues to tighten.
Buckle 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.
Notice:Do not let the LATCH
attachments rub against the
vehicle’s safety belts. This may
damage these parts. If necessary,
move buckled safety belts to
avoid rubbing the LATCH
attachments.Do not fold the empty rear seat
with a safety belt buckled.
This could damage the safety belt
or the seat. Unbuckle and
return the safety belt to its stowed
position.
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.
Seats and Restraints 1-43
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

2. If the child restraint manufacturer
recommends that the top tether
be attached, attach and tighten
the top tether to the top tether
anchor, if equipped. Refer to the
child restraint instructions and the
following steps:
2.1. Find the top tether anchor.
2.2. Route, attach, and tighten
the top tether according to
your child restraint
instructions and the
following instructions:If the position you are using
does not have a headrest or
head restraint and you are
using a single tether, route
the tether over the seatback.If the position you are using
does not have a headrest or
head restraint and you are
using a dual tether, route the
tether over the seatback.
1-44 Seats and Restraints
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

If the position you are using
has a xed 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 a xed headrest or
head restraint and you are
using a single tether,
route the tether over the
head restraint.
3. Push and pull the child restraint
in different directions to be sure
it is secure.
Replacing LATCH
System Parts After a
Crash
{CAUTION
A crash can damage the LATCH
system in the vehicle. A
damaged LATCH system may
not properly secure the child
restraint, resulting in serious
injury or even death in a crash.
To help make sure the LATCH
system is working properly
after a crash, see your
dealer/retailer to have the
system inspected and any
necessary replacements made
as soon as possible.
If the vehicle has the LATCH
system and it was being used during
a crash, new LATCH system
parts may be needed.
Seats and Restraints 1-45
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

New parts and repairs may be
necessary even if the LATCH
system, was not being used at the
time of the crash.
Securing Child Restraints
(Rear Seat)
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 1-40for 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 1-40for 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 1-38.
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.
1-46 Seats and Restraints
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Make sure the release button is
positioned so you would be
able to unbuckle the safety belt
quickly if necessary.
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.6. If your child restraint has a top
tether, follow the child restraint
manufacturer’s instructions
regarding the use of the top
tether. SeeLower Anchors and
Tethers for Children (LATCH)
on page 1-40for more
information.
7. Push and pull the child restraint
in different directions to be sure
it is secure.
To remove the child restraint,
unbuckle the vehicle’s safety belt
and let it go back all the way. If the
top tether is attached to a top
tether anchor, disconnect it.
Seats and Restraints 1-47
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Securing Child Restraints
(Right Front Seat)
This vehicle has airbags. A rear
seat is a safer place to secure
a forward-facing child restraint. See
Where to Put the Restraint on
page 1-38.
In addition, the vehicle has a
passenger sensing system which is
designed to turn off the right
front passenger frontal airbag under
certain conditions. SeePassenger
Sensing System on page 1-26
andPassenger Airbag Status
Indicator on page 4-14for more
information, including important
safety information.
A label on the sun visor says,
“Never put a rear-facing child seat
in the front.” This is because the risk
to the rear-facing child is so great,
if the airbag deploys.
{CAUTION
A child in a rear-facing child
restraint can be seriously
injured or killed if the right
front passenger airbag inates.
This is because the back of
the rear-facing child restraint
would be very close to the
inating airbag. A child in a
forward-facing child restraint
can be seriously injured
or killed if the right front
passenger airbag inates and
the passenger seat is in a
forward position.
Even if the passenger sensing
system has turned off the right
front passenger frontal airbag,
no system is fail-safe. No one
can guarantee that an airbag
will not deploy under some
unusual circumstance, even
though it is turned off.
(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
Secure rear-facing child
restraints in a rear seat, even if
the airbag is off. If you secure a
forward-facing child restraint in
the right front seat, always
move the front passenger seat
as far back as it will go. It is
better to secure the child
restraint in a rear seat.
SeePassenger Sensing System
on page 1-26for additional
information.
If the child restraint has the LATCH
system, seeLower Anchors and
Tethers for Children (LATCH)
on page 1-40for how to install the
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 1-40for top tether anchor
locations.
1-48 Seats and Restraints
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual

Do not secure a child seat 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.
You will be using the lap-shoulder
belt to secure the child restraint in
this position. Follow the instructions
that came with the child restraint.
1. Move the seat as far back as it
will go before securing the
forward-facing child restraint.
When the passenger sensing
system has turned off the
right front passenger frontal
airbag, the off indicator on the
passenger airbag status indicator
should light and stay lit when
the vehicle is started. See
Passenger Airbag Status
Indicator on page 4-14.2. Put the child restraint on
the seat.
3. 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.
4. 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.5. Pull the rest of the shoulder belt
all the way out of the retractor to
set the lock.
Seats and Restraints 1-49
2008 - Pontiac G8 Owner Manual