SUZUKI XL7 2007 2.G Owner's Guide

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Question:
What if a child is wearing a lap-shoulder
belt, but the child is so small that the
shoulder belt is very close to the child’s
face or neck?
Answer:
If the child is sitting in a seat next to a win-
dow, move the child toward the center of
the vehicle. Also refer to “Rear Safety Belt
Comfort Guides” in this section. If the child
is sitting in the center rear seat passenger
position, move the child toward the safety
belt buckle. In either case, be sure that the
shoulder belt still is on the child’s shoulder,
so that in a crash the child’s upper body
would have the restraint that belts provide.
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Wherever the child sits, the lap portion of
the belt should be worn low and snug on
the hips, just touching the child’s thighs.
This applies belt force to the child’s pelvic
bones in a crash.
Infants and Young ChildrenEveryone in a vehicle needs protection!
This includes infants and all other children.
Neither the distance traveled nor the age
and size of the traveler changes the need,
for everyone, to use safety restraints. In
fact, the law in every state in the United
States and in every Canadian province
says children up to some age must be
restrained while in a vehicle.
Every time infants and young children ride
in vehicles, they should have the protection
provided by appropriate restraints. Young
children should not use the vehicle’s adult
safety belts alone, unless there is no other
choice. Instead, they need to use a child
restraint.
WARNING
Never do this.
Here a child is sitting in a seat that
has a lap-shoulder belt, but the
shoulder part is behind the child. If
the child wears the belt in this way, in
a crash the child might slide under
the belt. The belt’s force would then
be applied right on the child’s abdo-
men. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries.
WARNING
Children can be seriously injured or
strangled if a shoulder belt is
wrapped around their neck and the
safety belt continues to tighten.
Never leave children unattended in a
vehicle and never allow children to
play with the safety belts.

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1379304 1379315
Question:
What are the different types of add-on
child restraints?
Answer:
Add-on child restraints, which are pur-
chased by the vehicle’s owner, are avail-
able in four basic types. Selection of a
particular restraint should take into consid-
eration not only the child’s weight, height,
and age but also whether or not the
restraint will be compatible with the motor
vehicle in which it will be used.
For most basic types of child restraints,
there are many different models available.
When purchasing a child restraint, be sure
it is designed to be used in a motor vehicle.
If it is, the restraint will have a label saying
that it meets federal motor vehicle safety
standards.
WARNING
People should never hold a baby in
their arms while riding in a vehicle. A
baby does not weigh much – until a
crash. During a crash a baby will
become so heavy it is not possible to
hold it. For example, in a crash at
only 25 mph (40 km/h), a 12 lb (5.5 kg)
baby will suddenly become a 240 lb
(110 kg) force on a person’s arms. A
baby should be secured in an appro-
priate restraint.
WARNING
Children who are up against, or very
close to, any airbag when it inflates
can be seriously injured or killed. Air-
bags plus lap-shoulder belts offer
protection for adults and older chil-
dren, but not for young children and
infants. Neither the vehicle’s safety
belt system nor its airbag system is
designed for them. Young children
and infants need the protection that a
child restraint system can provide.

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The restraint manufacturer’s instructions
that come with the restraint state the
weight and height limitations for a particu-
lar child restraint. In addition, there are
many kinds of restraints available for chil-
dren with special needs.
Child Restraint Systems
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An infant car bed (A), a special bed made
for use in a motor vehicle, is an infant
restraint system designed to restrain or
position a child on a continuous flat sur-
face. Make sure that the infant’s head rests
toward the center of the vehicle.
WARNING
Newborn infants need complete sup-
port, including support for the head
and neck. This is necessary because
a newborn infant’s neck is weak and
its head weighs so much compared
with the rest of its body. In a crash,
an infant in a rear-facing seat settles
into the restraint, so the crash forces
can be distributed across the stron-
gest part of an infant’s body, the back
and shoulders. Infants always should
be secured in appropriate infant
restraints.
WARNING
The body structure of a young child
is quite unlike that of an adult or
older child, for whom the safety belts
are designed. A young child’s hip
bones are still so small that the vehi-
cle’s regular safety belt may not
remain low on the hip bones, as it
should. Instead, it may settle up
around the child’s abdomen. In a
crash, the belt would apply force on a
body area that is unprotected by any
bony structure. This alone could
cause serious or fatal injuries. Young
children always should be secured in
appropriate child restraints.

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A rear-facing infant seat (B) provides
restraint with the seating surface against
the back of the infant. The harness system
holds the infant in place and, in a crash,
acts to keep the infant positioned in the
restraint.
1395252
A forward-facing child seat (C–E) provides
restraint for the child’s body with the har-
ness and also sometimes with surfaces
such as T-shaped or shelf-like shields.
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A booster seat (F–G) is a child restraint
designed to improve the fit of the vehicle’s
safety belt system. Some booster seats
have a shoulder belt positioner, and some
high-back booster seats have a five-point
harness. A booster seat can also help a
child to see out the window.

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Question:
How Should I Use a Child Restraint?
Answer:
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. To help
reduce injuries, an add-on child restraint
must be secured in the vehicle. With built-
in or add-on child restraints, the child has
to be secured within the child restraint.
When choosing an add-on 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 instruc-
tions for the restraint. You may find these
instructions on the restraint itself or in a
booklet, or both.
Securing an Add-on Child Restraint
in the VehicleTo help reduce the chance of injury, the
child restraint must be secured in the vehi-
cle. Child restraint systems must be
secured in vehicle seats by lap belts or the
lap belt portion of a lap-shoulder belt, or by
the LATCH system. Refer to “Lower
Anchors and Tethers for Children
(LATCH)” in this section for more informa-
tion. A child can be endangered in a crash
if the child restraint is not properly secured
in the vehicle.
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 manu-
facturer.Keep in mind that an unsecured child
restraint can move around in a collision or
sudden stop and injure people in the vehi-
cle. Be sure to properly secure any child
restraint in your vehicle – even when no
child is in it.
Securing the Child Within the Child
RestraintThere are several systems for securing the
child within the child restraint. One system,
the three-point harness, has straps that
come down over each of the infant’s shoul-
ders and buckle together at the crotch. The
five-point harness system has two shoul-
der 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.
Because there are different systems, it is
important to refer to the instructions that
come with the restraint. A child can be
WARNING
A child can be seriously injured or
killed in a crash if the child restraint
is not properly secured in the vehicle.
Make sure the child restraint is prop-
erly installed in the vehicle using the
vehicle’s safety belt or LATCH sys-
tem, following the instructions that
came with that restraint, and also the
instructions in this manual.
WARNING
A child can be seriously injured or
killed in a crash if the child is not
properly secured in the child
restraint. Make sure the child is prop-
erly secured, following the instruc-
tions that came with that restraint.

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endangered in a crash if the child is not
properly secured in the child restraint.Where to Put the RestraintAccident statistics show that children are
safer if they are restrained in the rear
rather than the front seat. We recommend
that child restraints be secured in a rear
seat, including an infant riding in a rear-
facing infant seat, a child riding in a for-
ward-facing child seat and an older child
riding in a booster seat. Never put a rear-
facing child restraint in the front passenger
seat. Here is why:There is limited space in the third row rear
seating area. If you want to secure a child
restraint in a rear seating position in the
third row, 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 the length of the seat cushion is
too short for your child restraint and you
cannot install it in accordance with the
child restraint manufacturers instructions,
secure it in the second row.
If you need to secure more than one child
restraint in the rear seat, review the follow-
ing illustrations.
NOTE:
Depending on where you place the child
restraint or the size of the child restraint,
you may not be able to access certain
safety belt assemblies for additional pas-
sengers or LATCH anchors for child
restraints. For more information about
where to place the child restraint, refer to
“Lower Anchor and Top Tether Anchor
Locations” in this section.Configurations for Use of Two
Child Restraints
1507695
A. Child restraint using LATCH
B. Occupant prohibited
WARNING
A child in a rear-facing child restraint
can be seriously injured or killed if
the right front passenger's airbag
inflates. This is because the back of
the rear-facing child restraint would
be very close to the inflating airbag.
Even though the passenger sensing
system is designed to turn off the
right front passenger's frontal airbag
if the system detects a rear-facing
child restraint, no system is fail-safe,
and no one can guarantee that an air-
bag will not deploy under some
unusual circumstance, even though
it is turned off. We recommend that
rear-facing child restraints be
secured in the rear seat, even if the
airbag is off.
(Continued)
WARNING
(Continued)
If you need to secure a forward-fac-
ing child restraint in the right front
seat, always move the front passen-
ger seat as far back as it will go. It is
better to secure the child restraint in
a rear seat.

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1507697
A. Occupant prohibited
B. Child restraint using LATCH
1507698
A. Child restraint using LATCH
B. No occupant recommended
C. Child restraint or occupant using safety
beltConfigurations for Use of Three
Child Restraints
1507710
A. Child restraint or occupant using safety
belt

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A. Child restraint or occupant using safety
belt
B. Child restraint using LATCH
Wherever you install a child restraint, 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 vehi-
cle. Be sure to properly secure any child
restraint in your vehicle – even when no
child is in it.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 onthe 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 instruc-
tions 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 instruc-
tions 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 attach-
ments or top tether anchors and attach-
ments.Lower Anchors
1550469
Lower anchors (A) are metal bars built into
the vehicle. There are two lower anchors
for each LATCH seating position that will
accommodate a child restraint with lower
attachments (B).

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Top Tether Anchor
1550581
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.
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 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 Can-
ada, the law requires that forward-facing
child restraints have a top tether, and that
the tether be attached. In the UnitedStates, some child restraints also have a
top tether. 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
Second Row Seat
1552146
(Top Tether Anchor):
Seating positions with top tether anchors.
(Lower Anchor):
Seating positions with two lower anchors.
Each second row seating position has
exposed metal anchors located in thecrease between the seatback and the seat
cushion.
1708261
The top tether anchors for each second
row seating position are located on the
base of the seatback. 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 the right
front passenger’s position or the third row,
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. Refer to “Where

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to Put the Restraint” in this section for
additional information.Securing a Child Restraint
Designed for the LATCH System
1252139
A. Passenger’s side rear seat lower
anchors
B. Center rear seat lower anchors
C. Driver’s side rear seat lower anchors
Make sure to attach the child restraint at
the proper anchor location.
This system is designed to make installa-
tion of child restraints easier. When using
lower anchors, do not use the vehicle’s
safety belts. Instead use the vehicle’s
anchors and child restraint attachments to
secure the restraints. Some restraints also
use another vehicle anchor to secure a top
tether.
1) Attach and tighten the lower attach-
ments to the lower anchors. If the child
restraint does not have lower attach-
ments or the desired seating position
does not have lower anchors, secure
WARNING
If a LATCH-type child restraint is not
attached to anchors, the restraint will
not be able to protect the child cor-
rectly. 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.
WARNING
Each top tether anchor and lower
anchor in the vehicle is designed to
hold only one child restraint. Attach-
ing 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 oth-
ers could be injured if this happens.
To help prevent injury to people and
damage to your vehicle, attach only
one child restraint per anchor.
WARNING
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.
CAUTION
Contact between the child restraint or
the 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 or the LATCH attachment
parts and the vehicle’s safety belt
assembly.
Folding an empty rear seat with the
safety belts secured may cause dam-
age 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.