Black plate (35,1)
Installing Child-Restraint
Systems
Accident statistics reveal that a child is
safer in the rear seat. The front passenger's
seat is clearly the worst choice for any
child under 12, and with rear-facing child-
restraint systems it is clearly unsafe due to
air bags.
Some child-restraint systems now come
with tethers and therefore must be
installed on the seats that take tethers to
be effective. In your Mazda, tethered
child-restraint systems can only be
accommodated in the two positions on the
rear seat.
Some child-restraint systems also employ
specially designed LATCH attachments;
refer to “LATCH Child-Restraint
Systems” (page 2-27).
WARNING
Tethered Child-Restraint Systems
Work Only on Tether-Equipped Rear
Seats:
Installation of a tether equipped child-
restraint system in the front
passenger's seat defeats the safety
design of the system and will resul t in
an increased chance of serious injury
if the child-restraint system goes
forward without benefit of being
tethered.
Place tether equipped child-restraint
systems where there are tether
anchors.
qRear Seat Child-Restraint System
Installation
Follow these instructions when using a
child-restraint system, unless you are
attaching a LATCH-equipped child-
restraint system to the rear LATCH lower
anchors. Refer to “LATCH Child-
Restraint Systems” (page 2-27).
NOTE
Follow the child-restraint system
manufacturer's instructions carefully. If
you are not sure whether you have a
LATCH system or tether, check in the
child-restraint system manufacture r's
instructions and follow them
accordingly. Depending on the type of
child-restraint system, it may not
employ seat belts which are in
automatic locking mode.
1. Secure the child-restraint system with
the lap portion of the lap/shoulder belt.
See the manufacturer's instructions on
the child-restraint system for belt
routing instructions.
2. To get the retractor into the automati c
locking mode, pull the shoulder belt
portion of the seat belt until the entire
length of the belt is out of the retractor.
Essential Safety Equipment
Child Restraint
2-23
RX-8_8T70-EC-04G_Edition1 Page35
Wednesday, June 9 2004 2:29 PM
Form No.8T70-EC-04G