Installing Seat Belt Retained Child Seats

First, make sure that the child falls into the correct weight range for the child seat being used. See Choosing a Child Safety Seat.

The following is a general procedure for installing a seat belt retained child restraint. You should always read and follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the child safety seat you are installing.

1. Place the child safety seat in the vehicle seat and fully extend the seat belt to engage the ALR. See Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR). Route the seat belt to secure the child safety seat and secure the buckle following the manufacturer’s instructions.

2. Allow the seat belt to retract. Firmly push the safety seat into the vehicle seat and remove all slack in the seat belt.

3. If the safety seat has an upper tether, attach it to the back of the vehicle seat. See Attaching Upper Tether Straps.

4. Check that the safety seat is not loose. Do this by holding the safety seat by the belt path and sliding it side to side and front to back.

   If it moves more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) from side to side or front to back, then it is too loose. If you cannot tighten the safety seat any further, try a different recommended seating location or another child safety seat.

   Attach a child safety seat using the lap belt or the lap belt portion of a lap-shoulder belt in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer of the child seat.