2002 Mazda MPV Owner's Manual - Page 46

J16L_EA.book Page 38 Friday, February 22, 2002 11:34 AM Essential Safety Equipment Child Restraint Installing Child-Restraint Systems Accident statistics reveal that a child is safer in the rear seats. 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 three positions on the rear seats. Some child-restraint systems also employ specially designed LATCH attachments; refer to "LATCH Child-Restraint Systems" (page 2-44). M Second-Row Seats ChildRestraint System Installation Follow these instructions when using a child-restraint system, unless you are attaching a LATCH-equipped childrestraint system to the rear LATCH lower anchors. Refer to "LATCH ChildRestraint Systems" (page 2-44). 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 manufacturer'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. If the seat in which you install a childrestraint system has a seat slide function, slide the seat as far back as possible. 2. Secure the child-restraint system with the lap portion of the lap/shoulder belt. See the instructions on the childrestraint system for belt routing instructions. WARNING Tethered Child-Restraint Systems Work Only on Rear Seat: Installation of a tether equipped child-restraint system in the front passenger's seat or the third-row outboard seats defeats the safety design of the system and will result 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. 2-38 Form No. 8Q44-EA-01K