Lexus ES: Child safety

Riding with children

Observe the following precautions when children are in the vehicle.

Use a child restraint system appropriate for the child, until the child becomes large enough to properly wear the vehicle's seat belt.

• It is recommended that children sit in the rear seats to avoid accidental contact with the shift lever, wiper switch, etc.
• Use the rear door child-protector lock or the window lock switch to avoid children opening the door while driving or operating the power window accidentally.
• Do not let small children operate equipment which may catch or pinch body parts, such as the power window, hood, trunk, seats etc.

WARNING

■When children are in the vehicle Never leave children unattended in the vehicle, and never allow children to have or use the key.

Children may be able to start the vehicle or shift the vehicle into neutral. There is also a danger that children may injure themselves by playing with the windows, the moon roof or other features of the vehicle. In addition, heat build-up or extremely cold temperatures inside the vehicle can be fatal to children.

Child restraint systems

Before installing a child restraint system in the vehicle, there are precautions that need to be observed, different types of child restraint systems, as well as installation methods, etc., written in this manual.

Use a child restraint system when riding with a small child that cannot properly use a seat belt. For the child's safety, install the child restraint system to a rear seat. Be sure to follow the installation method that is in the operation manual enclosed with the restraint system.

Table of contents

Child restraint system installation method

• Fixed with a seat belt
• Fixed with a child restraint LATCH anchor
• Using an anchor bracket (for top tether strap)

Points to remember

The laws of all 50 states of the U.S.A.

as well as Canada now require the use of child restraint systems.

• Prioritize and observe the warnings, as well as the laws and regulations for child restraint systems.
• Use a child restraint system until the child becomes large enough to properly wear the vehicle's seat belt.
• Choose a child restraint system that suits your vehicle and is appropriate to the age and size of the child.

WARNING

■When a child is riding Observe the following precautions.

Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.

• For effective protection in automobile accidents and sudden stops, a child must be properly restrained, using a seat belt or child restraint system which is correctly installed. For installation details, refer to the operation manual enclosed with the child restraint system. General installation instruction is provided in this manual.
• Lexus strongly urges the use of a proper child restraint system that conforms to the weight and size of the child, installed on the rear seat.

  According to accident statistics, the child is safer when properly restrained in the rear seat than in the front seat.

• Holding a child in your or someone else's arms is not a substitute for a child restraint system. In an accident, the child can be crushed against the windshield or between the holder and the interior of the vehicle.

■Handling the child restraint system If the child restraint system is not properly fixed in place, the child or other passengers may be seriously injured or even killed in the event of sudden braking, sudden swerving, or an accident.

• If the vehicle were to receive a strong impact from an accident, etc., it is possible that the child restraint system has damage that is not readily visible. In such cases, do not reuse the restraint system.
• Make sure you have complied with all installation instructions provided with the child restraint system manufacturer and that the system is properly secured.
• Keep the child restraint system properly secured on the seat even if it is not in use. Do not store the child restraint system unsecured in the passenger compartment.
• If it is necessary to detach the child restraint system, remove it from the vehicle or store it securely in the trunk.

Child restraint system

■ Types of child restraint system installation methods Confirm with the operation manual enclosed with the child restraint system about the installation of the child restraint system.

Installation method
Seat belt attachment
Child restraint LATCH anchors attachment
Anchor brackets (for top tether strap) attachment

When using a child restraint system

■ When installing a child restraint system to a front passenger seat For the safety of a child, install child restraint systems to a rear seats. When installing child restraint system to a front passenger seat is unavoidable, adjust the seat as follows and install the child restraint system.

• Move the front seat fully rearward.
• Adjust the seatback angle to the most upright position.

When installing a forward-facing child seat, if there is a gap between the child seat and the seatback, adjust the seatback angle until good contact is achieved.

• Adjust the front of the seat cushion to the uppermost position.
• Adjust the seat height to the uppermost position.
• Adjust the lumbar support to the lowest position.
• Adjust the pelvic support* to the lowest position.
• If the head restraint interferes with the child restraint system installation and the head restraint can be removed, remove the head restraint.

  Otherwise, put the head restraint in the upper most position.

*: If equipped

WARNING

■When using a child restraint system Observe the following precautions.

Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.

• Never install a rear-facing child restraint system on the front passenger seat even if the "AIR BAG OFF" indicator light is illuminated. In the event of an accident, the force of the rapid inflation of the front passenger airbag can cause death or serious injury to the child if the rear-facing child restraint system is installed on the front passenger seat.
• A forward-facing child restraint system may be installed on the front passenger seat only when it is unavoidable. A child restraint system that requires a top tether strap should not be used in the front passenger seat since there is no top tether strap anchor for the front passenger seat.
• A forward-facing child restraint system may be installed on the front passenger seat only when it is unavoidable.

  When installing a forward-facing child restraint system on the front passenger seat, adjust the seatback angle to the most upright position, move the seat to the rearmost position, and raise the seat to the upper most position, even if the "AIR BAG OFF" indicator light is illuminated.

• Do not allow the child to lean his/her head or any part of his/her body against the door or the area of the seat, front or rear pillars, or roof side rails from which the SRS side airbags or SRS curtain shield airbags deploy even if the child is seated in the child restraint system. It is dangerous if the SRS side and curtain shield airbags inflate, and the impact could cause death or serious injury to the child.

• When a booster seat is installed, always ensure that the shoulder belt is positioned across the center of the child's shoulder. The belt should be kept away from the child's neck, but not so that it could fall off the child's shoulder.
• Use child restraint system suitable to the age and size of the child and install it to the rear seat.
• If the driver's seat interferes with the child restraint system and prevents it from being attached correctly, attach the child restraint system to the right-hand rear seat.

• Adjust the front passenger seat so that it does not interfere with the child restraint system.

Child restraint system fixed with a seat belt

A child restraint system for a small child or baby must itself be properly restrained on the seat with the lap portion of the lap/shoulder belt.

• Installing child restraint system using a seat belt (child restraint lock function belt)

Install the child restraint system in accordance to the operation manual enclosed with the child restraint system.

■ Rear-facing - Infant seat/convertible seat

1. Place the child restraint system on the rear seat facing the rear of the vehicle.

2. Run the seat belt through the child restraint system and insert the plate into the buckle. Make sure that the belt is not twisted.

3. Fully extend the shoulder belt and allow it to retract to put it in lock mode. In lock mode, the belt cannot be extended.

4. While pushing the child restraint system down into the rear seat, allow the shoulder belt to retract until the child restraint system is securely in place.

After the shoulder belt has retracted to a point where there is no slack in the belt, pull the belt to check that it cannot be extended.

5. After installing the child restraint system, rock it back and forth to ensure that it is installed securely.

■ Forward-facing - Convertible seat

1. Adjust the seat

When using the front passenger seat: If installing the child restraint system to the front passenger seat is unavoidable, refer to P.44 for front passenger seat adjustment.

2. Place the child restraint system on the seat facing the front of the vehicle.

3. Run the seat belt through the child restraint system and insert the plate into the buckle. Make sure that the belt is not twisted.

4. Fully extend the shoulder belt and allow it to retract to put it in lock mode. In lock mode, the belt cannot be extended.

5. While pushing the child restraint system into the rear seat, allow the shoulder belt to retract until the child restraint system is securely in place.

After the shoulder belt has retracted to a point where there is no slack in the belt, pull the belt to check that it cannot be extended.

6. If the child restraint has a top tether strap, follow the child restraint manufacturer's operation manual regarding the installation, using the top tether strap to latch onto the top tether strap anchor.

7. After installing the child restraint system, rock it back and forth to ensure that it is installed securely.

■ Booster seat

1. If installing the child restraint system to the front passenger seat is unavoidable, refer to P.44 for front passenger seat adjustment.

2. Place the child restraint system on the seat facing the front of the vehicle.

Booster type

High back type

3. Sit the child in the child restraint system. Fit the seat belt to the child restraint system according to the manufacturer's instructions and insert the plate into the buckle.

Make sure that the belt is not twisted.

Check that the shoulder belt is correctly positioned over the child's shoulder and that the lap belt is as low as possible.

■ Removing a child restraint system installed with a seat belt

Press the buckle release button and fully retract the seat belt.

When releasing the buckle, the child restraint system may spring up due to the rebound of the seat cushion. Release the buckle while holding down the child restraint system.

Since the seat belt automatically reels itself, slowly return it to the stowing position.

WARNING

■When installing a child restraint system Observe the following precautions.

Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.

• Do not allow children to play with the seat belt. If the seat belt becomes twisted around a child's neck, it may lead to choking or other serious injuries that could result in death.

  If this occurs and the buckle cannot be unfastened, scissors should be used to cut the belt.

• Ensure that the belt and plate are securely locked and the seat belt is not twisted.
• Shake the child restraint system left and right, and forward and backward to ensure that it has been securely installed.
• After securing a child restraint system, never adjust the seat.
• When a booster seat is installed, always ensure that the shoulder belt is positioned across the center of the child's shoulder. The belt should be kept away from the child's neck, but not so that it could fall off the child's shoulder.
• Follow all installation instructions provided by the child restraint system manufacturer.
• When securing some types of child restraint systems in rear seats, it may not be possible to properly use the seat belts in positions next to the child restraint without interfering with it or affecting seat belt effectiveness. Be sure your seat belt fits snugly across your shoulder and low on your hips. If it does not, or if it interferes with the child restraint, move to a different position.

  Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.

■When installing a booster seat To prevent the belt from going into ALR lock mode, do not fully extend the shoulder belt. ALR mode causes the belt to tighten only. This could cause injury or discomfort to the child.

■Do not use a seat belt extender If a seat belt extender is used when installing a child restraint system, the seat belt will not securely hold the child restraint system, which could cause death or serious injury to the child or other passengers in the event of sudden braking, sudden swerving or an accident.

Child restraint system fixed with a child restraint LATCH anchor

■ Child restraint LATCH anchors LATCH anchors are provided for the outboard rear seat. (Marks displaying the location of the anchors are attached to the seats.)

■ When installing in the rear outboard seats Install the child restraint system in accordance to the operation manual enclosed with the child restraint system.

1. Remove the cover.

With flexible lower attachments

2. Latch the hooks of the lower attachments onto the LATCH anchors.

For owners in Canada: The symbol on a child restraint system indicates A the presence of a lower connector system.

1. Canada only

With rigid lower attachments

2. Latch the buckles onto the LATCH anchors.

For owners in Canada: The symbol on a child restraint system indicates A the presence of a lower connector system.

1. Canada only

3. If the child restraint has a top tether strap, follow the child restraint manufacturer's operation manual regarding the installation, using the top tether strap to latch onto the top tether strap anchor. 4. After installing the child restraint system, rock it back and forth to ensure that it is installed securely.

■Laws and regulations pertaining to anchors

The LATCH system conforms to FMVSS225 or CMVSS210.2.

Child restraint systems conforming to FMVSS213 or CMVSS213 specifications can be used.

This vehicle is designed to conform to SAE J1819.

WARNING

■When installing a child restraint system Observe the following precautions.

Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.

• When using the LATCH anchors, be sure that there are no foreign objects around the anchors and that the seat belt is not caught behind the child restraint system.
• Follow all installation instructions provided by the child restraint system manufacturer.
• When securing some types of child restraint systems in rear seats, it may not be possible to properly use the seat belts in positions next to the child restraint without interfering with it or affecting seat belt effectiveness. Be sure your seat belt fits snugly across your shoulder and low on your hips. If it does not, or if it interferes with the child restraint, move to a different position.

  Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.

• If the seat is adjusted, reconfirm the security of the child restraint system.

Using an anchor bracket (for top tether strap)

■ Anchor brackets (for top tether strap) Anchor brackets are provided for each rear seat.

Use anchor brackets when fixing the top tether strap.

Outboard rear seats

1. Anchor brackets
2. Top tether strap

Rear center seat

1. Anchor bracket
2. Top tether strap

■ Fixing the top tether strap to the anchor bracket Install the child restraint system in accordance to the operation manual enclosed with the child restraint system.

1. Remove the head restraint.

2. Open the anchor bracket cover, latch the hook onto the anchor bracket and tighten the top tether strap.

Make sure the top tether strap is securely latched.

Outboard rear seats

1. Hook
2. Top tether strap

Rear center seat

1. Hook
2. Top tether strap

■Laws and regulations pertaining to anchors

The LATCH system conforms to FMVSS225 or CMVSS210.2.

Child restraint systems conforming to FMVSS213 or CMVSS213 specifications can be used.

This vehicle is designed to conform to SAE J1819.

WARNING

■When installing a child restraint system Observe the following precautions.

Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.

• Firmly attach the top tether strap and make sure that the belt is not twisted.
• Do not attach the top tether strap to anything other than the anchor bracket.
• After securing a child restraint system, never adjust the seat.
• Follow all installation instructions provided by the child restraint system manufacturer.

NOTICE

■Anchor brackets (for top tether strap) When not in use, make certain to close the lid. If it remains open, the lid may be damaged.

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