Get For safety and security -> Child safety Guide for Toyota 4 Runner SUV Sixth Generation (2025-2026)

50

1-2. Child safety

1-2.Child safety

Riding with children

WARNING

■When children are in the vehi-

cle

Observe the following pre-

cautions when children are

in the vehicle.

Never leave children unattended

in the vehicle, and never allow

children to have or use the key.

Use a child restraint system

appropriate for the child,

until the child becomes

large enough to properly

wear the vehicle’s seat belt.

Children may be able to start the

vehicle or shift the vehicle into

neutral. There is also a danger

that children may injure them-

selves by playing with the win-

dows, the moon roof (if equipped)

or other features of the vehicle. In

addition, heat build-up or

 It is recommended that chil-

dren sit in the rear seats to

avoid accidental contact

with the shift lever, wiper

switch, etc.

extremely cold temperatures

inside the vehicle can be fatal to

children.

 Use the rear door child-pro-

tector lock or the window

lock switch to avoid children

opening the door while driv-

ing or operating the power

window accidentally.

(P.123, 179)

 Do not let small children

operate equipment which

may catch or pinch body

parts, such as the power

window, hood, back door,

seats, etc.

51

1-2. Child safety

Child restraint sys-

tems

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.

Before installing a child

restraint system in the vehi-

cle, there are precautions

that need to be observed,

different types of child

restraint systems, as well

as installation methods,

etc., written in this manual.

 Prioritize and observe the

warnings, as well as the laws

and regulations for child

restraint systems.

1

 Use a child restraint system

until the child becomes large

enough to properly wear the

vehicle’s seat belt.

Use a child restraint system

when riding with a small child

that cannot properly use a

seat belt. For the child’s

 Choose a child restraint sys-

tem that suits your vehicle

and is appropriate to the age

and size of the child.

safety, install the child

restraint system to a rear seat.

Be sure to follow the installa-

tion method that is in the oper-

ation manual enclosed with

the restraint system.

WARNING

■When a child is riding

Observe the following precau-

tions.

Failure to do so may result in

death or serious injury.

Table of contents

Points to remember: P.51

Child restraint system: P.53

●For effective protection in auto-

mobile accidents and sudden

stops, a child must be properly

restrained, using a seat belt or

child restraint system which is

correctly installed. For installa-

tion details, refer to the opera-

tion manual enclosed with the

child restraint system. General

installation instruction is pro-

vided in this manual.

When using a child restraint sys-

tem: P.54

Child restraint system installa-

tion method

• Fixed with a seat belt: P.56

• Fixed with a child restraint

LATCH anchor: P.60

• Using an anchor bracket (for

top tether strap): P.63

52

1-2. Child safety

WARNING

●Toyota 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 some-

one else’s arms is not a substi-

tute 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 seri-

ously 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 luggage com-

partment.

53

1-2. Child safety

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

Page

1

Seat belt attachment

P.56

Child restraint LATCH

anchors attachment

P.60

Anchor brackets (for

top tether strap) attach-

ment

P.63

54

1-2. Child safety

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 pas-

senger seat is unavoidable,

adjust the seat as follows and

install the child restraint system.

WARNING

■When using a child restraint

system

Observe the following precau-

tions. Failure to do so may result

in death or serious injury.

 Move the front seat fully rear-

ward. If the passenger seat

height can be adjusted, move

it to the upper most position.

●Never install a rear-facing child

restraint system on the front

passenger seat even if the “AIR

BAG OFF” indicator light is illu-

minated. In the event of an acci-

dent, the force of the rapid

inflation of the front passenger

airbag can cause death or seri-

ous injury to the child if the rear-

facing child restraint system is

installed on the front passenger

seat.

 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.

●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.

 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.

55

1-2. Child safety

●Do not allow the child to lean

his/her head or any part of

WARNING

●A forward-facing child restraint

system may be installed on the

front passenger seat only when

it is unavoidable. When install-

ing a forward-facing child

restraint system on the front

passenger seat, adjust the seat-

back 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” indi-

cator light is illuminated.

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 sys-

tem. It is dangerous if the SRS

side and curtain shield airbags

inflate, and the impact could

cause death or serious injury to

the child.

1

If the head restraint interferes

with the child restraint system

installation and the head

restraint can be removed,

remove the head restraint.

If the head restraint cannot be

removed, raise it to the upper-

most position.

●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 suit-

able 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 second seat.

56

1-2. Child safety

WARNING

adjust the seatback angle until

good contact is achieved.

●Adjust the front passenger seat

so that it does not interfere with

the child restraint system.

2 Place the child restraint sys-

tem on the rear seat facing

the rear of the vehicle.

●When installing a child restraint

system on the second center

seat, align both seatbacks at the

same angle. The seatbacks

must be adjusted to the same

angle. Otherwise, the child

restraint system cannot be

securely restrained and this

may cause death or serious

injuries in the event of sudden

braking, sudden swerving or an

accident.

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.

●Child restraint system installed

on the third seat (if equipped)

should not contact the second

seatbacks.

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 func-

tion belt)

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.

Install the child restraint system

in accordance to the operation

manual enclosed with the child

restraint system.

■ Rear-facing  Infant

seat/convertible seat

1 Adjust the rear seat.

If there is a gap between the child

restraint system and the seatback,

57

1-2. Child safety

5 While pushing the child

restraint system down into

the rear seat, allow the shoul-

der belt to retract until the

child restraint system is

securely in place.

remove the head restraint.

(P.158)

After the shoulder belt has

1

retracted to a point where there is

no slack in the belt, pull the belt to

check that it cannot be extended.

3 Place the child restraint sys-

tem on the seat facing the

front of the vehicle.

6 After installing the child

restraint system, rock it back

and forth to ensure that it is

installed securely. (P.59)

■ Forward-facing  Convert-

ible seat

4 Run the seat belt through the

child restraint system and

insert the plate into the

buckle. Make sure that the

belt is not twisted.

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.54 for

front passenger seat adjustment.

When using the rear seat: If there is

a gap between the child restraint

system and the seatback, adjust

the seatback angle until good con-

tact is achieved.

2 If the head restraint interferes

with the child restraint system

installation and the head

5 Fully extend the shoulder belt

and allow it to retract to put it

restraint can be removed,

58

1-2. Child safety

in lock mode. In lock mode,

the belt cannot be extended.

and forth to ensure that it is

installed securely. (P.59)

■ Booster seat

1 If installing the child restraint

system to the front passen-

ger seat is unavoidable, refer

to P.54 for front passenger

seat adjustment.

2 High back type: If the head

restraint interferes with your

child restraint system, and

the head restraint can be

removed, remove the head

restraint. (P.158)

6 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.

3 Place the child restraint sys-

tem on the seat facing the

front of the vehicle.

 Booster type

7 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.

(P.63)

8 After installing the child

restraint system, rock it back

59

1-2. Child safety

system.

 High back type

Since the seat belt automatically

reels itself, slowly return it to the

stowing position.

1

4 Sit the child in the child

restraint system. Fit the seat

belt to the child restraint sys-

tem according to the manu-

facturer’s instructions and

insert the plate into the

WARNING

■When installing a child

restraint system

buckle. Make sure that the

belt is not twisted.

Observe the following precau-

tions.

Failure to do so may result in

death or serious injury.

Check that the shoulder belt is cor-

rectly positioned over the child’s

shoulder and that the lap belt is as

low as possible. (P.31)

●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.

■ Removing a child restraint

system installed with a seat

belt

Press the buckle release button

and fully retract the seat belt.

●After securing a child restraint

system, never adjust the seat.

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

60

1-2. Child safety

WARNING

■Do not use a seat belt

extender

●When a booster seat is

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 swerv-

ing or an accident.

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 instruc-

tions provided by the child

restraint system manufacturer.

Child restraint system

fixed with a child restraint

LATCH anchor

●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

■ Child restraint LATCH

restraint without interfering with

it or affecting seat belt effective-

ness. 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 differ-

ent position. Failure to do so

may result in death or serious

injury.

anchors

LATCH anchors are provided for

the second outboard seats.

(Buttons displaying the location

of the anchorages are attached

to the seats.)

●When installing a child restraint

system on the second row cen-

ter seat, adjust both seatbacks

at the same angle. Otherwise,

the child restraint system can-

not be securely restrained and

this may cause death or serious

injuries in the event of sudden

braking, sudden swerving or an

accident.

■ When installing in the sec-

■When installing a booster

seat

ond outboard seats

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. (P.33)

Install the child restraint system

in accordance to the operation

manual enclosed with the child

restraint system.

1 Adjust the seatback angle to

the most upright position.

When installing a forward-

61

1-2. Child safety

facing child seat, if there is a

gap between the child seat

and the seatback, adjust the

seatback angle until good

contact is achieved.

 With flexible lower attach-

ments

4 Latch the hooks of the lower

attachments onto the LATCH

anchors.

2 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. (P.158)

For owners in Canada:

The symbol on a child restraint sys-

1

tem indicates

the presence of a

lower connector system.

3 Open the cover.

Canada only

Put the cover between the seat

cushion and seatback.

 With rigid lower attachments

4 Latch the buckles onto the

LATCH anchors.

For owners in Canada:

The symbol on a child restraint sys-

tem indicates

the presence of a

62

1-2. Child safety

lower connector system.

WARNING

■When installing a child

restraint system

Observe the following precau-

tions.

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 instruc-

tions provided by the child

restraint system manufacturer.

Canada only

●Child restraint systems cannot

be installed in the second center

seat. Do not install the child

restraint system in the second

center seat using the LATCH

anchors.

5 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.

(P.63)

●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

6 After installing the child

restraint system, rock it back

and forth to ensure that it is

installed securely. (P.59)

restraint without interfering with

it or affecting seat belt effective-

ness. 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 differ-

ent position. Failure to do so

may result in death or serious

injury.

■Laws and regulations pertain-

ing to anchors

The LATCH system conforms to

FMVSS225 or CMVSS210.2.

Child restraint systems conforming

to FMVSS213 or CMVSS213 speci-

fications can be used.

This vehicle is designed to conform

to SAE J1819.

●If the seat is adjusted, reconfirm

the security of the child restraint

system.

63

1-2. Child safety

the head restraint. (P.158)

Using an anchor bracket

(for top tether strap)

■ Anchor brackets (for top

tether strap)

Anchor brackets are provided

for each second seat.

1

Use anchor brackets when fix-

ing the top tether strap.

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. (P.59)

When installing the child restraint

system with the head restraint

being raised, be sure to have the

top tether strap pass underneath

the head restraint.

Top tether strap

Anchor brackets

■ 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 Adjust the head restraint to

the upmost position.

Top tether strap

Hook

If the head restraint interferes with

the child restraint system or top

strap installation and the head

restraint can be removed, remove

■Laws and regulations pertain-

ing to anchors

The LATCH system conforms to

FMVSS225 or CMVSS210.2.

Child restraint systems conforming

to FMVSS213 or CMVSS213 speci-

fications can be used.

This vehicle is designed to conform

to SAE J1819.

64

1-2. Child safety

WARNING

■When installing a child

restraint system

Observe the following precau-

tions.

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.

●Follow all installation instruc-

tions provided by the child

restraint system manufacturer.

●When installing the child

restraint system with the head

restraint being raised, after the

head restraint has been raised

and then the anchor bracket has

been fixed, do not lower the

head restraint.

●If the seat is adjusted, reconfirm

the security of the child restraint

system.

NOTICE

■Anchor brackets (for top

tether strap)

When not in use, make certain to

close the cover. If it remains open,

the lid may be damaged.

For safety and security -> Child safety for Your Toyota 4 Runner SUV Sixth Generation (2025-2026)

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