Get Forsafetyandsecurity -> 1-2. Child safety Guide for Toyota Prius 4 Door Fifth Generation (2023-2026)

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 side

windows or other features of the

vehicle. In addition, heat build-up

or extremely cold temperatures

inside the vehicle can be fatal to

children.

 It is recommended that chil-

dren sit in the rear seats to

avoid accidental contact

with the shift lever, wiper

switch, etc.

 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.189, 230)

 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 instructions are 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.55

• Fixed with a child restraint

LATCH anchor: P.60

• Using an anchor bracket (for

top tether strap): P.62

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.55

Child restraint LATCH

anchors attachment

P.60

Anchor brackets (for

top tether strap) attach-

ment

P.62

54

1-2. Child safety

When using a child

restraint system

WARNING

■When using a child restraint

system

■ When installing a child

restraint system to a front

passenger seat

Observe the following precau-

tions.

Failure to do so may result in

death or serious injury.

For the safety of a child, install

child restraint system 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.

●Never install a rear-facing child

restraint system on the front

passenger seat even if the

“PASSENGER 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.

 Adjust the seatback angle to

the most upright position.

 Move the front seat fully rear-

●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.

ward.

 Move the seat to the upper-

most 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.

55

1-2. Child safety

●When a booster seat is

WARNING

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.

●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, even if the

“PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF”

indicator light is illuminated.

If the head restraint interferes

with the child restraint system

installation and the head

1

●Use a 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.

restraint can be removed,

remove the head restraint.

●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 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.

●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 func-

tion belt)

Install the child restraint system

in accordance to the operation

56

1-2. Child safety

manual enclosed with the child

restraint system.

in lock mode. In lock mode,

the belt cannot be extended.

■ Rear-facing  Infant

seat/convertible seat

1 Adjust the rear seat.

If there is a gap between the child

restraint system and the seatback,

adjust the seatback angle until

good contact is achieved.

2 Place the child restraint sys-

tem on the rear seat facing

the rear of the vehicle.

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.

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 Run the seat belt through the

child restraint system and

insert the plate into the

buckle. Make sure that the

belt is not twisted.

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 Fully extend the shoulder belt

and allow it to retract to put it

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.

57

1-2. Child safety

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.

buckle. Make sure that the

belt is not twisted.

2 If the head restraint interferes

with the child restraint system

installation and the head

restraint can be removed,

remove the head restraint.

(P.212)

1

5 Fully extend the shoulder belt

and allow it to retract to put it

in lock mode. In lock mode,

the belt cannot be extended.

3 Place the child restraint sys-

tem on the seat facing the

front of the vehicle.

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

4 Run the seat belt through the

child restraint system and

insert the plate into the

58

1-2. Child safety

check that it cannot be extended.

removed, remove the head

restraint. (P.212)

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.62)

3 Place the child restraint sys-

tem on the seat facing the

front of the vehicle.

 Booster type

8 After installing the child

restraint system, rock it back

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.

 High back type

2 High back type: If the head

restraint interferes with your

child restraint system, and

the head restraint can be

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

59

1-2. Child safety

WARNING

buckle. Make sure that the

belt is not twisted.

■When installing a child

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)

restraint system

Observe the following precau-

tions.

Failure to do so may result in

death or serious injury.

1

●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.

■ Removing a child restraint

system installed with a seat

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.

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.

●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.

Since the seat belt automatically

reels itself, slowly return it to the

stowing position.

●Follow all installation instruc-

tions provided by the child

restraint system manufacturer.

60

1-2. Child safety

WARNING

seats.)

●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 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.

■ When installing in the rear

outboard seats

Install the child restraint system

in accordance to the operation

manual enclosed with the child

restraint system.

■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. (P.33)

1 If the head restraint interferes

with the child restraint system

installation and the head

restraint can be removed,

remove the head restraint.

(P.212)

■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 swerv-

ing or an accident.

Child restraint system

fixed with a child restraint

LATCH anchor

 With flexible lower attach-

ments

2 Remove the anchor covers,

and latch the hooks of the

lower attachments onto the

LATCH anchors.

■ Child restraint LATCH

anchors

LATCH anchors are provided for

the outboard rear seats. (Marks

displaying the location of the

anchors are attached to the

For owners in Canada:

The symbol on a child

A

restraint system indicates

61

1-2. Child safety

anchor covers.

the presence of a lower con-

nector system.

The bars are installed behind the

anchor covers.

1

A

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.

(P.62)

A

Canada only

 With rigid lower attachments

2 Remove the anchor covers,

and latch the buckles onto

the LATCH anchors.

For owners in Canada:

The symbol on a child

4 After installing the child

restraint system, rock it back

and forth to ensure that it is

installed securely. (P.59)

A

restraint system indicates

the presence of a lower con-

nector system.

■ When installing in the rear

center seat

The bars are installed behind the

There are no LATCH anchors

behind the rear center seat.

However, the inboard LATCH

anchors of the outboard seats,

which are 15.72 in. (399.4 mm)

apart, can be used if the child

restraint system manufacturer’s

instructions permit use of those

anchors with the anchor spacing

stated.

62

1-2. Child safety

Child restraint systems with rigid

lower attachments cannot be

installed in the center seat. This

type of child restraint system

can only be installed in the out-

board seat.

●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 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.

WARNING

Using an anchor bracket

(for top tether strap)

■When installing a child

restraint system

Observe the following precau-

tions.

■ Anchor brackets (for top

tether strap)

Failure to do so may result in

death or serious injury.

Anchor brackets are provided

for each rear seat.

●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.

Use anchor brackets when fix-

ing the top tether strap.

 Outboard rear seats

●Follow all installation instruc-

tions provided by the child

restraint system manufacturer.

●Never attach two child restraint

system attachments to the

same anchor. In a collision, one

anchor may not be strong

enough to hold two child

restraint system attachments

and may break.

If the LATCH anchors are

already in use, use the seat belt

to install a child restraint system

in the center seat.

A

Anchor brackets

B

Top tether strap

63

1-2. Child safety

securely latched. (P.59)

 Center rear seat

1

A

Hook

A

Anchor brackets

B

Top tether strap

B

Top tether strap

3 If the head restraint does not

interfere with the child

■ Fixing the top tether strap

to the anchor bracket

restraint system installation,

install the head restraint.

Install the child restraint system

in accordance to the operation

manual enclosed with the child

restraint system.

 Outboard rear seats

1 Remove the head restraint.

(P.212)

 Center rear seat

1 Latch the hook onto the

anchor bracket and tighten

the top tether strap.

Make sure the top tether strap is

securely latched.

2 Latch the hook onto the

anchor bracket and tighten

the top tether strap.

Make sure the top tether strap is

64

1-2. Child safety

A

B

Hook

Top tether strap

■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.

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.

●After securing a child restraint

system, never adjust the seat.

●Follow all installation instruc-

tions provided by the child

restraint system manufacturer.

●Outboard rear seat: When

installing the child restraint sys-

tem 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.

Forsafetyandsecurity -> 1-2. Child safety for Your Toyota Prius 4 Door Fifth Generation (2023-2026)

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