A child restraint system intended for a small child or infant must be securely installed on the vehicle seat using the lap portion of the lap/shoulder belt. Correct belt routing and firm installation are essential to keep the restraint in its intended position while the Toyota Tacoma is being driven.
Installing child restraint system using a seat belt (child restraint lock function belt)
Install the child restraint system in accordance with the operation manual supplied with the child restraint system. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for belt routing, seating position, and tightening so that the restraint is held securely.
Rear-facing - Infant seat/convertible seat
1. Place the child restraint system on the rear seat facing the rear of the vehicle. Position it firmly against the seat in the orientation specified by the restraint manufacturer.
2. Route the seat belt through the child restraint system as directed and insert the plate fully into the buckle. Make sure that the belt lies flat and is not twisted anywhere along its path.
3. Fully extend the shoulder belt and then allow it to retract to engage the locking mode. Once this mode is active, the belt cannot be pulled out farther, helping hold the child restraint firmly against the seat.
4. While pressing the child restraint system firmly down into the rear seat, allow the shoulder belt to retract until the child restraint system is held securely in place.
After the shoulder belt has retracted enough to remove all visible slack, pull firmly on the belt to confirm that it cannot be extended. Check that the restraint remains tight against the seat and that the belt has not become twisted.
5. After installing the child restraint system, rock it back and forth and from side to side to confirm that it is securely installed before placing the child in the restraint.
Forward-facing - Convertible seat
Before installing the child restraint on the rear seat: If the child restraint is equipped with a top tether strap, attach the top tether strap first and then install the child restraint system. Also, follow all instructions in the child restraint manufacturer's operation manual regarding positioning, belt routing, and final tightening.
1. Adjust the seat as necessary for correct installation of the child restraint system.
When using the front passenger seat: If installing the child restraint system on the front passenger seat is unavoidable, refer to P.55 for the required front passenger seat adjustment. Position the seat exactly as instructed before securing the restraint in the Toyota Tacoma.
2. If the head restraint interferes with proper child restraint system installation and the head restraint can be removed, remove the head restraint to provide the necessary clearance.
3. Place the child restraint system on the seat facing the front of the vehicle. Make sure the restraint sits evenly against the seat and is positioned according to the manufacturer's instructions.
4. Route the seat belt through the child restraint system using the specified belt path and insert the plate securely into the buckle. Make sure that the belt is not twisted and that both the lap and shoulder portions follow the correct route through the restraint.
5. Fully extend the shoulder belt and then allow it to retract slightly to place it in locking mode. Once the locking function is engaged, the belt cannot be pulled out farther, helping keep the child restraint system securely positioned in the Toyota Tacoma.
6. While pressing the child restraint system firmly into the rear seat, allow the shoulder belt to retract until the child restraint system is held securely in place.
After the shoulder belt has retracted enough to remove all slack, pull firmly on the belt to confirm that it remains locked and cannot be extended. Also check that the restraint stays firmly against the seat and that the belt has not become twisted.
7. If the child restraint is equipped with a top tether strap, tighten the top tether strap according to the manufacturer's instructions and make sure it is securely attached. 8. After installing the child restraint system, firmly rock it back and forth and from side to side to verify that it is installed securely before placing the child in the restraint.
Booster seat
1. If installing the child restraint system on the front passenger seat is unavoidable, refer to P.55 for the required front passenger seat adjustment. Position the Toyota Tacoma front passenger seat correctly before installing the booster seat.
2. High back type: If the head restraint interferes with the child restraint system and the head restraint can be removed, remove the head restraint to provide the clearance needed for correct installation.
3. Place the child restraint system on the seat facing the front of the vehicle. Make sure it rests evenly on the seat and is positioned according to the restraint manufacturer's instructions.
Booster type
High back type
4. Seat the child correctly in the child restraint system. Route the seat belt through or around the child restraint system according to the manufacturer's instructions, then insert the plate securely into the buckle. Make sure that the belt lies flat and is not twisted.
Check carefully that the shoulder belt is correctly positioned across the center of the child's shoulder rather than against the neck or off the shoulder, and make sure that the lap belt sits as low as possible across the hips. Correct belt placement is essential for the booster seat to provide the intended protection.
Removing a child restraint system installed with a seat belt
Press the seat belt buckle release button and allow the belt to fully retract. Keep control of the belt and restraint while releasing them so that neither moves unexpectedly.
When the buckle is released, the child restraint system may spring up slightly because of the rebound force from the seat cushion. Release the buckle while holding the child restraint system firmly down to keep it under control.
Because the Toyota Tacoma seat belt automatically retracts into its reel, guide it slowly back to the stowed position rather than allowing the belt or latch plate to snap against the vehicle interior.
WARNING
When installing a child restraint system
Observe the following precautions carefully whenever installing, checking, or using a child restraint system in the Toyota Tacoma.
Failure to follow these precautions may result in death or serious injury.
- Do not allow children to play
with the seat belt. If the seat belt
becomes wrapped or twisted around a
child's neck, it may cause
choking, strangulation, or other serious injuries
that could result in death.
If this occurs and the buckle cannot be released, use scissors to cut the belt and free the child immediately.
- Make sure that the seat belt plate is securely locked into the buckle and that the seat belt is not twisted. Check the complete belt path before placing the child in the restraint.
- After installation, move the child restraint system from side to side and forward and backward to confirm that it has been securely installed. If the restraint feels loose, repeat the installation procedure before using it.
- When a booster seat is installed, always make sure that the shoulder belt passes across the center of the child's shoulder. Keep the belt away from the child's neck, while positioning it securely enough that it cannot slip off the child's shoulder.
- Follow all installation instructions provided by the child restraint system manufacturer, including the specified belt routing, seating position, and securing procedure.
- When certain types of
child restraint systems are installed in the rear
seats, it may not be possible to
use the seat belts correctly in
adjacent seating positions without interfering with
the restraint or reducing normal seat belt effectiveness.
Make sure the seat belt for any adjacent occupant fits snugly across the center of the shoulder and low across the hips. If it does not fit correctly, or if the belt interferes with the child restraint system, use a different seating position. Improper belt positioning may result in death or serious injury.
- When installing a child restraint
system in the rear center seat of the Toyota Tacoma,
adjust both seat cushions to the
same position and align both
seatbacks at the same angle before securing the restraint.
If the two seat sections are not aligned correctly, the child restraint system may not be held securely. This could increase the risk of death or serious injury in the event of sudden braking, abrupt swerving, or an accident.
- If the seat position is adjusted after installation, reconfirm that the child restraint system remains firmly secured. Recheck the belt, attachment points, and restraint position before the Toyota Tacoma is driven.
When installing a booster seat
To prevent the seat belt from entering ALR lock mode, do not fully extend the shoulder belt while securing a child in a booster seat. In ALR mode, the belt progressively tightens and cannot be extended again until it is fully retracted. This may cause unnecessary discomfort or injury to the child. Make sure the belt remains in the appropriate operating mode for booster-seat use.
Do not use a seat belt extender
Do not use a seat belt extender when installing a child restraint system in the Toyota Tacoma. An extender may prevent the seat belt from holding the child restraint system securely in its intended position, which could increase the risk of death or serious injury to the child or other occupants during sudden braking, sudden swerving, or an accident.
