Before installing a child restraint system in your Toyota Tacoma, review the precautions, available types of child restraint systems, and the applicable installation methods described in this manual. Correct selection and installation are essential for the child's safety.
Use an appropriate child restraint system whenever a small child cannot properly use the vehicle's seat belt. For the child's protection, install the child restraint system on a rear seat whenever the vehicle is equipped with rear seating.
Always follow the installation procedure specified in the instruction manual supplied with the child restraint system. The restraint must be fitted securely and used exactly as intended by its manufacturer.
Table of contents
Child restraint system installation methods covered for the Toyota Tacoma include:
- Using an anchor bracket (for top tether strap)
- Securing the restraint with a child restraint LATCH anchor
- Securing the restraint with a seat belt
Points to remember
The laws of all 50 states of the U.S.A., as well as Canada, require the use of child restraint systems. Make sure the restraint used in the vehicle complies with applicable requirements.
- Give priority to all safety warnings and observe the laws and regulations that apply to child restraint systems in your location.
- Continue using an appropriate child restraint system until the child becomes large enough to correctly wear the vehicle's seat belt without assistance.
- Select a child restraint system that is compatible with your Toyota Tacoma and appropriate for the age, size, and needs of the child.
WARNING
When a child is riding
Observe the following precautions whenever a child is traveling in the vehicle.
Failure to follow these precautions may result in death or serious injury.
- For effective protection in automobile accidents and during sudden stops, a child must be properly restrained using either a seat belt or an appropriate child restraint system that is correctly installed. For detailed installation instructions, refer to the operating manual supplied with the child restraint system. General installation guidance is also provided in this Toyota Tacoma manual.
- Vehicles without rear seats: Toyota strongly recommends using a proper child restraint system that is suitable for the size and needs of the child. Make sure the restraint is installed in accordance with all applicable instructions.
- Vehicles with rear seats: Toyota strongly recommends using an appropriate child restraint system that corresponds to the weight and size of the child and is installed on the rear seat. According to accident statistics, a child is safer when properly restrained in a rear seating position than in the front passenger seat.
- Holding a child in your arms or in another
person's arms is not a substitute
for using a child restraint system.
In an accident, the child may be crushed against the windshield or trapped between the person holding them and the interior of the vehicle. Always use the appropriate restraint instead of relying on an occupant to hold the child.
Handling the child restraint system
If the child restraint system is not securely fixed in place, the child or other occupants may be seriously injured or killed in the event of sudden braking, abrupt steering, or an accident. Check the installation carefully before driving the Toyota Tacoma.
- If the vehicle receives a strong impact in an accident or similar event, the child restraint system may have sustained damage that is not immediately visible. In such a situation, do not reuse the restraint system, even if it appears normal from the outside.
- Make sure all installation instructions provided by the child restraint system manufacturer have been followed and that the system is firmly and correctly secured before placing a child in it.
- Keep the child restraint system properly secured to the seat even when it is not being used. Do not leave or store the child restraint system unsecured inside the passenger compartment, where it could move during sudden braking or a collision.
- If it becomes necessary to detach the child restraint system, remove it from the vehicle rather than leaving it loose inside the cabin.
Child restraint system
Types of child restraint system installation methods
Before installing a child restraint system in the Toyota Tacoma, refer to the operation manual supplied with the restraint and confirm the correct installation procedure for that specific system. The appropriate attachment method depends on the vehicle configuration and the type of child restraint being used.
Anchor brackets (for top tether strap) attachment* 1
Anchor brackets (for top tether strap) attachment* 2
Child restraint LATCH anchors attachment*2
Seat belt attachment
*1: Vehicles without rear seats
*2: Vehicles with rear seats
When using a child restraint system
When installing a child restraint system to a front passenger seat
For the child's safety, a child restraint system should normally be installed on a rear seat when the Toyota Tacoma is equipped with rear seating. If installing a child restraint system on the front passenger seat is unavoidable, adjust the seat as described below before securing the child restraint system.
- Move the front passenger seat fully rearward to provide as much distance as possible from the front passenger airbag.
- Adjust the seatback angle to the most upright position while maintaining proper contact with the child restraint system.
When installing a forward-facing child seat, check whether there is a gap between the child restraint and the seatback. If a gap is present, adjust the seatback angle until firm and appropriate contact is achieved without disturbing the correct installation of the restraint.
- If the head restraint interferes
with proper child restraint system
installation and the head
restraint can be removed,
remove it before securing the restraint.
If the head restraint cannot or should not be removed, place the head restraint in its uppermost position so that it does not interfere with the child seat.
WARNING
When using a child restraint system
Observe the following precautions whenever installing or using a child restraint system.
Failure to follow these precautions 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 considerable force generated by rapid inflation of the front passenger airbag can cause death or serious injury to a child if a rear-facing child restraint system is positioned on the front passenger seat.
- Vehicles without rear seats: A forward-facing child restraint system may be installed on the front passenger seat only when there is no practical alternative. Adjust the seatback to the most upright position and always move the seat as far rearward as possible, even if the "AIR BAG OFF" indicator light is illuminated. The front passenger airbag can still inflate with considerable speed and force, and insufficient distance from the airbag may result in death or serious injury to the child.
- Vehicles with rear seats: A forward-facing child restraint system should be installed on the front passenger seat only when doing so is unavoidable. A child restraint system that requires a top tether strap must not be used in the front passenger seat because no top tether strap anchor is provided for that seating position.
- 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 Toyota Tacoma front
passenger seat, adjust the seatback
to the most upright
position, move the seat to its
rearmost position, and raise the
seat to the uppermost position,
even if the "AIR BAG OFF" indicator
light is illuminated. These adjustments help maximize the distance between the child restraint and the front passenger airbag while maintaining the restraint in the correct seating position.
If the head restraint interferes with proper child restraint system installation and the head restraint can be removed, remove it before securing the child restraint system. Make sure the restraint can be positioned correctly against the seat without obstruction.
If the head restraint cannot be removed, raise it to the uppermost position so that it does not interfere with the child restraint or prevent correct installation.
- Do not allow the child to lean
his/her head or any other part of
his/her body against the door,
the side of the seat, the front or rear
pillars, or the roof side rails from
which the SRS side airbags or
SRS curtain shield airbags
deploy, even when the child is
properly seated in a child restraint system.
If the SRS side or curtain shield airbags inflate while the child is positioned close to these areas, the deployment force could cause death or serious injury to the child. Keep the child's head and body safely within the seating area of the restraint.
- When a booster seat is installed, always check that the shoulder belt passes across the center of the child's shoulder. The belt should remain away from the child's neck, while still being positioned securely enough that it cannot slip off the child's shoulder. Correct belt routing is essential for proper restraint.
- Use a child restraint system that is suitable for the age and size of the child, and install it on a rear seat whenever the Toyota Tacoma is equipped with rear seating. Follow the restraint manufacturer's instructions for positioning and attachment.
- Vehicles with rear seats: If the driver's seat interferes with the child restraint system and prevents it from being installed or secured correctly, attach the child restraint system to the right-hand rear seat instead. The restraint must sit properly on the seat without being forced out of position by the driver's seat.
- Vehicles with rear seats: Adjust the front passenger seat so that it does not contact, press against, or otherwise interfere with the child restraint system. Maintain enough clearance for the restraint to remain securely installed and correctly positioned while the Toyota Tacoma is in use.
