Subaru Forester: Child restraint systems / Installation of child restraint systems by use of lower and tether anchorages (LATCH)

Lower and tether anchorages

WARNING

• Attach the child restraint system to the anchors properly. When using the LATCH anchors, be sure that there are no foreign objects around the anchors. Make sure the child restraint system is securely attached. Otherwise it may cause death or serious injury to children or other passengers in sudden braking, swerving, or accidents.
• When installing a child restraint system using LATCH anchors with the rear seatbelt fastened, ensure that the rear seatbelt does not become caught in the child restraint system or the lower LATCH anchorages.

NOTE

The occupant detection system of the rear seats detects if any of the seats are occupied by a passenger. Installing a child restraint system in the rear seating area, using the LATCH anchors, may result in the activation of the passenger seatbelt warning light and chime. Fastening the rear seatbelt prior to installing the child restraint system will avoid activating the passenger seatbelt warning light and chime. For details, refer to “Rear passenger’s seats”.

Some types of child restraint systems can be installed on the rear seat of the vehicle without use of the seatbelts. Such child restraint systems are secured to the designated anchorages provided on the vehicle body. The lower and tether anchorages are sometimes referred to as the LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren).

This vehicle is equipped with five lower anchorages (bars) and three upper anchorages (tether anchorages) for accommodating such child restraint systems.

Lower anchorages

There are a total of 5 lower anchorages at the rear seat. The rear anchorage from the right side is used for both the right seat and center seat. Each lower anchorage is located where the seat cushion meets the seatback.

Tether anchorages

The tether anchorages (upper anchorages) are provided at the locations shown in the above illustration. For details, refer to “Top tether anchorages”.