Subaru Forester: Child restraint systems / Where to place a child restraint system

The following are SUBARU’s recommendations on where to place a child restraint system in your vehicle.

WARNING

• Several types of child restraint systems may conceal the buckle of the neighboring seat. If the occupant of the neighboring seat cannot correctly fasten the seatbelt, that person must move to a different seat. If the seatbelt cannot be correctly fastened, there is the risk of serious injury or death in the event of sudden braking or a collision.
• If the child restraint system cannot be correctly installed because it contacts the driver’s seat, move the child restraint system to a different seat. If it cannot be installed in a different seat (other than the driver’s seat), adjust the front seat so that contact does not occur.

1. Front passenger’s seat

   You should not install a child restraint system (including a booster seat) due to the hazard to children posed by the passenger’s airbag.

2. Rear seat, window-side seating positions

   Recommended positions for all types of child restraint systems.

   In these positions, the following equipment is provided for installing a child restraint system.

   • Automatic Locking Retractor/Emergency Locking Retractor (ALR/ELR) seatbelts
   • Lower anchorages (bars)
   • Upper anchorages (tether anchorages)

   Some types of child restraints might not be able to be secured firmly due to projection of the seat cushion.

   In this seating position, you should use only a child restraint system that has a bottom base that fits snugly against the contours of the seat cushion and can be securely retained using the seatbelt.

3. Rear seat, center seating position

   In this position, the following equipment is provided for installing a child restraint system.

   • ALR/ELR seatbelts
   • Lower anchorages (bars)
   • Top tether anchorages

Some types of child restraints might not be able to be secured firmly due to projection of the seat cushion.

In this seating position, you should use only a child restraint system that has a bottom base that fits snugly against the contours of the seat cushion and can be securely retained using the seatbelt. The rear center seat includes lower anchorages, and the lower anchorages on the center side of the rear right seat can be used to install a child restraint system. When a child restraint system is installed in the rear center seat using the lower anchorages, do not sit in the rear right seat.

If a child restraint system is not correctly fixed in place (for example, if a child restraint system can be moved more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) from side to side), the child restraint system should be moved to a window seat position of the rear seat.

WARNING

• Even with advanced airbags, children can be seriously injured by the airbag. Place children in the rear seat properly restrained at all times. The SRS airbag deploys with considerable speed and force and can injure or even kill children, especially if they are not restrained or improperly restrained. Because children are lighter and weaker than adults, their risk of being injured from deployment is greater.
• For that reason, be sure to secure ALL types of child restraint devices (including forward facing child seats) in the REAR seats at all times. You should choose a restraint device which is appropriate for the child’s age, height and weight. According to accident statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seating positions.
• Do not use lower anchorages (bars) for a seat in the center seating position unless a child restraint system manufacturer’s instructions permit and specify using anchors spaced as far apart as those in this vehicle.
• Do not connect two or more lower hooks onto the same anchorage (bar).

WARNING

• S I N C E Y O U R V E H I C L E I S EQUIPPED WITH A PASSENGER’S SRS AIRBAG, NEVER INSTALL A CHILD SAFETY SEAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER’S SEAT. DOING SO RISKS SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO THE CHILD BY PLACING THE CHILD’S HEAD TOO CLOSE TO THE SRS AIRBAG.
• Do not allow children to lean their heads or any other parts of their bodies against the door or the area of the seat, front and rear pillars or roof side rails. The SRS side airbags and SRS curtain airbags deploy even if children are seated in the child restraint system. It will be dangerous if the SRS side airbags and SRS curtain airbags inflate. The impact could cause death or serious injury to the child.
• To secure the child restraint system, be sure to comply with all installation instructions provided by the child restraint manufacturer. Not doing so could result in death or serious injury to children in a sudden stop or accident.