|
Page 8 of 11
Where on my vehicle are the tether attachments?
Tether anchors must be installed in at least 2 rear-seating positions in all vehicles manufactured after September 1, 1999.
In vehicles with at least 3 rear-seating positions, tether anchors are required in 3 rear-seating positions. SUVs with only 3 rear-seating positions made from model year 2000 through 2004 are not required to have a center tether anchor, although some offer retrofit kits. Many vehicles with more than 3 rear-seating positions unfortunately have only the 3 required tether anchors. Diagram courtesy of Safeguard.
Location of the tether anchor varies depending on vehicle. This list is not all inclusive, but instead is meant to highlight the variability of locations for tether anchors. Please read your vehicle owners manual to learn where the tether anchors are, as they are VERY EASILY confused with other components of your car NOT appropriate for use as tether anchors.
- Convertibles: Convertibles are not required to have tether anchors, although some provide them. When available, they're often for the front passenger seat since the back seat (if present) is frequently too small for a child restraint. If the back seat is large enough, the vehicle will usually have tether anchors for the rear seats.
- Hatchbacks: Often on the back of the vehicle seat or on the back wall of the vehicle directly below the opening of the trunk door.
- Minivans: The tether anchors are usually located on the floor directly behind the vehicle seats, on the back of the vehicle seat, or underneath the seat. It can look very similar to a cargo hook/tie down; be sure that you use the tether anchor, as only it can withstand the amount of force present in a crash. In some minivans, the tether anchors for the third row seats are located on the rear door frame, either above or below the opening. Since minivans have more than 3 rear-seating positions, it's often the case that some positions don't have tether anchors (since only 3 positions are required to have them). Sometimes it's possible to have the dealership install anchors in seating positions where it did not come factory installed. Read your owner's manual to find out if your vehicle allows for this.
- Pick Up Trucks: If the back seat is non-existent, has side-facing jump seats, or is deemed too small to accomodate a child restraint, then the anchors are usually for the front passenger seat. Anchors for the rear seat in larger pickups are on the back wall of the cab below the rear window or behind the vehicle seat back. Some of the anchors are webbing loops (made of a safety belt-like material.)
- Sedans: Usually on the rear-windshield shelf. Occasionally in the trunk (on the underside of the rear-windshield shelf)
- SUVs: Tether anchors are often located on the back of the rear seat or on the floor in the cargo area directly behind the rear seat. They can look very similar to a cargo hook/tie-down, so be careful that you use the tether anchor, as only it can withstand the amount of force created in a crash. In some SUV's the tether anchor is located on the rear door frame, either above or below the opening. Since these vehicles often have more than 3 rear-seating positions, it's often the case that some positions do not have a tether anchor, as only 3 positions are required to have the anchors. Sometimes it's possible to have the dealership install anchors in some of the seating positons where they did not come factory installed. Read your owner's manual to find out if your vehicle allows for this.
- Wagons: Tether anchors are often located on the back of the rear seat or on the floor in the cargo area directly behind the rear seat. Anchors can look very similar to cargo hooks/tie-downs; be careful that you use the tether anchor, as only it can withstand the amount of force created in a crash. In some wagons, the tether anchor is located on the rear door frame, either above or below the opening.
|
The LATCH System 
