Buick Enclave: Where to Put the Restraint. Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH System). Replacing LATCH System Parts After a Crash
Where to Put the Restraint
According to accident statistics, children and infants are safer when they are properly restrained in a child restraint system or infant restraint system installed in a rear seating position.
It is recommended that children and child restraints be secured in a rear seat whenever possible. This includes infants or children riding in rear-facing child restraints, children riding in forward-facing child seats, older children using booster seats, and children who are large enough to use safety belts correctly.
► A label on the sun visor states, “Never put a rear-facing child restraint in the front.” This warning is provided because the risk to a rear-facing child is extremely high if the passenger airbag deploys.
WARNING
A child in a rear-facing child restraint can be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger airbag inflates.
This is because the back of the rear-facing child restraint would be positioned very close to the inflating airbag. A child in a forward-facing child restraint can also be seriously injured or killed if the right front passenger airbag inflates and the passenger seat is positioned too far forward.
Even if the passenger sensing system has turned off the right front passenger frontal airbag, no system is fail-safe. No one can guarantee that an airbag will not deploy under an unusual circumstance, even when it is shown as off.
Secure rear-facing child restraints in a rear seat, even if the airbag is off. If a forward-facing child restraint must be secured in the right front seat of the Buick Enclave, always move the front passenger seat as far rearward as it will go. It is better to secure the child restraint in a rear seat.
See Passenger Sensing System for additional information.
When securing a child restraint in a rear seating position, study the instructions supplied with the child restraint to make sure it is compatible with this vehicle and with the seating position selected.
Child restraints and booster seats vary greatly in size, shape, and installation requirements. Some restraints may fit certain seating positions better than others, so always confirm that the restraint can be installed securely before placing a child in it.
Depending on where the child restraint is installed and how large it is, you may not be able to access nearby safety belt assemblies or LATCH anchors for additional passengers or other child restraints. Adjacent seating positions should not be used if the child restraint blocks access to the safety belt or interferes with proper belt routing.
Wherever a child restraint is installed in the Buick Enclave, make sure it is secured correctly, checked for movement, and positioned according to both the restraint instructions and the vehicle information.
Remember that an unsecured child restraint can move around in a collision or sudden stop and injure occupants in the vehicle. Secure every child restraint properly, even when it is empty.
Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH System)
The LATCH system is designed to hold a compatible child restraint securely during normal driving and to help manage restraint movement in a crash.
This system is intended to make child restraint installation more direct and more consistent when the child restraint and the vehicle seating position are equipped for LATCH use.
The LATCH system uses built-in anchors in the vehicle and matching attachments on the child restraint. These parts are specifically designed to work together as part of a child restraint installation.
Make sure that any LATCH-compatible child restraint is installed correctly using the appropriate anchors. If the LATCH system is not used, secure the restraint with the vehicle safety belts, following the instructions supplied with the child restraint and the instructions provided in this manual.
When installing a child restraint that uses a top tether, the top tether must be used together with either the lower anchors or the vehicle safety belt. A child restraint must never be attached using only the top tether and its anchor.
To use the LATCH system in the Buick Enclave, the child restraint must be equipped with LATCH attachments. The child restraint manufacturer provides the required instructions for using the restraint, its lower attachments, and its top tether correctly.
The following information explains how to attach a child restraint using these attachments in the vehicle.
Not every seating position has lower anchors, and not every child restraint has lower attachments. Likewise, some seating positions or restraints may not include top tether anchors or top tether attachments.
Lower Anchors
Lower anchors (A) are metal bars built into the vehicle seat structure.
Each LATCH seating position that accepts a child restraint with lower attachments (B) has two lower anchors. These anchors provide the connection points for securing the lower part of the child restraint.
Top Tether Anchor
► A top tether (A, C) secures the upper portion of the child restraint to the vehicle. The top tether anchor is built into the vehicle, and the top tether attachment (B) on the child restraint connects to that anchor. This helps reduce forward movement and rotation of the child restraint during driving, sudden stops, or a crash.
Your child restraint may use either a single tether (A) or a dual tether (C). Either style uses one attachment point (B) to connect the tether to the anchor.
Some child restraints with top tethers are designed so the tether may be used when available, while others require the top tether to be attached every time the restraint is installed.
In Canada, forward-facing child restraints are required by law to use a top tether, and the tether must be attached. Always read and follow the child restraint manufacturer’s instructions.
Lower Anchor and Top Tether Anchor Locations
Second Row — Bucket
(Top Tether Anchor): Seating positions with top tether anchors.
(Lower Anchor): Seating positions with two lower anchors.
Second Row — 60/40 Bench
(Top Tether Anchor): Seating positions with top tether anchors.
(Lower Anchor): Seating positions with two lower anchors.
Third Row
(Top Tether Anchor): Seating positions with top tether anchors.
To help locate the lower anchors, each second-row anchor position has a label near the crease between the seatback and the seat cushion.
To help locate the top tether anchors, the top tether anchor symbol is placed on the cover, if equipped, or near the anchor itself.
The top tether anchors for the second row are located at the lower rear area of the seatback for each seating position.
Second Row — Bucket Shown, Bench Similar
Some vehicles have top tether anchors with covers. Open the cover to access the anchor before attaching the tether.
Second Row — Bucket Shown, Bench Similar
Some vehicles have exposed top tether anchors that do not require opening a cover before use.
Be sure to use the anchor located on the same side of the vehicle as the seating position where the child restraint is installed.
Third Row
The third row has one top tether anchor located at the lower rear area of the center seatback. This anchor is intended for the center seating position only. Never attach two top tethers to the same top tether anchor.
Do not secure a child restraint in any position without a top tether anchor if national or local law requires the top tether to be attached, or if the instructions supplied with the child restraint state that the top tether must be used.
According to accident statistics, children and infants are safer when they are properly restrained in a child restraint system or infant restraint system secured in a rear seating position. See Where to Put the Restraint for additional information.
Securing a Child Restraint Designed for the LATCH System
WARNING
If a LATCH-type child restraint is not attached to the anchors correctly, the restraint may not protect the child as intended. In a crash, the child could be seriously injured or killed. Install a LATCH-type child restraint properly using the anchors, or secure the restraint with the vehicle safety belts, following both the child restraint instructions and the instructions in this manual.
WARNING
Do not attach more than one child restraint to a single anchor.
Attaching more than one child restraint to one anchor could cause the anchor or attachment to loosen, deform, or break during a crash. A child or other occupants could be injured. To reduce the risk of serious or fatal injuries, attach only one child restraint to each anchor.
WARNING
Children can be seriously injured or strangled if a shoulder belt wraps around their neck and the safety belt continues to tighten. Buckle unused safety belts behind the child restraint so children cannot reach them.
After the child restraint has been installed, pull the shoulder belt all the way out of the retractor to set the lock, if the vehicle is equipped with this feature.
Notice: Do not allow LATCH attachments to rub against the vehicle’s safety belts. Rubbing can damage the belts, the attachments, or both. If needed, move buckled safety belts away from the LATCH attachments to prevent contact.
Do not fold an empty rear seat while a safety belt is buckled.
This could damage the safety belt or the seat. Before folding the seat, unbuckle the safety belt and return it to its stowed position.
1. Attach and tighten the lower attachments to the lower anchors. If the child restraint does not have lower attachments, or if the selected seating position does not have lower anchors, secure the child restraint with the top tether and the vehicle safety belts. Always follow the child restraint manufacturer’s instructions and the instructions in this manual.
1.1. Locate the lower anchors for the seating position where the child restraint will be installed.
1.2. Recline the seatback to the fully reclined position.
Before placing the child restraint on the seat, make sure the second-row bench seatbacks are aligned at the same angle. For the third row, make sure both bench seatbacks are upright before positioning the child restraint.
1.3. Place the child restraint on the seat.
1.4. Attach and tighten the lower attachments on the child restraint to the lower anchors.
2. If the child restraint manufacturer recommends or requires the use of the top tether, attach and tighten the top tether to the appropriate top tether anchor, if the vehicle has one.
Refer to the child restraint instructions and follow these steps:
2.1. Locate the top tether anchor.
2.2. If the anchor has a cover, flip the cover open to expose the anchor.
2.3. Route, attach, and tighten the top tether according to the child restraint instructions and the routing guidance below.
If the seating position does not have a headrest or head restraint and a single tether is being used, route the tether over the seatback.
If the seating position does not have a headrest or head restraint and a dual tether is being used, route the tether over the seatback.
If the seating position has a fixed headrest or head restraint and a dual tether is being used, route the tether around the headrest or head restraint.
If the seating position has a fixed headrest or head restraint and a single tether is being used, route the tether over the headrest or head restraint.
3. Before placing a child in the child restraint, confirm that the restraint is held securely in place. To check the installation in the Buick Enclave, grasp the child restraint at the LATCH path and try to move it side to side and forward and rearward. For proper installation, the restraint should not move more than 2.5 cm (1 in).
Replacing LATCH System Parts After a Crash
WARNING
A crash can damage the LATCH system in the vehicle.
► A damaged LATCH system may not secure a child restraint properly. If the system cannot hold the restraint as designed, a child could be seriously injured or killed in a later crash.
To help confirm that the LATCH system is still safe to use after a crash, have the vehicle inspected by your dealer. Any damaged or required LATCH system parts should be replaced as soon as possible.
If the Buick Enclave has the LATCH system and it was being used during a crash, new LATCH system components may be required before another child restraint is installed.
Repairs or replacement parts may also be necessary even if the LATCH system was not being used at the time of the crash, because crash forces can affect anchors, seat structures, or related mounting points.
