Acura MDX (2020 year). Manual in english - page 4

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Child Safety

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Safety of Infants and Small Children

Safe Driving

Safety of Infants and Small Children

An infant must be properly restrained in a rear-facing, reclining child seat until the 
infant reaches the seat manufacturer’s weight or height limit for the seat, and the 
infant is at least one year old.

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Positioning a rear-facing child seat

Child seats must be placed and secured in a 
rear seating position.

When properly installed, a rear-facing child seat may prevent the driver or a front 
passenger from moving their seat all the way back, or from locking their seat-back 
in the desired position. Make sure that there is no contact between the child seat 
and the seat in front of it.

It can also interfere with proper operation of the passenger’s advanced front airbag 
system.

2

Airbags

 P. 41

If this occurs, we recommend that you install the child seat directly behind the front 
passenger’s seat, move the seat as far forward as needed, and leave it unoccupied. 
Or, you may wish to get a smaller rear-facing child seat.

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Protecting Infants

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Protecting Infants

Many experts recommend use of a rear-facing seat 
for a child up to two years old if the child’s height and 
weight are appropriate for a rear-facing seat.

Rear-facing child seats should never be installed in a 
forward-facing position.

Always refer to the child seat manufacturer’s 
instructions before installation.

Do not allow a front seat to rest against a child seat 
installed in a rear seating position:
The weight sensor in the front seat may not correctly 
detect the actual weight of the occupant.

3

WARNING

Placing a rear-facing child seat in the front 
seat can result in serious injury or death 
during a crash.

Always place a rear-facing child seat in the 
rear seat, not the front.

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Safety of Infants and Small Children

Safe Driving

If a child is at least one year old and has exceeded the weight and height limitations 
of a rearward-facing child seat, the child should be properly restrained in a firmly 
secured forward-facing child seat until they exceed the weight and height 
limitations for the forward-facing child seat.

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Forward-facing child seat placement

We strongly recommend placing a forward-
facing child seat in a rear seating position.

Placing a forward-facing child seat in the front seat can be hazardous, even with 
advanced front airbags that automatically turn the passenger’s front airbag off. A 
rear seat is the safest place for a child.

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Protecting Smaller Children

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Protecting Smaller Children

Educate yourself about the laws and regulations 
regarding child seat use where you are driving, and 
follow the child seat manufacturer’s instructions.

3

WARNING

Placing a forward-facing child seat in the 
front seat can result in serious injury or 
death if the front airbag inflates.

If you must place a forward-facing child 
seat in front, move the vehicle seat as far 
back as possible, and properly restrain the 
child.

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Child Safety

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Safety of Infants and Small Children

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Safe Driving

Most child seats are LATCH-compatible (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren). 
Some have a rigid-type connector while others have a flexible-type connector. Both 
are equally easy to use. Some existing and previously owned child seats can only be 
installed using the seat belt. Whichever type you choose, follow the child seat 
manufacturer’s use and care instructions including recommended expiration dates 
as well as the instructions in this manual. Proper installation is key to maximizing 
your child’s safety. 

In seating positions and vehicles not equipped with LATCH, a LATCH-compatible 
child seat can be installed using the seat belt and a top tether for added security. 
This is because all child seats are required to be designed so that they can be secured 
with a lap belt or the lap part of a lap/shoulder belt. In addition, the child seat 
manufacturer may advise that a seat belt be used to attach a LATCH-compatible seat 
once a child reaches a specified weight. Please read the child seat owner’s manual 
for proper installation instructions.

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Important consideration when selecting a child seat

Make sure the child seat meets the following three requirements:

•

The child seat is the correct type and size for the child.

•

The child seat is the correct type for the seating position.

•

The child seat is compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 or 
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.

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Selecting a Child Seat

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Selecting a Child Seat

Installation of a LATCH-compatible child seat is 
simple.

LATCH-compatible child seats have been developed 
to simplify the installation process and reduce the 
likelihood of injuries caused by incorrect installation.

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Child Safety

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Safety of Infants and Small Children

Safe Driving

A LATCH-compatible child seat can be installed in the second row seats. A child seat 
is attached to the lower anchors with either the rigid or flexible type of connectors.

1.

Locate the lower anchors under the marks.

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Installing a LATCH-Compatible Child Seat

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Installing a LATCH-Compatible Child Seat

3

WARNING

Never attach two child seats to the same 
anchor. In a collision, one anchor may not 
be strong enough to hold two child seat 
attachments and may break, causing 
serious injury or death.

Models with second row captain seat

Marks

Marks

Models with second row bench seat

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Child Safety

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Safety of Infants and Small Children

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Safe Driving

2.

Place the child seat on the vehicle seat, then 
attach the child seat to the lower anchors 
according to the instructions that came 
with the child seat.

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When installing the child seat, make sure 
that the lower anchors are not 
obstructed by the seat belt or any other 
object.

Rigid Type

Lower Anchors

Flexible Type

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Installing a LATCH-Compatible Child Seat

For your child’s safety, when using a child seat 
installed using the LATCH system, make sure that the 
child seat is properly secured to the vehicle.
A child seat that is not properly secured will not 
adequately protect a child in a crash and may cause 
injury to the child or other vehicle occupants.

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Child Safety

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Safety of Infants and Small Children

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Safe Driving

Second row captain seat

3.

Put the outer head restraint to its upper-
most position, then route the tether strap 
between the head restraint legs, and secure 
the tether strap hook to the anchor. Make 
sure the strap is not twisted.

3.

Put the outer head restraint to its upper 
most position, then route the tether strap 
outside the head restraint legs, and secure 
the tether strap hook to the anchor. Make 
sure the strap is not twisted.

4.

Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the 
child seat manufacturer.

5.

Make sure the child seat is firmly secured by 
rocking it forward and back and side to 
side; little movement should be felt.

6.

Make sure any unused seat belt that a child 
can reach is buckled, the lockable retractor 
is activated, and the belt is fully retracted 
and locked.

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Protecting Child Passengers

 P. 56

Straight Top Tether Type

Tether Strap Hook

Anchor

Tether Strap Hook

Anchor

Other Top Tether Type

Straight Top Tether Type

Other Top Tether Type

All Types

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Child Safety

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Safety of Infants and Small Children

Safe Driving

Second row bench seat

3.

Put the outer head restraint to its 
uppermost position, then route the tether 
strap between the head restraint legs, and 
secure the tether strap hook to the anchor. 
Make sure the strap is not twisted.

3.

Put the outer head restraint to its upper 
most position, then route the tether strap 
outside the head restraint legs, and secure 
the tether strap hook to the anchor. Make 
sure the strap is not twisted.

3.

Put the center head restraint to its lowest 
position, then route the tether strap over 
the top of the head restraint and secure the 
tether strap hook to the anchor. Make sure 
the strap is not twisted.

Tether Strap Hook

Anchor

Straight Top Tether Type

Tether Strap Hook

Anchor

Other Top Tether Type

Outer position

Straight Top Tether Type

Outer position

Other Top Tether Type

Center position

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Safety of Infants and Small Children

Continued

Safe Driving

4.

Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the 
child seat manufacturer.

5.

Make sure the child seat is firmly secured by 
rocking it forward and back and side to 
side; little movement should be felt.

6.

Make sure any unused seat belt that a child 
can reach is buckled, the lockable retractor 
is activated, and the belt is fully retracted 
and locked.

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Protecting Child Passengers

 P. 56

All positions

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Child Safety

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Safety of Infants and Small Children

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Safe Driving

A child seat can be installed with a lap/shoulder belt in any rear seat or, if absolutely 
necessary, the front passenger seat.

1.

Place the child seat on the vehicle seat.

2.

Route the seat belt through the child seat 
according to the seat manufacturer’s 
instructions, and insert the latch plate into 
the buckle.

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Insert the latch plate fully until it clicks.

3.

Slowly pull the shoulder part of the belt all 
the way out until it stops. This activates the 
lockable retractor.

4.

Let the seat belt retract a few inches and 
check that the retractor has switched 
modes by pulling on the webbing. It should 
not pull out again until it is reset by 
removing the latch plate from the buckle.

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If you are able to pull the shoulder belt 
out, the lockable retractor is not 
activated. Slowly pull the seat belt all the 
way out, and repeat steps 3 – 4.

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Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt

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Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt

A child seat that is not properly secured will not 
adequately protect a child in a crash and may cause 
injury to the child or other vehicle occupants.

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Safety of Infants and Small Children

Safe Driving

5.

Grab the shoulder part of the seat belt near 
the buckle, and pull up to remove any slack 
from the lap part of the belt.

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When doing this, place your weight on 
the child seat and push it into the vehicle 
seat.

6.

Make sure the child seat is firmly secured by 
rocking it forward and back and side to 
side; less than one inch of movement 
should occur near the seat belt.

7.

Make sure any unused seat belt that a child 
can reach is buckled, the lockable retractor 
is activated, and the belt is fully retracted 
and locked.

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Installing a Child Seat with a Lap/Shoulder Seat Belt

To deactivate a lockable retractor, release the buckle 
and allow the seat belt to wind up all the way.

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Child Safety

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Safety of Infants and Small Children

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Safe Driving

A tether anchorage point is provided behind 
each second and third row seating position.
If you have a child seat that comes with a 
tether but can be installed with a seat belt, the 
tether may be used for additional security.

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Adding Security with a Tether

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Adding Security with a Tether

Always use a tether for forward-facing child seats 
when using the seat belt or lower anchors.

Models with second row captain seat

Tether Anchorage Points

Tether Anchorage Points

Models with second row bench seat

Tether Anchorage Points

Third row seat

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Safety of Infants and Small Children

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Safe Driving

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Using a second row anchor

1.

Put the outer head restraint to its upper-
most position, then route the tether strap 
between the head restraint legs, and secure 
the tether strap hook to the anchor. Make 
sure the strap is not twisted.

1.

Put the outer head restraint to its upper 
most position, then route the tether strap 
outside the head restraint legs, and secure 
the tether strap hook to the anchor. Make 
sure the strap is not twisted.

Models with second row captain seat

Anchor

Tether Strap Hook

Tether Strap Hook

Anchor

Other Top Tether Type

Straight Top Tether Type

Outer positions

Straight Top Tether Type

Outer positions

Other Top Tether Type

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Child Safety

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Safety of Infants and Small Children

Safe Driving

1.

Put the center head restraint to its lowest 
position, then route the tether strap over 
the top of the head restraint and secure the 
tether strap hook to the anchor. Make sure 
the strap is not twisted.

2.

Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the 
child seat manufacturer.

Anchor

Models with second row bench seat

Tether Strap Hook

Tether Strap Hook

Anchor

Other Top Tether Type

Straight Top Tether Type

Center position of second row bench seat

All positions

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Safety of Infants and Small Children

Safe Driving

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Using a third row anchor

1.

Pull up the head restraint and push 
rearwards until it latches, then route the 
tether strap through the head restraint legs. 
Make sure the strap is not twisted.

1.

Pull up the head restraint and push 
rearwards until it latches, then route the 
tether strap outside the head restraint legs. 
Make sure the strap is not twisted.

2.

Open the anchor cover.

3.

Secure the tether strap hook to the anchor.

4.

Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the 
child seat manufacturer.

Other Top Tether Type

Tether Strap Hook

Anchor

Third row seat

Straight Top Tether Type

Anchor

Tether Strap Hook

Straight Top Tether Type

Other Top Tether Type

All Types

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Child Safety

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Safety of Larger Children

Safe Driving

Safety of Larger Children

The following pages give instructions on how to check proper seat belt fit, what kind 
of booster seat to use if one is needed, and important precautions for a child who 
must sit in front.

When a child is too big for a child seat, secure the child in a rear seat using the lap/
shoulder seat belt. Have the child sit upright and all the way back, then answer the 
following questions.

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Checklist

•

Do the child’s knees bend comfortably over 
the edge of the seat?

•

Does the shoulder belt cross between the 
child’s neck and arm?

•

Is the lap part of the seat belt as low as 
possible, touching the child’s thighs?

•

Will the child be able to stay seated like this 
for the whole trip?

If you answer yes to all these questions, the child is ready to wear the lap/shoulder 
seat belt correctly. If you answer no to any question, the child needs to ride on a 
booster seat until the seat belt fits properly without a booster seat.

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Protecting Larger Children

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Checking Seat Belt Fit

1

Safety of Larger Children

3

WARNING

Allowing a child age 12 or under to sit in 
front can result in injury or death if the 
passenger’s front airbag inflates.

If a larger child must ride in front, move the 
vehicle seat as far to the rear as possible, 
have the child sit up properly and wear the 
seat belt properly, using a booster seat if 
needed.

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Safety of Larger Children

Safe Driving

If a lap/shoulder seat belt cannot be used 
properly, position the child in a booster seat in 
the rear seat. For the child’s safety, check that 
the child meets the booster seat 
manufacturer’s recommendations.

Your vehicle has a rear seat where children can be properly restrained. If you ever 
have to carry a group of children, and a child must ride in front:

•

Make sure you read and fully understand the instructions and safety information 
in this manual.

•

Move the front passenger seat as far back as possible.

•

Have the child sit upright and well back in the seat.

•

Check that the seat belt is properly positioned so that the child is secure in the 
seat.

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Monitoring child passengers

We strongly recommend that you keep an eye on child passengers. Even older, more 
mature children sometimes need to be reminded to fasten their seat belts and sit up 
properly.

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Booster Seats

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Booster Seats

When installing a booster seat, make sure to read the 
instructions that came with it, and install the seat 
accordingly.
There are high- and low-type booster seats. Choose a 
booster seat that allows the child to wear the seat 
belt correctly.

Some U.S. states and Canadian provinces and 
territories require children to use a booster seat until 
they reach a given age or weight (e.g. 6 years or 60 
lbs). Be sure to check current laws in the state or 
province, or territory where you intend to drive.

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Protecting Larger Children-Final Checks