WHAT IS LATCH?
United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards have defined a new system for installing car seats in vehicles. The system is called LATCH. LATCH stands for:
Lower Anchorage and Tether for CH ildren.
LATCH System for Vehicles:
Some vehicle owner manuals use the term ISOFIX to identify the new car seat anchorage system. This carseat with LATCH can also be used in vehicle seating positions equipped with ISOFIX.
Newer vehicles may have one or more seating positions equipped with LATCH anchor points.
If vehicle is equipped with LATCH, the vehicle lower anchor points may be visible at the vehicle seat crease. If not visible, they may be marked with a symbol (Fig. a) or a colored dot.
See your vehicle owner’s manual for exact locations, anchor identification, and requirements for use with a car seat.
LATCH is defined as anchorages 280mm (11.02 inches) on center. As a manufacturer, we do not recommend using the LATCH system in the center position if it exceeds this length.
Typical seat in a passenger vehicle. Other vehicle types may have different LATCH locations or different markings.
Vehicle
Lower Anchor
Points
Vehicle
Seat Crease
(Fig. a)
6