WHAT IS LATCH?
United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards have defined a new system for installing child restraints in vehicles. The system is called LATCH. LATCH stands for:
Lower Anchors and Tether for CH ildren.
LATCH in the vehicle consists of a top tether anchor point and two lower anchor points.
Some vehicle owner manuals use the term ISOFIX to identify the new child restraint anchor system. This child restraint 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 child restraint.
Check vehicle owner’s manual for vehicle top tether anchor locations. They may be identified using one of the anchor symbols(Fig. b or Fig. c).
Use vehicle belt (not LATCH connectors) for installations with children weighing more than 48 pounds (21.7 kg).
NOTE: Some vehicle manufacturers have lower maximum weight ratings for LATCH anchors, so you must consult your vehicle owner’s manual or call the vehicle manufacturer to confirm the limits on your vehicle’s LATCH anchors.
