Lexus RX (RX 350L, RX450h) 2016-2024 Owners Manual: Child restraint systems

Before installing a child restraint system in the vehicle, there are precautions that need to be observed, different types of child restraint systems, as well as installation methods, etc., written in this manual.

Use a child restraint system when riding with a small child that cannot properly use a seat belt. For the child's safety, install the child restraint system to a rear seat. Be sure to follow the installation method that is in the operation manual enclosed with the restraint system.

Table of contents

Points to remember
Child restraint system
When using a child restraint system
Child restraint system installation method

• Fixed with a seat belt
• Fixed with a child restraint LATCH anchor
• Using an anchor bracket (for top tether strap)

Points to remember

The laws of all 50 states of the U.S.A. as well as Canada now require the use of child restraint systems.

• Prioritize and observe the warnings, as well as the laws and regulations for child restraint systems.
• Use a child restraint system until the child becomes large enough to properly wear the vehicle's seat belt.
• Choose a child restraint system that suits your vehicle and is appropriate to the age and size of the child.

WARNING

■When a child is riding Observe the following precautions.

Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.

• For effective protection in automobile accidents and sudden stops, a child must be properly restrained, using a seat belt or child restraint system which is correctly installed. For installation details, refer to the operation manual enclosed with the child restraint system. General installation instruction is provided in this manual.
• Lexus strongly urges the use of a proper child restraint system that conforms to the weight and size of the child, installed on the rear seat. According to accident statistics, the child is safer when properly restrained in the rear seat than in the front seat.
• Holding a child in your or someone else's arms is not a substitute for a child restraint system. In an accident, the child can be crushed against the windshield or between the holder and the interior of the vehicle.

■ Handling the child restraint system If the child restraint system is not properly fixed in place, the child or other passengers may be seriously injured or even killed in the event of sudden braking, sudden swerving, or an accident.

• If the vehicle were to receive a strong impact from an accident, etc., it is possible that the child restraint system has damage that is not readily visible. In such cases, do not reuse the restraint system.
• Make sure you have complied with all installation instructions provided with the child restraint system manufacturer and that the system is properly secured.
• Keep the child restraint system properly secured on the seat even if it is not in use. Do not store the child restraint system unsecured in the passenger compartment.
• If it is necessary to detach the child restraint system, remove it from the vehicle or store it securely in the luggage compartment.

Child restraint system

■ Types of child restraint system installation methods Confirm with the operation manual enclosed with the child restraint system about the installation of the child restraint system.

Installation method
Seat belt attachment
Child restraint LATCH anchors attachment
Anchor brackets (for top tether strap) attachment	Second-row seats (RX450h) Second-row seats (RX450hL) Third-row seats

When using a child restraint system

■ When installing a child restraint system to a front passenger seat For the safety of a child, install child restraint systems to second-row seats.

When installing child restraint system to a front passenger seat is unavoidable, adjust the seat as follows and install the child restraint system.

• Raise the seatback as much as possible
• Move the seat to the rearmost position
• Raise the seat to the highest position
• If the head restraint interferes with the installation of the child restraint system, and the head restraint can be removed, remove the head restraint
  If the head restraint cannot be removed, raise it to the uppermost position.

WARNING

■When using a child restraint system Observe the following precautions.

Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.

• Never install a rear-facing child restraint system on the front passenger seat even if the "AIR BAG OFF" indicator light is illuminated. In the event of an accident, the force of the rapid inflation of the front passenger airbag can cause death or serious injury to the child if the rear-facing child restraint system is installed on the front passenger seat.
• A forward-facing child restraint system may be installed on the front passenger seat only when it is unavoidable. A child restraint system that requires a top tether strap should not be used in the front passenger seat since there is no top tether strap anchor for the front passenger seat.

WARNING

■When using a child restraint system

• A forward-facing child restraint system may be installed on the front passenger seat only when it is unavoidable. When installing a forward-facing child restraint system on the front passenger seat, raise the seatback as much as possible, move the seat to the rearmost position, and raise the seat to the highest position, even if the "AIR BAG OFF" indicator light is illuminated.
  If the head restraint interferes with the installation of the child restraint system, and the head restraint can be removed, remove the head restraint.

  If the head restraint cannot be removed, raise it to the uppermost position.

• Do not allow the child to lean his/her head or any part of his/her body against the door or the area of the seat, front or rear pillars, or roof side rails from which the SRS side airbags or SRS curtain shield airbags deploy even if the child is seated in the child restraint system. It is dangerous if the SRS side airbags and curtain shield airbags inflate, and the impact could cause death or serious injury to the child.

• When a booster seat is installed, always ensure that the shoulder belt is positioned across the center of the child's shoulder. The belt should be kept away from the child's neck, but not so that it could fall off the child's shoulder.
• Use child restraint system suitable to the age and size of the child and install it to the rear seat.
• If the driver's seat interferes with the child restraint system and prevents it from being attached correctly, attach the child restraint system to the right-hand rear seat.
• Adjust the front passenger seat so that it does not interfere with the child restraint system.

• Child restraint system fixed with a seat belt
• Child restraint system fixed with a child restraint LATCH anchor
• Using an anchor bracket (for top tether strap)