Mitsubishi Outlander: Child safety

WARNING

• Do not allow children to play with the seat belts. Most seating positions are equipped with seat belts that include an Automatic Locking Retractor [ALR] mode. If a belt becomes wrapped around a child's neck while ALR mode is active, the retractor may continue tightening the webbing and cause serious injury or death. This can happen even when the Mitsubishi Outlander is parked. Unfasten the seat belt immediately to release the child. If the buckle cannot be released, or if the belt is already unbuckled but remains tight, cut the webbing with a suitable tool, such as a knife or scissors, to free the child as quickly as possible.

Children need adults to help protect them.

In addition to the general guidance provided in this manual, reliable child passenger safety information is available from doctors, teachers, government traffic safety agencies and community organizations. Every child develops differently, so parents and caregivers should determine the safest and most suitable way to transport their child in the Mitsubishi Outlander.

Child restraint systems generally fall into three basic categories:

• Rear-facing child restraint systems designed for infants and younger children.
• Forward-facing child restraint systems for children who have outgrown a rear-facing restraint.
• Booster seats that help position the vehicle's lap and shoulder belt correctly on a larger child.

The correct restraint depends primarily on the child's size and stage of development. Infants up to approximately 1 year old should generally travel in a rear-facing child restraint. Forward-facing restraints are intended for children who have outgrown the limits of a rear-facing seat and are at least 2 years old. A booster seat is used when a child has outgrown a forward-facing restraint but is still too small for the Mitsubishi Outlander lap and shoulder belt to fit correctly without assistance.

WARNING

• Infants and children require protection designed specifically for their smaller bodies.

  The vehicle's seat belts may not fit them correctly. The shoulder belt may pass too close to the face or neck, while the lap belt may rest across the abdomen instead of lying low on the child's hip bones.

  During a collision, a poorly fitting seat belt can apply force to vulnerable areas of the body and cause serious or fatal injuries.

  Always secure infants and children in an approved child restraint that is appropriate for their size.

All U.S. states and Canadian provinces or territories require approved child restraint systems to be used for infants and small children. Drivers and caregivers are responsible for following the child passenger safety laws that apply in their location.

A child restraint can be secured in the Mitsubishi Outlander using either the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system or the vehicle seat belt, depending on the restraint design and the seating position being used. Follow the child restraint manufacturer's instructions carefully when selecting the installation method.

Mitsubishi Motors recommends that all pre-teens and children ride properly restrained in a rear seating position. Research has shown that children are generally safer when correctly secured in the rear seat than when seated in the front.

This recommendation is particularly important because the Mitsubishi Outlander is equipped with a Supplemental Restraint System, including an airbag for the front passenger seating position.

Infants

Infants should remain in a rear-facing child restraint until they are at least 1 year old and have reached the applicable height or weight limit specified by the restraint manufacturer. Mitsubishi Motors recommends selecting a rear-facing restraint that complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards or Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

Choose a child restraint that is compatible with the seating position in your Mitsubishi Outlander and suitable for the child's size. Always follow the restraint manufacturer's instructions for installation, harness adjustment, positioning and continued use.

Small children

Small children should remain in a rear-facing child restraint for as long as possible, until they reach the maximum height or weight limit specified by the child restraint manufacturer. Rear-facing travel provides support suited to a young child's developing body and should not be ended earlier than necessary.

When a child exceeds the permitted height or weight limit of the rear-facing restraint, the child should be secured in a forward-facing child restraint equipped with an internal harness. Refer to the restraint manufacturer's instructions for the applicable minimum and maximum height and weight requirements. Mitsubishi Motors recommends using child restraints that comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards or Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

Select a child restraint that fits both the child and the intended seating position in the Mitsubishi Outlander. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation, harness adjustment, positioning and continued use.

Larger children

Children should continue using a forward-facing child restraint with a harness until they reach the maximum height or weight limit established by the restraint manufacturer. Moving a child to the vehicle seat belt too early may result in poor belt positioning and reduced protection.

After a child outgrows a harness-equipped forward-facing restraint, Mitsubishi Motors recommends using a commercially available booster seat to achieve a correct lap and shoulder belt fit. The booster should raise the child high enough for the shoulder belt to cross the center of the chest and rest over the middle of the shoulder.

The shoulder belt must not cross the child's neck or face, and it should remain securely on the shoulder without slipping toward the arm.

The lap belt should fit low and snug across the child's lower hips or upper thighs rather than across the abdomen.

A booster seat may only be used in a Mitsubishi Outlander seating position equipped with a three-point lap and shoulder belt. The booster must fit the vehicle seat correctly and carry a label confirming compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards or Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

Continue using the booster seat until the child can answer yes to every part of the following seat belt fit test:

• Does the child sit with the back and hips firmly against the vehicle seatback?
• Can the child remain seated upright without slouching or sliding forward?
• Do the child's knees bend naturally over the front edge of the seat while both feet rest flat on the floor?
• Does the lap belt lie low and snug across the hips while the shoulder belt crosses the middle of the chest and shoulder?
• Can the child use the head restraint in a properly adjusted position?
• Can the child maintain the correct seating and belt position for the entire journey?

If the answer to any of these questions is no, the child should continue using a suitable booster seat together with a three-point lap and shoulder belt.

NOTE

• Child restraint requirements may vary between states, provinces, territories and local communities. Check all applicable regulations before traveling to confirm that the child is using the correct restraint system for their age, height and weight.

WARNING

• Never allow a child to stand or kneel on any seat, and never permit a child to ride in the cargo area of the Mitsubishi Outlander. A child in either position is not properly restrained and could be seriously injured or killed during sudden braking or a collision.

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