Child Safety Seats
Seat Children in Rear Seats Only
Refer to the following label fitted to the sun visor.
Suitability and Fitting of Child Restraint Systems
All Model Y seat belts are designed for adults. When seating infants and children, you must:
- Use a child restraint system appropriate for the child’s age, weight, or size (see Recommended Child Restraint Systems).
- Use a child restraint system that is appropriate for the specific seating position in Model Y. Each passenger seat in Model Y supports a broad range of options. For details on what type of child restraint system can be used in each passenger seat, see Front Passenger Seat, Second Row Outboard Seats, and Second Row Center Seat.
- Properly install the child restraint system by following the manufacturer's instructions (see Installing Belt-based Child Restraint Systems and Installing ISOFIX Child Restraint Systems for general guidelines).
Recommended Child Restraint Systems
Although all weight groups can occupy any passenger seat in Model Y, the type of child restraint system that can be used in each seat can vary. For example, only belt-based child restraint systems (as defined in Two Installation Methods) can be used in the second row center seat.
Choose a child restraint system that meets AS/NZS 1754. For more information about child seats, go to www.childcarseats.com.au. Child restraint systems purchased outside of Australia may not meet these standards.
- Do not use a child restraint system that is more than 10 years old.
- Ensure the child restraint system meets AS/NZS 1754. This information should be visible on a label affixed to the child restraint system.
- Confirm that the child restraint system was not being used in a vehicle that was involved in a collision.
- Ensure that all components (buckles, etc.) of the child restraint system operate smoothly and there are no signs of wear or damage (splits, cracks etc.).
- Ensure the harnesses on the child restraint system are not frayed, worn or damaged
- Ensure the child restraint system has an instruction manual.
Seating Larger Children
If a child is too large to fit into a child restraint system, but too small to be safely secured using the vehicle's seat belts, use a booster seat appropriate for the child’s age and size. When using and installing a booster seat, carefully follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Two Installation Methods
Among many other variants, there are two general types of child restraint systems based on how they are secured in the seat:
- Belt-based - secured using the vehicle’s seat belts (see Installing Belt-based Child Restraint Systems).
- ISOFIX - secured to anchor bars built into the vehicle's seats (see Installing ISOFIX Child Restraint Systems).
Some child restraint systems can be installed using either method. Refer to the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the child restraint system for detailed installation instructions.
In Model Y, belt-based child restraints can be installed in any rear passenger seat and ISOFIX systems can be installed in either of the second row outboard seats. Specific details about the type of child restraint system that can be used in each seat is provided next.
Front Passenger Seat
Second Row Outboard Seats
Infants and children can occupy the second row outboard seat using rear-facing belt-based or ISOFIX child restraint systems. Children can use forward-facing child restraint systems when appropriate for their weight, size, and age.
Larger children can also occupy a second row outboard seat using a booster seat, properly installed as described in the instructions provided by the child restraint system manufacturer.
Model Y is compatible with child restraint systems Type A, A2, A4, B, D, E, and F.
Second Row Center Seat
Infants can occupy the second row center seat using a rear-facing belt-based child restraint system. Children can occupy the second row center seat using either a rear-facing or a forward-facing belt-based child restraint system when appropriate for the child's weight, size, and age.
Larger children can also occupy a second row center seat using a booster seat, installed as described in the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the child restraint system.
Model Y is compatible with child restraint systems Type A, A2, A4, B, D, E, and F.
Installing Belt-based Child Restraint Systems
Always follow the detailed instructions provided by the manufacturer of the child restraint system. Follow these general guidelines for belt-based child restraint systems:
- Ensure that the child restraint system is appropriate for the weight, height, and age of the child.
- Avoid dressing the child in bulky clothing.
- Do not place any objects between the child and the child restraint system.
- Adjust the child restraint system's harnesses for every child, every trip.
- Place the child restraint system in the appropriate seat and fully extend the seat belt. Route and buckle the seat belt in accordance with the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the child restraint system.
- Allow the seat belt to retract, and remove all slack in the seat belt while firmly pushing the child restraint system into the Model Y seat.
- Attach the upper tether strap(s), as required by the manufacturer of the child restraint system (see Attaching Upper Tether Straps).
Installing ISOFIX Child Restraint Systems
Model Y's second row outboard seating positions are equipped with ISOFIX anchor bars. These anchor bars are located between the seat's cushion and back rest. The exact location of each anchor bar is identified by a marking (illustrated below) located on the seat back, directly above its associated anchor bars.
To install an ISOFIX child restraint system, carefully read and follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the child restraint system. These instructions describe how to slide the child restraint system onto the seat's anchor bars until you hear it "click" into place. You may need to push the child restraint system firmly against the seat back to ensure it fits snugly.
Adjust until the child restraint system is fitted firmly against the seat back. Ensure the child restraint system fits snugly.
Before seating a child, ensure that the child restraint system is securely installed. Grasp the front of the child restraint system with one hand on each side, and attempt to:
- Twist the child restraint system from side to side.
- Pull the child restraint system away from the seat.
If the child restraint system moves away from the seat, both latches are not fully engaged onto the seat's anchor bars. You must reinstall it and try again. It is critical that both latches on the child restraint system are fully engaged.
Safety Leg
All passenger seats Model Y support the use of a child restraint system with a safety leg. If the child restraint system is equipped with a leg, extend the leg as described in the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the child restraint system.
Attaching Upper Tether Straps
Model Y's second row seats support the use of upper tether straps. Attach its hook to the anchor point located behind the associated seat.
The anchor points for tether straps are located on the shelf behind the second row seats.
To access an anchor point, press down on the back of its cover.
For dual-strap tethers, position a strap on each side of the head support.
For single-strap tethers at the outboard seating positions, route the strap over the outside-facing side of the head support (same side of the head support as the seat belt retraction mechanism).
If routing the strap over the outside-facing side of the head support is not possible (such as there is not enough slack in the strap), raise the head support (see GUID-64C3BD83-0089-41A2-B9DD-9CDC0212D6AE.html#GUID-DA0E87B0-E1E7-4E59-A232-497BE573070C) and route the strap under the head support.
Child Restraint System Warnings
A passenger less than six months old must be restrained in a suitable and properly fastened and adjusted rear-facing approved child restraint system. A passenger six months or older, but less than four years old, must be restrained in a suitable and properly fastened and adjusted:
- rear-facing approved child restraint system; or,
- forward-facing approved child restraint system equipped with a built-in harness.
Infants and small children should ride in a rear-facing child restraint system as long as possible, until they exceed the maximum weight or height permitted by rear-facing child restraint systems.