Audi Q5: LATCH system (Lower anchorages and tethers for children)

Child Restraint System anchors and how are they related to child safety

To provide a simpler and more practicable way to attach the child restraint on the vehicle seat. Federal regulations require special lower anchorages in vehicles and devices on new child restraints to attach to the vehicle anchorages.

The combination of the tether anchorages and the lower anchorages is now generally called the LATCH system for "Lower Anchorages and Tethers for Children".

Forward-facing child restraints manufactured after September 1, 1999, are required by U.S. federal regulations to comply with new child head movement performance requirements. These new performance requirements make a tether necessary on most new child seats.

Installing a child restraint that requires a top tether without one can seriously impair the performance of the child restraint and its ability to protect the child in a collision. Installing a child restraint that requires a top tether without the top tether may be a violation of state law.

Child restraint manufacturers offer LATCH lower anchorages on their child seats with hook-on or push-on connectors attached to adjustable straps.

In addition to the LATCH lower anchorages, these child restraint systems usually require the use of tether straps to help keep the child restraint firmly in place.

WARNING

Improper installation of child restraints will increase the risk of injury and death in a crash.

• Always follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the child restraint you intend to install in your vehicle.
• Never install a child restraint without a properly attached top tether strap if the child restraint manufacturer's instructions require the top tether strap to be used.
• Improper use of child restraint LATCH lower anchorage points can lead to injury in a collision.

  The LATCH lower anchorage points are designed to withstand only those loads imposed by correctly fitted child restraints.

• Never mount two child restraint systems on one LATCH lower anchorage point.
• Never secure or attach any luggage or other item to the LATCH lower anchorages.

Tips

• In Canada, the terms "top tether" with "lower universal anchorages" (or "lower universal anchorage bars") are used to describe the system.
• In other countries, the term "ISOFIX" is used to describe the lower anchorages.

Location

Fig. 178 Schematic overview: LATCH anchorage point locations

The illustration shows the seating locations in your vehicle which are equipped with the lower anchorages system.

Description

The lower anchorage positions are marked for quick locating.

Fig. 179 Lower anchorages, covers marked

Fig. 180 Rear seats: lower anchorage bracket locations

Lower anchorages

The lower anchorage attachment points are located between the rear seatback and rear seat cushion.

Remove the covers > fig. 179 to access the lower anchorage attachment points.

The lower anchorage attachment points are visible > fig. 180.

Lower anchorages secure the child restraint in the seat without using the vehicle's safety belts.

Anchorages provide a secure and easy-to-use attachment and minimize the possibility of improper child restraint installation.

All child restraints manufactured after September 1, 2002, must have lower anchorage attachments for the LATCH system.

Remember that the lower anchorage points are only intended for installation and attachment of child restraints specifically certified for use with LATCH lower anchorages. Child restraints that are not equipped with the lower anchorage attachments can still be installed in compliance with the child restraint manufacturer's instructions on using vehicle safety belts.

WARNING

Improper use of LATCH lower anchorages can cause serious personal injury in an accident.

• Always carefully follow the child restraints manufacturer's instructions for proper installation of the child restraint and proper use of the lower anchorages or safety belts in your vehicle.
• Never secure or attach any luggage or other items to the LATCH lower anchorages,
• Always read and heed the important information about child restraints in this chapter and WARNINGS.

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