Safety 1st Alpha Omega Elite - Manual (Page 17)

Vehicle Belts
If LATCH is not an option,
you must use the vehicle
seat belt system to install
the child restraint. There
are some vehicle belts that
will not work with a child
restraint or will require special attention.
See next page and check your vehicle’s owner’s manual for
specific instructions.
D. General Vehicle Installation
The LATCH System
LATCH (Lower Anchors and
Tethers for CHildren) is a
universal system for installing
child restraints without using
vehicle seat belts.
The LATCH system can ONLY
be used in vehicles that have
the LATCH anchor bars installed and designated LATCH seating
positions. Most vehicles manufactured after September 2002 are
equipped with LATCH.
Check your vehicle owner’s manual to see which seating
positions may be equipped with the LATCH system.
D-3 Choosing LATCH or Vehicle Belts
LATCH Anchor Bars
Do not use both the LATCH belt and vehicle
belt at the same time.
Not all vehicle belts will work with this child restraint. This
child restraint must be tightly locked in place at all times,
during travel. You must determine if your vehicles belts are
compatible with this child restraint.
Vehicle Belts
• Automatic/Passive vehicle seat belts
You MUST have a lap belt to install any child restraint. An
automatic (passive) shoulder belt may or may not have a
separate lap belt. Consult your vehicle owner’s manual.
• Vehicle belts in center of the
door or side panel
You must move the child restraint to
another seating location. Consult your
vehicle owner’s manual.
• Vehicle belts that are in front of
the seat bight
You may need to move the child
restraint to another seating location.
Consult your vehicle owner’s manual.
• ELR (Emergency Locking
Retractor) vehicle belts
These lap and shoulder belts only lock in a sudden stop or
crash, and do not properly secure a child restraint alone.
Consult your vehicle owner’s manual.
To learn if you have this type of belt,
gently pull the belt all the way out
of the retractor (spool), let it return
several inches, then pull on it again. If
it moves freely, it is an ELR belt. If it is locked and will not
allow any more belt to come out, it is a switchable retractor.
If you have an ELR lap and shoulder belt, review the “Vehicle
Latch Plate” section to see if you need a locking clip.
continued on next page. 32
D-4 Knowing Your Vehicle Belts
Review your vehicle’s owner manual for vehicle seat belt use
with child restraints. This is your best source for information
concerning your vehicle.
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ELR lap-only belts MUST NOT be used with
this child restraint.