50 Child safety
The retainer strap is used to reduce forwards movements of the safety seat
in a crash, helping reduce the risk of injuries to the head from hitting the
inside of the vehicle.
It is foreseen that an EU Directive will introduce requirements related to the
retention of child restraint systems by means of ISOFIX and Top Tether an-
chorages (probably compulsory for new types from 2010), which will entail
improved retention of the child restraint seat and less head movement in
case of frontal collisions.
Use of retainer straps on rear-facing seats
At present there are very few rear-facing child safety seats fitted with a re-
tainer strap. Please carefully read and follow the safety seat manufacturer's
instructions for information on how to install the retainer strap properly.
WARNING
An undue installation of the safety seat will increase the risk of injury in
the event of a crash.
●Never tie the retainer strap to a hook in the luggage compartment.
●Never secure or tie luggage or other items to the lower anchorages
(ISOFIX) or the upper ones (Top Tether).
Fitting the Top Tether child restraint to the anchoring point
Fig. 28 Retainer strap:
correct adjustment and
fitting
Securing the Top Tether child restraint to the anchor point situated
on the rear of the backrest
–Pull out the fastening belt of the child restraint seat according
to the manufacturer's instructions.
–Guide the Top Tether fastening belt under the rear seat head re-
straint ⇒ Fig. 28 (lift the head restraint where necessary).
–Slide the belt so that the Top Tether belt of the child restraint
seat is correctly secured to the anchor on the back of the rear
seat.
–Firmly tighten the Top Tether belt following the child restraint
seat manufacturer's instructions.
Releasing the retaining strap
–Release the retainer strap in line with the instructions given by
the child safety seat manufacturer.
