Toyota bZ4X Owner's Manual: Riding with Children in Your Toyota bZ4X

Ensuring the safety of children while riding in your Toyota bZ4X requires careful attention to seating positions, restraint systems, and vehicle features designed to prevent accidents. Following these precautions helps minimize risks and creates a secure environment for young passengers.

Key Safety Precautions:

• Children should always sit in the rear seats to avoid accidental contact with controls such as the steering wheel, wiper switch, or other operational elements.
• Activate the rear door child-protector lock or window lock switch to prevent children from accidentally opening doors or operating power windows while the vehicle is in motion.
• Do not allow small children to operate features such as power windows, the hood, back door, or seat adjustments, as these could result in pinched fingers or other injuries.

WARNING: When Children Are in the Vehicle

• Never leave children unattended inside the Toyota bZ4X. Never allow them to handle the vehicle key, as they may accidentally start the vehicle or shift it into neutral.
• Children may injure themselves by playing with windows, switches, or other features. Additionally, excessive heat or freezing temperatures inside a parked vehicle can be fatal.

Child Restraint Systems

Before installing a child restraint system, review the guidelines outlined in the vehicle manual. Different child restraint systems exist, each requiring specific installation methods to ensure proper function.

• Always use a child restraint system when traveling with a small child who cannot safely use a seat belt.
• For maximum safety, install child restraint systems in the rear seats.
• Carefully follow the installation instructions provided in the child restraint system manual.

Child Restraint System Installation Methods:

• Secure using a seat belt.
• Attach using child restraint LATCH anchors.
• Use an anchor bracket (for top tether straps) when required.

Legal Considerations

• All 50 U.S. states and Canada legally require the use of child restraint systems.
• Follow all warnings, laws, and regulations regarding child restraint systems.
• Select a child restraint system that fits both your Toyota bZ4X and the child's age and size requirements.

WARNING: Child Passenger Safety

• A properly restrained child is far more protected in the event of an accident or sudden stop. Use either a correctly worn seat belt or an appropriately installed child restraint system.
• Toyota strongly urges using a child restraint system that conforms to the child's weight and size requirements, installed in the rear seat. Accident data suggests that children are significantly safer when seated in the rear than in the front.
• Holding a child in your arms does not provide sufficient protection. In an accident, the child may be crushed against the windshield or between the person holding them and the vehicle's interior.

Your Toyota bZ4X is equipped with safety systems designed to protect passengers, but proper usage of child restraints and adherence to recommended guidelines are crucial to maintaining a secure environment for younger occupants. Regular inspections and safety checks help ensure the integrity of restraint systems and overall vehicle safety.

Handling the Child Restraint System in Your Toyota bZ4X

Ensuring that the child restraint system is properly installed and maintained is essential for safety while traveling in your Toyota bZ4X. Incorrect installation or improper handling can lead to severe injuries or fatalities in the event of sudden braking, swerving, or a collision.

Key Safety Precautions:

• If the vehicle experiences a strong impact from an accident, the child restraint system may sustain hidden damage. In such cases, do not reuse the system-replace it to ensure continued effectiveness.
• Always follow the installation instructions provided by the child restraint system manufacturer. Secure the system properly to maximize protection in an emergency.
• Even when not in use, keep the child restraint system securely fastened to the seat to prevent movement. Never store the system unsecured within the passenger compartment, as it could become a hazard in the event of a sudden stop.
• If removal of the child restraint system is necessary, either take it out of the vehicle or store it securely in the luggage compartment to prevent it from shifting while driving.

Maintaining Proper Child Safety in the Toyota bZ4X

Your Toyota bZ4X is designed to accommodate advanced safety technologies, but proper child restraint system usage remains a critical factor in overall protection. Regular inspections of the child restraint system and correct installation ensure optimal security for younger passengers. Always prioritize safety when traveling with children to create a secure driving environment.

Child restraint system

Types of child restraint system installation methods

Confirm with the operation manual enclosed with the child restraint system about the installation of the child restraint system.

Installation method

Seat belt attachment

Child restraint LATCH anchors attachment

Anchor brackets (for top tether strap) attachment

Using a Child Restraint System in Your Toyota bZ4X

For maximum safety, always install a child restraint system in the rear seats. However, if placing the restraint in the front passenger seat is unavoidable, follow these adjustments to ensure proper installation and protection.

• Adjust the seatback to the most upright position to provide maximum stability.
• Move the front seat fully rearward. If the seat height is adjustable, raise it to the highest position.
• If the head restraint obstructs installation and can be removed, detach it. If removal is not possible, position it at its highest setting.

Correct installation of a child restraint system ensures that young passengers remain secure, minimizing risks in sudden stops or collisions. The Toyota bZ4X is designed with advanced safety features, but proper restraint use is essential for child protection.

WARNING

Child Restraint System Safety in Your Toyota bZ4X

To ensure maximum safety when using a child restraint system in your Toyota bZ4X, follow these precautions carefully. Improper installation or use may lead to serious injury or death in the event of an accident.

• Never install a rear-facing child restraint system on the front passenger seat. Even if the "AIR BAG OFF" indicator light is illuminated, placing a rear-facing child seat in the front passenger seat can be extremely dangerous. The force of airbag deployment in a collision may cause severe injury or fatal consequences.
• Only use a forward-facing child restraint system in the front passenger seat when absolutely necessary. If possible, always install child restraints in the rear seats, as they provide better protection. Additionally, child restraint systems requiring a top tether strap should not be installed in the front passenger seat, as there is no anchor point available.
• Properly adjust the front passenger seat when installing a forward-facing child restraint system.
  • Move the seat to the rearmost position.
  • Adjust the seatback to the most upright position.
  • If the head restraint interferes with the installation and can be removed, detach it. Otherwise, raise the head restraint to its highest position.

The Toyota bZ4X is designed with advanced safety measures to protect passengers, but correct placement and installation of child restraint systems are essential for ensuring optimal protection. Always refer to the child restraint system manual for specific installation guidelines and conduct regular safety checks to maintain secure positioning.

WARNING

Child Safety Around Airbag Deployment Zones in Your Toyota bZ4X

To ensure maximum safety for children riding in the Toyota bZ4X, avoid allowing them to lean against areas where SRS side airbags or SRS curtain shield airbags deploy. Even when seated in a child restraint system, improper positioning near these airbag zones can be extremely hazardous.

• Do not allow a child to rest their head or any part of their body against the door, seat, front or rear pillars, or roof side rails, as these are potential airbag deployment areas.
• In the event of an accident, airbag inflation occurs with significant force, and contact with a rapidly inflating airbag can result in severe injury or fatal consequences.

The Toyota bZ4X incorporates advanced safety systems designed to protect passengers, but correct seating posture remains essential for child safety. Ensuring children remain properly positioned within their child restraint system and away from airbag deployment areas minimizes the risk of injury during sudden impacts.

Proper Booster Seat and Child Restraint System Use in Your Toyota bZ4X

Ensuring that children are properly secured in the Toyota bZ4X is essential for their safety. When using a booster seat or child restraint system, follow these precautions to maintain proper positioning and secure installation.

• When a booster seat is installed, make sure the shoulder belt is positioned correctly-across the center of the child's shoulder. The belt must not be too close to the neck, but should also not fall off the shoulder.
• Always use a child restraint system that is appropriate for the child’s age and size, and install it in the rear seat for maximum protection.
• If the driver’s seat interferes with the installation of the child restraint system and prevents it from being properly attached, position the system on the right-hand rear seat to ensure a secure fit.

Following these guidelines ensures that child passengers remain safely secured in the Toyota bZ4X, reducing the risk of injury in the event of sudden braking or an accident.

• Adjust the front passenger seat so that it does not interfere with the child restraint system.

Child restraint system fixed with a seat belt

A child restraint system for a small child or baby must itself be properly restrained on the seat with the lap portion of the lap/shoulder belt.

Installing child restraint system using a seat belt (child restraint lock function belt)

Install the child restraint system in accordance to the operation manual enclosed with the child restraint system.

Rear-facing - Infant seat/convertible seat

1. Adjust the rear seat.

If there is a gap between the child restraint system and the seatback, adjust the seatback angle until good contact is achieved.

2. Place the child restraint system on the rear seat facing the rear of the vehicle.

3. Run the seat belt through the child restraint system and insert the plate into the buckle. Make sure that the belt is not twisted.

4. Fully extend the shoulder belt and allow it to retract to put it in lock mode. In lock mode, the belt cannot be extended.

5. While pushing the child restraint system down into the rear seat, allow the shoulder belt to retract until the child restraint system is securely in place.

After the shoulder belt has retracted to a point where there is no slack in the belt, pull the belt to check that it cannot be extended.

6. After installing the child restraint system, rock it back and forth to ensure that it is installed securely.

Forward-facing - Convertible seat

1. Adjust the seat.

When using the front passenger seat: If installing the child restraint system to the front passenger seat is unavoidable, for front passenger seat adjustment.

When using the rear seat: If there is a gap between the child restraint system and the seatback, adjust the seatback angle until good contact is achieved.

2. If the head restraint interferes with the child restraint system installation and the head restraint can be removed, remove the head restraint.

3. Place the child restraint system on the seat facing the front of the vehicle.

4. Run the seat belt through the child restraint system and insert the plate into the buckle. Make sure that the belt is not twisted.

5. Fully extend the shoulder belt and allow it to retract to put it in lock mode. In lock mode, the belt cannot be extended.

6. While pushing the child restraint system into the rear seat, allow the shoulder belt to retract until the child restraint system is securely in place.

After the shoulder belt has retracted to a point where there is no slack in the belt, pull the belt to check that it cannot be extended.

7. If the child restraint has a top tether strap, follow the child restraint manufacturer's operation manual regarding the installation, using the top tether strap to latch onto the top tether strap anchor.
8. After installing the child restraint system, rock it back and forth to ensure that it is installed securely

Booster seat

1. If installing the child restraint system to the front passenger seat is unavoidable, for front passenger seat adjustment
2. High back type: If the head restraint interferes with your child restraint system, and the head restraint can be removed, remove the head restraint.

3. Place the child restraint system on the seat facing the front of the vehicle.

Booster type

High back type

4. Sit the child in the child restraint system. Fit the seat belt to the child restraint system according to the manufacturer's instructions and insert the plate into the buckle. Make sure that the belt is not twisted.

Check that the shoulder belt is correctly positioned over the child's shoulder and that the lap belt is as low as possible.

Removing a Child Restraint System Installed with a Seat Belt

Properly removing a child restraint system in your Toyota bZ4X ensures safety and prevents accidental rebound from the seat cushion.

• Press the buckle release button and allow the seat belt to retract fully.
• While releasing the buckle, hold down the child restraint system to prevent it from springing up due to seat cushion rebound.
• Since the seat belt automatically reels itself, guide it back slowly into the stowing position to prevent sudden snapping.

By carefully following these steps, you can safely remove the child restraint system while maintaining proper seat belt function in your Toyota.

WARNING

Child Restraint System Installation Precautions

Proper installation of a child restraint system is essential for ensuring passenger safety in your Toyota bZ4X. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in serious injury or death.

• Never allow children to play with the seat belt. If the belt becomes twisted around a child’s neck, it may lead to choking or severe injury. If the buckle cannot be released, use scissors to cut the belt immediately.
• Ensure that the seat belt and latch plate are securely locked and not twisted during installation.
• Shake the child restraint system side to side and forward and backward to verify that it is securely installed.
• Once the child restraint system is secured, do not adjust the seat position, as this may compromise stability.
• When using a booster seat, always position the shoulder belt correctly-across the center of the child’s shoulder. Avoid placing the belt too close to the neck or too loosely where it could slip off.
• Follow all installation instructions provided by the child restraint system manufacturer to ensure proper placement and security.
• In certain rear seating positions, securing a child restraint system may interfere with neighboring seat belt usage. Always ensure the seat belt fits snugly across the shoulder and hips without affecting child restraint stability.
• If installing a child restraint system in the rear center seat, adjust both seatbacks to the same angle to maintain proper security and stability.

Booster Seat Installation Considerations

• When securing a booster seat, avoid fully extending the shoulder belt, as this may activate Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode, preventing normal belt movement and potentially causing discomfort or injury.

Do Not Use a Seat Belt Extender for Child Restraints

Using a seat belt extender when installing a child restraint system can prevent the seat belt from securely holding the restraint. This may lead to serious injury or death in the event of sudden braking, swerving, or an accident.

Ensuring correct installation and proper seating positions enhances overall passenger safety in the Toyota bZ4X. Always follow manufacturer guidelines and conduct regular checks to maintain restraint effectiveness.