Kia Sorento: Securing a child restraint seat with “Tether Anchor” system

First, mount and secure the Child Restraint System firmly using either the lower LATCH anchors or the vehicle seat belt. If the child seat manufacturer specifies the use of a top tether, connect and pull the tether strap tight against the dedicated top tether anchor point.

Top tether anchors are located directly on the backside of the rear seatbacks in your Kia Sorento.

WARNING

Observe the following safety precautions when installing and tightening a top tether strap:

• Thoroughly read, understand, and comply with all specific installation steps supplied in your child seat manual.

• NEVER attach more than one top tether hook to a single tether anchor bracket. Sharing an anchor bracket can cause the mounting bolt to strain and fail in a crash.

• Do not clip the tether hook to cargo tie-down loops, luggage hooks, or any component other than the designated top tether anchor bracket. Non-approved mounting points will not hold restraint loads during an impact.

• Never use top tether anchor brackets to secure adult seat belts, occupant harnesses, or heavy cargo luggage in the rear cargo area.

• Always route and buckle unused rear seat belts behind the installed child seat to prevent loose straps from becoming a dangerous entanglement or strangulation risk to children.

To install and attach the top tether strap:

1. Route the top tether strap cleanly over the rear seatback.

   For seating positions fitted with adjustable head restraints, raise the head restraint and route the tether strap underneath the cushion, centered directly between the two metal headrest support posts. If the head restraint is non-adjustable or fixed, route the tether strap directly over the top center of the seatback frame.

2. Clip the tether hook securely onto the designated metal tether anchor bracket, then tension the strap following the child seat manufacturer’s manual until all slack is fully eliminated and the child seat is pulled snug against the seatback.
3. Verify that the child seat is rigidly locked in place by grasping the seat near the anchor path and attempting to push and pull it forward and side-to-side.