WARNING
Do not allow children to play with seat belts inside the Nissan Kicks. Most seating positions are equipped with Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) seat belts. If a seat belt becomes wrapped around a child's neck while ALR mode is activated, the belt may tighten as it retracts, creating a risk of serious injury or death. This situation can occur even when the Nissan Kicks is parked. Immediately unbuckle the belt to free the child. If the buckle cannot be released, or if the belt is already unbuckled but remains tight, use a suitable cutting tool such as scissors or a knife to release the child from the belt.
Children need adults to help protect them.
They must always be transported using proper safety restraints that are suitable for their age, height, and weight.
In addition to the information provided in this Nissan Kicks manual, valuable child safety guidance is available from doctors, educators, traffic safety agencies, and community organizations dedicated to passenger protection.
Every child develops differently, so it is important to understand the safest transportation method for your child's specific needs.
There are three primary categories of child restraint systems:
- Rear-facing child restraints
- Forward-facing child restraints
- Booster seats
The correct restraint system depends on the child's size and developmental stage. In general, infants up to approximately one year of age and weighing less than 20 lbs. (9 kg) should ride in a rear-facing child restraint. Children who have outgrown a rear-facing restraint and are at least one year old may transition to a forward-facing child restraint. Booster seats are designed for children who have exceeded the limits of a forward-facing child restraint but are still too small for a vehicle seat belt to fit properly.
WARNING
Infants and children require special protection.
Vehicle seat belts are designed primarily for adults and may not fit young children correctly. The shoulder belt can come too close to the face or neck.
The lap belt may not rest properly on a child's hip bones. During a collision, an improperly fitted seat belt can cause severe or even fatal injuries. Always use a child restraint system that is appropriate for the child's size and age.
All U.S. states and Canadian provinces or territories require approved child restraint systems for infants and young children.
A child restraint in the Nissan Kicks can generally be secured using either the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system or the vehicle's seat belt system.
NISSAN recommends that all children and pre-teens ride in the rear seat whenever possible.
Research consistently shows that children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating area than in the front passenger seat.
This recommendation is especially important because the Nissan Kicks is equipped with a supplemental restraint system (air bag system) for the front passenger seating position.
Infants
Infants should remain in a rear-facing child restraint until at least one year of age, and preferably longer if allowed by the child restraint manufacturer.
NISSAN recommends selecting a child restraint that complies with applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards or Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Choose a child restraint that fits both your child and your Nissan Kicks, and always follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding installation, adjustment, and daily use.
Rear-facing restraints provide important support for an infant's head, neck, and spine, which are especially vulnerable during sudden stops or collisions.
Small children
Children older than one year and weighing at least 20 lbs. (9 kg) should remain in a rear-facing child restraint for as long as possible, up to the maximum height or weight limit specified by the restraint manufacturer. Once these limits are exceeded, and the child is at least one year old, a forward-facing child restraint with an integrated harness should be used.
Always consult the child restraint manufacturer's instructions for minimum and maximum height and weight recommendations.
NISSAN recommends using child restraints that comply with applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards or Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Select a system that fits your Nissan Kicks properly and install it according to the manufacturer's instructions.
A correctly installed child restraint significantly improves protection and helps reduce movement during a collision.
Larger children
Children should continue using a forward-facing child restraint with a harness until they reach the maximum height or weight limits established by the manufacturer.
Once the child outgrows the harness-equipped restraint, NISSAN recommends transitioning to a commercially available booster seat. A booster seat helps position the vehicle's lap and shoulder belt correctly across the child's body.
For proper fit, the booster seat should raise the child so the shoulder belt crosses the center of the chest and shoulder. The belt should never cross the face or neck, and it should not slip off the shoulder. The lap belt should fit snugly across the upper thighs or lower hips, not across the abdomen.
A booster seat may only be used in seating positions equipped with a three-point seat belt. The booster seat should fit securely on the vehicle seat and carry certification showing compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards or Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
When the child grows enough that the shoulder belt naturally fits across the chest and shoulder and the lap belt rests correctly on the hips or upper thighs, the vehicle seat belt may be used without a booster seat.
A booster seat should continue to be used until the child can successfully pass the following seat belt fit evaluation:
- Are the child's back and hips resting fully against the vehicle seatback?
- Can the child sit upright without slouching?
- Do the child's knees bend naturally over the front edge of the seat while the feet remain flat on the floor?
- Does the seat belt fit correctly, with the lap belt low across the hips and the shoulder belt across the center of the chest and shoulder?
- Can the child properly use the adjusted head restraint/headrest?
- Can the child remain seated correctly for the entire trip?
If the answer to any of these questions is no, the child should continue using a booster seat together with a three-point seat belt.
NOTE:
Local regulations may differ depending on your region. Always verify current laws and child restraint requirements before traveling with children in your Nissan Kicks.
WARNING
Never allow a child to stand, kneel, or move around on any seat while the Nissan Kicks is in motion. Children should also never ride in the cargo area. In a sudden stop, sharp maneuver, or collision, a child in these locations could suffer serious injury or death.
Proper child restraint use is one of the most important safety responsibilities for Nissan Kicks owners. Taking the time to select, install, and use the correct restraint system can greatly improve protection for young passengers during everyday driving and emergency situations.