CHRYSLER 300 2021 Owners Manual

SAFETY 169
Recommendations For Attaching Child Restraints
Lower Anchors And Tethers For CHildren
(LA

TCH) Restraint System

LATCH Label
Your vehicle is equipped with the child restraint
a
n

chorage system called LATCH, which stands for
Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren. The
LATCH system has three vehicle anchor points for
installing LATCH-equipped child seats. There are
two lower anchorages located at the back of the
seat cushion where it meets the seatback and one
top tether anchorage located behind the seating
position. These anchorages are used to install
LATCH-equipped child seats without using the
vehicle’s seat belts. Some seating positions may
have a top tether anchorage but no lower anchorages. In these seating positions, the seat
belt must be used with the top tether anchorage to
install the child restraint. Please see the following
table for more information.
Restraint Type
Combined Weight of
th

e Child + Child Restraint Use Any Attachment Method Shown With An “X” Below
LATCH – Lower A n

chors Only Seat Belt Only LATCH – Lower
A n
chors + Top Tether Anchor Seat Belt + Top Tether
An
chor
Rear-Facing Child Restraint Up to 65 lbs
(2 9.5 kg) X
X
Rear-Facing Child Re

straint More than 65 lbs
(2 9.5 kg) X
Forward-Facing Child Re

straint Up to 65 lbs
(2 9.5 kg) X
X
Forward-Facing Child Re

straint More than 65 lbs
(2 9.5 kg) X
6

170 SAFETY
LATCH Positions For Installing Child
Restraints In This Vehicle

LATCH Positions For Installing Child Restraints

Lower Anchorage Symbol (2 Anchorages Per
Seating Position)
Top Tether Anchorage Symbol
Frequently Asked Questions About Installing Child Restraints With LATCH
What is the weight limit (child’s weight + weight of the child
restraint) for using the LATCH anchorage system to attach the child
restraint? 65 lbs (29.5 kg)Use the LATCH anchorage system until the combined weight of the
c
h
ild and the child restraint is 65 lbs (29.5 kg). Use the seat belt
and tether anchor instead of the LATCH system once the combined
weight is more than 65 lbs (29.5 kg).
Can the LATCH anchorages and the seat belt be used together to
a t

tach a rear-facing or forward-facing child restraint? NoDo not use the seat belt when you use the LATCH anchorage system
t
o

attach a rear-facing or forward-facing child restraint.
Booster seats may be attached to the LATCH anchorages if allowed
by
the booster seat manufacturer. See your booster seat owner’s
manual for more information.

SAFETY 171
Locating The LATCH Anchorages
The lower anchorages are round bars
that are found at the rear of the seat
cu
shion where it meets the seatback,
below the anchorage symbols on the
seatback. They are just visible when you lean into
the rear seat to install the child restraint. You will
easily feel them if you run your finger along the gap
between the seatback and seat cushion.

LATCH Anchorages

Locating The Upper Tether Anchorages
There are tether strap anchorages
behind each rear seating position
loc
ated in the panel between the rear
seatback and the rear window. They are found under a plastic cover with the tether
anchorage symbol on it.

Tether Strap Anchorages

LATCH-compatible child restraint systems will be
e q
uipped with a rigid bar or a flexible strap on each
side. Each will have a hook or connector to attach
to the lower anchorage and a way to tighten the
Can two child restraints be attached using a common lower LATCH
a
n

chorage? NoNever “share” a LATCH anchorage with two or more child restraints.
I
f

the center position does not have dedicated LATCH lower
anchorages, use the seat belt to install a child seat in the center
position next to a child seat using the LATCH anchorages in an
outboard position.
Can the rear-facing child restraint touch the back of the front
p a

ssenger seat? YesThe child seat may touch the back of the front passenger seat if the
c
h
ild restraint manufacturer also allows contact. See your child
restraint owner’s manual for more information.
Can the rear head restraints be removed? No
Frequently Asked Questions About Installing Child Restraints With LATCH
6

172 SAFETY
connection to the anchorage. Forward-facing child
restraints and some rear-facing child restraints will
also be equipped with a tether strap. The tether
strap will have a hook at the end to attach to the
top tether anchorage and a way to tighten the strap
after it is attached to the anchorage.
Center Seat LATCH
If a child restraint installed in the center position
blocks the seat belt webbing or buckle for the
outboard position, do not use that outboard
position. If a child seat in the center position blocks
the outboard LATCH anchors or seat belt, do not
install a child seat in that outboard position.
Always follow the directions of the child restraint
m a

nufacturer when installing your child restraint.
Not all child restraint systems will be installed as
described here.
To Install A LATCH-Compatible Child
Restraint
If the selected seating position has a Switchable
Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) seat belt, stow
the seat belt, following the instructions below. See
Ú page 173 to check what type of seat belt each
seating position has.

1. L oosen the adjusters on the lower straps and
o
n the tether strap of the child seat so that
you can more easily attach the hooks or
connectors to the vehicle anchorages.

2. Place the child seat between the lower a
nchorages for that seating position. If the
second row seat can be reclined, you may
recline the seat and/or raise the head restraint
(if adjustable) to get a better fit. If the rear seat
can be moved forward and rearward in the
vehicle, you may wish to move it to its
rear-most position to make room for the child
seat. You may also move the front seat forward
to allow more room for the child seat.
3. A ttach the lower hooks or connectors of the
c
hild restraint to the lower anchorages in the
selected seating position.
4. I f the child restraint has a tether strap, connect
i
t to the top tether anchorage. See
Ú page 175 for directions to attach a tether
anchor. 5. Tighten all of the straps as you push the child
r
estraint rearward and downward into the
seat. Remove slack in the straps according to
the child restraint manufacturer’s instructions.
6. Test that the child restraint is installed tightly b
y pulling back and forth on the child seat at
the belt path. It should not move more than
1 inch (25.4 mm) in any direction.
How To Stow An Unused Switchable-ALR
(ALR) Seat Belt:
When using the LATCH attaching system to install
a child restraint, stow all ALR seat belts that are not
being used by other occupants or being used to
secure child restraints. An unused belt could injure
a child if they play with it and accidentally lock the
seat belt retractor. Before installing a child
restraint using the LATCH system, buckle the seat
belt behind the child restraint and out of the child’s
reach. If the buckled seat belt interferes with the
child restraint installation, instead of buckling it
behind the child restraint, route the seat belt
through the child restraint belt path and then
buckle it. Do not lock the seat belt. Remind all
children in the vehicle that the seat belts are not
toys and that they should not play with them.
WARNING!
Never use the same lower anchorage to attach
more than one child restraint. See Ú page 172
for typical installation instructions.

SAFETY 173
(Continued)
Installing Child Restraints Using The
Vehicle Seat Belt
Child restraint systems are designed to be secured
in vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap belt portion
of a lap/shoulder belt. The seat belts in the passenger seating positions
a
r

e equipped with a Switchable Automatic Locking
Retractor (ALR) that is designed to keep the lap
portion of the seat belt tight around the child
restraint so that it is not necessary to use a locking
clip. The ALR retractor can be “switched” into a
locked mode by pulling all of the webbing out of the
retractor and then letting the webbing retract back
into the retractor. If it is locked, the ALR will make
a clicking noise while the webbing is pulled back
into the retractor.
See the “Automatic Locking Mode” description
Ú page 157 for additional information on ALR.
Please see the table below and the following
s e

ctions for more information.
Lap/Shoulder Belt Systems For Installing
Child Restraints In This Vehicle

Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) Locations

WARNING!
Improper installation of a child restraint to the
LATCH anchorages can lead to failure of the
restraint. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the child restraint manufac -
turer’s directions exactly when installing an
in
fant or child restraint.
Child restraint anchorages are designed to
withstand only those loads imposed by
correctly-fitted child restraints. Under no
circumstances are they to be used for adult
seat belts, harnesses, or for attaching other
items or equipment to the vehicle.
WARNING!
Improper installation or failure to properly
secure a child restraint can lead to failure of
the restraint. The child could be badly injured
or killed.
Follow the child restraint manufacturer’s
directions exactly when installing an infant or
child restraint.
WARNING!
ALR — Switchable Automatic Locking Retractor
Top Tether Anchorage Symbol6

174 SAFETY
Installing A Child Restraint With A
Switchable Automatic Locking Retractor
(ALR):
Child restraint systems are designed to be secured
in vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap belt portion
of a lap/shoulder belt.
1. P
lace the child seat in the center of the
s
eating position. If the second row seat can
be reclined, you may recline the seat and/or
raise the head restraint (if adjustable) to get a
better fit. If the rear seat can be moved
forward and rearward in the vehicle, you may
wish to move it to its rear-most position to
make room for the child seat. You may also
move the front seat forward to allow more
room for the child seat.

2. P ull enough of the seat belt webbing from the
r
etractor to pass it through the belt path of the
child restraint. Do not twist the belt webbing in
the belt path.
3. Slide the latch plate into the buckle until you h
ear a “click.” 4. P
ull on the webbing to make the lap portion
t
ight against the child seat.
5. To lock the seat belt, pull down on the shoulder p
art of the belt until you have pulled all the
seat belt webbing out of the retractor. Then,
allow the webbing to retract back into the
retractor. As the webbing retracts, you will hear
a clicking sound. This means the seat belt is
now in the Automatic Locking mode.
6. T ry to pull the webbing out of the retractor. If it
i
s locked, you should not be able to pull out any
webbing. If the retractor is not
locked, repeat
step 5.
Frequently Asked Questions About Installing Child Restraints With Seat Belts
What is the weight limit (child’s weight + weight of the child
restraint) for using the Tether Anchor with the seat belt to
attach a forward facing child restraint? Weight limit of the Child
Re
straint Always use the tether anchor when using the seat belt to
i
n
stall a forward facing child restraint, up to the recommended
weight limit of the child restraint.
Can the rear-facing child restraint touch the back of the front
p a

ssenger seat? YesContact between the front passenger seat and the child
r
e
straint is allowed, if the child restraint manufacturer also
allows contact.
Can the rear head restraints be removed? No
Can the buckle stalk be twisted to tighten the seat belt against
th
e belt path of the child restraint? NoDo not twist the buckle stalk in a seating position with an ALR
re
tractor.
WARNING!
Improper installation or failure to properly
secure a child restraint can lead to failure of
the restraint. The child could be badly injured
or killed.
Follow the child restraint manufacturer’s
directions exactly when installing an infant or
child restraint.

SAFETY 175
7. Finally, pull up on any excess webbing to
tighten the lap portion around the child
restraint while you push the child restraint
rearward and downward into the vehicle seat.
8. If the child restraint has a top tether strap and t
he seating position has a top tether
anchorage, connect the tether strap to the
anchorage and tighten the tether strap. See
Ú page 175 for directions to attach a tether
anchor.
9. T est that the child restraint is installed tightly
b
y pulling back and forth on the child seat at
the belt path. It should not move more than
1 inch (25.4 mm) in any direction.
Any seat belt system will loosen with time, so check
t h

e belt occasionally, and pull it tight if necessary.
Installing Child Restraints Using The Top
Tether Anchorage:

1. Look behind the seating position where you plan to install the child restraint to find the
tether anchorage. You may need to move the
seat forward to provide better access to the
tether anchorage. If there is no top tether
anchorage for that seating position, move the
child restraint to another position in the
vehicle if one is available.
2. R
otate or lift the cover to access the anchor
d
irectly behind the seat where you are placing
the child restraint.
3. R oute the tether strap to provide the most
d
irect path for the strap between the anchor
and the child seat. If your vehicle is equipped
with adjustable rear head restraints, raise the
head restraint, and where possible, route the
tether strap under the head restraint and
between the two posts. If not possible, lower
the head restraint and pass the tether strap
around the outboard side of the head restraint.

Tether Strap Mounting
WARNING!
Do not attach a tether strap for a rear-facing car
seat to any location in front of the car seat,
including the seat frame or a tether anchorage.
Only attach the tether strap of a rear-facing car
seat to the tether anchorage that is approved for
that seating position, located behind the top of
the vehicle seat. See
Ú page 169 for the
location of approved tether anchorages in your
v e
hicle.
2 — Cover
3 — Attaching Strap
A — Tether Strap Hook
B — Tether Anchor
6

176 SAFETY
4. Attach the tether strap hook of the child
restraint to the top tether anchorage as shown
in the diagram.
5. R emove slack in the tether strap according to
t
he child restraint manufacturer’s instructions.
Center Tether Attachment

1. If adjustable, lower the adjustable center head restraint to the full down position.

2. Route the tether strap over the seatback and h
ead restraint.
3. Attach the tether strap hook of the child r
estraint to the center tether anchorage
located in the panel between the rear
seatback and the rear window.
4. Remove slack in the tether strap according to t
he child restraint manufacturer’s instructions.
SAFETY TIPS
TRANSPORTING PASSENGERS
NEVER TRANSPORT PASSENGERS IN THE CARGO
AREA.
TRANSPORTING PETS
Air Bags deploying in the front seat could harm
your pet. An unrestrained pet will be thrown about
and possibly injured, or injure a passenger during
panic braking or in a collision. Pets should be restrained in the rear seat (if
e
q

uipped) in pet harnesses or pet carriers that are
secured by seat belts.
SAFETY CHECKS YOU SHOULD MAKE
I
NSIDE THE VEHICLE
Seat Belts
Inspect the seat belt system periodically, checking
for cuts, frays, and loose parts. Damaged parts
must be replaced immediately. Do not
disassemble or modify the system.
If your vehicle is involved in a collision, or if you
ha

ve questions regarding the seat belt or retractor
conditions, take your vehicle to an authorized FCA
dealer or authorized FCA Certified Collision Care
Program facility for inspection.
Air Bag Warning Light

The Air Bag Warning Light will turn on for four to
eight seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
s w
itch is first placed in the ON/RUN position. If the
light is either not on during starting, stays on, or
turns on while driving, have the system inspected at
an authorized dealer as soon as possible. After the
bulb check, this light will illuminate with a single
chime when a fault with the Air Bag System has
been detected. It will stay on until the fault is
removed. If the light comes on intermittently or
remains on while driving, have an authorized dealer
service the vehicle immediately

Ú
page 151.

WARNING!
An incorrectly anchored tether strap could
lead to increased head motion and possible
injury to the child. Use only the anchorage
position directly behind the child seat to
secure a child restraint top tether strap.
If your vehicle is equipped with a split rear
seat, make sure the tether strap does not slip
into the opening between the seatbacks as
you remove slack in the strap.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up
may cause serious injury or death.
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo
area, inside or outside of a vehicle. In a colli -
sion, people riding in these areas are more
l i

kely to be seriously injured or killed.
Do not allow people to ride in any area of your
vehicle that is not equipped with seats and
seat belts.
Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat
and using a seat belt properly.

SAFETY 177
(Continued)
(Continued)
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and
place the blower control on high speed. You should
be able to feel the air directed against the
windshield. See an authorized dealer for service if
your defroster is inoperable.
Floor Mat Safety Information
Always use floor mats designed to fit your vehicle.
Only use a floor mat that does not interfere with the
operation of the accelerator, brake or clutch
pedals. Only use a floor mat that is securely
attached using the floor mat fasteners so it cannot
slip out of position and interfere with the
accelerator, brake or clutch pedals or impair safe
operation of your vehicle in other ways.
PERIODIC SAFETY CHECKS YOU SHOULD
M
AKE OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven
wear patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or
other objects lodged in the tread or sidewall.
Inspect the tread for cuts and cracks. Inspect
sidewalls for cuts, cracks, and bulges. Check the
WARNING!

An improperly attached, damaged, folded, or
stacked floor mat, or damaged floor mat fasteners
may cause your floor mat to interfere with the
accelerator, brake, or clutch pedals and cause a
loss of vehicle control. To prevent SERIOUS
INJURY or DEATH:
ALWAYS securely attach your floor mat using
the floor mat fasteners. DO NOT install your
f l
oor mat upside down or turn your floor mat
over. Lightly pull to confirm mat is secured
using the floor mat fasteners on a regular basis.
ALWAYS REMOVE THE EXISTING FLOOR MAT
FROM THE VEHICLE before installing any
other floor mat. NEVER install or stack an addi -
tional floor mat on top of an existing floor mat.
ONLY install floor mats designed to fit your
vehicle. NEVER install a floor mat that cannot
be properly attached and secured to your
vehicle. If a floor mat needs to be replaced, only
use a FCA approved floor mat for the specific
make, model, and year of your vehicle.
ONLY use the driver’s side floor mat on the
driver’s side floor area. To check for interfer -
ence, with the vehicle properly parked with the
e n

gine off, fully depress the accelerator, the
brake, and the clutch pedal (if present) to check
for interference. If your floor mat interferes with
the operation of any pedal, or is not secure to
the floor, remove the floor mat from the vehicle
and place the floor mat in your trunk.
ONLY use the passenger’s side floor mat on the
passenger’s side floor area.
ALWAYS make sure objects cannot fall or slide
into the driver’s side floor area when the vehicle
is moving. Objects can become trapped under
accelerator, brake, or clutch pedals and could
cause a loss of vehicle control.

WARNING!

NEVER place any objects under the floor mat
(e.g., towels, keys, etc.). These objects could
change the position of the floor mat and may
cause interference with the accelerator, brake,
or clutch pedals.
If the vehicle carpet has been removed and
re-installed, always properly attach carpet to
the floor and check the floor mat fasteners are
secure to the vehicle carpet. Fully depress each
pedal to check for interference with the acceler -
ator, brake, or clutch pedals then re-install the
f l

oor mats.
It is recommended to only use mild soap and
water to clean your floor mats. After cleaning,
always check your floor mat has been properly
installed and is secured to your vehicle using
the floor mat fasteners by lightly pulling mat.

WARNING!
6

178 SAFETY
(Continued)
lug nuts/bolt torque for tightness. Check the tires
(including spare) for proper cold inflation pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of brake
lights and exterior lights while you work the
controls. Check turn signal and high beam
indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for proper closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under the vehicle after overnight
parking for fuel, coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks.
Also, if gasoline fumes are detected or if fuel or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should
be located and corrected immediately.
EXHAUST GAS
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry
into the vehicle body is a properly maintained
engine exhaust system.
Whenever a change is noticed in the sound of the
ex

haust system, when exhaust fumes can be
detected inside the vehicle, or when the underside
or rear of the vehicle is damaged, have an
authorized dealer inspect the complete exhaust
system and adjacent body areas for broken,
damaged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts.
Open seams or loose connections could permit
exhaust fumes to seep into the passenger
compartment. In addition, inspect the exhaust
system each time the vehicle is raised for
lubrication or oil change. Replace as required.
CARBON MONOXIDE WARNINGS
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain
carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless and
odorless. Breathing it can make you
unconscious and can eventually poison you. To
avoid breathing (CO), follow these safety tips:
Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in
confined areas any longer than needed to
move your vehicle in or out of the area.
If you are required to drive with the trunk/lift -
gate/rear doors open, make sure that all
w i
ndows are closed and the climate control
BLOWER switch is set at high speed. DO NOT
use the recirculation mode.
If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with
the engine running, adjust your heating or
cooling controls to force outside air into the
vehicle. Set the blower at high speed.
WARNING!
WARNING!
Carbon monoxide (CO) in exhaust gases is
deadly. Follow the precautions below to prevent
carbon monoxide poisoning:
Do not inhale exhaust gases. They contain
carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless
gas, which can kill. Never run the engine in a
closed area, such as a garage, and never sit in
a parked vehicle with the engine running for
an extended period. If the vehicle is stopped in
an open area with the engine running for more
than a short period, adjust the ventilation
system to force fresh, outside air into the
vehicle.
Guard against carbon monoxide with proper
maintenance. Have the exhaust system
inspected every time the vehicle is raised.
Have any abnormal conditions repaired
promptly. Until repaired, drive with all side
windows fully open.