child restraint DODGE CALIBER 2006 1.G User Guide

Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren (LATCH)
Your vehicle is equipped with the child restraint anchor-
age system called LATCH, which stands for Lower
Anchors and Tether for CHildren. The LATCH system
provides for the installation of the child restraint without
using the vehicle seat belt. All three rear seating positions
have lower anchorages that are capable of accommodat-
ing LATCH-compatible child seats having flexible,
webbing-mounted lower attachments. Child seats with
fixed lower attachments must be installed in the out-
board positions only. Regardless of the specific type of
lower attachment,NEVERinstall LATCH-compatible
child seats such that two seats share a common lower
anchorage. If you are installing LATCH-compatible child
restraints in adjacent rear seating positions, you can use
the LATCH anchors or the vehicle's seat belt for the
outboard position, but you must use the vehicle's seat
belt at the center position. If your child restraints are not
LATCH-compatible, you can only install the child re-
straints using the vehicle's seat belts. Please refer to,
Installing the Child Restraint System for typical installa-
tion instructions.Child restraints systems having attachments designed to
connect to the lower anchorages are now available. Child
restraints having tether straps and hooks for connection
to the top tether anchorage have been available for some
time. In fact, many child restraint manufacturers will
provide add-on tether strap kits for some of their older
products. Tether anchorage kits are also available for
most older vehicles.
Rear Seat LATCH
56 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Because the lower anchorages are to be introduced to
passenger carrying vehicles over a period of years, child
restraint systems having attachments for those anchor-
ages will continue to have features for installation in
vehicles using the lap or lap/shoulder belt. They will also
have tether straps, and you are urged to take advantage
of all of the available attachments provided with your
child restraint in any vehicle.
NOTE:When using the LATCH attaching system to
install a child restraint, please ensure that all seat belts
not being used for occupant restraints are stowed and out
of reach of children. It is recommended that before
installing the child restraint, buckle the seat belt so the
seat belt is tucked behind the child restraint and out of
reach. If the buckled seat belt interferes with the child
restraint installation, instead of tucking the seat beltbehind the child restraint, route the seat belt through the
child restraint belt path and then buckle it. This should
stow the seat belt out of the reach of an inquisitive child.
Remind all children in the vehicle that the seat belts are
not toys and should not be played with, and never leave
your child unattended in the vehicle.
Installing the Child Restraint System
We urge that you carefully follow the directions of the
manufacturer when installing your child restraint. Many,
but not all, restraint systems will be equipped with
separate straps on each side, with each having a hook or
connector and a means for adjusting the tension in the
strap. Forward-facing toddler restraints and some
rearward-facing infant restraints will also be equipped
with a tether strap with a hook and means for adjusting
the tension in the strap.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 57
2

In general, you will first loosen the adjusters on the lower
and tether straps so that you can more easily attach the
hook or connector to the lower and tether anchorages.
The tether strap should be routed under the center of the
head restraint and attached to the tether anchor on the
rear of the seat back. Then tighten all three straps as you
push the child restraint rearward and downward into the
seat.Not all child restraint systems will be installed as we
have described here. Again, carefully follow the instruc-
tions that come with the child restraint system.
NOTE:If your child restraint seat is not LATCH
compatible, install the restraint using the vehicle seat
belts.
WARNING!
An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to
increased head motion and possible injury to the
child. Use only the anchor position directly behind
the child seat to secure a child restraint top tether
strap.
Children Too Large For Booster Seats
Children who are large enough to wear the shoulder belt
comfortably, and whose legs are long enough to bend
over the front of the seat when their back is against the
seat back, should use the lap/shoulder belt in a rear seat.
²Make sure that the child is upright in the seat.
Rear Seat Tether Anchors
58 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Brake Fluid........................... 280
Brake, Parking......................... 183
Brake System.......................185,260
Anti-Lock (ABS)....................86,186
Hoses.............................. 261
Master Cylinder...................... 262
Parking............................ 183
Warning Light....................... 117
Brakes............................185,260
Brake/Transmission Interlock.............. 177
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle...... 59
Bulb Replacement...................272,273
Bulbs, Light........................... 272
Calibration, Compass.................... 127
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)...... 278
Capacities, Fluid....................... 278
Caps, Filler
Fuel............................... 214
Oil (Engine)......................241,247
Car Washes........................... 266
Carbon Monoxide Warning............... 213
Cargo Area Cover....................... 98Cargo Area Features..................... 96
Cargo Compartment
Light............................... 96
Luggage Carrier...................... 102
Cargo Light............................ 96
Cargo Load Floor....................... 99
Cargo Tie-Downs........................ 99
Carrier, Luggage....................... 102
Catalytic Converter..................... 249
Caution, Exhaust Gas..................... 60
CD (Compact Disc) Player..........129,136,147
CD (Compact Disc) Player Maintenance...... 163
Cellular Phone......................... 163
Center High Mounted Stop Light........... 277
Chains, Tire........................... 209
Changing A Flat Tire.................... 230
Chart, Tire Sizing....................... 191
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator
Light)............................... 243
Child Restraint......................... 52
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............. 56
Child Restraint with Automatic Belts......... 55
Child Safety Locks....................... 18
INDEX 309
10

Rear Wiper/Washer..................... 101
Recorder, Event Data..................... 50
Recreational Towing..................... 226
Refrigerant............................ 253
Reminder, Seat Belt...................... 37
Remote Control
Door Locks.......................... 19
Panic Alarm.......................... 21
Security Alarm........................ 24
Remote Keyless Entry (Sedan).............. 19
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls...... 161
Replacement Bulbs...................... 272
Replacement Keys....................... 12
Replacement Parts...................... 244
Replacement Tires...................... 204
Reporting Safety Defects................. 303
Restraints, Child......................52,57
Restraints, Infant........................ 52
Retractable Cargo Area Cover.............. 98
Roof Rack (Luggage Rack)................ 102
Rotation, Tires......................... 210
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle............... 60Safety Checks Outside Vehicle.............. 61
Safety Defects, Reporting................. 303
Safety Information, Tire.................. 189
Safety Tips............................. 60
Satellite Radio......................... 158
Satellite Radio Antenna.................. 161
Schedule, Maintenance................... 282
Seat Belt Maintenance................... 269
Seat Belt Reminder...................... 37
Seat Belts
Adjustable Shoulder Belt................ 34
Adjustable Upper Shoulder Anchorage...... 34
And Pregnant Women.................. 38
Child Restraint........................ 52
Front Seat............................ 30
Pretensioners......................... 37
Rear Seat............................ 30
Reminder........................... 112
Untwisting Procedure................... 37
Seat Belts (Sedan)....................... 29
Seats................................. 69
Adjustment.......................... 69
Head Restraints....................... 72
INDEX 317
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Taillights............................. 274
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant...... 111,229
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint.............. 56
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm)............... 24
Theft System (Security Alarm).............. 24
Tie Down Hooks, Cargo................... 99
Tilt Steering Column..................... 82
Tire and Loading Information Placard....... 194
Tire Identification Number (TIN)........... 193
Tire Markings......................... 189
Tire Safety Information................... 189
Tires ...........................61,198,305
Aging (Life of Tires)................... 204
Air Pressure......................... 198
Alignment.......................... 205
Chains............................. 209
Changing........................... 230
Compact Spare....................... 201
Flat Changing........................ 233
General Information................... 198
High Speed......................... 200
Inflation Pressures.................... 199
Jacking............................. 230Life of Tires......................... 204
Load Capacity....................194,195
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)......... 206
Quality Grading...................... 305
Radial............................. 201
Replacement......................... 204
Rotation............................ 210
Safety...........................189,198
Sizes............................... 191
Snow Tires.......................... 209
Spare Tire........................... 230
Spinning............................ 202
Tread Wear Indicators.................. 203
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight............. 221
Towing.............................. 217
Disabled Vehicle...................... 238
Guide.............................. 220
Recreational......................... 226
Weight............................. 220
Traction.............................. 236
Trailer Towing......................... 217
Cooling System Tips................... 226
Hitches............................. 219
INDEX 319
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