child restraint DODGE CALIBER 2008 1.G User Guide

•If the belt still can’t be tightened, or if by pulling and
pushing on the restraint loosens the belt, disconnect
the latch plate from the buckle, turn the latch plate
around, and insert the latch plate into the buckle
again. If you still can’t make the child restraint secure,
try a different seating position.
•Buckle the child into the seat according to the child
restraint manufacturer’s directions.
•When your child restraint is not in use, secure it in the
vehicle with the seat belt or remove it from the vehicle.
Don’t leave it loose in the vehicle. In a sudden stop or
collision, it could strike the occupants or seat backs
and cause serious personal injury.
Automatic-Locking Retractor (ALR)
To operate the switchable retractor, pull the belt from the
retractor until there is enough to allow you to pass
through the child restraint and slide the latch plate into
the buckle. Then pull on the belt until it is completelyextended from the retractor. Allow the belt to return into
the retractor, pulling on the excess webbing to tighten the
lap portion about the child restraint. Follow the instruc-
tions of the child restraint manufacture.
NOTE:To reset this feature, you must let all of the belt
webbing return into the retractor. You will not be able to
pull out more webbing until all of the webbing has been
returned back into the retractor.
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren (LATCH)
WARNING!
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.
64 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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 notLATCH-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 instal-
lation instructions.
Rear Seat LATCH
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 65
2

Child restraint 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.
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 beltsnot 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 belt
behind 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 unattended child in the vehicle.
Installing The Child Restraint System
We urge you to 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
66 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

rearward-facing infant restraints will also be equipped
with a tether strap with a hook and means for adjusting
the tension in the strap.
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 com-
patible, install the restraint using the vehicle seat belts.
Rear Seat Tether Anchors
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 67
2

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
seatback, should use the lap/shoulder belt in a rear seat.
•Make sure that the child is upright in the seat.
•The lap portion should be low on the hips and as snug
as possible.
•Check the belt fit periodically. A child’s squirming or
slouching can move the belt out of position.
•If the shoulder belt contacts the face or neck, move the
child closer to the center of the vehicle. Never allow a
child to put the shoulder belt under an arm or behind
his/her back.
Transporting Pets
Airbags deploying in the front seat could harm your pet.
An unrestrained pet will be thrown about and possibly
injured, or could injure a passenger during panic braking
or in a collision.
Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in pet harnesses
or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.
68 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Cargo Load Floor........................ 150
Cargo Tie-Downs........................ 150
Carrier, Luggage........................ 153
Catalytic Converter...................... 326
Caution, Exhaust Gas...................... 69
CD (Compact Disc) Player...............187,195
CD (Compact Disc) Player Maintenance........ 218
Cellular Phone........................ 80,219
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 359
Chains, Tire............................ 279
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 304
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 255
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator
Light)................................ 320
Child Restraint.......................... 60
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............... 64
Child Restraint with Automatic Belts........... 63
Child Safety Locks........................ 31
Child Seat.............................. 66Clean Air Gasoline....................... 281
Cleaning
Wheels............................. 348
Climate Control......................... 219
Clock ........................186,189,197,210
Clutch............................... 342
Clutch Fluid........................... 342
CoinHolder ........................... 146
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance............. 218
Compact Spare Tire...................... 266
Compass.............................. 184
Compass Calibration..................... 184
Compass Variance....................... 183
Console.............................. 146
Contract, Service........................ 375
Coolant (Antifreeze)...................360,361
Cooler, Beverage........................ 154
Cooling System......................... 335
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 337
384 INDEX

Preparation for Jacking.................... 305
Pretensioners
Seat Belts............................. 45
Programmable Electronic Features............ 179
Programming Transmitters (Remote Keyless
Entry)................................. 23
Radial Ply Tires......................... 265
Radio Broadcast Signals................... 185
Radio, Navigation....................... 210
Radio Operation...................187,195,219
Radio, Satellite.......................210,213
Radio (Sound Systems).................187,195
Rear Axle (Differential).................... 345
Rear Drive Assembly..................... 345
Rear Liftgate (Sedan)...................... 34
Rear Seat, Folding....................... 113
Rear Window Defroster................... 153
Rear Window Features.................... 152Rear Wiper/Washer...................... 152
Recorder, Event Data...................... 57
Recreational Towing...................... 299
Refrigerant............................ 332
Reminder, Seat Belt....................... 46
Remote Control
Door Locks........................... 20
Security Alarm......................... 19
Remote Keyless Entry (Sedan)............... 20
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls........ 217
Replacement Bulbs....................... 355
Replacement Keys........................ 17
Replacement Parts....................... 321
Replacement Tires....................... 269
Reporting Safety Defects................... 376
Resetting Oil Change Indicator.............. 168
Restraints, Child....................... 60,66
Restraints, Infant......................... 60
Retractable Cargo Area Cover............... 149
INDEX 393
10

Roof Rack (Luggage Rack)................. 153
Rotation, Tires.......................... 280
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle................. 70
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle............... 71
Safety Defects, Reporting.................. 376
Safety Information, Tire................... 254
Safety Tips............................. 69
Satellite Radio.......................210,213
Satellite Radio Antenna................... 216
Schedule, Maintenance.................... 364
Seat Belt Maintenance.................... 351
Seat Belt Reminder....................... 46
Seat Belts
Adjustable Shoulder Belt.................. 41
Adjustable Upper Shoulder Anchorage........ 41
And Pregnant Women................... 47
Child Restraint......................... 60
Front Seat............................ 36Pretensioners.......................... 45
Rear Seat............................. 36
Reminder............................ 165
Seat Belts (Sedan)........................ 35
Seats................................. 107
Adjustment.......................... 107
Cleaning............................ 348
Head Restraints....................... 110
Heated.............................. 111
Lumbar Support....................... 109
Rear Folding......................... 113
Rear Folding (Sedan).................... 113
Seatback Release....................... 109
Tilting .............................. 109
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm)................ 19
Selection of Oil......................... 324
Sentry Key (Immobilizer)................. 15,20
Sentry Key Programming................... 17
Sentry Key Replacement................... 17
394 INDEX

Tachometer............................ 165
Taillights.............................. 356
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant.......164,303
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint............... 64
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm)................ 19
Theft System (Security Alarm)............... 19
Tie Down Hooks, Cargo................... 150
Tilt Steering Column..................... 125
Tire and Loading Information Placard......... 258
Tire Identification Number (TIN)............. 257
Tire Markings.......................... 254
Tire Safety Information.................... 254
Tires ............................ 71,262,379
Aging(LifeofTires) .................... 268
Air Pressure.......................... 262
Alignment........................... 270
Chains.............................. 279
Changing............................ 304
Compact Spare........................ 266Flat Changing........................ 309
General Information.................... 262
High Speed.......................... 265
Inflation Pressures..................... 263
Jacking............................. 304
LifeofTires .......................... 268
Load Capacity.....................258,259
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)........... 271
Quality Grading....................... 379
Radial.............................. 265
Replacement......................... 269
Rotation............................. 280
Safety...........................254,262
Sizes ............................... 255
Snow Tires........................... 279
Spare Tire........................... 305
Spinning ............................ 267
Tread Wear Indicators................... 268
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 291
396 INDEX