lock DODGE CARAVAN 2008 5.G Service Manual

²Safety experts recommend that children ride
rearward-facing in the vehicle until they are at least
one year old and weigh at least 20 lbs (9 kg). Two types
of child restraints can be used rearward-facing: infant
carriers and9convertible9child seats. Both types of
child restraints are held in the vehicle by the lap/
shoulder belt or the LATCH child restraint anchorage
system. Refer to ªLower Anchors and Tether for CHil-
dren (LATCH)º later in this section.
²The infant carrier is only used rearward-facing in the
vehicle. It is recommended for children who weigh up
to about 20 lbs (9 kg).9Convertible9child seats can be
used either rearward-facing or forward-facing in the
vehicle. Convertible child seats often have a higher
weight limit in the rearward-facing direction than
infant carriers do, so they can be used rearward-facing
by children who weigh more than 20 lbs (9 kg) but are
less than one year old.
²Rearward-facing child seats mustNEVERbe used in
the front seat of a vehicle with a front passenger
airbag. An airbag deployment could cause severe
injury or death to infants in this position.
²Rearward-facing child seats and infant carriers must
NEVERbe used while the second row Swivel 'n Go
seats are in the rearward-facing position.
WARNING!
Never place any child seat or infant carrier in the
Swivel 'n Go seat while it is in the rearward-facing
position. The swivel seat should be locked in the
forward position when using any child seat or infant
carriers, with the vehicle in motion. Failure to do so
could result in serious injury or even death.
82 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

²If the shoulder belt contacts the face or neck, move the
child closer to the center of the vehicle. If this doesn't
help, move the child to the center rear seating position
and use the lap belt. Never allow a child to put the
shoulder belt under an arm or behind their back.
NOTE:For additional information, refer to
www.seatcheck.org or call 1-866-SEATCHECK.WARNING!
²Improper installation can lead to failure of an
infant or child restraint. It could come loose in a
collision. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the manufacturer's directions ex-
actly when installing an infant or child restraint.
²A rearward-facing child restraint should only be
used in a rear seat. A rearward-facing child re-
straint in the front seat may be struck by a deploy-
ing passenger airbag which may cause severe or
fatal injury to the infant.
²Occupants riding in Swivel 'n Go seating must be
wearing their seat belt and the seat must be locked
in either the forward or rearward position. Failure
to do so could result in serious injury or even
death.
84 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Here are some tips on getting the most out of your child
restraint:
²Before buying any restraint system, make sure that it
has a label certifying that it meets all applicable Safety
Standards. We also recommend that you make sure
that you can install the child restraint in the vehicle
where you will use it, before you buy it.
²The restraint must be appropriate for your child's
weight and height. Check the label on the restraint for
weight and height limits.
²Carefully follow the instructions that come with the
restraint. If you install the restraint improperly, it may
not work when you need it.
²The passenger seat belts are equipped with cinching
latch plates, which are designed to keep the lap
portion tight around the child restraint so that it is not
necessary to use a locking clip. Pulling up on theshoulder portion of the lap/shoulder belt will tighten
the belt. The cinching latch plate will keep the belt
tight, however, any seat belt system will loosen with
time, so check the belt occasionally and pull it tight if
necessary.
²In the rear seat, you may have trouble tightening the
lap/shoulder belt on the child restraint because the
buckle or latch plate is too close to the belt path
opening on the restraint. Disconnect the latch plate
from the buckle and twist the short buckle end of the
belt several times to shorten it. Insert the latch plate
into the buckle with the release button facing out.
²If the belt still can't be tightened, or if pulling and
pushing on the restraint loosens the belt, disconnect
the latch plate from the buckle, turn the buckle
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.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 85
2

Manual Front And Second Row Seat Adjuster
The adjusting bar is located under the front of the seat.
Pull the bar up and move the seat to the desired position.
Release the bar to lock the seat into position.Using body pressure, move forward and rearward on the
seat to be sure the seat adjusters have latched.
WARNING!
Adjusting a seat while the vehicle is moving is
dangerous. The sudden movement of the seat could
cause you to lose control. The seat belt might not be
properly adjusted and you could be injured. Adjust
any seat only while the vehicle is parked.
Manual Seat Adjuster
132 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Heated Seats Ð If Equipped
This feature heats the front driver and
passenger seats. The controls for front
heated seats are located on the center
instrument panel area. The switch in-
dicator lights will show when the
HIGH or LOW heat is ON. Press the
switch once to choose HIGH (two
lights), press it a second time to choose LOW (one light),
press it a third time for No Heat (no lights).
Second row heated seat switches are located in the
sliding side door handle trim panels and function the
same as front switches.
Sliding Door Controls
1 - Heated Seat Switch 4 - Door Handle
2 - Power Window Switch 5 - Power Sliding Door Switch
3 - Manual LockUNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 135
3

Stow 'n Go Seating Ð If Equipped
On vehicles equipped with Stow 'n Go seating, the
second and third row seats may be folded into the floor
for convenient storage.
To Fold Second Row Seats
1. Move the front seat fully forward.
2. Lower the head restraints and raise the armrests on the
second row seat.
3. Slide the storage bin locking mechanism to the9un-
locked9position and then pull up on the storage bin latch
to open the cover.
1 - Bin Latch 3 - Seatback Release
2 - Storage Pocket 138 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

4. Pull up on the seatback recliner lever located on the
outboard side of the seat and fold the seatback down. To
assure the seatback is latched in the folded position,
additional downward pressure on the seatback may be
required when folding.
Storage Bin Cover Lock Release
Second Row Seatback Release Lever
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 139
3

5. Pull rearward on the release strap located at the rear of
the seat and tumble the seat forward into the storage bin.
6. Close the storage bin cover and slide the storage bin
locking mechanism to the locked position.CAUTION!
The storage bin cover must be locked and flat to
avoid damage from contact with the front seat tracks,
which have minimal clearance to the cover.
WARNING!
In an accident, serious injury could result if the seat
storage bin covers are not properly latched.
²DO NOT drive the vehicle with the storage bin
covers open.
²Keep the storage bin covers closed and latched
while the vehicle is in motion.
²DO NOT use a storage bin latch as a tie down.
Second Row Seat Release Strap
140 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To Unfold Second Row Seats
1. Slide the storage bin locking mechanism to the9un-
locked9position and then pull up on the storage bin latch
to open the cover.
2. Pull up on the handle to lift the seat out of the storage
bin and push the seat rearward to latch the seat anchors.
Second Row Seat Release Handle
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 141
3

To Unfold Third Row Seats
1. Pull up on the assist strap to lift the seat out of the
storage bin and push the seat forward until the anchors
latch.
2. Pull release strap marked ª1º to unlock the recliner.
3. Pulling strap ª3º releases the seatback to return to its
full upright position.
4. Adjust the head restraint to the desired position.
WARNING!
In a collision, you or others in your vehicle could be
injured if seats are not properly latched to their floor
attachments. Always be sure the seats are fully
latched.
Tailgate Mode
1. Pull release strap ª2º, then pull release strap ª3º to
rotate the entire seat rearward.
2. To restore the seat to its upright position, lift up on the
seatback and push forward until the anchors latch.
Tailgate Positioning Release Straps 2 and 3
146 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE