child restraint DODGE CHALLENGER 2012 3.G User Guide

All three rear-seating positions have lower anchorages that
are capable of accommodating LATCH-compatible child
seats. You should never install LATCH-compatible child
seats so that two seats share a common lower anchorage.
If installing child seats in adjacent rear-seating positions,
or if your child restraints are not LATCH-compatible,
install the restraints using the vehicle’s seat belts.Installing The LATCH-Compatible Child Restraint
System
We urge you to follow the manufacturer’s directions
carefully when installing your child restraint. Not all
child restraint systems will be installed as described here.
Again, carefully follow the installation instructions that
are provided with the child restraint system.The rear seat lower anchorages are round bars
located at the rear of the seat cushion where it
meets the seatback and 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 intersection of the seatback and seat cushion
surfaces.
In addition, there are tether strap anchorages
behind each rear seating position located in the
panel between the rear seatback and the rear
LATCH Anchorages
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 73

window. These tether strap anchorages are under a
plastic cover with this symbol on it.
Many, but not all, restraint systems will be equipped with
separate straps on each side, with each having a hook or
connector for attachment to the lower anchorage and a
means of adjusting the tension in the strap. Forward-
facing toddler restraints and some rear-facing infant
restraints will also be equipped with a tether strap, a
hook for attachment to the tether strap anchorage and a
means of adjusting the tension of the strap.
You will first loosen the child seat adjusters on the lower
straps and on the tether strap so that you can more easily
attach the hooks or connectors to the vehicle anchorages.
Next, attach the lower hooks or connectors over the top
of the seatcover material. Then, rotate the tether anchor-
age cover directly behind the seat where you are placing
the child restraint and attach the tether strap to the
anchorage, being careful to route the tether strap toprovide the most direct path between the anchor and the
child restraint. Finally, tighten all three straps as you
push the child restraint rearward and downward into the
seat, removing slack in the straps according to the child
restraint manufacturer’s instructions.
NOTE:
•Ensure that the tether strap does not slip into the
opening between the seatbacks as you remove slack in
the strap.
•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 belt
behind the child restraint, route the seat belt through
74 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
WARNING!
Improper installation of a child restraint to the
LATCH anchorages can lead to failure of an infant or
child restraint. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the manufacturer’s directions exactly
when installing an infant or child restraint.
Installing Child Restraints Using The Vehicle Seat
Belt
The seat belts in the passenger seating positions are
equipped with either an Automatic Locking Retractor
(ALR) or a cinching latch plate or both. Both types of seat
belts are 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 will make a ratcheting
noise if you extract the entire belt from the retractor and
then allow the belt to retract into the retractor. For
additional information on ALR, refer to “Automatic
Locking Mode”.
Driver Center Passenger
CRS Lock CRS Lock CRS Lock
First Row N/A N/A ALR
Second Row ALR ALR ALR
•N/A — Not Applicable
•ALR — Automatic Locking Retractor
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 75

To install a child restraint, first, pull enough of the seat
belt webbing from the retractor to route it through the
belt path of the child restraint and slide the latch plate
into the buckle. Next, extract all the seat belt webbing out
of the retractor and then allow the belt to retract into the
retractor. Finally, pull on any excess webbing to tighten
the lap portion around the child restraint. Any seat belt
system will loosen with time, so check the belt occasion-
ally, and pull it tight if necessary.
To attach a child restraint tether strap:
1. Rotate the cover over the anchor directly behind the
seat where you are placing the child restraint.2. Route the tether strap to provide the most direct path
for the strap between the anchor and the child seat.
Tether Strap Mounting
1 — CoverA — Tether Strap Hook
3 — Attaching Strap B — Tether Anchor
76 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

3. Attach the tether strap hook (A) of the child restraint to
the anchor (B) and remove slack in the tether strap
according to the child restraint manufacturer’s instruc-
tions.
NOTE:Ensure that the tether strap does not slip into the
opening between the seatbacks as you remove slack in
the strap.
WARNING!
An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to
increased head motion and possible injury to the
child. Use only the anchor positions directly behind
the child seat to secure a child restraint top tether
strap.
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 in pet harnesses
or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the drivetrain
(engine, transmission, clutch, and rear axle) in your new
vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 500 miles (800 km).
After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or
55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 77

When the seatback is folded to the upright position, make
sure it is latched by strongly pulling on the top of the
seatback above the seat strap.
WARNING!
•Be certain that the seatback is securely locked into
position. If the seatback is not securely locked into
position, the seat will not provide the proper
stability for child seats and/or passengers. An
improperly latched seat could cause serious injury.
•The cargo area in the rear of the vehicle (with the
rear seatbacks in the locked-up or folded down
position) should not be used as a play area by
children when the vehicle is in motion. They could
be seriously injured in a collision. Children
should be seated and using the proper restraint
system.
Folded Rear Seat
136 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Brightness, Interior Lights.................. 144
Bulb Replacement ..................... 432,433
Bulbs, Light .......................... 82,432
Calibration, Compass ..................... 196
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 438
Caps, Filler Fuel .............................. 332
Oil (Engine) ........................ 396
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............. 411
Car Washes ............................ 419
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............79,331
Cargo (Vehicle Loading) ................... 334
Cellular Phone ........................ 92,237
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 436
Certification Label ....................... 334
Chains, Tire ............................ 314
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 365
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 297 Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light)
............... 391
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 78
Checks, Safety ........................... 78
Child Restraint .................... 68,70,73,75
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............72,73
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 328
Cleaning Wheels ............................ 421
Windshield Wiper Blades ............... 404
Clock ............................. 204,213
Cold Weather Operation ................... 258
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 237
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 309
Compass .............................. 195
Compass Calibration ..................... 196
Compass Variance ....................... 196
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 191
472 INDEX

Reminder, Lights On..................... 141
Reminder, Seat Belt ....................... 53
Remote Control Starting System ....................... 27
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) ................. 21
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls ........ 235
Remote Starting System .................... 27
Remote Trunk Release ..................... 40
Replacement Bulbs ....................... 432
Replacement Keys ........................ 17
Replacement Parts ....................... 392
Replacement Tires ....................... 313
Reporting Safety Defects ................... 464
Restraint, Head ......................... 132
Restraints, Child ......................... 68
Restraints, Occupant ...................... 42
Rocking Vehicle When Stuck ................ 378
Rotation, Tires .......................... 316 Safety Checks Inside Vehicle
................. 80
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle ............... 82
Safety Defects, Reporting .................. 464
Safety Information, Tire ................... 296
Safety Tips ............................. 78
Safety, Exhaust Gas ....................... 79
Satellite Radio Antenna ................... 224
Schedule, Maintenance .................... 442
Seat Belt Maintenance .................... 423
Seat Belt Reminder ....................... 53
Seat Belts .......................... 42,45,80
And Pregnant Women .................. 54
Child Restraint ................. 68,69,70,75
Extender ........................... 54
Front Seat ......................... 45,46
Inspection .......................... 80
Operating Instructions .................. 46
Pretensioners ........................ 52
Rear Seat ........................... 45
484 INDEX

System, Remote Starting.................... 27
Tachometer ............................ 176
Telescoping Steering Column ............... 147
Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC) ........ 238
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant .......177,354
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint ............... 72
Text Messaging ......................... 113
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) ................ 18
Theft System (Security Alarm) ............... 18
Tilt Steering Column ..................... 147
Time Delay, Headlight .................... 139
Tire and Loading Information Placard ......... 301
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............. 299
Tire Markings .......................... 296
Tire Safety Information .................... 296
TIREFIT .............................. 354
Tires ............................ 82,305,467
Aging (Life of Tires) .................. 312 Air Pressure
........................ 305
Chains ............................ 314
Changing ....................... 365,368
Compact Spare ...................... 309
Flat Changing ....................... 365
General Information .................. 305
High Speed ......................... 308
Inflation Pressures .................... 306
Jacking ......................... 367,368
Life of Tires ........................ 312
Load Capacity ....................... 301
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ......... 317
Pressure Warning Light ................ 183
Quality Grading ..................... 467
Radial ............................ 308
Replacement ........................ 313
Rotation ........................... 316
Safety .......................... 296,305
Sizes ............................. 297
10
INDEX 487