child restraint DODGE DURANGO 2004 2.G User Guide

LATCH - Child Seat Anchorage System (Lower
Anchors and Tether for CHildren)
Your vehicle's second row seat is equipped with the child
restraint anchorage system called LATCH. The LATCH
system provides for the installation of the child restraint
without using the vehicle's seat belts, instead securing
the child restraint using lower anchorages and upper
tether straps from the child restraint to the vehicle
structure. LATCH-compatible child restraint systems are
now available. However, because the lower anchorages
are to be introduced over a period of years, child restraint
systems having attachments for those anchorages will
continue to also have features for installation using the
vehicle's seat belts. Child restraints having tether straps
and hooks for connection to the top tether anchorages
have been available for some time. For some older child
restraints, many child restraint manufacturers offeradd-on tether strap kits or retro-fit kits. You are urged to
take advantage of all the available attachments provided
with your child restraint in any vehicle.
The outboard second row seating positions have lower
anchorages that are capable of accommodating LATCH-
compatible child seats.NEVERinstall LATCH-
compatible child seats such that two seats share a com-
mon lower anchorage. If installing child seats in adjacent
seating positions or if your child restraints are not
LATCH-compatible, install the restraints using the vehi-
cle's seat belts.
54 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Installing the LATCH-Compatible Child Restraint
System
We urge that you carefully follow the directions of the
manufacturer when installing your child restraint. Not all
child restraint systems will be installed as described here.
Again, carefully follow the installation instructions that
Second Row Left SideSecond Row Right Side
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were 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 seat back, 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 second row seating position
located on the back of the seat. Many, but not all restraint
systems will be equipped with separate straps on each
side, with each having a hook or connector for attach-
ment 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 adjusters on
the lower straps and on the tether strap so that you can
more easily attach the hooks or connectors to the vehicleanchorages. Next attach the lower hooks or connectors
over the top of the anchorage bars, pushing aside the seat
cover material. Then attach the tether strap to the anchor-
age located on the back of the seat, being careful to route
the tether strap to provide the most direct path between
the anchor and the child restraint. If your vehicle is
equipped with adjustable rear head restraints, raise the
head restraint and, route the tether strap under the head
restraint and between the two posts. 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 instruc-
tions.
56 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR 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 passenger seat belts are equipped with either cinch-
ing latch plates or automatic locking retractors, which are
designed to keep the lap portion tight around the child
restraint so that it should not be necessary to use a
locking clip. If the seat belt has a cinching latch plate,
pulling up on the shoulder 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 pullit tight if necessary. If the seat belt has an automatic
locking retractor, it will have a distinctive label. 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 the belt until it is all
extracted from the retractor. Allow the belt to return to
the retractor, pulling on the excess webbing to tighten the
lap portion about the child restraint. For automatic
locking retractor seat belts, refer to9Automatic Locking
Mode9earlier in this section. If you have trouble tighten-
ing 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, follow these steps. If the buckle
is webbing mounted, disconnect the latch plate from the
buckle and twist the short buckle-end belt to shorten it.
Insert the latch plate into the buckle with the release
button facing out. If the belt still can't be tightened, the
buckle is not webbing mounted, or if by pulling and
pushing on the restraint loosens the belt, you may need
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 57
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to do something more. 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
or use the locking clip provided with your child restraint.To attach a child restraint tether strap: Route the tether
strap over the seat back, between the head restraint posts
and attach the hook to the tether anchor located on the
back of the seat.
58 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Child Restraints in Third Row Seating (If
Equipped)
The third seating row is not capable of installing child
restraints that require the use of a tether strap. There are
no tether anchor provisions for the third seating row in
your vehicle, the hooks in the rear floor are not designed
to withstand the forces that may occur during a crash.
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. Do not install a child restraint that requires a
tether strap in the third seating row (if equipped) of
this vehicle.
Child Restraint Tether Anchor
There are tether strap anchorages behind each seating
position in the second row. For vehicles equipped with
third row seating, there is no Child Tether Anchorage
provided for the third row of seats. To install child
restraint tethers follow these instructions.
1. Place the child restraint in the second row of seats.
2. Route the tether strap under the head restraint and
between the two posts.
3. Attach the tether strap hook of the child restraint to
the tether anchor located on the seat back and remove the
slack in the tether strap according to the manufacturer's
instructions.
60 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to
seat failure and injury to the child. In a collision, the
seat could come loose and allow the child to crash
into the inside of the vehicle or other passengers, or
even be thrown from the vehicle. Use only the
anchor positions directly behind the child seat to
secure a child restraint top tether strap. Follow the
instructions below. See your dealer for help if nec-
essary.
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.
²The lap portion should be low on the hips and as snug
as possible.
²Check belt fit periodically. A child's squirming or
slouching can move the belt out of position.
²If 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.
Transporting Pets
Airbags 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.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 61
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Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 334
Certification Label....................... 250
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 272
Charging.............................. 280
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 223
Child Restraint......................50,51,61
Child Restraint Tether Anchors.............54,60
Child Restraint with Automatic Belts........... 35
Child Seat.............................. 55
Circuit Breakers......................... 325
Climate Control......................... 179
Clock................................ 154
Compact Disc Maintenance................. 178
Compact Spare Tire...................... 234
Compass.............................. 124
Compass Calibration..................... 124
Compass Variance....................... 125
Computer, Trip/Travel.................... 120
Console, Floor.......................... 137Console, Overhead....................... 119
Contract, Service........................ 362
Converter, Catalytic...................... 249
Coolant............................... 310
Coolant Pressure Cap..................... 310
Cooling System......................... 306
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 309
Coolant Capacity...................... 335
Coolant Level......................... 310
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 308
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 308
Inspection........................... 306
Points to Remember.................... 311
Radiator Cap......................... 310
Selection of Coolant...............308,335,337
Temperature Gauge..................... 146
Cruise Control.......................... 116
Cup Holder............................ 138
Customer Assistance..................... 360
372 INDEX

Reclining Front Seats...................... 87
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine
Parts............................... 337
Recreational Towing...................... 262
Shifting into Transfer Case Neutral (N)....... 263
Shifting out of Transfer Case Neutral (N)..... 265
Reformulated Gasoline.................... 243
Refrigerant............................ 303
Release, Hood.......................... 102
Reminder, Seat Belt....................... 35
Remote Keyless Entry..................... 19
Remote Sound System Controls.............. 177
Replacement Keys........................ 10
Replacement Parts....................... 291
Replacement Tires....................... 237
Reporting Safety Defects................... 365
Restraints, Child.......................50,55
Restraints, Occupant...................... 28
Rocking Vehicle When Stuck................ 221Roof Type Carrier....................... 139
Rotation, Tires.......................... 241
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle................. 63
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle............... 64
Safety Defects, Reporting.................. 365
Safety Information, Tire................... 221
Safety Tips............................. 62
Satellite Radio.......................... 173
Satellite Radio Antenna................... 176
Schedule, Maintenance.................... 341
Seat Belt Maintenance.................... 324
Seat Belt Reminder....................... 35
Seat Belts............................28,29
And Pregnant Women................... 37
Child Restraint.......................50,61
Extender............................. 37
Front Seat............................ 29
Inspection............................ 63
INDEX 381
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Emergency (Jump Starting)............... 280
Engine Block Heater.................... 202
Engine Fails to Start.................... 201
Starting Procedures...................... 200
Steering
Column Controls...................... 108
Column Lock.......................... 12
Power...........................220,303
Wheel, Tilt........................... 113
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System
Controls............................. 177
Storage, Vehicle......................... 326
Stuck, Freeing.......................... 221
Sun Roof.............................. 133
Supplemental Tire Pressure Information........ 239
Synthetic Engine Oil...................... 296
Tachometer............................ 149
Taillights.............................. 329Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant.......... 146
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint............... 54
Theft System Arming...................... 25
Theft System Disarming.................... 25
Thermostat............................ 311
Tilt Steering Column..................... 113
Tire and Loading Information Placard......226,239
Tire Identification Number (TIN)............. 225
Tire Markings.......................... 221
Tire Safety Information.................... 221
Tires ...............................64,230
Air Pressure.......................... 230
Alignment........................... 238
Chains.............................. 239
Changing............................ 272
Compact Spare........................ 234
General Information.................... 230
High Speed.......................... 233
Inflation Pressures..................... 231
INDEX 383
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