child seat DODGE NEON 2004 2.G User Guide

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.
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.
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.
Installing the Child Restraint System
While there are LATCH anchorages at all three rear
seating positions, do not install child restraints at all three
positions at the same time. The anchorages are not
designed to restrain three child restraints at one time.
Instead, you may install one child restraint at the center
position, or two child restraints at the right and left
positions.
44 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Do not install child restraint systems equipped with
LATCH attachments at all three rear seating posi-
tions at one time. The LATCH anchorages are de-
signed to restrain no more than two child restraints
at a time in the event of a collision.
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, a hook and means for adjusting the
tension in the strap.
In general, you will first loosen the adjusters on the lower
straps and tether straps so that you can more easily attach
the hook or connector to the lower anchorages and tether
anchorages. 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!
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.
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.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 45
2

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 or behind
their back.
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.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
The engine in your new vehicle does not require a long
break-in period.
Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km).
After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or 55
mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable.
While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration, within the
limits of local traffic laws, contributes to a good break-in.
Wide open throttle acceleration in low gear can be
detrimental and should be avoided.
The crankcase oil installed in the engine at the factory is
a high quality energy conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with expected climate con-
ditions under which vehicle operations will occur. The
recommended viscosity and quality grades are in Section
7 of this manual.
Do not use non-detergent or straight mineral oils.
A new engine may consume some oil during its first few
thousand miles of operation. This is a normal part of the
break-in and not an indication of a problem.
46 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

POWER SUNROOF Ð IF EQUIPPED
The sunroof control is located on the headliner between
the sun visors.
A single control ªtiltsº the sunroof to the vent position
and also slides the sunroof rearward to the full open
position. Move the switch rearward to move the sunroof
panel to the full vent position. The sunroof can be
stopped at any position between closed and full vent
open.
Once the sunroof panel is in the full vent position, you
may momentarily move the switch rearward (less thanone second) to initiate the express open mode. During
this operation, any movement of the switch will stop the
sunroof and it will remain in a partial open position.
To close the sunroof, hold the switch in the forward
position. Again, any release of the switch will stop the
movement and the sunroof will remain in a partial open
condition until the switch is pushed forward again.
WARNING!
In an accident, there is a greater risk of being thrown
from a vehicle with an open sunroof. You could also
be seriously injured or killed. Always fasten your
seat belt properly and make sure all passengers are
properly secured too.
Do not allow small children to operate the sunroof.
Never allow fingers or other body parts, or any
object to project through the sunroof opening. Injury
may result.
68 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
CAUTION!
Long periods of engine idling, especially at high
engine speeds can cause excessive exhaust tempera-
tures which can damage your vehicle. Do not leave
your vehicle unattended with the engine running.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
Automatic Transaxle
The gear selector must be in the NEUTRAL or PARK
position before you can start the engine.
NOTE:You must press the brake pedal before shifting
out of Park.
Manual Transaxle
Place the gear selector in NEUTRAL, press the clutch
pedal to the floor, and fully apply the parking brake
before starting the engine.
NOTE:The engine will not start unless the clutch pedal
is pressed to the floor.
Normal Starting
Normal Starting of either a cold or a warm engine does
not require pumping or depressing the accelerator pedal.
Simply turn the key to the START position and release
when the engine starts. If the engine has not started
within 5 seconds, slightly depress the accelerator pedal
while continuing to crank. If the engine fails to start
within 15 seconds, turn the key to the OFF position, wait
10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the normal starting proce-
dure.
114 STARTING AND OPERATING

Jack Operation......................... 153
Jacking Instructions..................... 154
Jump Starting......................... 157
Key, Programming....................... 12
Key Release Button....................... 9
Key, Replacement....................... 12
Key, Sentry............................ 11
Key-In Reminder........................ 10
Keyless Entry System..................... 17
Keys.................................. 9
Lane Change and Turn Signals.............. 79
Lap/Shoulder Belts...................... 24
LATCH
(Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren)..... 42
Lead Free Gasoline...................... 141
Leaks, Fluid............................ 48
Light Bulbs........................196,197
Lighter, Cigar.......................... 70
Lights................................ 60
Airbag..........................39,47,80
Anti-Lock............................ 79Brake Warning........................ 78
Center Mounted Stop.................. 199
Daytime Running...................... 62
Dimmer Switch, Headlight.............61,62
Dome............................... 61
Exterior Check........................ 48
Fog ..............................62,78
Headlights On Reminder................ 62
High Beam Indicator................... 79
Instrument Cluster..................... 61
Interior.............................. 60
Lights On Reminder.................... 62
Low Fuel............................ 81
Malfunction Indicator................... 81
Map Reading......................... 60
Oil Pressure.......................... 80
Park................................ 61
Passing............................. 62
Rear Servicing....................... 199
Rear Tail............................ 199
Seat Belt Reminder..................... 80
Security Alarm........................ 21
Side Marker......................... 199
INDEX 235
10

Release, Hood.......................... 58
Remote Keyless Entry.................... 17
Remote Trunk Release.................... 21
Replacement Bulbs...................... 196
Replacement Keys....................... 12
Replacement Parts...................... 168
Replacement Tires...................... 138
Reporting Safety Defects................. 224
Rotation, Tires......................... 141
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle............... 47
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle.............. 48
Safety Defects, Reporting................. 224
Safety Information, Tire.................. 125
Safety Tips............................. 47
Satellite Radio.......................... 95
Satellite Radio Antenna................... 97
Seat Belts.............................. 23
Adjustable Upper Shoulder Anchorage...... 28
And Pregnant Women.................. 30
Child Restraint........................ 39
Extender............................ 31
Front Seat............................ 24Maintenance......................... 194
Rear Seat............................ 24
Untwisting Procedure................... 29
Seats................................. 55
Adjustment.......................... 55
Head Restraints....................... 57
Rear Folding......................... 57
Reclining............................ 56
Security Alarm.......................20,80
Sentry Key.......................... 11,21
Sentry Key Programming.................. 12
Service Assistance...................... 220
Service Contract........................ 222
Service Manuals........................ 225
Setting the Clock........................ 83
Shift Speeds........................... 120
Shift Speeds, Manual Transaxle............ 120
Shoulder Belt Upper Anchorage............. 28
Side Airbag............................ 38
Side Window Demisters...............103,109
Slippery Surfaces, Driving On............. 159
Snow Tires............................ 140
Spark Plugs........................... 173
238 INDEX