child restraint DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL 2008 3.G User Guide

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.
²Buckle the child into the seat according to the child
restraint manufacturer's directions.
²When your child restraint is not in use, secure it in the
vehicle with the seat belt or remove it from the vehicle.
Do not leave it loose in the vehicle. In a sudden stop or
collision, it could strike the occupants or seatbacks and
cause serious personal injury.
WARNING!
Improper 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 exactly when installing
an infant or child restraint.
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren (LATCH)
Each vehicle is equipped with the child restraint anchor-
age system called LATCH, which stands for Lower
Anchors and Tether for CHildren. LATCH child restraint
anchorage systems are installed in the 2500/3500 Regular
Cab passenger seat position and the Quad Cabtrear seat
outboard positions. LATCH-equipped seating positions
feature both lower anchor bars, located at the back of the
seat cushion, and tether strap anchorages, located behind
the seatback. (Refer to Child Restraint Tether Anchor
later in this section.)
Identification dots are located above the standard cab
front seat lower anchorages as a guide for locating lower
anchors.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 65
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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 seatback 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.
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 belts
not being used for occupant restraints are stowed and out
Mega CabtRear Seats
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 67
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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 child unattended in the vehicle.
NOTE:If your child restraint seat is not LATCH com-
patible, install the restraint using the vehicle seat belt.Installing the Child Restraint System
WARNING!
Do not install child restraint systems equipped with
LATCH attachments in the center position of a Quad
Cabtmodel rear seat. The LATCH anchorages in this
seat are designed for the two outboard seating posi-
tions only. A child may be placed in the rear center
seating position of a Quad Cabtmodel using the seat
belt and child tether anchorage. Failure to follow this
may result in serious or fatal injury.
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
68 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.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.
Child Restraint Tether Anchor
Child restraints having tether straps and hooks for con-
nection to tether anchors have been available for some
time. In fact, many child restraint manufacturers will
provide add-on tether strap kits for their older products.
Regular Cab models of Ram Pickups have two tether
anchorages, one each behind the front center and right
seats. Quad Cabtmodels have three anchorages, one
behind each of the rear seats.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 69
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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 instruc-
tions below. See your authorized dealer for help, if
necessary.
Tether Anchorage Points at the Right and Center
Front Seat (Regular Cab - All Seats)
1. Place the child restraint on the seat and adjust the
tether strap so that it will reach over the seatback under
the head restraint to the tether anchor directly behind the
seat.2. Lift the cover (if so equipped), and attach the hook to
the square opening in the sheet metal.
3. Install the child restraint and remove the slack in the
tether strap according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Regular Cab With Any Bench Seat
70 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Multiple Child Restraint Installation Sequence -
(Quad CabtRear Seats)
1. Obtain tether straps by raising the head restraints and
reaching between the rear glass and rear seat. The tether
strap may be retained with an elastic band. Accessibility
to the tether strap is greatly improved by raising the seat
cushion to the ªupº position. Remove the elastic before
use.
2. Place a child restraint on each outboard rear seat and
adjust the tether strap so that it will reach under the head
restraint to the tether anchor directly behind the seat and
then to the anchor directly behind the center rear seat.
3. Pass each tether strap hook under the head restraint
and through the loop of webbing behind the child seat.4. Route each tether strap to the anchor behind the center
seat, and attach the hooks to the metal ring.
5. Place a child restraint on the center rear seat and
adjust the tether strap so that it will reach under the head
restraint to the tether anchor directly behind the seat and
to the anchor directly behind the right seat.
6. Install each child restraint and remove the slack in the
tether strap according to the child restraint manufactur-
er's instructions.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 71
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Multiple Child Restraints
72 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Tether Anchorage Points at All Three Seating
Positions (Mega Cabt)
1. Place the child restraint on the seat and adjust the
tether strap so that it will reach over the seatback under
the head restraint to the tether anchor directly behind the
seat.
2. Lift the cover, and attach the hook to the square
opening in the sheet metal.
3. Install the child restraint and remove the slack in the
tether strap according to the manufacturer's instructions.
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.
Mega Cab Tether Anchor
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 73
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Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 439
Car Washes............................ 455
Carbon Monoxide Warning...............76,181
Cargo Light............................ 133
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance......... 247
Catalyst Full Message..................... 425
CD (Compact Disc) Player............202,210,224
Cellular Phone.......................... 89
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 473
Center Lap Belts......................... 45
Center Seat Storage Compartment.........167,168
Certification Label....................... 352
Charge Air Cooler....................... 442
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 317
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator
Light)................................ 194
Child Restraint........................61,62
Child Restraint Tether Anchors.............65,69
Child Seat............................62,68Cigar Lighter........................... 162
Cleaning
Wheels............................. 457
Climate Control......................... 249
Clock.....................200,204,212,225,239
Closed Crankcase Ventilation (CCV) Filter...... 426
Clutch Linkage Maintenance................ 445
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance............. 248
Compact Spare Tire...................... 328
Compass Calibration..................... 150
Compass Variance....................... 150
Console, Overhead....................... 142
Contract, Service........................ 499
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap).......... 439
Cooling System......................... 436
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 439
Coolant Capacity...................... 479
Coolant Level...................436,437,440
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 440
508 INDEX

Illuminated Entry........................ 20
Immobilizer (Sentry Key)................... 15
Infant Restraint........................61,62
Inflation Pressure Tires.................... 333
Information Center...................... 143
Information Center, Vehicle................. 143
Inside Rearview Mirror.................... 84
Instrument Cluster....................188,189
Instrument Panel and Controls.............. 187
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............. 458
Integrated Power Module (Fuses)............ 459
Interior Appearance Care.................. 457
Interior Lights.......................... 129
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers)........... 136
Intervention Regeneration Strategy........... 425
Introduction............................. 4
Jack Location........................... 385
Jack Operation.......................... 387Jump Starting.......................... 397
Key, Programming........................ 17
Key, Replacement........................ 16
Key, Sentry (Immobilizer)................... 15
Keyless Entry System...................... 21
Keys................................. 12
Knee Bolster............................ 48
Lane Change and Turn Signals.............. 133
Lap Belts.............................. 45
Lap/Shoulder Belts....................... 36
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for
CHildren).............................. 65
Life of Tires............................ 330
Lights..............................78,129
Airbag............................58,190
Anti-Lock Warning..................195,314
Brake Warning........................ 194
INDEX 513
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