child seat Ram 4500 Chassis Cab 2018 Owner's Manual

WARNING!
• Follow the child restraint manufactur-er’s directions exactly when installing an
infant or child restraint.
Regular Cab Only
The seat belts in the passenger seating posi-
tions are equipped with a Switchable Auto-
matic Locking Retractor (ALR) that is de-
signed 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
retractor can be “switched” into a locked
mode by pulling all of the webbing out of the
retractor and then letting the webbing retract
back into the retractor. If it is locked, the ALR
will make a clicking noise while the webbing
is pulled back into the retractor. Refer to the
“Automatic Locking Mode” description in
“Switchable Automatic Locking Retractors
(ALR)” under “Occupant Restraint Systems”
for additional information on ALR. Crew Cab: Split Bench And Full Bench
The seat belts in the passenger seating posi-
tions are equipped with either a Switchable
Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) or a
cinching latch plate or both. Both types of
seat belts are designed to keep the lap por-
tion of the seat belt tight around the child
restraint so that it is not necessary to use a
locking clip. The ALR retractor can be
“switched” into a locked mode by pulling all
of the webbing out of the retractor and then
letting the webbing retract back into the
retractor. If it is locked, the ALR will make a
clicking noise while the webbing is pulled
back into the retractor. Refer to the “Auto-
matic Locking Mode” description in “Switch-
able Automatic Locking Retractors (ALR)”
under “Occupant Restraint Systems” for ad-
ditional information on ALR. The cinching
latch plate is designed to hold the lap portion
of the seat belt tight when webbing is pulled
tight and straight through a child restraint’s
belt path.
Please see the table below and the following
sections for more information.
Lap/Shoulder Belt Systems For Installing
Child Restraints In This Vehicle
Regular Cab Automatic Locking Retractor
(ALR) Locations
ALR = Switchable Automatic Locking
Retractor
Top Tether Anchorage Symbol
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Frequently Asked Questions About Installing Child Restraints With Seat Belts
What is the weight limit (child’s weight +
weight of the child restraint) for using the
Tether Anchor with the seat belt to attach a forward facing child restraint? Weight limit of the Child RestraintAlways use the tether anchor when using the
seat belt to install a forward facing child re-
straint, up to the recommended weight limit of the child restraint.
Can the rear-facing child restraint touch the back of the front passenger seat? Ye sContact between the front passenger seat and
the child restraint is allowed, if the child re- straint manufacturer also allows contact.
Crew Cab Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) Locations
CINCH = Cinching Latchplate
ALR = Switchable Automatic Locking
Retractor
Top Tether Anchorage Symbol
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Frequently Asked Questions About Installing Child Restraints With Seat Belts
Can the head restraints be removed? NoHead restraints may not be removed.
Can the buckle stalk be twisted to tighten the seat belt against the belt path of the child re- straint? Yes – Cinching Latch Plate
No–ALR In positions with cinching latch plates
(CINCH), the buckle stalk may be twisted up to 3 full turns. Do not twist the buckle stalk in a seating position with an ALR retractor.
Installing A Child Restraint With A Switch-
able Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR):
Child restraint systems are designed to be
secured in vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap
belt portion of a lap/shoulder belt.
WARNING!
• Improper installation or failure to prop-
erly secure a child restraint can lead to
failure of the restraint. The child could
be badly injured or killed.
• Follow the child restraint manufacturer’s
directions exactly when installing an in-
fant or child restraint.
1. For Crew Cab Models
Place the child seat in the center of the seating position. For some second row
seats, you may need to recline the seat
and/or raise the head restraint to get a
better fit. If the rear seat can be moved
forward and rearward in the vehicle, you
may wish to move it to its rear-most posi-
tion to make room for the child seat. You
may also move the front seat forward to
allow more room for the child seat.
For Regular Cab Models
Place the child seat in the center of the
seating position. Move the vehicle seat as
far rearward as possible to keep the child
as far from the advanced passenger air
bag as possible.
2. Pull enough of the seat belt webbing from the retractor to pass it through the belt
path of the child restraint. Do not twist the
belt webbing in the belt path. 3. Slide the latch plate into the buckle until
you hear a “click.”
4. Pull on the webbing to make the lap portion tight against the child seat.
5. To lock the seat belt, pull down on the shoulder part of the belt until you have
pulled all the seat belt webbing out of the
retractor. Then, allow the webbing to re-
tract back into the retractor. As the web-
bing retracts, you will hear a clicking
sound. This means the seat belt is now in
the Automatic Locking mode.
6. Try to pull the webbing out of the retractor. If it is locked, you should not be able to
pull out any webbing. If the retractor is not
locked, repeat step 5.
7. Finally, pull up on any excess webbing to
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tighten the lap portion around the child
restraint while you push the child restraint
rearward and downward into the vehicle
seat.
8. If the child restraint has a top tether strap and the seating position has a top tether
anchorage, connect the tether strap to the
anchorage and tighten the tether strap.
See the section “Installing Child Re-
straints Using the Top Tether Anchorage”
for directions to attach a tether anchor.
9. Test that the child restraint is installed tightly by pulling back and forth on the
child seat at the belt path. It should not
move more than 1 inch (25.4 mm) in any
direction.
Any seat belt system will loosen with time, so
check the belt occasionally, and pull it tight if
necessary.
Installing A Child Restraint With A Cinching
Latch Plate (CINCH) — If Equipped:
Child restraint systems are designed to be
secured in vehicle seats by lap belts or the
lap belt portion of a lap/shoulder belt.
WARNING!
• Improper installation or failure to prop- erly secure a child restraint can lead to
failure of the restraint. The child could
be badly injured or killed.
• Follow the child restraint manufactur-
er’s directions exactly when installing an
infant or child restraint.
1. Place the child seat in the center of the seating position. For some second row
seats, you may need to recline the seat
and / or raise the head restraint to get a
better fit. If the rear seat can be moved
forward and rearward in the vehicle, you
may wish to move it to its rear-most posi-
tion to make room for the child seat. You
may also move the front seat forward to
allow more room for the child seat.
2. Next, pull enough of the seat belt webbing from the retractor to pass it through the
belt path of the child restraint. Do not
twist the belt webbing in the belt path.
3. Slide the latch plate into the buckle until you hear a “click.” 4. Finally, pull up on any excess webbing to
tighten the lap portion around the child
restraint while you push the child restraint
rearward and downward into the vehicle
seat.
5. If the child restraint has a top tether strap and the seating position has a top tether
anchorage, connect the tether strap to the
anchorage and tighten the tether strap.
See the section “Installing Child Re-
straints Using the Top Tether Anchorage”
for directions to attach a tether anchor.
6. Test that the child restraint is installed tightly by pulling back and forth on the
child seat at the belt path. It should not
move more than 1 inch (25.4 mm) in any
direction.
Any seat belt system will loosen with time, so
check the belt occasionally, and pull it tight if
necessary.
If the buckle or the cinching latch plate is too
close to the belt path opening of the child
restraint, you may have trouble tightening the
seat belt. If this happens, disconnect the
latch plate from the buckle and twist the
short buckle-end belt up to three full turns to
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110

shorten it. Insert the latch plate into the
buckle with the release button facing out,
away from the child restraint. Repeat steps
4 to 6, above, to complete the installation of
the child restraint.
If the belt still cannot be tightened after you
shorten the buckle, disconnect the latch
plate from the buckle, turn the buckle around
one half turn, and insert the latch plate into
the buckle again. If you still cannot make the
child restraint installation tight, try a differ-
ent seating position.
Installing Child Restraints Using The Top
Tether Anchorage
WARNING!
Do not attach a tether strap for a rear-
facing car seat to any location in front of
the car seat, including the seat frame or a
tether anchorage. Only attach the tether
strap of a rear-facing car seat to the tether
anchorage that is approved for that seating
position, located behind the top of the
vehicle seat. See the section “Lower An-
chors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH)
WARNING!
Restraint System” for the location of ap-
proved tether anchorages in your vehicle.
Regular Cab Trucks:
In the regular cab truck, the top tether an-
chorages are located behind the center and
right passenger seats. There is a plastic cover
over each anchorage. To attach the tether
strap of the child restraint:
1. Place the child restraint on the seat andadjust the tether strap so that it will reach
over the seat back, under the head re-
straint and to the tether anchor directly
behind the seat. 2. Route the tether strap to provide the most
direct path between the anchorage and
the child seat. The tether strap should go
between the head restraint posts under-
neath the head restraint. You may need toRegular Cab Tether Anchorages
1 — Tether Strap Hook
2 — Tether Strap To Child Restraint
3 — Tether Anchor
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adjust the head restraint to the upward
position to pass the tether strap under-
neath the head restraint and between its
posts.
3. Lift the cover (if so equipped), and attach the hook to the square opening in the
sheet metal. Tighten the tether strap ac-
cording to the child seat manufacturer’s
instructions.WARNING!
Never place a rear-facing child restraint in
front of an air bag. A deploying Passenger
Front Air Bag can cause death or serious
injury to a child 12 years or younger,
including a child in a rear-facing child
restraint.
Crew Cab Trucks:
The top tether anchorages in this vehicle are
tether strap loops located between the rear
glass and the back of the rear seat. There is a
tether strap loop located behind each seating
position. Follow the steps below to attach the
tether strap of the child restraint.
Right Or Left Outboard Seats:
1. Raise the head restraint and reach be- tween the rear seat and rear glass to
access the tether strap loop.
2. Place a child restraint on the seat andadjust the tether strap so that it will reach
Regular Or Crew Cab Tether Anchorages
Head Restraint In Raised Position
Tether Strap Loop With Center Head Restraint In Raised Position
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over the seat back, under the head re-
straint, through the tether strap loop be-
hind the seat and over to the tether strap
loop behind the center seat.
3. Pass the tether strap hook under the head restraint behind the child seat, though the
tether strap loop behind the seat and over
to the center tether strap loop.
4. Attach the hook to the center tether strap loop (see diagram). Tighten the tether
strap according to the child seat manufac-
turer’s instructions. NOTE:
If there are child seats in both of the outboard
(left and right) seating positions, the tether
strap hooks of both child seats should be
connected to the center tether strap loop.
This is the correct way to tether two outboard
child seats.
Center Seat:
1. Raise the head restraint and reach be-
tween the rear seat and rear glass to
access the tether strap loop. 2. Place a child restraint on the seat and
adjust the tether strap so that it will reach
over the seat back, under the head re-
straint, through the tether strap loop be-
hind the seat and over to the tether strap
loop behind either the right or left out-
board seat.
3. Pass the tether strap hook under the head restraint behind the child seat, though the
tether strap loop behind the seat and over
to the right or left outboard tether strap
loop.
Tether Strap Through Outboard Tether Strap Loop
Tether Strap Through Outboard Tether
Strap Loop And Attached To Center Tether Strap LoopTether Strap Loop With Head Restraint InRaised Position
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4. Attach the hook to the outboard tetherstrap loop (see diagram). Tighten the
tether strap according to the child seat
manufacturer’s instructions. Installing Three Child Restraints:
1. Place a child restraint on each outboard
rear seat. Route the tether straps follow-
ing the directions for right and left seating
positions, above.
2. Attach both hooks to the center tether strap loop, but do not tighten the straps
yet.
3. Place a child restraint on the center rear seat. Route the tether strap following the
directions for the center seating position,
above. 4. Attach the hook to the outboard tether
strap loop.
5. Tighten the tether straps according to the child seat manufacturer’s instructions,
tightening the right and left tether straps
before the center tether strap.
WARNING!
• An incorrectly anchored tether strapcould lead to increased head motion and
possible injury to the child. Use only the
anchorage position directly behind the
child seat to secure a child restraint top
tether strap.
• If your vehicle is equipped with a split
rear seat, make sure the tether strap
does not slip into the opening between
Tether Strap Through Center Tether Strap LoopTether Strap Through Center Tether StrapLoop And Attached To Outboard Tether Strap Loop
Outboard And Center Seating Positions Shown
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WARNING!
the seatbacks as you remove slack in the
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 colli-
sion.
Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in
pet harnesses or pet carriers that are secured
by seat belts.
SAFETY TIPS
Transporting Passengers
NEVER TRANSPORT PASSENGERS IN THE
CARGO AREA.
WARNING!
• Do not leave children or animals insideparked vehicles in hot weather. Interior
heat build-up may cause serious injury
or death.
• It is extremely dangerous to ride in a
cargo area, inside or outside of a vehicle.
In a collision, people riding in these
areas are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed.
• Do not allow people to ride in any area of
your vehicle that is not equipped with
seats and seat belts.
• Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a
seat and using a seat belt properly.
Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They con-
tain carbon monoxide (CO), which is col-
orless and odorless. Breathing it can make
you unconscious and can eventually poi-
son you. To avoid breathing (CO), follow
these safety tips:
• Do not run the engine in a closed garageor in confined areas any longer than
needed to move your vehicle in or out of
the area.
• If you are required to drive with the
trunk/liftgate/rear doors open, make sure
that all windows are closed and the cli-
mate control BLOWER switch is set at
high speed. DO NOT use the recircula-
tion mode.
• If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle
with the engine running, adjust your
heating or cooling controls to force out-
side air into the vehicle. Set the blower
at high speed.
115

STARTING THE ENGINE — GASOLINE
ENGINE
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat,
adjust both inside and outside mirrors, and
fasten your seat belt.
The starter should not be operated for more
than 10-second intervals. Waiting a few sec-
onds between such intervals will protect the
starter from overheating.
WARNING!
• When leaving the vehicle, always makesure the keyless ignition node is in the
"OFF" mode, remove the key fob from
the vehicle and lock the vehicle.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle,
or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Allowing children to be in a vehicle un-
attended is dangerous for a number of
reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously or fatally injured. Children should
be warned not to touch the parking
brake, brake pedal or the gear selector.
WARNING!
• Do not leave the key fob in or near thevehicle, or in a location accessible to
children, and do not leave the ignition of
a vehicle equipped with Keyless Enter-
N-Go in the ACC or ON/RUN mode. A
child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
• Do not leave children or animals inside
parked vehicles in hot weather. Interior
heat build-up may cause serious injury
or death.
Normal Starting
Normal starting of either a warm or cold
engine is obtained without pumping or press-
ing the accelerator pedal. Cycle the ignition
to the RUN position and release when the
engine starts. If the engine fails to start
within 10 seconds, cycle the ignition to the
OFF position, wait five seconds, then repeat
the “Normal Starting” procedure.
To Turn On The Engine Using The ENGINE
START/STOP Button
1. Transmission must be in PARK or
NEUTRAL.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal while pushing the ENGINE START/STOP button
once.
3. The system takes over and attempts to start the vehicle. If the vehicle fails to
start, the starter will disengage automati-
cally after 10 seconds.
4. If you wish to stop the cranking of the engine prior to the engine starting, push
the button again.
NOTE:
Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or press-
ing the accelerator pedal.
To Turn Off The Engine Using ENGINE
START/STOP Button
1. Place the gear selector in PARK, then push and release the ENGINE START/
STOP button.
STARTING AND OPERATING
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