child restraint Ram 5500 Chassis Cab 2011 User Guide

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.
•If your child restraint seat is not LATCH-compatible,
install the restraint using the vehicle seat belting.
Installing the Child Restraint System
WARNING!
Do not install child restraint systems equipped with
LATCH attachments in the center position of a Crew
Cab model 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 Crew Cab model using the seat
belt and child tether anchorage. Failure to follow this
may result in serious or fatal injury.
We urge you to 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
66 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.
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
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 67

then allow the belt to retract into the retractor. For
additional information on ALR, refer to “Automatic
Locking Mode”.
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.
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 have two tether anchorages, oneeach behind the front center and right seats. Crew Cab
models have three anchorages, one behind each of the
rear seats.
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.
68 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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 seat back 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 Tether Strap Mounting
1 — Tether Strap Hook
2 — Tether Strap to Child Restraint
3 — Tether Anchor
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 69

Multiple Child Restraint Installation Sequence
(Crew Cab — Rear 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 “up” 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.
70 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Multiple Child Restraint Crew Cab
1 — Inner Anchor Strap Ring(s)4 — Passenger’s Side Rear Child Seat
2 — Snap Hook 5 — Rear Center Child Seat
3 — Tether Strap 6 — Driver’s Side Rear Child Seat
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 71

Center Lap Belts......................... 47
Center Seat Storage Compartment ............ 166
Certification Label ....................... 328
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 299
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) .............190,383
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 73
Checks, Safety ........................... 73
Child Restraint ........................ 61,62
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............64,68
Child Seat ............................ 62,66
Cigar Lighter ........................... 159
Cleaning Wheels ............................. 411
Climate Control ......................... 248
Clock ........................ 21 1,212,216,225
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 247
Compass .............................. 202
Compass Calibration ..................... 204 Compass Variance
....................... 204
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 201
Connector UCI ................................ 236
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ......... 236
Console, Overhead ....................... 154
Contract, Service ........................ 451
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 399
Cooling System ......................... 396
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .............. 398
Coolant Capacity ...................... 426
Coolant Level ...................... 396,400
Disposal of Used Coolant ................ 400
Drain, Flush, and Refill .................. 397
Inspection ........................... 400
Points to Remember .................... 400
Pressure Cap ......................... 399
Radiator Cap ......................... 399
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) .........397,427
460 INDEX

Rear Axle (Differential).................404,405
Rear Window Features .................... 170
Rear Window, Sliding ..................... 172
Reclining Front Seats ..................... 123
Recreational Towing ...................... 347
Shifting into Transfer Case Neutral (N) ....348,351
Shifting out of Transfer Case Neutral (N) . . 349,353
Reformulated Gasoline .................... 322
Refrigerant ............................ 391
Reminder, Seat Belt ....................... 48
Remote Control Starting System ........................ 25
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) ................. 20
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls ........ 246
Remote Starting System .................... 25
Replacement Keys ........................ 16
Replacement Parts ....................... 384
Replacement Tires ....................... 315
Reporting Safety Defects ................... 452 Resetting Oil Change Indicator
...........185,199
Restraint, Head ......................... 124
Restraints, Child ....................... 61,66
Restraints, Occupant ...................... 37
Rotation, Tires .......................... 319
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle ................. 74
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle ............... 75
Safety Defects, Reporting .................. 452
Safety, Exhaust Gas ....................... 74
Safety Information, Tire ................... 297
Safety Tips ............................. 73
Satellite Radio Antenna ................... 243
Satellite Radio (Uconnect studios)........... 242
Schedule, Maintenance .................... 430
Seat Belt Maintenance .................... 413
Seat Belt Reminder ....................... 48
Seat Belts .......................... 37,38,74
Adjustable Upper Shoulder Anchorage ........ 46
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INDEX 469

And Pregnant Women................... 49
Child Restraint ....................... 61,72
Extender ............................. 49
Front Seat ............................ 38
Inspection ............................ 74
Reminder ............................ 193
Seats .............................. 121,131
Adjustment .......................... 121
Child ............................... 72
Heated ............................. 129
Memory ............................ 132
Power .............................. 127
Reclining ............................ 123
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ................ 18
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ..........397,427
Sentry Key (Immobilizer) ................... 15
Sentry Key Programming ................... 17
Sentry Key Replacement ................... 16
Service Assistance ....................... 449 Service Contract
......................... 451
Service Manuals ........................ 453
Setting the Clock ................ 21 1,212,216,225
Settings, Personal ........................ 205
Shifting ............................... 268
Automatic Transmission ................. 270
Transfer Case ......................... 279
Transfer Case, Shifting into Transfer Case
Neutral (N) ....................... 348,351
Transfer Case, Shifting out of Transfer Case
Neutral (N) ....................... 349,353
Shoulder Belt Upper Anchorage .............. 46
Shoulder Belts ........................... 38
Signals, Turn ...................... 75,144,180
Sliding Rear Window Power .............................. 171
Snow Chains (Tire Chains) ................. 317
Snow Plow ............................ 344
Snow Tires ............................ 319
470 INDEX

Spark Plugs............................ 427
Speed Control (Cruise Control) .............. 150
Speedometer ........................... 181
Starting ............................. 25,265
Automatic Transmission ................. 265
Engine Fails to Start .................... 266
Remote .............................. 25
Starting Procedures (Gas Engines) ............ 265
Steel Carcass Ply Tires .................... 310
Steering Power ........................... 291,292
Wheel, Heated ........................ 149
Wheel, Tilt ........................... 147
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound
System Controls ......................... 246
Storage Compartment, Center Seat ........... 166
Storage, Vehicle ...................... 259,419
Storing Your Vehicle ...................... 419
Supplemental Tire Pressure Information ........ 317Synthetic Engine Oil
...................... 388
System, Remote Starting .................... 25
Tachometer ............................ 180
Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC) ........ 253
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant .......... 180
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint .............64,68
Tilt Steering Column ..................... 147
Tip Start .............................. 266
Tire and Loading Information Placard ......303,317
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............. 301
Tire Markings .......................... 297
Tire Safety Information .................... 297
Tires ............................ 75,307,454
Aging (Life of Tires) .................... 314
Air Pressure .......................... 307
Chains .............................. 317
Dual ............................ 320,366
General Information .................... 307
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INDEX 471