child restraint RAM CHASSIS CAB 2011 User Guide

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 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.
• 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. 2 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 65

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
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 and66 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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, one each 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.
2 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 67

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 Mounting1 — Tether Strap Hook
2 — Tether Strap to Child Restraint
3 — Tether Anchor68 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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. 2 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 69

Multiple Child Restraint Crew Cab1 — Inner Anchor Strap Ring(s)
2 — Snap Hook
3 — Tether Strap
4 — Passenger’s Side Rear Child Seat
5 — Rear Center Child Seat
6 — Driver’s Side Rear Child Seat70 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Carbon Monoxide Warning ............... 73,321
Cargo Light ............................ 144
Cellular Phone ........................ 88,247
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 419
Center Lap Belts ......................... 46
Center Seat Storage Compartment ............ 166
Certification Label ....................... 324
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 296
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) ............. 189,379
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 72
Checks, Safety ........................... 72
Child Restraint ........................ 60,61
Child Restraint Tether Anchors ............. 64,67
Child Seat ............................ 61,65
Cigar Lighter ........................... 160
Cleaning
Wheels ............................. 407
Climate Control ......................... 247 Clock ............................. 212,221
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 246
Compass .............................. 203
Compass Calibration ..................... 204
Compass Variance ....................... 204
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 201
Connector
UCI ................................ 235
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ......... 235
Console, Overhead ....................... 155
Contract, Service ........................ 447
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 395
Cooling System ......................... 392
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .............. 394
Coolant Capacity ...................... 422
Coolant Level ...................... 393,396
Disposal of Used Coolant ................ 396
Drain, Flush, and Refill .................. 393
Inspection ........................... 396456 INDEX

Programming Transmitters
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 20
Radial Ply Tires ......................... 309
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap) ....... 393,395
Radio Operation ........................ 247
Radio, Satellite (Uconnect™ studios) .......... 240
Rear Axle (Differential) ................. 400,401
Rear Window Features .................... 171
Rear Window, Sliding ..................... 172
Reclining Front Seats ..................... 124
Recorder, Event Data ...................... 59
Recreational Towing ...................... 344
Shifting into Transfer Case Neutral (N) .... 346,349
Shifting out of Transfer Case Neutral (N) . . 348,352
Reformulated Gasoline .................... 318
Refrigerant ............................ 388
Reminder, Seat Belt ....................... 48 Remote Control
Starting System ........................ 26
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) ................. 20
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls ........ 245
Remote Starting System .................... 26
Replacement Keys ........................ 17
Replacement Parts ....................... 380
Replacement Tires ....................... 311
Reporting Safety Defects ................... 448
Resetting Oil Change Indicator ........... 184,199
Restraint, Head ......................... 126
Restraints, Child ....................... 60,65
Restraints, Occupant ...................... 37
Rotation, Tires .......................... 315
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle ................. 73
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle ............... 76
Safety Defects, Reporting .................. 448
Safety, Exhaust Gas ....................... 73
10 INDEX 465

Safety Information, Tire ................... 294
Safety Tips ............................. 72
Satellite Radio Antenna ................. 232,241
Satellite Radio (Uconnect™ studios) ........... 240
Schedule, Maintenance .................... 426
Seat Belt Maintenance .................... 409
Seat Belt Reminder ....................... 48
Seat Belts .......................... 37,38,73
Adjustable Upper Shoulder Anchorage ........ 46
And Pregnant Women ................... 49
Child Restraint ....................... 60,71
Extender ............................. 49
Front Seat ............................ 38
Inspection ............................ 73
Reminder ............................ 191
Seats .............................. 123,134
Adjustment .......................... 123
Child ............................... 71
Heated ............................. 130 Memory ............................ 134
Power .............................. 127
Reclining ............................ 124
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ................ 18
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) .......... 393,423
Sentry Key (Immobilizer) ................... 16
Sentry Key Programming ................... 17
Sentry Key Replacement ................... 17
Service Assistance ....................... 445
Service Contract ......................... 447
Service Manuals ........................ 449
Setting the Clock ..................... 212,221
Settings, Personal ........................ 205
Shifting ............................... 266
Automatic Transmission ................. 268
Transfer Case ......................... 277
Transfer Case, Shifting into Transfer Case
Neutral (N) ....................... 346,349466 INDEX

Transfer Case, Shifting out of Transfer Case
Neutral (N) ....................... 348,352
Shoulder Belt Upper Anchorage .............. 46
Shoulder Belts ........................... 38
Signals, Turn ...................... 76,145,179
Sliding Rear Window
Power .............................. 172
Snow Chains (Tire Chains) ................. 313
Snow Plow ............................ 340
Snow Tires ............................ 315
Spark Plugs ............................ 423
Speed Control (Cruise Control) .............. 152
Speedometer ........................... 180
Starting ............................. 26,263
Automatic Transmission ................. 263
Engine Fails to Start .................... 264
Remote .............................. 26
Starting Procedures (Gas Engines) ............ 263
Steel Carcass Ply Tires .................... 306 Steering
Power ........................... 288,289
Wheel, Heated ........................ 151
Wheel, Tilt ........................... 148
Steering Wheel Audio Controls .............. 245
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System
Controls .............................. 245
Storage Compartment, Center Seat ........... 166
Storage, Vehicle ...................... 257,415
Storing Your Vehicle ...................... 415
Supplemental Tire Pressure Information ........ 313
Synthetic Engine Oil ...................... 384
System, Remote Starting .................... 26
Tachometer ............................ 179
Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC) ........ 252
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant .......... 179
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint ............. 64,67
Tilt Steering Column ..................... 148
10 INDEX 467