2004 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER child restraint

WARNING!
²Improper 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 ex-
actly when installing an infant or child restraint.
²A rearward facing child restraint should only be
used in a rear seat. A rearward facing child re-
straint in the front seat may be struck by a
deploying passenger airbag which may cause se-
vere or fatal injury to the infant.
Here are some tips on getting the most out of your child
restraint:
²Before buying any restraint system, make sure that it
has a label certifying that it meets all applicable Safety
Standards. We also recommend that you make surethat you can install the child restraint in the vehicle
where you will use it, before you buy it.
²The restraint must be appropriate for your child's
weight and height. Check the label on the restraint for
weight and height limits.
²Carefully follow the instructions that come with the
restraint. If you install the restraint improperly, it may
not work when you need it.
The passenger seat belts are equipped with either
cinching latch plates or switchable seat belt retractors,
which are designed to keep the lap portion tight
around the child restraint so that it is not necessary to
use a locking clip. If the seat belt has a cinching latch
plate, pulling up on the shoulder portion of the
lap/shoulder belt will tighten the belt. The cinching
latch plate will keep the belt tight, however, any seat
belt system will loosen with time, so check the belt
occasionally and pull it tight if necessary.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
2

If the seat belt has a switchable retractor, it will have a
distinctive label.
²In the rear seat, you may have trouble tightening the
lap/shoulder belt on the child restraint because the
buckle or latch plate is too close to the belt path
opening on the restraint. Disconnect the latch plate
from the buckle and twist the short buckle end of the
belt several times to shorten it. Insert the latch plate
into the buckle with the release button facing out.
²If the belt still can't be tightened, or if by pulling and
pushing on the restraint loosens the belt, disconnect
the latch plate from the buckle, turn the buckle
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.
Don't leave it loose in the vehicle. In a sudden stop or
collision, it could strike the occupants or seat backs
and cause serious personal injury.
Automatic-Locking Retractor (ALR)
Pull the belt from the retractor until there is enough to
allow you to pass through the child restraint and slide the
latch plate into the buckle. Then pull on the belt until it is
all removed from the retractor. Allow the belt to return
into the retractor, pulling on the excess webbing to
tighten the lap portion about the child restraint. Follow
the instructions of the child restraint manufacture.
NOTE:To reset this feature you must let all of the belt
webbing return into the retractor. You will not be able to
pull out more webbing until all of the webbing has been
returned back into the retractor.
54 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren (LATCH)
Your vehicle is equipped with the child restraint anchor-
age system called LATCH, which stands for Lower
Anchors and Tether for CHildren. The LATCH system
provides for the installation of the child restraint without
using the vehicle seat belt. All three rear seating positions
have exclusive lower anchorages located at the rear of the
seat cushion. They are round bars, part of the seat and
body structure, and are readily visible. In addition, there
are tether strap anchorages behind each rear seating
position, located in the rear surface of the seat back.
Child restraints 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.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 55
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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.
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 with a hook and means for adjusting
the tension in the strap.
56 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

In general, you will first loosen the adjusters on the lower
and tether straps so that you can more easily attach the
hook or connector to the lower and tether anchorages.
The tether strap should be routed under the center of the
head restraint and attached to the tether anchor on the
rear of the seat back. 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 com-
patible, install the restraint using the vehicle seat belts.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 57
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WARNING!
An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to
increased head motion and possible injury to the
child. Use only the anchor position directly behind
the child seat to secure a child restraint top tether
strap.
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.
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.
58 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

CD Changer........................146,152
CD Player..................144,148,150,154,157
CD Player Maintenance................... 166
Cellular Phone........................70,166
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 289
Central Door Locks....................... 20
Chains, Tire............................ 214
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 230
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 199
Child Restraint.......................... 50
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............... 55
Child Restraint with Automatic Belts........... 54
Child Safety Locks........................ 21
Child Seat.............................. 56
Clean Air Gasoline....................... 217
Climate Control......................... 166
Clock................................ 136
Coin Holder........................... 112
Compact Disc Maintenance................. 166Compact Disc Player..................138,144
Compact Spare Tire...................... 210
Compass.............................. 105
Compass Calibration..................... 107
Compass Variance....................... 106
Console............................... 112
Console, Overhead....................... 104
Contract, Service........................ 318
Cool Down, Turbo....................... 182
Coolant............................290,291
Coolant Pressure Cap..................... 267
Cooling System......................... 265
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 267
Coolant Level......................266,268
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 266
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 266
Inspection........................... 268
Points to Remember.................... 268
Pressure Cap......................... 267
328 INDEX

Locks
Central.............................. 20
Child Protection........................ 21
Door................................ 18
Power Door........................... 19
Steering Wheel......................... 17
Lubrication, Body....................... 262
Luggage Rack.......................... 119
Maintenance Free Battery.................. 259
Maintenance, General..................... 251
Maintenance Procedures................... 251
Maintenance Schedule
Schedule9A9.......................305,309
Schedule9B9.......................... 297
Maintenance Schedules.................... 294
Malfunction Indicator Light..............134,249
Manual, Service......................... 322
Manual Transaxle..................180,189,276Downshifting......................... 191
Fluid Level Check...................... 276
Frequency of Fluid Change............... 276
Lubricant Selection..................... 276
Master Cylinder......................... 271
Mirrors................................ 67
Electric Remote........................ 68
Outside.............................. 67
Rearview............................. 67
Vanity............................... 69
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle............. 7
Mopar Parts.........................250,321
Multi-Function Control Lever................ 95
Navigation System....................... 161
New Vehicle Break-In Period................ 59
Occupant Restraints....................... 32
Octane Rating, Gasoline................... 216
334 INDEX