2004 DODGE DURANGO warning

Child Restraints in Third Row Seating (If
Equipped)
The third seating row is not capable of installing child
restraints that require the use of a tether strap. There are
no tether anchor provisions for the third seating row in
your vehicle, the hooks in the rear floor are not designed
to withstand the forces that may occur during a crash.
WARNING!
An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to
increased head motion and possible injury to the
child. Use only the anchor positions directly behind
the child seat to secure a child restraint top tether
strap. Do not install a child restraint that requires a
tether strap in the third seating row (if equipped) of
this vehicle.
Child Restraint Tether Anchor
There are tether strap anchorages behind each seating
position in the second row. For vehicles equipped with
third row seating, there is no Child Tether Anchorage
provided for the third row of seats. To install child
restraint tethers follow these instructions.
1. Place the child restraint in the second row of seats.
2. Route the tether strap under the head restraint and
between the two posts.
3. Attach the tether strap hook of the child restraint to
the tether anchor located on the seat back and remove the
slack in the tether strap according to the manufacturer's
instructions.
60 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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
instructions below. See your dealer for help if nec-
essary.
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.
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.
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ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine in
your new vehicle. Drive moderately during the first 300
miles (500 km). After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds
up to 50 or 55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable. While
cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration, within the limits
of local traffic laws, contributes to a good break-in.
Avoid wide open throttle acceleration in low gear.
The engine oil installed in the engine at the factory is a
high-quality, energy-conserving type lubricant. Oil
changes should be consistent with anticipated climate
conditions under which vehicle operations will occur.
The recommended viscosity and quality grades are
shown in Section 7.
NON-DETERGENT OR STRAIGHT MINERAL OILS
MUST NEVER BE USED.A new engine may consume some oil during its first few
thousand miles of operation. This is a normal part of the
break-in and is not an indication of difficulty.
SAFETY TIPS
Exhaust System
WARNING!
Exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, an ex-
tremely toxic gas that by itself is colorless and
odorless. To avoid inhaling these gases, the follow-
ing precautions should be observed:
²Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in confined
areas any longer than needed to move your vehicle in
or out of the area.
62 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Vehicles and other objects seen in the right side
convex mirror will look smaller and farther away
than they really are. Relying too much on your right
side mirror could cause you to collide with another
vehicle or other object. Use your inside mirror when
judging the size or distance of a vehicle seen in the
right side mirror.
Illuminated Vanity Mirrors Ð If Equipped
An illuminated vanity mirror is on each sun visor. To use
the mirror, rotate the sun visor down and swing the
mirror cover upward. The lights will turn on automati-
cally. Closing the mirror cover turns off the light.Heated Mirrors Ð If Equipped
Heated mirrors are automatically activated when you
depress the rear window defroster switch located on the
instrument panel. The light will illuminate to indicate
that the heating elements are ON. Turning OFF the
ignition will deactivate the heated mirrors.
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WARNING!
Adjusting a seat while the vehicle is moving is
dangerous. The sudden movement of the seat could
cause you to lose control. The seat belt might not be
properly adjusted and you could be injured. Adjust
any seat only while the vehicle is parked.
Front Seats Manual Seat Recliners
The bucket seats are equipped with recliners. The reclin-
ing mechanism is operated by a control located on the
outboard side of the seat. To recline, lean forward slightly
before lifting the lever, then push back to the desired
position and release the lever. Lean forward and lift the
lever to return the seatback to its normal position. Using
body pressure, lean forward and rearward on the seat to
be sure the seatback is locked.
WARNING!
Do not ride with the seatback reclined so that the
shoulder belt is no longer resting against your chest.
In a collision you could slide under the seat belt and
be seriously or even fatally injured. Use the recliner
only when the vehicle is parked.
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To Achieve Maximum Cargo Capacity
Pull up the release handles and strap on the second row
seats and fold the seat backs flat. Then fold the third row
seat flat. Unsnap the flipper panel on the third row seat
and flip it forward on the backs of the second row seats.
NOTE:When returning the second row seats to their
upright position, always snap the third row seat flipper
panel(s) back to the third row seat first.
NOTE:The head restraints must be lowered when
folding the back but do not have to be removed.
NOTE:The seat belt buckles are hinged to fold with the
back.WARNING!
Make sure the cushion is properly engaged under
the seatback to properly lock the seatback in the
riding position.
Do not sit in the 3rd row seat with the second row
seatbacks folded or with the second row seats folded
and tumbled. In a collision, you could slide under
the seat belt and be seriously or even fatally injured.
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WARNING!
If the hood is not fully latched, it could fly up when
the vehicle is moving and block your forward vision.
Be sure all hood latches are fully latched before
driving.
LIGHTS
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 103
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WARNING!
Sudden loss of visibility through the windshield
could lead to an accident. You might not see other
vehicles or other obstacles. To avoid sudden icing of
the windshield during freezing weather, warm the
windshield with defroster before and during wind-
shield washer use.
NOTE:If the front wiper is operating when the ignition
is turned off, the wiper will automatically return to the
9Park9position. When the vehicle is restarted, the wipers
will resume operation.
Windshield Washers
To use the washer, push in on the washer knob on the end
of the multifunction control lever and hold while spray is
desired. If the washer knob is depressed while in the
delay range, the wiper will operate for several seconds
after the washer knob is released. It will then resume the
intermittent interval previously selected. If the washer
knob is pushed, for a period greater than 1 second, while
in the OFF position, the wiper will wipe approximately
three wipes, after the wash knob is released.
To prevent freeze-up of your windshield washer system
in cold weather, select a solution or mixture that meets or
exceeds the temperature range of your climate. This
rating information can be found on most washer fluid
containers.
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