2004 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN belt

Infants and Small Children
There are different sizes and types of restraints for
children from newborn size to the child almost large
enough for an adult safety belt. Always check the child
seat owner's manual to ensure you have the right seat for
your child. Use the restraint that is correct for your child:
² Safety experts recommend that children ride
rearward-facing in the vehicle until they are at least
one year old and weigh at least 20 lbs (9 kg). Two types
of child restraints can be used rearward-facing: infant
carriers and 9 convertible 9 child seats. Both types of
child restraints are held in the vehicle by the lap/
shoulder belt or the LATCH child restraint anchorage
system. Refer to ªLower Anchors and Tether for CHil-
dren (LATCH)º later in this section.
² The infant carrier is only used rearward-facing in the
vehicle. It is recommended for children who weigh up
to about 20 lbs (9 kg). 9 Convertible 9 child seats can be used either rearward-facing or forward-facing in the
vehicle. Convertible child seats often have a higher
weight limit in the rearward-facing direction than
infant carriers do, so they can be used rearward-facing
by children who weigh more than 20 lbs (9 kg) but are
less than one year old.
² Rearward-facing child seats must NEVER be used in
the front seat of a vehicle with a front passenger
airbag. An airbag deployment could cause severe
injury or death to infants in this position.
² Children who weigh more than 20 lbs (9 kg) and who
are older than one year can ride forward-facing in the
vehicle. Forward-facing child seats and convertible
child seats used in the forward-facing direction are for
children who weigh 20 to 40 lbs (9 to 18 kg) and who
are older than one year. These child seats are also held
in the vehicle by the lap/shoulder belt or the LATCH THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 59
2

child restraint anchorage system. Refer to ªLower
Anchors and Tether for CHildren (LATCH)º later in
this section.
² The belt-positioning booster seat is for children weigh-
ing more than 40 lbs (18 kg), but who are still too small
to fit the vehicle's seat belts properly. If the child can
not sit with knees bent over the vehicles seat cushion
while the child's back is against the seat back, they
should use a belt-positioning booster seat. The child
and booster seat are held in the vehicle by the lap/
shoulder belt. (Some booster seats are equipped with a
front shield and are held in the vehicle by the lap
portion.)
NOTE: For additional information refer to
www.seatcheck.org. WARNING!² Improper 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.
² A 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.60 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Here are some tips on getting the most out of your child
restraint:
² Before 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 sure
that you can install the child restraint in the vehicle
where you will use it, before you buy it.
² The restraint must be appropriate for your child's
weight and height. Check the label on the restraint for
weight and height limits.
² Carefully 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 cinching
latch plates, which are designed to keep the lap
portion tight around the child restraint so that it is not
necessary to use a locking clip. 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.
² In 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.
² If the belt still can't be tightened, or if 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. THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 61
2

² Buckle the child into the seat according to the child
restraint manufacturer's directions.
² When 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 seatbacks and
cause serious personal injury.
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren (LATCH)
Each vehicle, except commercial cargo vehicles, is
equipped with the child restraint anchorage system
called LATCH, which stands for Lower Anchors and
Tether for CHildren. Two LATCH child restraint anchor-
age systems are installed on all second-row seats. Second-
row seats also feature tether strap anchorages, located in
the rear surface of the seatback. In addition, all
3-passenger bench seats are equipped with a child re-
straint tether anchor at the center seating position. When using the tether anchorages in the outboard seat-
ing positions, ensure that the strap is routed over the top
of the seatback and under the head restraint between the
head restraint posts. When the tether anchorage is used
in the center seating position, the strap should be posi-
tioned straight over the top of the seatback.62 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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. Child restraint systems having attachments designed to
connect to the lower anchorages are now available. Child
restraints having tether straps and hooks for connection
to the seatback 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.
NOTE: If your child restraint seat is not LATCH com-
patible, install the restraint using the vehicle seat belts.
Fleet vehicles equipped with the LATCH system on the
3-passenger bench seat must have the seat adjusted to the
full rear position on the tracks when the LATCH system
is used. Also, when using the LATCH system, be sure the
seatback is two clicks rear of its full upright position.
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 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 63
2

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
If your fleet vehicle is equipped with LATCH anchorages
on the 3-passenger bench seat, do not install three child
restraints at the same time in this seat. The anchorages in
this seat are not designed to restrain three child restraints
at one time. Instead, you may install one child restraint at
the center position, or one child restraint at each of the
right and left positions. WARNING!Fleet Vehicles Only:
Do not install child restraint systems equipped with
LATCH attachments at all three seating positions in
the seat at one time. The LATCH anchorages in this
seat are designed to restrain no more than two child
restraints at a time in the event of a collision. Failure
to follow this may result in serious or fatal injury.
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, a hook and means for adjusting the
tension in the strap.64 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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. 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
seatback, should use the lap/shoulder belt in a rear seat.
² Make sure that the child is upright in the seat.
² The lap portion should be low on the hips and as snug
as possible.
² Check belt fit periodically. A child's squirming or
slouching can move the belt out of position.
² If the shoulder belt contacts the face or neck, move the
child closer to the center of the vehicle. If this doesn't
help, move the child to the center rear seating position
and use the lap belt. Never allow a child to put the
shoulder belt under an arm or behind their back. THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 65
2

Transporting Pets
Airbags deploying in the front seat could harm your pet.
An unrestrained pet could 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.
REAR SEAT DELETE FEATURE (COMMERCIAL
VEHICLES ONLY) Ð IF EQUIPPED
Commercial cargo vehicles are not designed for use as a
family vehicle and are not intended for carrying children
in the front passenger seat. However, if you must carry a
child in a vehicle without a rear seat, the passenger seat
should be moved to the full rearward position and the
child must be in a proper restraint system based on it's
age, size and weight. NEVER carry a child in a rear facing infant carrier in a vehicle without rear seats. In an
accident, serious injury or death may occur from the
deploying passenger air bag.
This vehicle is equipped with a child restraint tether
anchor located on the floor, behind the front passenger
seat. Use this tether anchor to secure only forward
facing child restraints equipped with an upper tether
strap.
WARNING!Rear Facing Infant restraints must never be secured
in the passenger seat of a vehicle with a passenger
airbag. In an accident a passenger airbag may deploy
causing severe injury or death to infants riding in
rear facing infant restraints.66 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE