2004 DODGE RAM 1500 GAS child seat

Installing the Child Restraint System
WARNING!
Do not install child restraint systems equipped with
LATCH attachments in the center position of a Quad
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 Quad Cab model using the seat
belt and child tether anchorage. 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 withseparate 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.
62 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
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 of Ram Pickups have two tether
anchorages, one each behind the front center and right
seats. Quad 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
instructions below. See your dealer for help if nec-
essary.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 63
2

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 With Any Bench Seat
64 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Multiple Child Restraint Installation Sequence -
(Quad 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 ªupº 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.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 65
2

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.
If 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.
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 the anticipated cli-
matic conditions under which vehicle operation will
occur. The recommended viscosity and quality grades are
discussed in Section 7 under Maintenance Procedures,
Engine Oil.
NON-DETERGENT OR STRAIGHT MINERAL OILS
MUST NEVER BE USED.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 67
2

B-Pillar Location........................ 239
Brake Fluid............................ 382
Brake System........................230,348
Anti-Lock.........................231,232
Disc Brakes.......................... 348
Hoses.............................. 349
Master Cylinder....................... 348
Parking............................. 229
Warning Light........................ 147
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 67
Bulb Replacement....................... 366
Bulbs, Light............................ 366
Cab Top Clearance Lights.................. 374
Calibration, Compass..................... 117
Camper............................... 135
Capacities, Fluid........................ 379
Caps, Filler
Power Steering........................ 339Car Washes............................ 361
Carbon Monoxide Warning............69,136,262
Cargo Light............................ 103
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance......... 183
Cassette Tape Player................151,154,158
Catalytic Converter....................266,335
CD Changer...................155,166,172,173
CD Player..................164,168,171,175,177
Cellular Phone.......................... 79
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 372
Center Lap Belts......................... 42
Center Seat Storage Compartment............ 129
Certification Label....................... 267
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 236
Check Engine Light...................... 143
Child Restraint........................55,56
Child Restraint Tether Anchors.............59,63
Child Seat............................56,62
Cigar Lighter........................... 127
INDEX 415
10

Courtesy/Reading..................... 113
Cruise.............................. 147
Daytime Running...................... 102
Dual Wheel Assembly Rear............... 375
Fog .............................102,378
Four-Wheel Drive Indicator............... 220
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 294
Headlights........................... 101
High Beam........................104,144
High Beam Indicator.................... 144
High Beam/Low Beam Select............. 104
Instrument Cluster..................... 143
Intensity Control....................... 100
Interior...........................99,113
Lights On Reminder.................... 102
Low Washer Fluid..................... 150
Passing............................. 104
Seat Belt Reminder..................... 145
Service.............................. 366Side Marker.......................... 377
Transfer Case......................... 220
Transmission Warning................150,279
Turn Signal..................103,144,366,370
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description)..... 143
Limited-Slip Differential................228,351
Loading Vehicle......................... 267
Tires ............................... 239
Locks................................. 16
Child Protection........................ 21
Door................................ 16
Ignition.............................. 14
Keys................................ 11
Power Door........................... 17
Steering Wheel......................... 14
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren (LATCH) . 59
Lubricants............................. 356
Lubrication, Body....................... 341
Lug Nuts............................. 307
INDEX 421
10

Pretensioners
Seat Belts............................. 42
Programmable Electronic Features.........121,125
Programming Transmitters..............121,125
Radial Ply Tires......................... 247
Radiator Cap........................344,347
Radio........................151,158,168,175
Radio Operation......................151,168
Radio Remote Controls.................... 181
Rear Axle............................. 350
Rear Wheel Bearings..................... 355
Reclining Front Seats...................... 93
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine
Parts............................... 381
Recreational Towing...................... 284
Shifting into Transfer Case Neutral (N)....285,287
Shifting out of Transfer Case Neutral (N) . . . 286,289
Reformulated Gasoline.................... 257Refrigerant.........................328,339
Relays and Flashers...................... 365
Reminder, Seat Belt....................... 43
Remote Keyless Entry..................... 22
Remote Sound System Controls.............. 181
Replacement Tires....................... 249
Reporting Safety Defects................... 409
Restraint, Head.......................... 93
Restraints, Child.......................55,62
Rotation, Tires.......................253,386
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle................. 70
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle............... 70
Safety Defects, Reporting.................. 409
Safety Information, Tire................... 234
Safety Tips............................. 68
Schedule, Maintenance.................... 384
Seat Belt Maintenance.................... 364
Seat Belt Reminder....................... 43
424 INDEX