2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE child seat

²For additional information, refer towww.seatcheck.org.
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 infant restraint should only be
used in a rear seat. A rearward facing infant
restraint 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 for 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. The manufacturer also recommends that
you try a child restraint in the vehicle seats 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.
46 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

²The passenger seat belts are equipped with cinching
latch plates, which are designed to keep the latch
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.
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 belt
several times to shorten it. Insert the latch plate into
the buckle with the release button facing out.
²If the belt still cannot 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 cannot make the child restraint
secure, try a different seating position.
²Buckle the child into the restraint exactly as the
manufacturer's instructions tell you.
²When your child restraint is not in use, secure it in the
vehicle with the seat belt or remove it from the vehicle.
Do not 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.
Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH)
Your vehicle is equipped with the child restraint anchor-
age system called LATCH, which stands for Lower
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 47
2

Anchors and Tethers for CHildren. The LATCH system
provides for the installation of the child restraint without
using the vehicle seat belt. The two rear outboard 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 anchors above the rear
liftgate opening behind each rear outboard seat. The
anchors are covered by hinged plastic caps.
To attach a child restraint tether strap hook, pull down on
the cover of the anchor directly behind the seat where
you are placing the child restraint. Raise the head re-
straint and route the tether strap under the head restraint
48 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

and between the two posts. Attach the tether strap hook
to the anchor loop. Install the child restraint according to
the manufacturer's instructions, and tighten the vehicle
seat belt. Remove the slack from the tether strap accord-
ing to the manufacturer's instructions.
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.
NOTE:If your child restraint is not LATCH compatible,
install the restraint using the vehicle seat belts.
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 invehicles 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
There are LATCH anchorages at the two rear outboard
seating positions and tether strap anchorages above the
rear liftgate opening behind each rear outboard seat.
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.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 49
2

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 above the
rear liftgate opening behind each rear outboard seat.
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
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. 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.
50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:When lifting up on the release handle, the
seatback will release easier if you do not pull forward on
the seatback; only lift up on the release handle until the
seatback disengages, then fold the seat forward.To restore the 60/40 rear seat to the upright
position perform the following steps:
Raise the seatback and lock it into place. If interference
from the cargo area prevents the seatback from fully
locking, you will have difficulty returning the seat cush-
ion to its proper position. Remove the headrests from the
cushion panel storage position and reinstall into the rear
seat back.
WARNING!
Be certain that the seatback is securely locked into
position. If the seatback in not securely locked into
position the seat will not provide the proper stability
for child seats and/or passengers. An improperly
latched seat could cause serious injury.
Rotate the seat cushion rearward until it is latched into
place.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 73
3

Sunshade Operation
The sunshade covering the glass in the panel will open
with the sunroof and must be closed manually. It can also
be opened and closed manually without activating the
sunroof. This will allow you to enjoy the warmth of the
sun during the winter months.WARNING!
In an accident, there is greater risk of being thrown
from a vehicle with an open sunroof. You could be
seriously injured or killed. Always fasten your seat
belt properly and be sure all passengers are properly
secured too.
Maintenance
Care should be taken in cleaning the inside of the glass.
Use only nonabrasive cleaners and a soft cloth.
WARNING!
Do not allow small children to operate the sunroof,
and never allow objects to project through the sun-
roof opening. Injury may result.
114 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
²Cargo tie-down hooks are not safe anchors for a
child seat tether strap. In a sudden stop or colli-
sion a hook could pull loose and allow the child
seat to come loose. A child could be badly injured.
Use only the anchors provided for child seat
tethers.
²The weight and position of cargo and passengers
can change the vehicle center of gravity and
vehicle handling. To avoid loss of control result-
ing in personal injury, follow these guidelines for
loading your vehicle:
²Do not carry loads which exceed the load limits
described on the label attached to the left door or left
door center pillar. Refer to ªVehicle Loadingº in Sec-
tion 5 for additional information on cargo weights.
²Always place cargo evenly on the cargo floor. Put
heavier objects as low and as far forward as possible.
²Place as much cargo as possible in front of the rear
axle. Too much weight or improperly placed weight
over or behind the rear axle can cause the rear of the
vehicle to sway.
²Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than the top of the
seatback. This could impair visibility or become a
dangerous projectile in a sudden stop or collision.
WARNING!
To help protect against personal injury, passengers
should not be seated in the rear cargo area. The rear
cargo space is intended for load carrying purposes
only, not for passengers, who should sit in seats and
use seat belts.
120 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE