2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER child restraint

that you can install the child restraint in the vehicle
where you will use it, before you buy it.
•The restraint must be appropriate for your child’s
weight and height. Check the label on the restraint for
weight and height limits.
•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 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.
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, as the belt retracts, you will hear aclicking sound. This indicates that the seat belt is now in
the automatic locking mode. Pull 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.
•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.
•If 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
52 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
•Buckle the child into the seat according to the child
restraint manufacturer’s directions.
•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 seat backs
and cause serious personal injury.
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. Both rear seating positions
have exclusive lower anchorages located at the rear of the
seat cushion. They are round bars, part of the seat andbody structure, and are readily visible. In addition, there
are two tether strap anchorages located behind the rear
seat head form, in the convertible top storage area.
Child restraints systems having attachments designed to
connect to the lower anchorages are now available. Child
restraints having tether straps and hooks for connection
Latch Anchors
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
2

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.
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
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 orconnector 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.
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 over the center of the
head form and attached to the tether anchor, located
behind the rear seat head form, in the convertible top
storage area. Then tighten all three straps as you push the
child restraint rearward and downward into the seat.
NOTE:To gain access to the achorages, locate the child
tether anchorage decals on the carpet behind the rear seat
head forms and use a small screwdriver to pry the carpet
flap open. The carpet flap is attached in two different
places.
54 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
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.
•Make sure that the child is upright in the seat.
•The lap portion should be low on the hips and as snug
as possible.
Tether Strap Mounting
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 55
2

Cellular Phone.......................... 168
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 301
Central Door Locks....................... 20
Chains, Tire............................ 219
Changing A Flat Tire..................... 235
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 203
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . 255
Child Restraint.......................... 49
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............... 53
Child Seat.............................. 54
Clean Air Gasoline....................... 222
Climate Control......................... 169
Clock................................ 134
Coin Holder........................... 115
Compact Disc Maintenance................. 168
Compact Disc Player..................136,142
Compact Spare Tire...................... 214
Compass.............................. 75
Compass Calibration...................... 78Compass Variance........................ 77
Console............................... 115
Contract, Service........................ 332
Convertible............................. 62
Convertible Boot.......................68,72
Convertible Top.......................... 62
Convertible Top Maintenance............... 290
Convertible Top Manual Override..........73,247
Cool Down, Turbo....................... 184
Coolant............................302,303
Coolant Pressure Cap..................... 275
Cooling System......................... 272
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 274
Coolant Level......................272,275
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 275
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 273
Inspection........................... 275
Points to Remember.................... 276
Pressure Cap......................... 275
342 INDEX

Steering..........................199,268
Steering, Checking..................... 268
Windows............................. 28
Power Steering Fluid..................... 304
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts.............. 39
Pretensioners
Seat Belts............................. 39
Programmable Electronic Features.........107,111
Programming Transmitters............23,107,111
Radial Ply Tires......................... 214
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap).......... 275
Radio Broadcast Signals................... 135
Radio Operation...................147,153,168
Radio (Sound Systems)...........136,146,153,159
Rear Seat, Folding......................87,88
Rear Window Defroster................... 176
Reclining Front Seats...................... 82Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine
Parts............................... 303
Refrigerant............................ 268
Remote Keyless Entry..................... 21
Replacement Bulbs....................... 297
Replacement Keys........................ 16
Replacement Parts....................... 256
Replacement Tires....................... 217
Reporting Safety Defects................... 335
Restraints, Child.......................49,54
Restraints, Infant......................... 50
Rotation, Tires.......................... 220
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle................. 57
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle............... 58
Safety Defects, Reporting.................. 335
Safety Information, Tire................... 201
Safety Tips............................. 57
Schedule, Maintenance.................... 306
350 INDEX

Seat Belts.............................. 30
And Pregnant Women................... 39
Child Restraint......................... 49
Cleaning............................ 290
Front Seat............................ 31
Pretensioners.......................... 39
Rear Seat............................. 31
Reminder............................ 129
Untwisting Procedure.................... 37
Seats................................. 80
Adjustment........................... 80
Head Restraints........................ 85
Heated.............................. 86
Height Adjustment...................... 81
Rear Folding........................87,88
Reclining............................. 82
Seatback Release.....................82,83
Tilting.............................82,83
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm)................ 25Sentry Key...........................14,26
Sentry Key Programming................... 16
Service and Maintenance.................. 306
Service Assistance....................330,331
Service Contract......................... 332
Service Manuals........................ 336
Setting the Clock........................ 134
Severe Service.......................... 309
Shift Speeds, Manual Transaxle.............. 194
Shoulder Belts........................... 31
Side Airbag............................. 46
Side Window Demisters................... 176
Slippery Surfaces, Driving On............... 243
Snow Tires............................ 219
Spare Tire.......................214,215,236
Spark Plugs............................ 262
Speed Control.......................103,132
Speedometer........................... 129
Speedometer and Odometer................ 124
INDEX 351
10

Starting............................... 182
Automatic Transmission................. 182
Engine Fails to Start.................... 183
Manual Transmission................... 182
Starting Procedures...................... 182
Steering
Power...........................199,268
Tilt Column.......................... 101
Wheel Lock........................... 17
Storage............................ 116,297
Storage Bin............................ 116
Stuck, Freeing.......................... 244
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag........ 40
Synthetic Engine Oil...................... 260
System, Navigation...................... 166
Tachometer............................ 129
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant.......128,234
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint............... 53Theft Alarm............................ 25
Theft System............................ 25
Tilt Steering Column..................... 101
Tire and Loading Information Placard......206,207
Tire Identification Number (TIN)............. 205
Tire Markings.......................... 201
Tire Safety Information.................... 201
Tires ............................58,210,337
Air Pressure.......................... 210
Alignment........................... 218
Chains.............................. 219
Changing............................ 235
Compact Spare........................ 214
Flat Changing........................ 240
General Information.................... 210
High Speed.......................... 213
Inflation Pressures..................... 211
Jacking............................. 235
Load Capacity.....................206,207
352 INDEX