2006 DODGE CHARGER Owners Manual

restraint installation, instead of tucking the seat belt
behind the child restraint, route the seat belt through the
child restraint belt path and then buckle it. This should
stow the seat belt out of the reach of an inquisitive child.
Remind all children in the vehicle that the seat belts are
not toys and should not be played with, and never leave
your child unattended in the 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.
Installing Child Restraints Using the Vehicle Seat belt
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 usea 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 occasion-
ally and pull it tight if necessary.
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 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, you may need
to do something more. 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.
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To attach a child restraint tether strap:
1. Rotate the cover over the anchor directly behind the
seat where you are placing the child restraint.
2. Route the tether strap to provide the most direct path
for the strap between the anchor and the child seat. If
your vehicle is equipped with adjustable rear head
restraints, raise the head restraint and, where possible,
route the tether strap under the head restraint andbetween the two posts. If not possible, lower the head
restraint and pass the tether strap around the outboard
side of the head restraint.
3. Attach the tether strap hook (A) of the child restraint to
the anchor (B) and remove slack in the tether strap
according to the child restraint manufacturer’s instruc-
tions.
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.
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.
Tether Strap Mounting
58 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in pet harnesses
or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.
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.
Wide open throttle acceleration in low gear can be
detrimental and should be avoided.
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 of this manual. NON-DETERGENT
OR STRAIGHT MINERAL OILS MUST NEVER BE
USED.A new engine may consume some oil during its first few
thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This should be
considered as a normal part of the break-in and not
interpreted as an indication of difficulty.
SAFETY TIPS
Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO)
follow the safety tips below.
Do 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.
If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the engine
running, adjust your heating or cooling controls to force
outside air into the vehicle. Set the blower at high speed.
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WARNING!
If you are required to drive with the trunk open,
make sure that all windows are closed, and the
climate control blower switch is set at high speed.
DO NOT use the recirculation mode.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced after
a collision if they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn
webbing, etc. If there is any question regarding belt or
retractor condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for 6 to 8
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is firstturned ON. If the LED is not lit during starting, have it
checked. If the light stays on or comes on while driving,
have the system checked by an authorized dealer.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect tread and sidewall for cuts or
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness, and tires (includ-
ing spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
60 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or fuel, power steering fluid or brake
fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be located and
corrected immediately.
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UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS

Mirrors..............................67
▫Inside Day/Night Mirror.................67
▫Automatic Dimming Inside Mirror—
If Equipped..........................67
▫Driver’s Side Outside Mirror Auto Dimmer—
If Equipped..........................68
▫Exterior Mirrors Folding Feature—If
Equipped............................68
▫Outside Mirror—Driver’s Side............68
▫Outside Mirror—Passenger’s Side..........68
▫Power Remote-Control Mirrors.............69
▫Heated Remote Control Mirrors—
If Equipped..........................69▫Illuminated Vanity Mirrors—If Equipped....69

Hands–Free Communication (UConnect™)—
If Equipped
...........................70
▫Operations...........................71
▫Phone Call Features....................77
▫UConnect™System Features..............79
▫Advanced Phone Connectivity.............83
▫Things You Should Know About Your
UConnect™System.....................85

Seats................................90
▫Power Seats..........................90
▫Power Reclining Seats...................91
3

▫Lumbar Support.......................92
▫Heated Seats—If Equipped..............92
▫Head Restraints.......................94
▫Folding Rear Seat......................94

Adjustable Pedals—If Equipped...........95

To Open And Close The Hood.............96

Lights...............................98
▫Overhead Console Map/Reading Lights......98
▫Interior Lights........................98
▫Headlight Switch......................99
▫Multi-Function Lever...................100
▫Headlights, Parking Lights, Instrument Panel
Lights.............................100
▫Automatic Headlights—If Equipped.......101
▫Headlights On With Wipers
(Available With Auto Headlights Only)......102▫Daytime Running Lights (Canada Only).....102
▫Lights-On Reminder...................102
▫Headlight Time Delay..................102
▫Fog Lights—If Equipped...............103
▫Turn Signals.........................103
▫Highbeam/Lowbeam Select Switch.........103
▫Flash To Pass........................103

Windshield Wipers And Washers..........104
▫Windshield Washers...................104
▫Mist Feature.........................105
▫Windshield Wiper Operation.............105
▫Intermittent Wiper System...............105
▫Adding Washer Fluid..................105

Tilt/Telescoping Steering Column..........106

Traction Control System (TCS)—
If Equipped
..........................107
64 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE