2007 CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE Owners Manual

Here are some tips on 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. 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.
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.
²Buckle the child into the seat according to the seat
manufacturer's directions.
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 and cause
serious personal injury.
NOTE:For additional information refer to
www.seatcheck.org or call 1±866±SEATCHECK.
Older Children and Child Restraints
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 child
restraint anchorage system. (See LATCH - Child Seat
Anchorage System section.)
The belt-positioning booster seat is for children weighing
more than 40 lbs. (18 kg), but who are still too small to fit
the vehicle's seat belts properly. If the child cannot sit
with knees bent over the vehicle's seat cushion while the
child's back is against the seat back, they should use a
belt-positioning booster seat. The child and belt-
positioning booster seat are held in the vehicle by the
lap/shoulder belt.
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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.
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. Never allow a
child to put the shoulder belt under an arm or behind
their back.
LATCH - Child Seat Anchorage System (Lower
Anchors and Tether for Children)
Your vehicle's passenger seat is equipped with the child
restraint anchorage system called LATCH. The LATCH
system provides for the installation of the child restraint
without using the vehicle's belts, instead securing the
child restraint using lower anchorages and upper tether
straps from the child restraint to the vehicle structure.
LATCH-compatible child restraints are now available.
Installing the LATCH-Compatible Child Restraint
System
We urge that you carefully follow the directions of the
manufacturer when installing your child restraint. These
are general instructions, and not all child restraint sys-
tems will be installed exactly as described here. Again,
carefully follow the installation instructions that were
provided with the child restraint system.
50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

The passenger seat lower anchorages are round bars,
located at the rear of the seat cushion where it meets the
seat back, and are just visible when you lean in to install
the child restraint. You will easily feel them if you run
your finger along the intersection of the seat back and
seat cushion surfaces.
The passenger seat tether anchorage is located on the
back of the seat cushion frame. It is visible by moving the
passenger seat forward in the vehicle.Many, but not all LATCH-Compatible child restraint
systems will be equipped with separate straps on each
side, with each having a hook or connector for attach-
ment to the lower anchorage and a means of adjusting
the tension in the strap. Forward-facing toddler restraints
and some rear-facing infant restraints will also be
equipped with a tether strap, a hook for attachment to the
tether strap anchorage and a means of adjusting the
tension of the strap.
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You will first loosen the adjusters on the lower straps and
on the tether strap so that you can more easily attach the
hooks or connectors to the vehicle anchorages. Next, you
can attach the tether strap to the anchor by moving the
passenger seat forward. Route the child restraint tether
directly over the top of the seat, through the strap near
the top of the seat back, and attach the hook to the anchor
bar. Recline the seat back and move the passenger seat as
far rearward as possible. Next, attach the lower hooks to
the passenger seat lower anchor bars by pushing aside
the seat cover material. Finally, tighten all three straps as
you push the child restraint rearward and downward
into the seat, removing slack in the straps according to
the child restraint manufacturer's instructions.WARNING!
After installing a child safety seat or booster seat on
the passenger seat, do not adjust the back rest for-
ward. This could cause a higher load being perceived
by the OCS system which in turn could lead to the
passenger airbag being turned on. Failure to follow
this warning could result in serious or fatal injury. It
is always recommended to turn off the passenger
front air bags using the passenger front airbags
on/off switch located at the right end of the instru-
ment panel when the passenger is:
²an infant (less than 1 year old),
²a child, age 1 to 12,
²an adult with a medical condition which makes
passenger airbags inflation (deployment) a greater
risk for the passenger than the risk of hitting the
dashboard (instrument panel) or windshield in a
crash.
The on/off switch is accessible by opening the pas-
senger door.
52 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.
Installing Child Restraints Using the Vehicle Seat
Belt
Child restraints can be securely fastened in the passenger
seat using the seat belts. For this purpose, the passenger
seat belt retractor provides two modes of operation -
normal emergency locking and automatic locking. For
child restraint installation, the retractor switches to auto-
matic locking when the belt is pulled out to the full extent
of its travel. As the belt retracts, the retractor locks to
prevent the belt from being pulled out again. Pulling the
belt snugly over the child restraint toward the retractor
secures the restraint in place. When the belt retracts fully
after child restraint removal, normal (emergency locking)retractor action is restored. Any seat belt system will
loosen with time, so check the belt occasionally and pull
it tight if necessary.
If your child restraint is equipped with a tether strap,
attach it to the vehicle by first moving the seat back fully
forward. Next, route the child restraint tether directly
over the top of the seat, through the strap near the top of
the seat back, and attach the hook to the anchor bar.
Recline the seat back and move the passenger seat as far
rearward as possible. Remove slack in the tether strap as
you push the child restraint downward and rearward,
following the child restraint manufacturer's instructions.
Child Restraint Tether Anchor - General
Information
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 certain of their older
products. There is a tether strap anchor behind the
passenger seat.
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To attach the tether strap to the anchor, move the
seatback fully forward. Pass the child restraint tether
hook over the top of the seat, through the strap near the
top of the seat back, and attach it to the anchor bar behind
the passenger seat, below the seatback. After securing the
tether hook to the bar, recline the seatback fully rearward
and move the seat to its most rearward position.Install the child restraint and return the seatback to an
upright position. Remove slack from the tether strap
according to the child restraint manufacturer's directions.
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.
Transporting Pets
Deploying airbags 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.
Pets should be restrained in pet harnesses or pet carriers
that are secured by seat belts.
54 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
The engine in your new Crossfire does not require a long
break-in period. Following these few simple guidelines is
all that is necessary for a good break-in.
²Drive your vehicle at moderate vehicle and engine
speeds during the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km).
²Do not make any full throttle starts and avoid full
throttle acceleration.
²Use the proper transmission gear for your speed
range.
²Avoid excessive idling.
²Check the engine oil level at every fuel fill.
NOTE:A new engine may consume some oil during the
first few thousand miles of operation. This should be
considered as a normal part of the break-in and not an
indication of a problem.
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.
²Do 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.
²If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running, adjust your heating or cooling con-
trols to force outside air into the vehicle. Set the blower
at high speed.
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²To avoid drawing exhaust gases into the vehicle, close
the rear liftgate/decklid while driving. However, if for
some reason it must remain open, close all windows.
Adjust the heating or cooling system to force outside
air into the vehicle. Set the blower at high speed.
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.
Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident if
they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.). If there is any question regarding belt or retractor
condition, see your authorized dealer.
Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for
four seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the bulb is not litduring starting, have it replaced. If the light stays on or
comes on while driving, have the system checked by an
authorized dealer.
Defrosters
Check operation by pressing the A/C control button,
selecting the defrost mode and placing 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 for tread cuts or sidewall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness and tires 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.
56 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE