2007 DODGE DURANGO belt

anchorages. Next attach the lower hooks or connectors
over the top of the anchorage bars, pushing aside the seat
cover material. Then attach the tether strap to the anchor-
age located on the back of the seat, being careful to route
the tether strap to provide the most direct path between
the anchor and the child restraint. If your vehicle is
equipped with adjustable rear head restraints, raise the
head restraint and, route the tether strap under the head
restraint and between the two posts. 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 instruc-
tions.
NOTE:When using the LATCH attaching system to
install a child restraint, please ensure that all seat belts
not being used for occupant restraints are stowed and out
of reach of children. It is recommended that before
installing the child restraint, buckle the seat belt so the
seat belt is tucked behind the child restraint and out ofreach. If the buckled seat belt interferes with the child
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.
68 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Installing Child Restraints Using the Vehicle Seat
Belt
The second and third row seats have either cinching latch
plates or automatic locking 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. If the seat belt
has a cinching latch plate, 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. If the seat belt
has a automatic locking retractor, it will have a distinctive
label. 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 the belt until it
is all extracted from the retractor. Allow the belt to return
to the retractor, pulling on the excess webbing to tighten
the lap portion about the child restraint. Refer toAuto-
matic Locking Modeearlier in this section.
Child Restraints in Third Row Seating (If Equipped)
For vehicles equipped with third row split bench (60/40)
seating, the tether strap anchorage is located on the seat
back behind the center seating position. The hooks in the
rear floor areNOTdesigned to withstand the forces that
may occur during a crash.
Second Row Seat Tether Anchors
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 69
2

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 for Child Restraint Tether Anchor in
this section. See your dealer for help if necessary.
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. 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.
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 anticipated climate
conditions under which vehicle operations will occur.
The recommended viscosity and quality grades are
shown in Section 7.
NON-DETERGENT OR STRAIGHT MINERAL OILS
MUST NEVER BE USED.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 71
2

Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Heater Defroster Ducts
Inspect the heater defroster ducts for proper operation.
Check for proper air flow through all defroster ducts. If
there are any question regarding the operation of your
heater defroster ducts, have the system checked by an
authorized dealer
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.) or if the front airbags have deployed. 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 first
turned ON. If the light is not lit during starting, see you
authorized dealer. If the light stays on, flickers or comes
on while driving, have the system checked by an autho-
rized dealer. If there is a problem with the airbag light the
seatbelt light will flash.
Safety Checks You Should Make Outside The
Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for 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.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 73
2

WARNING!
Adjusting a seat while the vehicle is moving is
dangerous. The sudden movement of the seat could
cause you to lose control. The seat belt might not be
properly adjusted and you could be injured. Adjust
any seat only while the vehicle is parked.
Front Seats Manual Seat Recliners
The bucket seats are equipped with recliners. The reclin-
ing mechanism is operated by a lever located on the right
side of the passenger’s seat and the left side of the driver
seat. To recline, lean forward slightly before lifting the
lever, then push back to the desired position and release
the lever. Lean forward and lift the lever to return the
seatback to its normal position. Using body pressure, lean
forward and rearward on the seat to be sure the seatback
is locked.
Manual Seat Adjuster
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 109
3

WARNING!
Do not ride with the seatback reclined so that the
shoulder belt is no longer resting against your chest.
In a collision you could slide under the seat belt and
be seriously or even fatally injured. Use the recliner
only when the vehicle is parked.
Manual Lumbar Support Adjustment — If
Equipped
The manual lumbar support adjustment lever is located
on the right side of the driver seat and on the left side of
the passenger’s seat. Moving the lumbar control lever
fore and aft increases or decreases the lumbar support.
Adjustable Head Restraints — All Seating
Positions
Head restraints can reduce the risk of whiplash injury in
the event of impact from the rear. Pull up or push down
on the restraints so that the upper edge is as high as
practical, at least to the level of the ears.
Lumbar Support Adjustment Lever
110 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To fold the 20% seatback, pull the strap forward to release
the seatback. Fold the seatback down for use as an
armrest or to carry cargo. When returning the seatback to
the upright position, push the seatback rearward to latch
the seatback. Pull the seatback forward to ensure that it is
locked in the upright position.
WARNING!
The 20% seatback contains the center shoulder belt.
A 20% seatback that is not fully latched in the
upright position will not protect you properly.
Fold, Tumble, and Recline Lever
118 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:The seat belt buckles are hinged to fold with the
seat back.
WARNING!
Do not sit in the third row seat unless the cushion
and back are properly engaged. Proper engagement
can be verified by pushing/pulling on the upright
seatback. The seatback will not move unless prop-
erly engaged.
Do not sit in the 3rd row seat with the second row
seatback(s) folded or tumbled. In a collision, you
could slide under the seat belt and be seriously or
even fatally injured.
Third Row 60/40 Folding — If Equipped
Third Row Seat
122 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE