
the child restraint using lower anchorages and upper
tether straps from the child restraint to the vehicle
structure.
LATCH-compatible child restraint systems are now avail-
able. However, because the lower anchorages are to be
introduced over a period of years, child restraint systems
having attachments for those anchorages will continue to
have features for installation using the vehicle's seat
belts. Child restraints having tether straps and hooks for
connection to the top tether anchorages have been avail-
able for some time. For some older child restraints, many
child restraint manufacturers offer add-on tether strap
kits or retro-fit kits. You are urged to take advantage of all
the available attachments provided with your child re-
straint in any vehicle.All three rear-seating positions have lower anchorages
that are capable of accommodating LATCH-compatible
child seats. You shouldNEVERinstall LATCH-
compatible child seats such that two seats share a com-
mon lower anchorage. If installing child seats in adjacent
rear-seating positions, or if your child restraints are not
LATCH-compatible, install the restraints using the vehi-
cle's seat belts.
LATCH Anchorages
52 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Installing the LATCH-Compatible Child Restraint
System
We urge that you carefully follow the directions of the
manufacturer when installing your child restraint. Not all
child restraint systems will be installed as described here.
Again, carefully follow the installation instructions that
were provided with the child restraint system.
The rear 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 into the rear seat to install the child
restraint. You will easily feel them if you run your finger
along the intersection of the seatback and seat cushion
surfaces.
In addition, there are tether strap anchorages located
behind each rear seat back.
Many, but not all restraint systems will be equipped with
separate straps on each side, with each having a hook or
connector for attachment 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, ahook for attachment to the tether strap anchorage and a
means of adjusting the tension of the strap.
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,
attach the lower hooks or connectors over the top of the
seat cover material. Then rotate the tether anchorage
cover directly behind the seat where you are placing the
child restraint and attach the tether strap to the anchor-
age, being careful to route the tether strap to provide the
most direct path between the anchor and the child
restraint. 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.
NOTE:
²
Ensure that the tether strap does not slip into the
opening between the seat backs as you remove slack in
the strap.
²When 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
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
2

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 of
reach. 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.
Installing Child Restraints Using the Vehicle Seat
belt
The passenger seat belts are equipped with either cinch-
ing 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.
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.
Seat belts with an automatic locking retractor have a
distinctive label on the seat belt webbing. The seat belt
must be in the automatic locking mode in order to enable
a child restraint to be tightly installed. Refer to ªAuto-
matic Locking Modeº in this section for details. A locking
clip should not be necessary once the automatic locking
feature is enabled. Position the shoulder and lap belt on
the child restraint. The automatic locking retractor is
activated by first attaching the child seat, then pulling all
of the webbing out of the retractor, then allowing back in.
54 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Tighten webbing. To release, simply unbuckle the seat
belt by depressing the button, allowing the webbing to
retract 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 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.
To attach a child restraint tether strap:
1. Route the tether strap to provide the most direct path
for the strap between the anchor and the child seat.2. Attach the tether strap hook of the child restraint to the
tether anchor and remove slack in the tether strap
according to the child restraint manufacturer's instruc-
tions.
NOTE:Ensure that the tether strap does not slip into
the opening between the seat backs as you remove slack
in the strap.
Tether Strap Mounting
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 55
2

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.
Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in pet harnesses
or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.
BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the drivetrain
(engine, transmission, and rear axle) in your new vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 500 miles (800 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.
However, wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can
be detrimental and should be avoided.
The engine oil, transmission fluid, and axle lubricant
installed at the factory is high quality and energy con-
serving. Oil, fluid, and lubricant changes should be
consistent with anticipated climate and conditions under
which vehicle operations will occur. The recommended
viscosity and quality grades is shown in Section 7 of this
manual.
56 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Rollaway Tonneau Cover............... 121
Tri-Fold Load Floor.................... 119
Waterproof Liner..................... 123
Cargo Tie-Downs....................... 125
Cassette Tape and Player Maintenance....... 185
Catalytic Converter..................... 299
CD (Compact Disc) Player.............155,162
Cellular Phone.......................... 67
Chains, Tire........................... 243
Chart, Tire Sizing....................... 230
Check Engine Light (Malfunction
Indicator Light)........................ 293
Child Restraint...................48,50,53,54
Child Restraint Tether Anchors...........51,53
Child Safety Locks....................... 23
Clean Air Gasoline...................... 254
Cleaning
Wheels............................. 317
Climate Control........................ 186
Clock..........................157,163,174
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance........... 186
Compass............................. 147
Compass Calibration.................... 147Compass Variance...................... 148
Computer, Trip/Travel................... 145
Console.............................. 118
Console, Floor......................... 118
Console, Overhead...................... 106
Contract, Service....................... 358
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap)........ 309
Cooling System........................ 307
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze)............. 309
Coolant Capacity..................... 331
Coolant Level.....................307,310
Disposal of Used Coolant............... 310
Drain, Flush, and Refill................. 308
Inspection........................... 310
Points to Remember................... 310
Pressure Cap........................ 309
Radiator Cap........................ 309
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)....308,331,332
Cruise Control (Speed Control)............. 103
Cruise Light........................... 135
Cup Holder........................ 117,319
Customer Assistance.................... 356
366 INDEX

HomeLinkt(Garage Door Opener)
Transmitter........................... 107
Hood Release.......................... 92
Hoses............................. 311,312
Ignition............................... 11
Key ................................ 11
Ignition Key Removal.................... 11
Illuminated Entry....................... 17
Immobilizer (Sentry Key).................. 12
Infant Restraint.......................48,49
Inflation Pressure Tires................... 140
Information Center, Vehicle............... 143
Inside Rearview Mirror................... 64
Instrument Cluster...................134,135
Instrument Panel and Controls............. 133
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............ 319
Interior Appearance Care................. 318
Interior Fuses.......................... 320
Interior Lights.......................... 97
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers).......99,197
Introduction............................ 4Jump Starting......................... 282
Key, Programming....................... 14
Key, Replacement....................... 13
Key, Sentry (Immobilizer).................. 12
Key-In Reminder........................ 12
Keyless Entry System..................... 17
Keys................................. 11
Knee Bolster........................... 39
Lane Change and Turn Signals.............. 96
Lap/Shoulder Belts...................... 31
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for
CHildren)...........................51,53
Latch Plate............................ 32
Latches............................... 59
Hood............................... 92
Lead Free Gasoline...................... 253
Life of Tires........................... 241
Liftgate............................... 28
Liftgate Window Wiper/Washer............ 197
Lights..............................59,93
Airbag.......................44,47,59,137
370 INDEX

Child Protection....................... 23
Door............................... 21
Power Door.......................... 22
Low Tire Pressure System................ 246
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH)............................51,53
Lubrication, Body....................... 304
Luggage Rack (Roof Rack)................ 126
Lumbar Support........................ 89
Maintenance Free Battery................. 301
Maintenance Procedures.................. 295
Maintenance Schedule................... 336
Schedule ªAº........................ 349
Schedule ªBº........................ 339
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check
Engine)...........................142,293
Manual, Service........................ 359
Methanol............................. 254
Mini-Trip Computer..................... 145
Mirrors............................... 64
Automatic Dimming.................... 64
Electric Remote....................... 66Exterior Folding....................... 65
Heated.............................. 66
Outside............................. 65
Rearview............................ 64
Vanity.............................. 66
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle............ 7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System............. 246
Mopar Parts........................294,358
MTBE/ETBE.......................... 254
Multi-Function Control Lever............... 96
Navigation Radio....................... 173
Navigation System...................... 173
New Vehicle Break-In Period............... 56
Occupant Restraints...................... 30
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel)............. 253
Odometer............................ 135
Trip ............................... 135
Oil, Engine.........................295,332
Capacity............................ 331
Change Interval...................... 296
Checking........................... 295
372 INDEX