2008 DODGE CALIBER SRT child restraint

²If 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 latch plate
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.
²Buckle the child into the seat according to the child
restraint 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.
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.
Automatic-Locking Retractor (ALR)
To operate the switchable retractor, 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 removedfrom the retractor. Allow the belt to return into the
retractor, pulling 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.
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren (LATCH)
WARNING!
Child restraint anchorages are designed to withstand
only those loads imposed by correctly fitted child
restraints. Under no circumstances are they to be
used for adult seat belts, harnesses, or for attaching
other items or equipment to the vehicle.
60 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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. All three rear seating positions
have lower anchorages that are capable of accommodat-
ing LATCH-compatible child seats having flexible,
webbing-mounted lower attachments. Child seats with
fixed lower attachments must be installed in the out-
board positions only. Regardless of the specific type of
lower attachment,NEVERinstall LATCH-compatible
child seats such that two seats share a common lower
anchorage. If you are installing LATCH-compatible child
restraints in adjacent rear seating positions, you can use
the LATCH anchors or the vehicle's seat belt for the
outboard position, but you must use the vehicle's seat
belt at the center position. If your child restraints are not
LATCH-compatible, you can only install the child re-
straints using the vehicle's seat belts. Please refer to,Installing the Child Restraint System for typical installa-
tion instructions.
Rear Seat LATCH
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 61
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Child restraints systems having attachments designed to
connect to the lower anchorages are now available. Child
restraints having tether straps and hooks for connection
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.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 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.
62 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR 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 or
connector 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 under the center of the
head restraint and attached to the tether anchor on the
rear of the seat back. Then tighten all three straps as you
push the child restraint rearward and downward into the
seat.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.
Rear Seat Tether Anchors
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 63
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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.
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.
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.
64 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 239
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator
Light)................................ 293
Child Restraint.......................... 56
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............... 60
Child Restraint with Automatic Belts........... 59
Child Safety Locks........................ 21
Child Seat.............................. 63
Clean Air Gasoline....................... 264
Cleaning
Wheels............................. 320
Climate Control......................... 213
Clock........................180,183,190,203
Clutch............................... 316
Clutch Fluid........................... 316
Coin Holder........................... 140
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance............. 211
Compass.............................. 178
Compass Calibration..................... 178Compass Variance....................... 176
Console.............................. 140
Contract, Service........................ 349
Cool Down, Turbo....................... 226
Coolant (Antifreeze)...................333,334
Cooler, Beverage........................ 148
Cooling System......................... 309
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 311
Coolant Level......................309,312
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 312
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 309
Inspection........................... 312
Points to Remember................. 311,313
Pressure Cap......................... 311
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)........... 310
Corrosion Protection..................... 318
Crankcase Emission Control System.......... 301
Cruise Light........................... 160
Cup Holder............................ 140
358 INDEX

Replacement Bulbs....................... 327
Replacement Keys........................ 14
Replacement Parts....................... 295
Replacement Tires....................... 251
Reporting Safety Defects................... 351
Resetting Oil Change Indicator...........160,175
Restraints, Child.......................56,63
Restraints, Infant......................... 57
Retractable Cargo Area Cover............... 143
Roof Rack (Luggage Rack)................. 148
Rotation, Tires.......................... 254
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle................. 66
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle............... 67
Safety Defects, Reporting.................. 351
Safety Information, Tire................... 237
Safety Tips............................. 65
Satellite Radio.......................203,205
Satellite Radio Antenna................... 208Schedule, Maintenance.................... 338
Seat Belt Maintenance.................... 323
Seat Belt Reminder....................... 43
Seat Belts
Adjustable Shoulder Belt.................. 38
Adjustable Upper Shoulder Anchorage........ 38
And Pregnant Women................... 44
Child Restraint......................... 56
Front Seat............................ 33
Pretensioners.......................... 42
Rear Seat............................. 33
Reminder............................ 158
Seat Belts (Sedan)........................ 32
Seats................................. 103
Adjustment.......................... 103
Head Restraints....................... 106
Lumbar Support....................... 105
Rear Folding......................... 107
Rear Folding (Sedan).................... 107
INDEX 367
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System, Navigation...................... 202
Tachometer............................ 158
Taillights.............................. 328
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant.......157,275
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint............... 60
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm)................ 28
Theft System (Security Alarm)............... 28
Tie Down Hooks, Cargo................... 144
Tilt Steering Column..................... 118
Tire and Loading Information Placard......... 242
Tire Identification Number (TIN)............. 241
Tire Markings.......................... 237
Tire Safety Information.................... 237
TIREFIT.............................. 276
Tires ............................67,246,353
Aging (Life of Tires).................... 251
Air Pressure.......................... 246
Alignment........................... 253Chains.............................. 253
General Information.................... 246
High Speed.......................... 249
Inflation Pressures..................... 247
Life of Tires.......................... 251
Load Capacity.....................242,243
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)........... 255
Quality Grading....................... 353
Radial.............................. 249
Replacement......................... 251
Rotation............................. 254
Safety...........................237,246
Sizes............................... 239
Snow Tires........................... 254
Spinning............................ 250
Tread Wear Indicators................... 250
Towing
Disabled Vehicle....................... 287
Recreational.......................... 271
INDEX 369
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