2008 DODGE CARAVAN child seat

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 seatbacks and
cause serious personal injury.
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren (LATCH)
Each vehicle, except commercial cargo vehicles, is
equipped with the child restraint anchorage system
called LATCH, which stands for Lower Anchors and
Tether for CHildren. Two LATCH child restraint anchor-
age systems are installed on all second-row seats and in
the center position on all 3rd row fold-in-floor seats.
Second-row seats also feature tether strap anchorages,
located in the rear surface of the seatback. In addition, all
third row fold-in-floor seats are equipped with a child
restraint tether anchor at the center seating position.When using the tether anchorages in the outboard seat-
ing positions, ensure that the strap is routed underneath
the top of the seatback and the head restraint.
LATCH Anchorages
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When using the tether anchorages in the center position
on third row fold-in-floor seating, ensure that the strap is
routed underneath the top of the seatback and the head
restraint.
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.
Child restraint systems having attachments designed to
connect to the lower anchorages are now available. Child
restraints having tether straps and hooks for connection
to the seatback 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.
NOTE:If your child restraint seat is not LATCH com-
patible, install the restraint using the vehicle seat belts.
Rear Seat Tether Strap Mounting
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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.
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, a hook and means for adjusting the
tension in the strap.
In general, you will first loosen the adjusters on the lower
straps and tether straps so that you can more easily attach
the hook or connector to the lower anchorages and tether
anchorages. Then tighten all three straps as you push the
child restraint rearward and downward into the seat.
88 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
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.
Transporting Pets
Airbags deploying in the front seat could harm your pet.
An unrestrained pet could 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.
REAR SEAT DELETE FEATURE (COMMERCIAL
VEHICLES ONLY) Ð IF EQUIPPED
Commercial cargo vehicles are not designed for use as a
family vehicle and are not intended for carrying children
in the front passenger seat. However, if you must carry a
child in a vehicle without a rear seat, the passenger seat
should be moved to the full rearward position and the
child must be in a proper restraint system based on it's
age, size and weight. NEVER carry a child in a rear facing
infant carrier in a vehicle without rear seats. In an
accident, serious injury or death may occur from the
deploying passenger airbag.
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This vehicle is equipped with a child restraint tether
anchor located on the lower rear of the front passenger
seat.Use this tether anchor to secure only forward
facing child restraints equipped with an upper tether
strap.
WARNING!
Rearward-facing infant restraints must never be se-
cured in the passenger seat of a vehicle with a
passenger airbag. In an accident a passenger airbag
may deploy causing severe injury or death to infants
riding in rearward-facing infant restraints.
Restraining Infants and Small Children with Seat
Delete Feature (Commercial Vehicles Only)
There are different sizes and types of restraints for
children from newborn size to the child almost large
enough for an adult safety belt. Use the restraint that is
correct for your child:
²The rearward-facing infant carrier is for babies weigh-
ing up to about 20 lbs (9 kg), and less than one year
old. THIS TYPE OF SEAT CANNOT BE USED IN A
Commercial Child Restraint Tether Anchor
90 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH THE REAR SEAT DE-
LETE FEATURE (Commercial Vehicles Only).
²The forward-facing child seat is for children from
about 20 to 40 lbs (9 to 18 kg), and more than one year
old.
²A ªconvertibleº child seat, one that is designed to be
used for children who are too heavy for a rearward-
facing infant seat, may be used IN THE FORWARD
FACING POSITION ONLY, IT MUST NEVER BE
INSTALLED FACING TO THE REAR IN A VEHICLE
EQUIPPED WITH THE REAR SEAT DELETE FEA-
TURE (Commercial Vehicles Only). When a convert-
ible seat is properly installed facing forward, the
vehicle seat should be adjusted to therear most
position.
²Children more than 40 lbs (18 kg) should be secured in
the passenger seat in a child restraint or belt-
positioning booster seat with the seat adjusted to therear most position. Older children who do not use
child restraints or belt-positioning booster seats
should ride properly buckled in the passenger seat
with the seat adjusted to the rear most position. Never
allow children to slide the shoulder belt behind them
or under their arm.
Tether Installation For Commercial Vehicles With
Rear Seat Delete
To secure the child restraint upper tether strap to the
vehicle, follow the instructions shown:
1. Locate the child restraint tether anchor on the lower
rear of the front passenger seat.
2. Follow the child restraint manufacturer's directions
for proper use of connecting the child restraint to the
extended tether strap.
3. Route the tether strap under the head rest.
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NOTE:Ensure that the child restraint tether strap is
centered between the headrest supports underneath the
head rest.
4. Using the hook attached to the child restraint tether
strap, attach the child restraint tether strap to the metal
anchor on the lower rear of the front passenger seat.
5. Following the child seat manufacturer's instructions,
tighten the child restraint tether strap.
6. Inspect the tether anchor strap for nicks, abrasions,
discoloration, and loose threads. If these, or any other
condition that might effect the performance of the strap is
observed, DO NOT USE. Contact your authorized
DaimlerChrysler dealership for a replacement part.WARNING!
The vehicle tether anchor is designed to be used with
a child restraint only. It should not be used for any
other purpose. Before use, inspect the tether anchor
strap for nicks, abrasions, discoloration, and loose
threads. If these or any other condition that might
effect the performance of the strap is observed, DO
NOT USE. Personal injury may result. Contact your
authorized DaimlerChrysler dealership for a replace-
ment part.
92 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

To swivel the seat: Pull the lower handle on the outboard
side of the seat and push the side of the seatback to begin
rotation. Once the seat begins to rotate, the handle may
be released. The seat locks in position once reaching the
forward or rearward positions only.
Seatbacks fold forward on an angle, not flat. This allows
the seats to swivel when the seatbacks are folded.WARNING!
Failure to comply with the following conditions
could result in serious injury or even death.
²NEVER place any child seat or infant carrier in the
Swivel 'n Go seat while it is in the rearward facing
position.
²The swivel seat should be locked in the forward
position when using any child seat or infant
carriers, with the vehicle in motion.
²Occupants riding in Swivel 'n Go seating, must be
wearing their seat belt and the seat must be locked
in either the forward or rearward position.
²Make sure the Swivel 'n Go seat is in a locked
position with the handle down. Test the seat after
it is locked to see that it doesn't swivel.
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