2008 DODGE DURANGO belt

LATCH - Child Seat Anchorage System (Lower
Anchors and Tether for CHildren)
Your vehicle's second row 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 seat belts, instead securing
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 available. 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 also 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 available for some time. For some older child
restraints, many child restraint manufacturers offeradd-on tether strap kits or retro-fit kits. You are urged to
take advantage of all the available attachments provided
with your child restraint in any vehicle.
All three second row seating positions have lower an-
chorages that are capable of accommodating LATCH-
compatible child seats having flexible, webbing-mounted
lower attachments. Child seats with fixed lower attach-
ments must be installed in the outboard 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
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only install the child restraints using the vehicle's seat
belts. Please refer to the next section for typical installa-
tion instructions.
Second Row Seat Left Side
Second Row Seat Right Side
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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.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.
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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 to9Auto-
matic Locking Mode9earlier 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
Second Row Seat Tether Anchors
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2. Route the tether strap under the head restraint and
between the two headrest posts.
3. Attach the tether strap hook of the child restraint to
the tether anchor located on the seat back and remove the
slack in the tether strap according to the manufacturer 's
instructions.
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 instruc-
tions for Child Restraint Tether Anchor in this sec-
tion. 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
74 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

compartment. In addition, inspect the exhaust system
each time the vehicle is raised for lubrication or oil
change. Replace or adjust as required.
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.
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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 thelever, 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.
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.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 115
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To Fold the 40% seatbacks fully raise the lever on the side
of the seat to release the seatback. The seatback can now
be folded into the down position for use as a cargo floor,
or the seat can now be tumbled forward to allow access
to the rear of the 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.
Rear 20% Seat Pull Strap
124 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE