2008 JEEP PATRIOT Owners Manual

WARNING!
•A belt that is buckled into the wrong buckle will not
protect you properly. The lap portion could ride too high on
your body, possibly causing internal injuries. Always buckle
your belt into the buckle nearest you.
•A belt that is too loose will not protect you as well. In a
sudden stop you could move too far forward, increasing the
possibility of injury. Wear your seat belt snugly.
•A belt that is worn under your arm is very dangerous. Your
body could strike the inside surfaces of the vehicle in a
collision, increasing head and neck injury. A belt worn under
the arm can cause internal injuries. Ribs aren’t as strong as
shoulder bones. Wear the belt over your shoulder so that
your strongest bones will take the force in a collision.
•A shoulder belt placed behind you will not protect you
from injury during a collision. You are more likely to hit your
head in a collision if you do not wear your shoulder belt. The
lap and shoulder belt are meant to be used together.
Inserting Latch Plate Into Buckle
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 39
2

4. Position the lap belt across your thighs, below your
abdomen. To remove slack in the lap belt portion, pull up
on the shoulder belt. To loosen the lap belt if it is too tight,
tilt the latch plate and pull on the lap belt. A snug belt
reduces the risk of sliding under the belt in a collision.WARNING!
•A lap belt worn too high can increase the risk of
internal injury in a collision. The belt forces won’t be
at the strong hip and pelvic bones, but across your
abdomen. Always wear the lap belt as low as pos-
sible and keep it snug.
•A twisted belt can’t do its job as well. In a collision
it could even cut into you. Be sure the belt is straight.
If you can’t straighten a belt in your vehicle, take it to
your authorized dealer and have it fixed.
5. Position the shoulder belt on your chest so that it is
comfortable and not resting on your neck. The retractor
will withdraw any slack in the belt.
Positioning Lap Belt
40 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

6. To release the belt, push the red button on the buckle.
The belt will automatically retract to its stowed position.
If necessary, slide the latch plate down the webbing to
allow the belt to retract fully.
WARNING!
A frayed or torn belt could rip apart in a collision and
leave you with no protection. Inspect the belt system
periodically, checking for cuts, frays, or loose parts.
Damaged parts must be replaced immediately. Do
not disassemble or modify the system. Seat belt
assemblies must be replaced after a collision if they
have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.).
Adjustable Upper Shoulder Belt Anchorage
In the front seat, the shoulder belt can be adjusted
upward or downward to position the belt away from
your neck. Push the anchorage button to release the
anchorage, and move it up or down to the position that
fits you best.
Adjustable Anchorage
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 41
2

As a guide, if you are shorter than average you will
prefer a lower position, and if you are taller than average
you’ll prefer a higher position. When you release the
anchorage, try to move it up or down to make sure that
it is locked in position.
Second Row Center Lap/Shoulder Belt Operating
Instructions
The second row center lap/shoulder belt features a
three-point seat belt with a mini-latch and buckle, which
allows the shoulder belt to detach from the lower anchor
when the seat is folded. The mini-buckle and shoulder
belt can then be stored out of the way in the right side
trim panel for added convenience.
1. Remove the mini-latch and regular latch from its
stowed position in the right rear side trim panel.2. Grasp the mini-latch plate and pull the belt over the
seat.
Mini-Latch Stowage
42 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

3. Route the shoulder belt to the inside of the right head
restraint.
4. When the belt is long enough to fit, insert the mini-
latch plate into the mini-buckle until you hear a “click.”
5. Sit back in the seat. Slide the regular latch plate up the
webbing as far as necessary to allow the belt to go around
your lap.
Routing The Rear Center Shoulder Belt
Routing The Rear Center Shoulder Belt
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 43
2

6. When the belt is long enough to fit, insert the latch
plate into the buckle until you hear a “click.”
7. Position the lap belt across your thighs, below your
abdomen. To remove slack in the lap belt portion, pull upon the shoulder belt. To loosen the lap belt if it is too tight,
pull on the lap belt. A snug belt reduces the risk of sliding
under the belt in a collision.
8. Position the shoulder belt on your chest so that it is
comfortable and not resting on your neck. The retractor
will withdraw any slack in the belt.
Connecting Mini-Latch To Buckle
Rear Center Seat Belt Buckled
44 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

9. To release the belt, push the red button on the buckle.
10. To disengage the mini-latch from the mini-buckle for
storage, insert the regular latch plate into the black
button on the top of the mini-buckle. The belt will
automatically retract to its stowed position. If necessary,slide the latch plate down the webbing to allow the belt
to retract fully. Insert the mini-latch plate into the slot
provided in the trim panel.
Seat Belt Pretensioners
The seat belts for both front seating positions are
equipped with pretensioning devices that are designed to
automatically remove any slack from the seat belts in the
event of a collision. These devices improve the perfor-
mance of the seat belt system by assuring that the belt is
tight about the occupant in a collision. Pretensioners
work for all size occupants, including those in child
restraints.
NOTE:These devices are not a substitute for proper seat
belt placement by the occupant. The seat belt still must be
worn snugly and positioned properly.
Detaching Mini-Latch and Buckle
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 45
2

The pretensioners are triggered by the Airbag Control
Module (refer to information on Airbags in this section).
Like the front airbags, the pretensioners are single use
items. After a collision that is severe enough to deploy
the airbags and pretensioners, both must be replaced.
Enhanced Driver Seat Belt Reminder System
(BeltAlert)
If the driver’s seat belt has not been buckled within 60
seconds of starting the vehicle and if the vehicle speed is
greater than 5 mph (8 km/h), the Enhanced Warning
System (BeltAlert) will alert the driver to buckle their
seat belt. The driver should also instruct all other occu-
pants to buckle their seat belts. Once the warning is
triggered, the Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlert)
will continue to chime and flash the Seat Belt Warning
Light for 96 seconds or until the driver’s seat belt is
buckled. The Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlert) willbe reactivated if the driver’s seat belt is unbuckled for
more than 10 seconds and the vehicle speed is greater
than 5 mph (8 km/h).
The Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlert) can be en-
abled or disabled by your authorized dealer or by
following these steps:
NOTE:The following steps must occur within the first
60 seconds of the ignition switch being turned to the ON
or START position. DaimlerChrysler Corporation does
not recommend deactivating the Enhanced Warning Sys-
tem (BeltAlert).
1. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position and
buckle the driver or front passenger seat belt.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position and wait
for the Seat Belt Warning Light to turn off.
46 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE