2009 DODGE CALIBER SRT child restraint

The passenger seat belts are equipped with either
cinching latch plates or seat belt retractors that can be
switched to an automatic locking mode, 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 switchable retractor, it will have a
distinctive label. To operate the switchable retractor,
please refer to Automatic-Locking Retractor (ALR) in this
section.
•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 pathopening on the restraint. Disconnect the latch plate
from the buckle and twist the short buckle end of the
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, 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.
•Buckle the child into the seat according to the child
restraint manufacturer’s directions.
•When 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.
64 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Automatic-Locking Retractor (ALR)
To operate the switchable retractor, pull the belt from the
retractor until there is enough to allow it to pass through
the child restraint and slide the latch plate into the
buckle. Then pull on the belt until it is fully extended
from 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.
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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
66 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 67
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Installing the Child Restraint System
We urge you to 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 seatback. 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
68 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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
seatback, should use the lap/shoulder belt in a rear seat.
•Make sure that the child is upright in the seat.
•The lap portion should be low on the hips and as snug
as possible.
•Check belt fit periodically. A child’s squirming or
slouching can move the belt out of position.
•If 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.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the engine in
your 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.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 69
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Brake Control System, Electronic............. 264
Brake Fluid............................ 361
Brake, Parking.......................... 259
Brake System........................260,345
Anti-Lock (ABS)....................... 261
Fluid Check.......................... 345
Master Cylinder....................... 345
Parking............................. 259
Warning Light........................ 169
Brakes.............................260,345
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........ 69
Bulb Replacement.....................355,356
Bulbs, Light............................ 355
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)........ 359
Capacities, Fluid........................ 359
Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 301
Oil (Engine).......................325,331Power Steering........................ 258
Car Washes............................ 348
Carbon Monoxide Warning................. 300
Cargo Area Cover....................... 149
Cargo Area Features...................... 147
Cargo Compartment
Light............................... 147
Cargo Light............................ 147
Cargo Load Floor........................ 149
Cargo Tie-Downs........................ 150
Caution, Exhaust Gas...................... 70
Cellular Phone........................81,238
Center High Mounted Stop Light............ 358
Chains, Tire............................ 285
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 272
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light)............... 327
Child Restraint.......................... 61
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............... 65
INDEX 393
10

Child Restraint with Automatic Belts........... 64
Child Safety Locks........................ 30
Child Seat.............................. 68
Clean Air Gasoline....................... 297
Cleaning
Wheels............................. 349
Climate Control......................... 238
Clock.....................187,190,204,208,217
Coin Holder........................... 146
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance............. 237
Compass Variance....................... 185
Console.............................. 146
Contract, Service........................ 385
Cool Down, Turbo....................... 252
Coolant (Antifreeze)...................359,360
Cooler, Beverage........................ 154
Cooling System......................... 339
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 341
Coolant Level......................340,343Disposal of Used Coolant................ 343
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 340
Inspection........................... 343
Points to Remember.................342,344
Pressure Cap......................... 342
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)........... 340
Corrosion Protection..................... 347
Cruise Light........................... 168
Cupholders............................ 146
Customer Assistance..................... 383
Data Recorder, Event...................... 58
Dealer Service.......................... 329
Defroster, Rear Window................... 153
Defroster, Windshield...................71,240
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers................. 128
Diagnostic System, Onboard................ 326
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................. 125
394 INDEX