2009 DODGE DAKOTA child restraint

locking retractor seat belts, refer to9Automatic Locking
Mode9in this section. If you have trouble tightening the
lap/shoulder belt on the child restraint because, the
buckle or latch plate is too close to the belt path opening
on the restraint, follow these steps. If the buckle is
webbing-mounted, disconnect the latch plate from the
buckle and twist the short buckle-end belt to shorten it.
Insert the latch plate into the buckle with the release
button facing out. If the belt still can't be tightened, the
buckle is not webbing-mounted, or if by pulling and
pushing on the restraint loosens the belt, you may need
to do something more. 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
or use the locking clip provided with your child restraint.
To complete the child seat installation, refer to9Child
Restraint Tether Anchor9in this section.Child Restraint Tether Anchor
The Extended Cab model has one routing strap
located behind the passenger side, rear out-
board seating position. The tether anchor itself
is located in the center of vehicle, in between
the two seating positions. The front outboard passenger
seating position is also equipped with a child tether
anchorage, located at the base of the front seatback.
When there is a rear seat delete option, the tether
anchorage located on the cab back panel is designed to be
used for the front seat center seating position. The Crew
Cab model has three anchorages located behind each of
the rear seating positions (rear left, rear center, and rear
right).
66 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
²With a child restraint installed in the rear passen-
ger side locations, use care when adjusting the
front seat(s) rearward, to avoid the front seatback
coming in contact with the belted child directly
behind the seat. The child could be injured.
²Improper installation can lead to failure of an
infant or child restraint. It could come loose in a
collision. The child could be seriously injured or
killed. Make sure the child restraint tether strap is
always routed through the proper anchor strap
inner loop.
Tether Strap at the Front Passenger Seat (Extended
Cab)
1. Route the child restraint tether strap up and over the
front passenger seatback, and under the head restraint.2. Connect the tether strap to the lower anchor.
3. Remove the slack in the tether strap so that it is pulled
tight.
Tether Strap
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 67
2

Tether Straps at the Rear Passenger Seat (Extended
Cab)
1. Route the child restraint tether strap through the
routing loop, located directly behind the child restraint.
The routing loops are located behind the flip-down door
on the cab back panel (padded bolster).2. Route the tether strap across to the center tether
anchorage. The center tether is located behind the slide
door in the center of the vehicle, between the two seating
positions.
3. Remove the slack in the tether strap so that the anchor
strap is pulled tight.
Tether Strap Routing Loop
Tether Strap Routing
68 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Tether Straps at the Rear Passenger Seat (Crew Cab)
1. Route the child restraint tether strap under the head
restraint for the outboard seating positions, and then
through the anchor strap outer loop (webbing material
loop), located directly behind the child restraint.
2. Route the tether strap across to the nearest installed
anchor strap, and attach the tether strap hook to the
anchor strap inner metal ring.
3. Remove the slack in the tether strap so that both
anchor straps are pulled tight.
NOTE:Two anchors must be used for any of the three
seating positions.
Multiple Child Restraints
1 Ð Inner Anchor Strap Rings 4 Ð Passenger Side Rear Child
Seat
2 Ð Snap Hook 5 Ð Center Rear Child Seat
3 Ð Tether Strap 6 Ð Drivers Side Rear Child
Seat THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 69
2

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 restraint to secure
a child restraint top tether strap. See your authorized
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 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.
Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be detri-
mental and should be avoided.
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
conditions under which vehicle operations will occur.
The recommended viscosity and quality grades are
70 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 273
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator
Light)................................ 354
Child Restraint........................58,59
Child Restraint Tether Anchors.............61,66
Child Seat.............................. 63
Cleaning
Wheels............................. 378
Climate Control......................... 228
Clock.....................179,182,196,199,209
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance............. 227
Compact Spare Tire...................... 284
Compass.............................. 140
Compass Calibration..................... 140
Compass Variance....................... 141
Computer, Trip/Travel.................... 136
Console, Floor.......................... 154
Console, Overhead....................... 135
Contract, Service........................ 425Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap).......... 368
Cooling System......................... 366
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 367
Coolant Capacity...................... 396
Coolant Level......................366,369
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 369
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 366
Inspection........................... 369
Points to Remember.................... 370
Pressure Cap......................... 368
Radiator Cap......................... 368
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)......367,396,397
Temperature Gauge..................... 168
Crates
Rear Convenience Storage................ 151
Cruise Control (Speed Control).............. 132
Cupholders............................ 150
Customer Assistance..................... 423
430 INDEX

Recorder, Event Data...................... 56
Recreational Towing...................... 324
Shifting into Transfer Case Neutral (N)....... 325
Shifting out of Transfer Case Neutral (N)..... 327
Reformulated Gasoline.................... 298
Refrigerant............................ 361
Release, Hood.......................... 121
Reminder, Seat Belt....................... 44
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)................. 21
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls........ 226
Remote Starting System.................... 27
Replacement Keys........................ 17
Replacement Parts....................... 355
Replacement Tires....................... 287
Reporting Safety Defects................... 420
Resetting Oil Change Indicator.............. 172
Restraints, Child.......................58,63
Restraints, Occupant...................... 36
Rocking Vehicle When Stuck................ 346Rotation, Tires.......................... 291
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle................. 72
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle............... 73
Safety Defects, Reporting.................. 420
Safety Information, Tire................... 272
Safety Tips............................. 71
Satellite Radio.......................... 221
Satellite Radio Antenna................... 222
Schedule, Maintenance.................... 400
Seat Belt Maintenance.................... 381
Seat Belt Reminder....................... 44
Seat Belts..........................36,37,72
And Pregnant Women................... 45
Child Restraint.......................58,59
Extender............................. 45
Front Seat............................ 37
Pretensioners.......................... 44
Reminder............................ 169
INDEX 439
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Emergency (Jump Starting)............... 343
Engine Block Heater.................... 241
Engine Fails to Start.................... 240
Remote.............................. 27
Steering
Column Controls...................... 127
Power.............................. 266
Wheel Lock........................... 15
Wheel, Tilt........................... 131
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System
Controls.............................. 226
Storage, Behind the Seat................... 151
Storage Bin............................ 151
Storage, Vehicle......................... 386
Stuck, Freeing.......................... 346
Supplemental Tire Pressure Information........ 289
Synthetic Engine Oil...................... 358
System, Remote Starting.................... 27Tachometer............................ 171
Tailgate............................... 158
Taillights.............................. 389
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant.......... 168
Tether Anchor, Child Restraint............... 61
Tilt Steering Column..................... 131
Tip Start.............................. 239
Tire and Loading Information Placard......276,289
Tire Identification Number (TIN)............. 275
Tire Markings.......................... 272
Tire Safety Information.................... 272
Tires ............................73,280,422
Aging (Life of Tires).................... 286
Air Pressure.......................... 280
Alignment........................... 288
Chains.............................. 289
Changing............................ 332
Compact Spare........................ 284
General Information.................... 280
INDEX 441
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