2009 DODGE NITRO child seat

In addition, there are tether strap anchorages behind each
rear seating position located on the back of the seat.
Many, but not all restraint systems will be equipped with
separate straps on each side, with each having a hook or
connector for attachment to the lower anchorage and ameans of adjusting the tension in the strap. Forward-
facing toddler restraints and some rear-facing infant
restraints will also be equipped with a tether strap, a
hook for attachment to the tether strap anchorage and a
means of adjusting the tension of the strap.
You will first loosen the adjusters on the lower straps and
on the tether strap so that you can more easily attach the
hooks or connectors to the vehicle anchorages. Next,
attach the lower hooks or connectors over the top of the
anchorage bars, pushing aside the seat cover material.
Then, locate the tether anchorage directly behind the seat
where you are placing the child restraint and attach the
tether strap to the anchorage, being careful to route the
tether strap to provide the most direct path between the
anchor and the child restraint. For the outboard seating
positions, route the tether underneath the head rest and
attach the hook to the tether anchor located on the back
of the seat. Finally, tighten all three straps as you push the
Tether Strap Mounting
72 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

child restraint rearward and downward into the seat,
removing slack in the straps according to the child
restraint manufacturer’s instructions.
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.
Installing Child Restraints Using the Vehicle Seat
Belt
The passenger seat belts are equipped with either cinching
latch plates or automatic locking retractors, which are de-
signed 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 thebelt. However, any seat belt system may loosen with time, so
check the belt occasionally and pull it tight if necessary.
If the seat belt has an automatic locking retractor, it will
have a distinctive label. 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 the belt until it is completely 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 to “Automatic Locking Mode”
earlier 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 path opening
on the restraint. Disconnect the latch plate from the
buckle and twist the short buckle-end belt several times
to shorten it. Insert the latch plate into the buckle with the
release button facing out.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 73
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If the belt still can’t be tightened, 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 buckle 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.
To attach a child restraint tether strap:
Route the tether strap over the seatback and attach the
hook to the tether anchor located on the back of the seat.
For the outboard seating positions, route the tether under
the head rests, and attach the hook to the tether anchor
located on the back of the seat.
WARNING!
An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to in-
creased 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.
Tether Strap Mounting
74 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

To Raise Rear Seat
If locked in the folded position, pull the release strap
(toward the front of the vehicle).
Raise the seatback and lock it into place. If interference
from the cargo area prevents the seatback from fully
locking, you will have difficulty returning the seat to its
proper position.
WARNING!
Be certain that the seatback is securely locked into
position. If the seatback in not securely locked into
position, the seat will not provide the proper stability
for child seats and/or passengers. An improperly
latched seat could cause serious injury.
TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HOOD
To open the hood, there are two latches that must be
released.
1. Pull the hood release lever located under the left side
of the instrument panel.
Hood Release Lever
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 127
3

WARNING!
•Never leave unattended children in a vehicle with
the key in the ignition switch. Occupants, particu-
larly unattended children, can become entrapped
by the power sunroof while operating the power
sunroof switch. Such entrapment may result in
serious injury or death.
•In an accident, there is a greater risk of being
thrown from a vehicle with an open sunroof. You
could also be seriously injured or killed. Always
fasten your seat belt properly and make sure all
passengers are properly secured too.
•Do not allow small children to operate the sun-
roof. Never allow fingers or other body parts, or
any object to project through the sunroof opening.
Injury may result.
Opening Sunroof - Express
Press the switch rearward and release it within one-half
second and the sunroof will open automatically from any
position. The sunroof will open fully and stop automati-
cally. This is called Express Open. During Express Open
operation, any movement of the sunroof switch will stop
the sunroof.
Opening Sunroof - Manual Mode
To open the sunroof, press and hold the switch rearward
to full open. Any release of the switch will stop the
movement and the sunroof will remain in a partially
opened condition until the switch is pushed and held
rearward again.
Closing Sunroof - Express
Press the switch forward and release it within one-half
second and the sunroof will close automatically from any
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 151
3

The center console has a removable storage tray which
can hold cell phones, PDAs, and other small items.CARGO AREA FEATURES
Cargo Light
The cargo area light is activated by opening the liftgate,
opening any door, or by rotating the dimmer control on
the multifunction lever to the extreme top position.
Cargo Tie-Down Hooks
The tie-downs located on the cargo area floor should be
used to safely secure loads when the vehicle is moving.
WARNING!
Cargo tie-down hooks are not safe anchors for a child
seat tether strap. In a sudden stop or collision a hook
could pull loose and allow the child seat to come
loose. A child could be badly injured. Use only the
anchors provided for child seat tethers.
Removable Storage Tray
160 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build up may
cause serious injury or death.
Start the engine with the shift lever in the NEUTRAL or
PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting to any
driving range.
Normal Starting
NOTE:Normal starting of either a cold or a warm
engine is obtained without pumping or depressing the
accelerator pedal.Turn the ignition switch to the START position and
release when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start
within 10 seconds, turn the ignition switch to the LOCK
position, wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the normal
starting procedure.
Tip Start Feature
Turn the ignition switch to START position and release it
as soon as the starter engages. The starter motor will
continue to run, but will automatically disengage itself
when the engine is running. If the engine fails to start, the
starter will disengage automatically in 10 seconds. If this
occurs, turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position,
wait 10 to 15 seconds, then repeat the normal starting
procedure.
Extreme Cold Weather (below –20°F or –29°C)
To ensure reliable starting at these temperatures, use of
an externally powered electric engine block heater (avail-
able from your authorized dealer) is recommended.
STARTING AND OPERATING 259
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Power
Door Locks........................... 28
Inverter............................. 156
Mirrors.............................. 85
Steering..........................282,283
Sunroof............................. 150
Windows............................. 32
Power Steering Fluid..................... 410
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts.............. 47
Preparation for Jacking.................... 358
Programmable Electronic Features............ 198
Programming Transmitters
(Remote Keyless Entry).................... 23
Radial Ply Tires......................... 308
Radio, Satellite.......................... 240
Rear Axle (Differential).................... 391
Rear Park Sense System................... 137
Rear Window Defroster................... 166Rear Window Features.................... 165
Rear Wiper/Washer...................... 165
Rearview Mirrors........................ 83
Reclining Front Seats..................... 121
Recreational Towing...................... 351
Reformulated Gasoline.................... 327
Refrigerant............................ 378
Release, Hood.......................... 127
Reminder, Lights On..................... 130
Reminder, Seat Belt....................... 45
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)................. 19
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls........ 246
Remote Starting System.................... 25
Replacement Keys........................ 15
Replacement Parts....................... 372
Replacement Tires....................... 312
Reporting Safety Defects................... 432
Restraint, Head......................... 123
Restraints, Child......................... 65
INDEX 449
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