2009 Ram 1500 child lock

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, a hook and means for adjusting the
tension in the strap.
In general, you will first loosen the adjusters on the lower
straps and tether straps so that you can more easily attach
the hook or connector to the lower anchorages and tether
anchorages. 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.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 seat belts in the passenger seating positions are
equipped with either an Automatic Locking Retractor
(ALR) or a cinching latch plate or both. Both types of seat
belts are designed to keep the lap portion of the seat belt
tight around the child restraint so that it is not necessary
to use a locking clip. The ALR will make a ratcheting
noise if you extract the entire belt from the retractor and
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 75

then allow the belt to retract into the retractor. For
additional information on ALR, refer to “Automatic
Locking Mode” in this section.
To install a child restraint, first, pull enough of the seat
belt webbing from the retractor to route it through the
belt path of the child restraint and slide the latch plate
into the buckle. Next, extract all the seat belt webbing out
of the retractor and then allow the belt to retract into the
retractor. Finally, pull on any excess webbing to tighten
the lap portion around the child restraint. Any seat belt
system will loosen with time, so check the belt occasion-
ally, and pull it tight if necessary.
Child Restraint Tether Anchor
Child restraints having tether straps and hooks for con-
nection to tether anchors have been available for some
time. In fact, many child restraint manufacturers will
provide add-on tether strap kits for their older products.
Regular Cab models have two tether anchorages, oneeach behind the front center and right seats. Quad Cab
and Crew Cab models have three anchorages, one behind
each of the rear seats.
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 below. See your authorized dealer for help if
necessary.
76 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belt.
The starter should not be operated for more than 15-
second intervals. Waiting a few seconds between such
intervals will protect the starter from overheating.
WARNING!
•Accidents can be caused by inadvertently moving
the shift lever or by pressing the accelerator pedal.
This may cause excessive heat in the exhaust
system, resulting in overheating and vehicle fire
which may cause serious or fatal injuries.
•Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat buildup may
cause serious injury or death.
Normal Starting
Normal starting of either a warm or cold engine is
obtained without pumping or depressing the accelerator
pedal. Turn the key to the START position and release
when the engine starts. If the engine fails to start within
10 seconds, turn the key to the OFF position, wait five
seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting” procedure.
Automatic Transmission
Start the engine with the shift lever in the NEUTRAL or
PARK position. Apply the brake before shifting into any
driving range.
NOTE: This vehicle is equipped with a transmission
shift interlocking system. The brake pedal must be
depressed to shift out of PARK.5
STARTING AND OPERATING 309

Power Steering........................ 345
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............... 461
Car Washes ............................ 470
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............83,390
Cargo Light ............................ 150
Cellular Phone .......................... 99
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 485
Center Lap Belts ......................... 49
Center Seat Storage Compartment ............ 194
Certification Label ....................... 396
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 364
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) .............239,445
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 82
Checks, Safety ........................... 82
Child Restraint .......................... 69
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............72,76
Child Seat ............................ 69,74
Cigar Lighter ........................... 187 Cleaning
Wheels ............................. 471
Climate Control ......................... 293
Clock ........................ 261,262,265,274
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 292
Compass .............................. 253
Compass Calibration ..................... 254
Compass Variance ....................... 254
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 252
Conserving Fuel ...................... 251,252
Console, Overhead ....................... 171
Contract, Service ........................ 515
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 461
Cooling System ......................... 458
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .............. 460
Coolant Capacity ...................... 488
Coolant Level ...................... 458,462
Disposal of Used Coolant ................ 462
Drain, Flush, and Refill .................. 459
524 INDEX

Keys................................. 12
Knee Bolster ............................ 54
Lane Change and Turn Signals .............. 152
Lap Belts .............................. 49
Lap/Shoulder Belts ....................... 41
LATCH (Lower Anchors and
Tether for CHildren) ...................... 72
Latches ................................ 85
Leaks, Fluid ............................ 85
Life of Tires ............................ 376
Light Bulbs ............................. 85
Lights .............................. 85,146
Airbag ...................... 54,61,66,84,240
Alarm .............................. 230
Anti-Lock ........................... 241
Anti-Lock Warning ..................... 349
Automatic Headlights ................... 147
Brake Warning ........................ 235 Bulb Replacement
...................... 481
Cargo .............................. 150
Center Mounted Stop ................... 485
Check Engine (Malfunction Indicator) ........ 239
Courtesy/Reading ..................... 172
Daytime Running ...................... 151
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Indicator . . . 357
Exterior .............................. 85
Fog .......................... 148,241,483
Hazard Warning Flasher ................. 420
Headlights ........................... 147
High Beam ........................ 153,234
High Beam Indicator .................... 234
High Beam/Low Beam Select ............. 153
Illuminated Entry ....................... 19
Instrument Cluster .................. 223,227
Interior .......................... 149,172
Lights On Reminder .................... 151
Low Fuel ............................ 234
530 INDEX

Oil Pressure.......................... 237
Passing ............................. 153
Seat Belt Reminder ..................... 242
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) .............. 230
Service ............................. 481
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) .............. 230
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) ........... 237
Traction Control ....................... 357
Turn Signal ................... 85,152,481,484
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) . . 223,227
Limited-Slip Differential ................339,465
Loading Vehicle ......................... 396
Tires ............................... 367
Locks ................................. 29
Child Protection ........................ 33
Door ................................ 29
Power Door ........................... 30
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH) .............................. 72 Lubrication, Body
....................... 453
Lug Nuts ............................. 431
Maintenance ........................... 447
Maintenance Free Battery .................. 451
Maintenance Procedures ................... 447
Maintenance Schedule .................... 492
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) ..... 445
Manual, Service ......................... 517
Manual Transmission Fluid Level Check ..................... 466
Lubricant Selection ..................... 490
Memory Seat ........................... 141
Mini-Trip Computer ...................... 252
Mirrors ................................ 93
Automatic Dimming ..................... 94
Electric Powered ....................... 96
Heated .............................. 97
Memory ............................ 141
10
INDEX 531

Seat Belt Reminder....................... 51
Seat Belts .......................... 39,41,84
Adjustable Upper Shoulder Anchorage ........ 49
And Pregnant Women ................... 52
Child Restraint ....................... 69,81
Extender ............................. 52
Front Seat ............................ 41
Inspection ............................ 84
Reminder ............................ 242
Seats .............................. 132,140
Adjustment .......................... 132
Child ............................... 81
Folding Floor ......................... 201
Heated ............................. 138
Memory ............................ 141
Power .............................. 136
Reclining ............................ 134
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ................ 18
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ..........459,489Sentry Key (Immobilizer)
................... 15
Sentry Key Programming ................... 17
Sentry Key Replacement ................... 16
Service Assistance ....................... 513
Service Contract ......................... 515
Service Manuals ........................ 517
Setting the Clock ................ 261,262,265,274
Settings, Personal ........................ 255
Shifting ............................... 312
Automatic Transmission ..............315,320
Transfer Case, Shifting into Transfer Case
Neutral (N) .......................... 413
Transfer Case, Shifting out of Transfer
Case Neutral (N) ...................... 415
Shoulder Belt Upper Anchorage .............. 49
Shoulder Belts ........................... 41
Side Airbag ............................. 62
Signals, Turn ...................... 85,152,227
10
INDEX 535