2011 DODGE JOURNEY belt

you make sure that you can install the child restraint in
the vehicle where you will use it before you buy it.
•The restraint must be appropriate for your child’s
weight and height. Check the label on the restraint for
weight and height limits.
•Carefully follow the instructions that come with the
restraint. If you install the restraint improperly, it may
not work when you need it.
•Buckle the child into the seat according to the child
restraint manufacturer’s directions.
WARNING!
When your child restraint is not in use, secure it in
the vehicle with the seat belt or remove it from the
vehicle. Do not leave it loose in the vehicle. In a
sudden stop or accident, it could strike the occupants
or seatbacks and cause serious personal injury.
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren (LATCH)
Your vehicle’s second row passenger seats are equipped
with the child restraint anchor system called LATCH. The
LATCH system provides for the installation of the child
restraint without using the vehicle’s seat belts, instead
securing the child restraint using lower anchors and
upper tether straps from the child restraint to the vehicle
structure.
LATCH-compatible child restraint systems are now avail-
able. However, because the lower anchors are to be
introduced over a period of years, child restraint systems
having attachments for those anchors will continue to
have features for installation using the vehicle’s seat
belts. Child restraints having tether straps and hooks for
connection to the top tether anchors have been available
for some time. For some older child restraints, many
child restraint manufacturers offer add-on tether strap
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 81

kits or retrofit kits. You are urged to take advantage of all
the available attachments provided with your child re-
straint in any vehicle.
All three second-row passenger seating positions have
lower anchors that are capable of accommodating
LATCH-compatible child seats. You should never install
LATCH-compatible child seats so that two seats share a
common lower anchorage. If installing child seats in
adjacent seating positions, or if your child restraints are
not LATCH-compatible, install the restraints using the
vehicle’s seat belts.
Latch Anchorages
1 — Outer 60% Seating Position. Use Lower Anchor Loops A and B. If placing a sec-
ond child seat in the vehicle, use the Outer 40% Seating Position and Lower Anchor
Loops D and E. DO NOT USE Middle 60% Seating Position and Lower Anchorage
Loops B and C.
2 — Middle 60% Seating Position. Use Lower Anchor Loops B and C. If placing a sec-
ond child seat in the vehicle, use the Outer 40% Seating Position and Lower Anchor
Loops D and E. DO NOT USE Outer 60% Seating Position and Lower Anchor Loops
A and B.
3 — Outer 40% Seating Position. Use Lower Anchor Loops D and E. If placing a sec-
ond child seat in the vehicle, use Outer 60% Seating Position and Lower Anchor
Loops A and B or Middle 60% Seating Position and Lower Anchor Loops B and C.
82 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Finally, tighten all three straps as you push the child
restraint rearward and downward into the seat, remov-
ing slack in the straps according to the child restraint
manufacturer’s instructions.
NOTE:
•Ensure that the tether strap does not slip into the
opening between the seatbacks as you remove slack in
the strap.
•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. 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 that they should not
play with them. In addition, never leave unattended
children in the vehicle.
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 an Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) to
secure a Child Restraint System (CRS). These 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 then allow the belt to retract into the
retractor. For additional information on ALR, refer to
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 85

“Automatic Locking Mode”. The chart below defines the
seating positions with an Automatic Locking Retractor
(ALR) or a cinching latch plate.
Driver Center Passenger
CRS Lock CRS Lock CRS Lock
First Row N/A N/A ALR
Second Row ALR ALR ALR
•N/A — Not Applicable
•ALR — Automatic Locking Retractor
Installing a Child Restraint with an ALR:
1. To install a child restraint with ALR, first, pull enough
of the seat belt webbing from the retractor to route it
through the belt path of the child restraint. Slide the latch
plate into the buckle until you hear a “click.” Next,
extract all the seat belt webbing out of the retractor and
then allow the belt to retract into the retractor. As the belt retracts, you will hear a ratcheting sound. This indicates
the safety belt is now in the Automatic Locking mode.
2. 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 occasionally, and
pull it tight if necessary.
NOTE:
When installing a child restraint, if it interferes
with the Head Restraint, recline the seatback slightly to
remove the interference.
To attach a child restraint tether strap:
1. Route the tether strap to provide the most direct path
for the strap between the anchor and the child seat,
preferably between the head restraint posts underneath
the head restraint. For center seating position, adjust the
head restraint to the upward position and route the tether
strap between the head restraint posts underneath the
head restraint. Then, attach the hook to the tether anchor
located on the back of the seat.
86 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:Ensure that the tether strap does not slip into the
opening between the seatbacks as you remove slack in
the strap.
WARNING!
An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to
increased 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.
Transporting Pets
Air Bags 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
an accident.
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 and
drivetrain (transmission and axle) in your vehicle.
Drive moderately during the first 300 mi (500 km). After
the initial 60 mi (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. For
the recommended viscosity and quality grades, refer to
“Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your Ve-
hicle”. NON-DETERGENT OR STRAIGHT MINERAL
OILS MUST NEVER BE USED.
88 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

A new engine may consume some oil during its first few
thousand miles (kilometers) of operation. This should be
considered a normal part of the break-in and not inter-
preted as an indication of difficulty.
SAFETY TIPS
Transporting Passengers
NEVER TRANSPORT PASSENGERS IN THE CARGO
AREA.
WARNING!
•Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up may
cause serious injury or death.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,
inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people
riding in these areas are more likely to be seri-
ously injured or killed.
•Do not allow people to ride in any area of your
vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seat
belts.
•Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and
using a seat belt properly.
•On seven passenger models, do not drive the
vehicle with the second row passenger seat in the
easy entry/exit position (seat cushion flipped up-
ward and seat moved forward), as this position is
only intended for entering and exiting the third
row seats. Failure to follow this warning may
result in personal injury.(Continued)
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 89

WARNING! (Continued)
•On seven passenger models, do not allow a pas-
senger to sit in a third row seat with the second
row seatback(s) folded flat. In a collision, the
passenger could slide underneath the seat belt and
be seriously or even fatally injured.
Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
•Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain
carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless and
odorless. Breathing it can make you unconscious
and can eventually poison you. To avoid breathing
CO follow these safety tips:Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in confined
areas any longer than needed to move your vehicle in or
out of the area.
If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the engine
running, adjust your heating or cooling controls to force
outside air into the vehicle. Set the blower at high speed.
If you are required to drive with the liftgate open, make
sure that all windows are closed, and the blower switch
on the climate control is set at high speed. DO NOT use
the recirculation mode.
The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into
the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine exhaust
system.
Whenever a change is noticed in the sound of the exhaust
system, when exhaust fumes can be detected inside the
vehicle, or when the underside or rear of the vehicle is
90 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

damaged, have a competent mechanic inspect the com-
plete exhaust system and adjacent body areas for broken,
damaged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Open
seams or loose connections could permit exhaust fumes
to seep into the passenger compartment. In addition,
inspect the exhaust system each time the vehicle is raised
for lubrication or oil change. Replace as required.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the seat belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays, and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a
collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced after
a collision if they have been damaged (i.e., bent retractor,
torn webbing, etc.). If there is any question regarding belt
or retractor condition, replace the seat belt.
Air Bag Warning Light
The light should turn on and remain on for four to six
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the light is not lit during starting, or if the
light stays on, flickers, or turns on while driving, have the
system checked by an authorized dealer.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield. See your
authorized dealer for service if your defroster is
inoperable.
Floor Mat Safety Information
Always use floor mats designed to fit the footwell of your
vehicle. Use only floor mats that leave the pedal area
unobstructed and that are firmly secured so that they
cannot slip out of position and interfere with the pedals
or impair safe operation of your vehicle in other ways.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 91