2011 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE Owners Manual

LATCH-compatible child restraint systems are now avail-
able. However, because the lower anchorages are to be
introduced over a period of years, child restraint systems
having attachments for those anchorages will continue to
also have features for installation using the vehicle’s seat
belts. Child restraints having tether straps and hooks for
connection to the top tether anchorages, have been
available for some time. For some older child restraints,
many child restraint manufacturers offer add-on tether
strap kits or retro-fit kits. You are urged to take advantage
of all 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. 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.The rear outboard seating positions have lower
anchorages capable of accommodating LATCH-
compatible child seats having flexible, webbing-
mounted lower attachments and child seats
with fixed lower attachments. The rear seat lower anchors
can be readily identified by the symbol located on the
seatback directly above the anchorages and are just visible
when you lean into the rear seat to install the child
restraint. You will easily feel them if you run your finger
along the intersection of the seatback and seat cushion
surfaces. The vehicle’s seat belt must be used for the center
position. Regardless of the specific type of lower attach-
ment, never install LATCH-compatible child seats such
that two seats share a common lower anchorage.
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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 restraints using
the vehicle’s seat belts. For typical installation instruc-
tions, refer to “Installing The LATCH-Compatible Child
Restraint System”.
Installing The LATCH-Compatible Child Restraint
System
We urge you to carefully follow the directions of the
manufacturer when installing your child restraint. Not all
child restraint systems will be installed as described here.
Again, carefully follow the installation instructions that
were provided with the child restraint system.The rear seat lower anchorages are round bars, located at
the rear of the seat cushion where it meets the seatback,
and are just visible when you lean into the rear seat to
install the child restraint. You will easily feel them if you
run your finger along the intersection of the seatback and
seat cushion surfaces.
Latch Anchorages
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In addition, there are top tether strap anchorages behind
each rear seating position located on the back of the seat.
To access the top tether strap anchorages behind the rear
seat, pull the carpeted floor panel away from the seat
back, this will expose the top tether strap anchorages.
WARNING!
Do not use the cargo tie downs located on the load
floor. Improper usage of the tether can lead to a
failure of an infant or child restraint. The child could
be badly injured or killed.
Pulling Down The Carpet Floor PanelTo Access Top Tether Strap
Top Tether Strap Anchorage (Located on Seatback)
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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 a
means 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.
First, loosen the child seat 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 theanchor and the child restraint.
There are three top tether
anchorages located on the back of the seat, behind the
gap panel. They are not visible until you fold the gap
panel down. Do not use the cargo tie down hooks
located on the floor behind the seat. Finally, tighten all
three straps as you push the child restraint rearward and
downward into the seat, removing slack in the straps
according to the child restraint manufacturer’s instruc-
tions.
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.
90 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Installing Child Restraints Using The Vehicle Seat
Belts
The passenger seat belts are equipped with either cinch-
ing latch plates or Automatic Locking Retractors (ALR),
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.For seat belts having an Automatic Locking Retractor
(ALR), pull the belt from the retractor until there is
enough allowance to pass it through the child restraint
and slide the latch plate into the buckle. Then, pull 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 around the child
restraint. Refer to “Automatic Locking Mode”.
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To attach a child restraint tether strap:
For rearward facing infant seats secured in the center seat
position with the vehicle seat belts, the rear center seat
position has an armrest tether that secures the arm rest in
the upward position. To access the center seat arm rest
tether first lower the arm rest. The tether is located
behind the armrest and hooked onto the plastic seat
backing.Pull down on the tether to unhook it from the plastic seat
backing, then raise the armrest and attach the tether hook
to the strap located on the front of the arm rest.
Center Seat Position Arm Rest Tether
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For center seating position route the tether strap over the
seatback and headrest then 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 top tether anchor located on
the back of the seat. To access the top tether strapanchorages behind the rear seat, pull the carpeted floor
panel away from the seat back, this will expose the top
tether strap anchorages.
Center Seat Position Arm Rest Tether Attached
Pulling Down The Carpet Floor Panel
To Access Top Tether Strap
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Top Tether Strap Anchorage (Located on Seatback)Top Tether Strap Mounting
94 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE