Page 44 of 435

If it is necessary to put a f orward-
f acing child seat in the f ront, move
the vehicle seat as far to the rear as
possible, and be sure the child seat is
f irmly secured to the vehicle and the
child is properly strapped in the seat.Most child seats are LATCH-
compatible (Lower Anchors and
Tethers f or CHildren). Some have a
rigid-type connector, while others
have a f lexible-type connector. Both
are equally easy to use. Some
existing and previously owned child
seats can only be installed using the
seat belt. Whichever type you
choose, f ollow the child seat
manufacturer’s use and care
instructions as well as the
instructions in this manual. Proper
installation is key to maximizing your
child’s saf ety.In seating positions and vehicles not
equipped with LATCH, a LATCH-
compatible child seat can be installed
using the seat belt and a top tether
f or added security. This is because
all child seats are required to be
designed so that they can be secured
with a lap belt or the lap part of a
lap/shoulder belt.
In addition, the child seat
manufacturer may advise that a seat
belt be used to attach a LATCH-
compatible seat once a child reaches
a specif ied weight. Please read the
child seat owner’s manual f or proper
installation instructions.
Selecting a Child Seat
Protecting Inf ants and Small Children, Selecting a Child Seat
40
Placing a forward-facing child
seat in the front seat can result
in serious injury or death if the
front airbag inflates.
Ifyoumustplaceaforward-
facing child seat in front, move
the vehicle seat as far back as
possible, and properly restrain
the child.
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
2012 Crosstour
Page 49 of 435
Af ter conf irming that the belt is
locked, grab the shoulder part of
the belt near the buckle, and pull
up to remove any slack from the
lap part of the belt. Remember, if
the lap part of the belt is not tight,
the child seat will not be secure.To deactivate the lockable retractor
and remove a child seat, unlatch the
buckle, unroute the seat belt, and let
the belt fully retract.
Push and pull the child seat
f orward and f rom side-to-side to
verify that it is secure enough to
stay upright during normal driving
maneuvers. If the child seat is not
secure, unlatch the belt, allow it to
retract f ully, then repeat these
steps.
To remove slack, it may help to
putweightonthechildseat,or
push on the back of the seat while
pulling up on the belt.
4.
5.
Installing a Child Seat
45
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
2012 Crosstour
Page 51 of 435

To determine if a lap/shoulder belt
properly f its a child, have the child
put on the seat belt, then ask
yourself :
When a child reaches the
recommended weight or height limit
for a forward-facing child seat, the
child should sit in a back seat on a
booster seat and wear the lap/
shoulder belt.
Does the child sit all the way back
against the seat?
Do the child’s knees bend
comf ortably over the edge of the
seat?
The f ollowing pages give
instructions on how to check proper
seat belt f it, what kind of booster
seat to use if one is needed, and
important precautions f or a child
who must sit in f ront.
1.
2.
CONT INUED
Protecting L arger Children
Checking Seat Belt Fit
47
Allowing a child age 12 or under
to sit in front can result in injury
or death if the passenger’s front
airbag inflates.
If a child must ride in front,
move the vehicle seat as far
back as possible, use a booster
seat if needed, have the child
sit up properly and wear the
seat belt properly.
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
2012 Crosstour
Page 52 of 435

Does the shoulder belt cross
between the child’s neck and arm?
Is the lap part of the belt as low as
possible, touching the child’s
thighs?
Will the child be able to stay
seated like this f or the whole trip?
If you answer yes to all these
questions, the child is ready to wear
the lap/shoulder belt correctly. If
you answer no to any question, the
child needs to ride on a booster seat. A child who has outgrown a f orward- f acing child seat should ride in a
back seat and use a booster seat
until the lap/shoulder belt f its them
properly without the booster.Some states, Canadian provinces and
territories also require children to
use a booster seat until they reach a
given age or weight (e.g., 6 years or
60lbs).Besuretocheckcurrent
laws in the states, provinces and
territories where you intend to drive.
Booster seats can be high-back or
low-back. Whichever style you select,
make sure the booster seat meets
f ederal saf ety standards (see page
) and that you f ollow the booster
seat maker’s instructions.
If a child who uses a booster seat
must ride in f ront, move the vehicle
seat as far back as possible and be
sure the child is wearing the seat
belt properly.
4.
5. 3.
40
Using a Booster Seat
Protecting L arger Children
48
Driver and Passenger Saf ety
2012 Crosstour
Page 101 of 435
You can fold down the seat-back in
two ways.Lower the rear head restraints to
their lowest positions. If you f old
down the lef t side seat-back, also
adjust the rear center head
restraint to its lowest position.
Make sure the rear seat armrest is
stored. How to use the rear seat release
lever.
Fold the seat-back forward. Unlock the seat-back by pulling up
the release lever on the outer side
of each rear seat-back.
Make sure that the folded seat-back
does not press against the f ront
passenger’s seat, as this could cause
the weight sensors to work
improperly. Remove any items from the seat
before folding down the seat-back. Each side f olds down separately, so
you can still carry one or two
passengers in the rear seat. The Easy Fold-down 60/40 Split
Rear Seatback can be f olded down
f or more cargo room.
1.
2.
3.
CONT INUED
Easy Fold-down 60/40
Seats
97
RELEASE LEVER
Inst rument s and Cont rols
Split Rear Seatback
2012 Crosstour
Page 294 of 435

µµ
µ
µµ µ
Aggressive driving (hard
acceleration and braking)
Excessive idling, accelerating and
braking in stop-and-go traf f ic
Cold engine operation (engines
aremoreefficientwhenwarmed
up)
Driving with a heavy load or the
air conditioner running
Improperly inf lated tires
The f ollowing f actors can lower your
vehicle’s f uel economy:
A properly maintained vehicle
maximizes f uel economy. Poor
maintenance can signif icantly reduce
f uel economy. Always maintain your
vehicle according to the maintenance messages displayed on the
inf ormation display (see
on page ).
For example: Rapid
acceleration, abrupt cornering,
and hard braking increase fuel
consumption.
Aerodynamic drag has a big ef f ect
on f uel economy at speeds above
45 mph (75 km/h). Reduce your
speed and you reduce the drag.
Trailers, car top carriers, roof
racks and bike racks are also big
contributors to increased drag.
An underinf lated tire increases
‘‘rolling resistance,’’ which reduces
f uel economy.
It puts a heavier
load on the engine, increasing f uel
consumption.
In
particular, a build-up of snow or
mud on your vehicle’s underside
adds weight and rolling resistance.
Frequent cleaning helps your f uel
economy. Idling
results in 0 miles per gallon (0 kms
per liter).
330
Fuel Economy Factors
Use the recommended viscosity
motor oil, displaying the API
Certif ication Seal (see page ).
Improving Fuel Economy Owner’s
Maintenance Checks Drive moderately
Observe the speed limit
Maintain proper tire inf lation
A void carrying excess weight in
your vehicle
K eep your vehicle clean A void excessive idling
334
Vehicle Maint enance Drive Ef f icient ly
Fuel Economy
290
Bef ore Driving
2012 Crosstour
Page 299 of 435

µµ·
The maximum load f or your vehicle
is 850 lbs (385 kg).
Label Example See Tire And Loading Inf ormation
label attached to the driver’s
doorjamb.
This f igure includes the total weight
of all occupants, cargo, and
accessories, and the tongue load if
you are towing a trailer. Steps for Determining
Correct Load Limit
Locate the statement ‘‘The
combined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX
kg or XXX lbs.’’ on your vehicle’s
placard.
Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers f rom
XXX kg or XXX lbs. The resulting f igure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For
example, if the ‘‘XXX’’ amount
equals 1,400 lbs. and there will be
f ive 150 lb. passengers in your
vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is
650 lbs.
(1,400 750 (5 150) = 650 lbs.)
Determine the combined weight
of luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may
not saf ely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in Step 4.
If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load f rom your trailer will
be transf erred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of
your vehicle.
(1)
(2)
(3) (4)
(5)
(6)
CONT INUED
Load Limits
Carrying Cargo
295
Overloading or improper
loading can affect handling and
stability and cause a crash in
which you can be hurt or killed.
Follow all load limits and other
loading guidelines in this
manual.
Bef ore Driving
2012 Crosstour
Page 300 of 435
In addition, the total weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, accessories,
cargo, and trailer tongue load must
not exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) or the
Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). Both are on a label on the
driver’s doorjamb.
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Carrying Cargo
296
(113 kg)
(45 kg)
(68kgx5=340kg) (68kgx4=272kg)
Max Load 850 lbs
Max Load 850 lbs
Max Load 850 lbs Passenger Weight
150 lbs x 2 = 300 lbs
Passenger Weight
150 lbs x 4 = 600 lbs
Passenger Weight
150 lbs x 5 = 750 lbs Cargo Weight
550 lbs
Cargo Weight
250 lbs
(385 kg)
(385 kg)
(385 kg) (68kgx2=136kg)
Cargo Weight
100 lbs(249 kg)
Bef ore Driving
2012 Crosstour