NOTE:
•For additional information, refer to www.safercar.gov/
parents/index.htm or call: 1–888–327–4236 •
Canadian residents should refer to Transport
Canada’s website for additional information: http://
www.tc.gc.ca/eng/motorvehiclesafety/safedrivers-
childsafety-index-53.htm
Summary Of Recommendations For Restraining Children In Vehicles
Child Size, Height, Weight Or Age Recommended Type Of Child Re-
straint
Infants and Toddlers Children who are two years old or
younger and who have not reached the height or weight limits of their child restraint Either an Infant Carrier or a Convert-
ible Child Restraint, facing rearward in the rear seat of the vehicle
Small Children Children who are at least two years
old or who have out-grown the
height or weight limit of their rear- facing child restraint Forward-Facing Child Restraint with
a five-point Harness, facing forward in the rear seat of the vehicle
Larger Children Children who have out-grown their
forward-facing child restraint, but
are too small to properly fit the vehi- cle’s seat belt Belt Positioning Booster Seat and the
vehicle seat belt, seated in the rear seat of the vehicle
Children Too Large for Child Re- straints Children 12 years old or younger,
who have out-grown the height or weight limit of their booster seat Vehicle Seat Belt, seated in the rear
seat of the vehicle
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 61
Infant And Child Restraints
Safety experts recommend that children ride rear-facing in
the vehicle until they are two years old or until they reach
either the height or weight limit of their rear-facing child
restraint. Two types of child restraints can be used rear-
facing: infant carriers and convertible child seats.
The infant carrier is only used rear-facing in the vehicle. It
is recommended for children from birth until they reach
the weight or height limit of the infant carrier. Convertible
child seats can be used either rear-facing or forward-facing
in the vehicle. Convertible child seats often have a higher
weight limit in the rear-facing direction than infant carriers
do, so they can be used rear-facing by children who have
outgrown their infant carrier but are still less than at least
two years old. Children should remain rear-facing until
they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their
convertible child seat.
WARNING!
•Never place a rear-facing child restraint in front of an
air bag. A deploying passenger front air bag can
cause death or serious injury to a child 12 years or
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
younger, including a child in a rear-facing child
restraint.
• Only use a rear-facing child restraint in a vehicle
with a rear seat.
Older Children And Child Restraints
Children who are two years old or who have outgrown their
rear-facing convertible child seat can ride forward-facing in
the vehicle. Forward-facing child seats and convertible child
seats used in the forward-facing direction are for children who
are over two years old or who have outgrown the rear-facing
weight or height limit of their rear-facing convertible child
seat. Children should remain in a forward-facing child seat
with a harness for as long as possible, up to the highest weight
or height allowed by the child seat.
All children whose weight or height is above the forward-
facing limit for the child seat should use a belt-positioning
booster seat until the vehicle’s seat belts fit properly. If the
child cannot sit with knees bent over the vehicle’s seat
cushion while the child’s back is against the seatback, they
should use a belt-positioning booster seat. The child and
belt-positioning booster seat are held in the vehicle by the
seat belt.
62 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
WARNING!
Never allow a child to put the shoulder belt under an
arm or behind their back. In a crash, the shoulder belt
will not protect a child properly, which may result in
serious injury or death. A child must always wear both
the lap and shoulder portions of the seat belt correctly.
Recommendations For Attaching Child Restraints
Restraint Type CombinedWeight of the
Child + Child Restraint Use Any Attachment Method Shown With An “X” Below
LATCH – Lower Anchors Only Seat Belt Only LATCH – Lower
Anchors + TopTether Anchor Seat Belt + Top
Tether Anchor
Rear-Facing
Child Restraint Up to 65 lbs
(29.5 kg) XX
Rear-Facing
Child Restraint More than 65 lbs
(29.5 kg) X
Forward-Facing Child Restraint Up to 65 lbs
(29.5 kg) XX
Forward-Facing Child Restraint More than 65 lbs
(29.5 kg) X
64 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Frequently Asked Questions About Installing Child Restraints With LATCH
What is the weight limit (child’s weight + weight of the child re-
straint) for using the LATCH anchor- age system to attach the child re- straint? 65 lbs (29.5 kg)
Use the LATCH anchorage system
until the combined weight of the
child and the child restraint is 65 lbs
(29.5 kg). Use the seat belt and tether anchor instead of the LATCH system once the combined weight is more than 65 lbs (29.5 kg).
Can the LATCH anchorages and the
seat belt be used together to attach a rear-facing or forward-facing child restraint? No
Do not use the seat belt when you
use the LATCH anchorage system to
attach a rear-facing or forward-facing child restraint.
Can two child restraints be attached using a common lower LATCH an- chorage? No
Never “share” a LATCH anchorage
with two or more child restraints. If the center position does not have
dedicated LATCH lower anchorages,
use the seat belt to install a child seat in the center position next to a child
seat using the LATCH anchorages in an outboard position.
66 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
Lap/Shoulder Belt Systems For Installing Child
Restraints In This Vehicle
Frequently Asked Questions About Installing Child Restraints With Seat Belts
What is the weight limit (child’s weight + weight of the child re-
straint) for using the Tether Anchor
with the seat belt to attach a forward facing child restraint? Weight limit of the Child Restraint Always use the tether anchor when
using the seat belt to install a for-
ward facing child restraint, up to the recommended weight limit of the child restraint.
Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) Locations
•ALR = Switchable Automatic Locking Retractor
•
Top Tether Anchorage Symbol 2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 71
WARNING!
•Be certain that the seatback is securely locked into
position. If the seatback is not securely locked into
position, the seat will not provide the proper stabil-
ity for child seats and/or passengers. An improperly
latched seat could cause serious injury.
• The cargo area in the rear of the vehicle (with the rear
seatbacks in the locked-up or folded down position)
should not be used as a play area by children when
the vehicle is in motion. They could be seriously
injured in a collision. Children should be seated and
using the proper restraint system.
• To help protect against personal injury, passengers
should not be seated in the rear cargo area. The rear
cargo space is intended for load carrying purposes
only, not for passengers, who should sit in seats and
use seat belts.
The weight and position of cargo and passengers can
change the vehicle center of gravity and vehicle han-
dling. To avoid loss of control resulting in personal
injury, follow these guidelines for loading your ve-
hicle:
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Always place cargo evenly on the cargo floor. Put
heavier objects as low and as far forward as possible.
• Place as much cargo as possible in front of the rear
axle. Too much weight or improperly placed weight
over or behind the rear axle can cause the rear of the
vehicle to sway.
• Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than the top of
the seatback. This could impair visibility or become
a dangerous projectile in a sudden stop or collision.
REAR WINDOW FEATURES
Rear Window Defroster
The rear window defroster button is located on the
climate control. Push this button to turn on the rear
window defroster and the heated outside mirrors (if
equipped). An indicator in the button will illuminate when
the rear window defroster is on. The rear window defroster
automatically turns off after approximately ten minutes.
For an additional five minutes of operation, push the
button a second time.
192 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
▫Temperature Grades .....................384
TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) . . .384
▫ Premium System ...................... .386
▫ TPMS Deactivation — If Equipped ...........389
▫ General Information .....................390
FUEL REQUIREMENTS ...................390
▫ 3.6L Engine — If Equipped ................390
▫ 5.7L Engine — If Equipped ................390
▫ 6.4L Engine — If Equipped ................391
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ..................391
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ...............391
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles .........392
▫ CNG And LP Fuel System Modifications ......392
▫ MMT In Gasoline ...................... .392
▫ Materials Added To Fuel .................393
▫ Fuel System Cautions ....................393
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ...............394
FLEXIBLE FUEL (3.6L ENGINE ONLY) — IF
EQUIPPED ........................... .394
▫ E-85 General Information .................394
▫ Ethanol Fuel (E-85) ..................... .394
▫ Fuel Requirements .....................395
▫ Selection Of Engine Oil For Flexible Fuel Vehicles
(E-85) And Gasoline Vehicles ..............395
▫ Starting ............................ .396
▫ Cruising Range ....................... .396
▫ Replacement Parts ..................... .396
▫ Maintenance ......................... .396
ADDING
FUEL........................ .396
▫ Emergency Fuel Filler Door Release ..........398
VEHICLE LOADING .....................399
▫ Vehicle Certification Label ................399
▫ Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) ........400
▫ Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) ..........400
▫ Overloading ......................... .400
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 329
▫Loading ............................ .401
TRAILER TOWING ..................... .401
▫ Common Towing Definitions ...............401
▫ Trailer Hitch Classification ................403
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings) ............................ .404▫
Trailer And Tongue Weight ...............405
▫ Towing Requirements ...................405
▫ Towing Tips ......................... .409
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.) ....................410
▫ Two-Wheel Drive And All-Wheel Drive .......410
330 STARTING AND OPERATING