SEAT BELT
SYSTEMS
Buckle up even though you are an
excellent driver, even on short trips.
Someone on the road may be a poor
driver and could cause a collision that
includes you. This can happen far away
from home or on your own street.
Research has shown that seat belts
save lives, and they can reduce the
seriousness of injuries in a collision.
Some of the worst injuries happen
when people are thrown from the
vehicle. Seat belts reduce the possibility
of ejection and the risk of injury caused
by striking the inside of the vehicle.
Everyone in a motor vehicle should be
belted at all times.
Seat Belt Precautions
Seat belts help to decrease the
possibility of severe injury during
accidents and sudden stops. FCA
recommends that the driver and
passengers always wear seat belts.
Mexico
All the seats have lap/shoulder belts.
These belts have retractors with inertia
locks that keep them out of the way
when not in use.
The locks allow the belts to remain
comfortable on users, but they will lock
in position during a collision.Except Mexico
All of the seat belt retractors are
designed to keep the lap/shoulder belts
out of the way when not in use.
The driver's seat belt has no provisions
for child-restraint systems and has only
an emergency locking mode.
The driver may wear it comfortably, and
it will lock during a collision.
However, the passenger's seat
lap/shoulder belt retractor operates in
two modes: emergency locking mode,
and for child-restraint systems,
automatic locking mode. If you must
use the passenger seat for a child, slide
the passenger seat as far back as
possible and make sure any child
restraint system is secured properly.
Belt retraction may become difficult if
the belts and seat belt guides are
soiled, so try to keep them clean. Refer
to “Cleaning the lap/shoulder belt
webbing” in “Maintenance and care” for
further information.
Warning!
Relying on the air bags alone could lead
to more severe injuries in a collision. The air
bags work with your seat belt to restrain
you properly. In some collisions, the air
bags won’t deploy at all. Always wear your
seat belt even though you have air bags.
In a collision, you and your passengers
can suffer much greater injuries if you are
not properly buckled up. You can strike the
interior of your vehicle or other passengers,
or you can be thrown out of the vehicle.
Always be sure you and others in your
vehicle are buckled up properly.
It is 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 seriously injured or killed.
03020100-12A-001Spider Seat Belt Routing Guide
124
SAFETY
Emergency Locking
Mode
When the seat belt is fastened, it will
always be in the emergency locking
mode.
In the emergency locking mode, the
belt remains comfortable on the
occupant and the retractor will lock in
position during a collision.
If the belt is locked and cannot be
pulled out, retract the belt once, and
then try pulling it out slowly. If this fails,
pull the belt strongly one time and
loosen, then pull it out again slowly.
Seat Belt With Automatic Locking
Mode
When the seat belt is fastened, it will
always be in the emergency locking
mode until it is switched to automatic
locking mode by pulling it all the way
out to its full length.
If the belt feels tight and hinders
comfortable movement while the
vehicle is stopped or in motion, it may
be in the automatic locking mode
because the belt has been pulled too
far out.
To return the belt to the more
comfortable emergency locking mode,
wait until the vehicle has stopped in a
safe, level area, retract the belt fully to
convert it back to emergency locking
mode and then extend it around you
again.Automatic Locking Mode
Always use the automatic locking mode
to keep the child-restraint system from
shifting to an unsafe position in the
event of an accident.
To enable seat belt automatic locking
mode, pull it all the way out and
connect it as instructed on the child
restraint system. It will retract down to
the child restraint system and stay
locked on it.
Warning!
The seat belt assembly must be
replaced if the switchable Automatic
Locking Retractor (ALR) feature or any
other seat belt function is not working
properly when checked according to the
procedures in the Service Manual.
Failure to replace the seat belt assembly
could increase the risk of injury in collisions.
Do not use the Automatic Locking Mode
to restrain occupants who are wearing the
seat belt or children who are using booster
seats. The locked mode is only used to
install rear-facing or forward-facing child
restraints that have a harness for
restraining the child.
Lap/Shoulder Belts
Fastening The Seat Belt
Position the lap belt as low as possible,
not on the abdominal area 2, then
adjust the shoulder belt 3 so that it fits
snugly against your body.
1
2
GUID-03020201121001Fastening The Seat Belt
1 — Seat Belt
Tongue 2 — Seat Belt
Buckle
126
SAFETY
Infant Seat
An infant seat provides restraint by
bracing the infant's head, neck and
back against the seating surface.
Child Seat
A child seat restrains a child's body
using the harness.Booster Seat
A booster seat is a child restraint
accessory designed to improve the fit of
the seat belt system around the child's
body.
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.
Child Seat Installation
Position
The passenger lap/shoulder belt can
easily be converted into the automatic
locking mode, which must be done to
hold the child-restraint system.
Note:
To check if your seats have side
air bags: FCA vehicles equipped with
side air bag will have an embossed
"SRS AIRBAG" marking on the
outboard shoulder of the seats.
Follow the child restraint system
manufacturer's instructions carefully.
Depending on the type of child restraint
system, it may not employ seat belts
which are in automatic locking mode,
however if it uses an upper tether, it
may not be mounted properly in this
vehicle as there is no safe way to
anchor the tether. Confirm whether the
child restraint system can be used with
seat belts by reading the child restraint
system manufacturer's instructions.
Passengers Seat Child Restraint
System Installation (With Passenger
Occupant Classification System)
Proceed as follows:
Make sure the ignition is switched
off;
Slide the seat as far back as
possible;
GUID-06070809INF001Infant Seat
GUID-03030202CHD001Child Seat
GUID-03030202BOO001Booster Seat
131
Place the child-restraint system on
the seat without putting your weight on
the seat and secure the child-restraint
system with the lap portion of the
lap/shoulder belt. See the
manufacturer's instructions on the
child-restraint system for belt routing
instructions;
To get the retractor into the
automatic locking mode, pull the
shoulder belt portion of the seat belt
until the entire length of the belt is out of
the retractor;
Push the child-restraint system firmly
into the vehicle seat. Be sure the belt
retracts as snugly as possible. A
clicking noise from the retractor will be
heard during retraction if the system is
in automatic locking mode. If the belt
does not lock the seat down tight,
repeat the previous step and also this
one;
Seat your child safely in the
child-restraint system and secure the
child according to the instructions from
the child-restraint system manufacturer; Note:
Inspect this function before
each use of the child restraint system.
You should not be able to pull the
shoulder belt out of the retractor while
the system is in the automatic locking
mode. When you remove the
child-restraint system, be sure the belt
fully retracts to return the system to
emergency locking mode before
occupants use the seat belts.
Place the ignition in the ON position
and make sure the passenger air bag
deactivation indicator light illuminates
after installing a child restraint system
on the passenger seat. If the passenger
air bag deactivation indicator light does
not illuminate, remove the child restraint
system, place the ignition in the OFF
position, and then reinstall the child
restraint system.
Warning!
Never place a rear-facing child restraint
in front of an air bag. A deploying
passenger Advanced Front Air Bag can
cause death or serious injury to a child
12 years or younger, including a child in a
rear-facing child restraint.
Only use a rear-facing child restraint in a
vehicle with a rear seat.
An incorrectly anchored tether strap
could lead to increased head motion and
possibly injury to the child. Use only the
anchorage position directly behind the child
seat to secure a child restraint top tether
strap.
GUID-06070400567567Passenger Air Bag Deactivation Light
132
SAFETY
STARTING THE
ENGINE
Starting The Engine
Before starting the engine, adjust the
seat, the interior rear view mirrors, the
door mirrors and fasten the seat belt
correctly.
Warning!
When leaving the vehicle, always remove
the key fob from the vehicle and lock your
vehicle.
Never leave children alone in a vehicle,
or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Allowing children to be in a vehicle
unattended is dangerous for a number of
reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Children should
be warned not to touch the parking brake,
brake pedal or the transmission gear
selector.
Do not leave the key fob in or near the
vehicle, or in a location accessible to
children, and do not leave the ignition of a
vehicle equipped with Advanced Keyless
Entry in the ACC or ON/RUN mode. A child
could operate power windows, other
controls, or move the vehicle.
Do not leave children or animals inside
parked vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat
build-up may cause serious injury or death.
Never press the accelerator pedal for
starting the engine.
Models Equipped With A
Manual Transmission
Proceed as follows:
1. Engage the parking brake and place
the gear selector in NEUTRAL.
2. Place the start button in the ACC
mode.
3. Fully depress the clutch pedal
without touching the accelerator.
4. Place the start button in the ON
mode, push and release it as soon as
the engine starts. If the engine does not
start within 10 seconds, push the start
button to OFF mode and wait for
10-15 seconds before repeating the
starting procedure.
Models Equipped With
An Automatic
Transmission
Proceed as follows:
1. Engage the parking brake and place
the gear selector to P (PARK) or N
(NEUTRAL).
2. Fully depress the brake pedal
without touching the accelerator.
3. Place the start button in the ACC
mode. 4. Place the start button in the ON
mode, push and release it as soon as
the engine starts. If the engine does not
start within 10 seconds, push the start
button to OFF mode and wait for
10-15 seconds before repeating the
starting procedure.
Cold Weather Operation
Regarding Cold Start Disable
When the ambient temperature is
extremely low, the engine may not
crank even when the engine starting
procedure is performed. At this time,
the Cold Start Disable Indicator light in
the instrument cluster flashes. However,
this does not indicate a problem.
Perform the necessary procedures (see
“Warning lights And Messages”
paragraph in “Getting To Know Your
Instrument Panel” chapter).
Regarding Ice Breaker
When the ambient temperature is low,
the start of cranking may be delayed
after engine starting procedure is
performed. At this time, the Cold Start
Disable Indicator light in the instrument
cluster illumintes. However, this does
not indicate a problem.
Refer to your authorized dealer
regarding other related parts which are
to be input such as function name,
operating scenario (condition) of each
function, indicator operation, and user
operation/procedure information.
149
Extended Park Starting
Note:
Extended Park condition occurs when
the vehicle has not been started or
driven for at least 30 days.
1. Install a battery charger or jumper
cables to the battery to ensure a full
battery charge during the crank cycle.
2. Place the ignition in the START
mode and release it when the engine
starts.
3. If the engine fails to start within
10 seconds, place the ignition in the
STOP (OFF/LOCK) mode, wait five
seconds to allow the starter to cool,
then repeat the Extended Park Starting
procedure.
4. If the engine fails to start after eight
attempts, allow the starter to cool for at
least 10 minutes, then repeat the
procedure.
Caution!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not
crank continuously for more than 10
seconds at a time. Wait 10 to 15 seconds
before trying again.
After Starting —
Warming Up The Engine
Proceed as follows:
1. Travel slowly, letting the engine run
at a reduced RPM, without accelerating
suddenly.
2. It is recommended to wait until the
digital engine coolant temperature
indicator starts moving before
demanding full performance.
Stopping The Engine
Proceed as follows:
1. Park the car in a position that is not
dangerous for oncoming traffic, if
equipped with manual transmission
place gear selector in FIRST (1st) or
REVERSE (R) gear, if equipped with
automatic transmission place the gear
selector to PARK (P).
2. Push and release the ignition button
to STOP the engine.
BRAKE SYSTEM
This vehicle has power-assisted brakes
that adjust automatically through
normal use. Should power-assist fail,
you can stop by applying greater force
than normal to the brake pedal. But the
distance required to stop will be greater
than usual.
Note:
Always depress the brake pedal with
the right foot. Applying the brakes with
the unaccustomed left foot could slow
your reaction time to an emergency
situation resulting in insufficient braking
operation.
Do not drive with your foot held on the
clutch pedal or brake pedal, or hold the
clutch pedal depressed halfway
unnecessarily. Doing so could result in
the following:
The clutch and brake parts will wear
out more quickly.
The brakes can overheat and
adversely affect brake performance.
150
STARTING AND OPERATING
Warning!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake
failure and possibly a collision. Driving with
your foot resting or riding on the brake
pedal can result in abnormally high brake
temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You would not
have your full braking capacity in an
emergency.
Driving a vehicle with the “Brake
Warning Light” on is dangerous. A
significant decrease in braking performance
or vehicle stability during braking may
occur. It will take you longer to stop the
vehicle or will make your vehicle harder to
control. You could have a collision. Have
the vehicle checked immediately.
Caution!
Wear shoes appropriate for driving in order
to avoid your shoe contacting the brake
pedal when depressing the accelerator
pedal.
Parking Brake
Note: Driving with the parking brake on
will cause excessive wear of the brake
parts.
Warning!
Never leave children alone in a vehicle,
or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Allowing children to be in a vehicle
unattended is dangerous for a number of
reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Children should
be warned not to touch the park brake,
brake pedal or the gear selector.
Do not leave the key fob in or near the
vehicle or in a location accessible to
children. A child could operate power
windows, other controls, or move the
vehicle.
Be sure the park brake is fully
disengaged before driving; failure to do so
can lead to brake failure and a collision.
Always fully apply the park brake when
leaving your vehicle, or it may roll and
cause damage or injury. Also be certain to
leave a manual transmission in REVERSE
(R) or FIRST (1st) gear. Failure to do so may
allow the vehicle to roll and cause damage
or injury.
Setting the Parking Brake
Depress the brake pedal and then firmly
pull the parking brake lever fully
upwards with sufficient force to hold the
vehicle in a stationary position. Releasing the Parking Brake
Depress the brake pedal and pull the
parking brake lever upwards, then
press the release button. While holding
the button, lower the parking brake
lever all the way down to the released
position.
Warning Light
The warning light turns on when the
system has a malfunction. Refer to
“Warning Lights And Messages”
paragraph in “Getting to Know Your
Instrument Panel” chapter.
Brake Pad Wear Indicator
When the disc brake pads become
worn, the built-in wear indicators
contact the rotors. This causes a
screeching noise to warn that the pads
05050102-12A-001Parking Brake
1 — Parking Brake Lever
2 — Parking Brake Release Button
151
Caution!
Keep your foot off the clutch pedal
except when shifting gears. Also, do not
use the clutch to hold the vehicle on an hill
or grade. Riding the clutch will cause
needless clutch wear and damage.
Do not apply any excessive lateral force
to the gear selector when changing from
fifth to fourth gear. This could lead to the
accidental selection of second gear, which
could result in damage to the transmission.
Make sure the vehicle comes to a
complete stop before shifting to REVERSE
(R). Shifting to REVERSE (R) while the
vehicle is still moving may damage the
transmission.
Reverse can only be engaged when the
vehicle is completely stationary. With the
engine running, wait at least two seconds
with the clutch pedal fully pressed before
engaging reverse to prevent damage to the
gears.
AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION — IF
EQUIPPED
Shift Interlock
Warning!
It is dangerous to shift out of PARK or
NEUTRAL if the engine speed is higher
than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly
pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse.
You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and your
foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
Unintended movement of a vehicle
could injure those in or near the vehicle. As
with all vehicles, you should never exit a
vehicle while the engine is running. Before
exiting a vehicle, always apply the park
brake, shift the transmission into PARK
and, turn the ignition OFF. When the
ignition is in the OFF mode, the
transmission is locked in PARK, securing
the vehicle against unwanted movement.
When leaving the vehicle, always make
sure the ignition is in the OFF mode,
remove the key fob from the vehicle, and
lock the vehicle.
Never leave children alone in a vehicle,
or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Allowing children to be in a vehicle
unattended is dangerous for a number of
reasons. A child or others could be seriously or fatally injured. Children should
be warned not to touch the park brake,
brake pedal or the transmission gear
selector.
Do not leave the key fob in or near the
vehicle (or in a location accessible to
children), and do not leave the ignition in
the ACC or ON/RUN mode. A child could
operate power windows, other controls, or
move the vehicle.
Caution!
Damage to the transmission may occur if
the following precautions are not observed:
Shift into or out of PARK or REVERSE
only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
Do not shift between PARK, REVERSE,
NEUTRAL, or DRIVE when the engine is
above idle speed.
Before shifting into any gear, make sure
your foot is firmly pressing the brake pedal.
This vehicle is equipped with an
interlock system that holds the
transmission gear selector in PARK (P)
unless the brakes are applied. To shift
the transmission out of PARK (P), the
ignition must be placed in the ON/RUN
mode (engine running or not) and the
brake pedal must be pressed.
The transmission gear selector has
PARK (P), REVERSE (R), NEUTRAL (N),
153