Installing Child Restraints Using The Ve-
hicle Seat Belt
Child restraint systems are designed to be
secured in vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap
belt portion of a lap/shoulder belt.
WARNING!
• Improper installation or failure to prop-erly secure a child restraint can lead to
failure of the restraint. The child could
be badly injured or killed.
• Follow the child restraint manufacturer’s
directions exactly when installing an in-
fant or child restraint. The seat belts in the passenger seating posi-
tions are equipped with a Switchable Auto-
matic Locking Retractor (ALR) that is de-
signed 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
retractor can be “switched” into a locked
mode by pulling all of the webbing out of the
retractor and then letting the webbing retract
back into the retractor. If it is locked, the ALR
will make a clicking noise while the webbing
is pulled back into the retractor. Refer to the
“Automatic Locking Mode” description un-
der “Occupant Restraints” for additional in-
formation on ALR.
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 restraint) for using the
Tether Anchor with the seat belt to attach a forward facing child restraint? Weight limit of the Child RestraintAlways use the tether anchor when using the
seat belt to install a forward facing child re-
straint, up to the recommended weight limit of the child restraint.
Can the rear-facing child restraint touch the back of the front passenger seat? Ye sContact between the front passenger seat and
the child restraint is allowed, if the child re- straint manufacturer also allows contact.
Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) Loca- tions
139
Frequently Asked Questions About Installing Child Restraints With Seat Belts
Can the head restraints be removed? YesThe head restraint may be removed in the cen-
ter seating position only.
Can the buckle stalk be twisted to tighten the seat belt against the belt path of the child re- straint? No
Do not twist the buckle stalk in a seating posi-
tion with an ALR retractor.
Installing A Child Restraint With A Switch-
able Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)
Child restraint systems are designed to be
secured in vehicle seats by lap belts or the
lap belt portion of a lap/shoulder belt.
WARNING!
• Improper installation or failure to prop-
erly secure a child restraint can lead to
failure of the restraint. The child could
be badly injured or killed.
• Follow the child restraint manufactur-
er’s directions exactly when installing an
infant or child restraint. 1. Place the child seat in the center of the
seating position.
2. Pull enough of the seat belt webbing from the retractor to pass it through the belt
path of the child restraint. Do not twist the
belt webbing in the belt path.
3. Slide the latch plate into the buckle until you hear a “click.”
4. Pull on the webbing to make the lap portion tight against the child seat.
5. To lock the seat belt, pull down on the shoulder part of the belt until you have
pulled all the seat belt webbing out of the
retractor. Then, allow the webbing to re-
tract back into the retractor. As the web-
bing retracts, you will hear a clicking
sound. This means the seat belt is now in
the Automatic Locking mode. 6. Try to pull the webbing out of the retractor.
If it is locked, you should not be able to
pull out any webbing. If the retractor is
not locked, repeat step 5.
7. Finally, pull up on any excess webbing to tighten the lap portion around the child
restraint while you push the child restraint
rearward and downward into the vehicle
seat.
8. If the child restraint has a top tether strap and the seating position has a top tether
anchorage, connect the tether strap to the
anchorage and tighten the tether strap.
See the section “Installing Child Re-
straints Using the Top Tether Anchorage”
for directions to attach a tether anchor.
SAFETY
140
3. Route the tether strap to provide the mostdirect path for the strap between the an-
chor and the child seat. If your vehicle is
equipped with adjustable rear head re-
straints, raise the head restraint, and
where possible, route the tether strap un-
der the head restraint and between the
two posts. If not possible, lower the head
restraint and pass the tether strap around
the outboard side of the head restraint.
4. For the center seating position, route the tether strap over the seatback and head-
rest then attach the hook to the tether
anchor located on the back of the seat.
5. Attach the tether strap hook of the child restraint to the top tether anchorage as
shown in the diagram. 6. Remove slack in the tether strap accord-
ing to the child restraint manufacturer’s
instructions.
WARNING!
• The top tether anchorages are not visibleuntil the gap panel is folded down. Do
not use the visible cargo tie down hooks,
located on the floor behind the seats, to
attach a child restraint tether anchor.
WARNING!
• An incorrectly anchored tether strapcould lead to increased head motion and
possible injury to the child. Use only the
anchorage position directly behind the
child seat to secure a child restraint top
tether strap.
• If your vehicle is equipped with a split
rear seat, make sure the tether strap
does not slip into the opening between
the seatbacks as you remove slack in the
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 a colli-
sion.
Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in
pet harnesses or pet carriers that are secured
by seat belts.
Top Tether Strap Mounting
SAFETY
142
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 web-
bing, etc.). If there is any question regarding
seat belt or retractor condition, replace the
seat belt.
Air Bag Warning Light
The Air Bag warning lightwill turn on for
four to eight seconds as a bulb check when
the ignition switch is first turned to ON/RUN.
If the light is either not on during starting,
stays on, or turns on while driving, have the
system inspected at an authorized dealer as
soon as possible. This light will illuminate
with a single chime when a fault with the Air
Bag Warning Light has been detected, it will
stay on until the fault is cleared. If the light
comes on intermittently or remains on while
driving, have an authorized dealer service the
vehicle immediately. Refer to “Occupant Re-
straint Systems” in “Safety” for further infor-
mation.
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 your
vehicle. Only use a floor mat that does not
interfere with the operation of the accelera-
tor, brake or clutch pedals. Only use a floor
mat that is securely attached using the floor
mat fasteners so it cannot slip out of position
and interfere with the accelerator, brake or
clutch pedals or impair safe operation of your
vehicle in other ways.
WARNING!
An improperly attached, damaged, folded,
or stacked floor mat, or damaged floor mat
fasteners may cause your floor mat to
interfere with the accelerator, brake, or
clutch pedals and cause a loss of vehicle
WARNING!
control. To prevent SERIOUS INJURY or
DEATH:
• ALWAYS securely attach
your floor
mat using the floor mat fasteners. DO
NOT install your floor mat upside down
or turn your floor mat over. Lightly pull to
confirm mat is secured using the floor
mat fasteners on a regular basis.
• ALWAYS REMOVE THE EXISTING
FLOOR MAT FROM THE VEHICLE
before installing any other floor mat.
NEVER install or stack an additional
floor mat on top of an existing floor mat.
• ONLY install floor mats designed to fit
your vehicle. NEVER install a floor mat
that cannot be properly attached and
secured to your vehicle. If a floor mat
needs to be replaced, only use a FCA
approved floor mat for the specific
make, model, and year of your vehicle.
• ONLY use the driver’s side floor mat on
the driver’s side floor area. To check for
interference, with the vehicle properly
parked with the engine off, fully depress
the accelerator, the brake, and the
SAFETY
144
WARNING!
clutch pedal (if present) to check for
interference. If your floor mat interferes
with the operation of any pedal, or is not
secure to the floor, remove the floor mat
from the vehicle and place the floor mat
in your trunk.
• ONLY use the passenger’s side floor mat
on the passenger’s side floor area.
• ALWAYS make sure objects cannot fall
or slide into the driver’s side floor area
when the vehicle is moving. Objects can
become trapped under accelerator,
brake, or clutch pedals and could cause
a loss of vehicle control.
• NEVER place any objects under the floor
mat (e.g., towels, keys, etc.). These ob-
jects could change the position of the
floor mat and may cause interference
with the accelerator, brake, or clutch
pedals.
• If the vehicle carpet has been removed
and re-installed, always properly attach
WARNING!
carpet to the floor and check the floor
mat fasteners are secure to the vehicle
carpet. Fully depress each pedal to
check for interference with the accelera-
tor, brake, or clutch pedals then re-
install the floor mats.
• It is recommended to only use mild soap
and water to clean your floor mats. After
cleaning, always check your floor mat
has been properly installed and is se-
cured to your vehicle using the floor mat
fasteners by lightly pulling mat.
Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make
Outside The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and
uneven wear patterns. Check for stones,
nails, glass, or other objects lodged in the
tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts,
cracks, and bulges. Check the wheel nuts for
tightness. Check the tires (including spare)
for proper cold inflation pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of brake
lights and exterior lights while you work the
controls. Check turn signal and high beam
indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for proper closing, latching, and lock-
ing.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight
parking for fuel, engine coolant, oil, or other
fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline fumes are de-
tected or if fuel, power steering fluid (if
equipped), or brake fluid leaks are sus-
pected. The cause should be located and
corrected immediately.
145
300 to 500 miles (483 to 805 km):
• Exercise the full engine rpm range, shift-ing manually (paddles or gear shift) at
higher rpms when possible.
• Do not perform sustained operation with the accelerator pedal at wide open
throttle.
• Maintain vehicle speed below 85 mph (136 km/h) and observe local speed
limits.
For the first 1500 miles (2414 km):
• Do not participate in track events, sport driving schools, or similar activities during
the first 1500 mi (2414 km).
NOTE:
Check engine oil with every refueling and add
if necessary. Oil and fuel consumption may
be higher through the first oil change interval.
Running the engine with an oil level below
the add mark can cause severe engine dam-
age.AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
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 run-
ning. Before exiting a vehicle, always
apply the parking brake, shift the trans-
mission 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 un-
wanted movement.
WARNING!
• When leaving the vehicle, always makesure 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 un-
attended is dangerous for a number of
reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously 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
in the ACC or ON/RUN mode. A child
could operate power windows, other con-
trols, or move the vehicle.
157
Recreational Towing-Two Wheel Drive
Models
DO NOT flat tow this vehicle. Damage to the
drivetrain will result.
Recreational towing (for two-wheel drive
models) is allowed ONLY if the rear wheels
are OFF the ground. This may be accom-
plished using a tow dolly or vehicle trailer. If
using a tow dolly, follow this procedure:
1. Properly secure the dolly to the tow ve-hicle, following the dolly manufacturer's
instructions.
NOTE:
If vehicle is equipped with Quadra-Lift air
suspension, ensure the vehicle is set to
Normal Ride Height.
2. Drive the rear wheels onto the tow dolly.
3. Firmly apply the parking brake. Shift the transmission into PARK.
4. Turn the ignition OFF.
5. Properly secure the rear wheels to the dolly, following the dolly manufacturer’s
instructions. 6. Install a suitable clamping device, de-
signed for towing, to secure the front
wheels in the straight position.
CAUTION!
Towing with the rear wheels on the ground
will cause severe transmission damage.
Damage from improper towing is not cov-
ered under the New Vehicle Limited War-
ranty.
Recreational Towing — Quadra-Trac I
(Single-Speed Transfer Case) Four-Wheel
Drive Models
Recreational towing is not allowed. These
models do not have a NEUTRAL (N) position
in the transfer case.
NOTE:
This vehicle may be towed on a flatbed or
vehicle trailer provided all four wheels are OFF
the ground.
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle in violation of the
above requirements can cause severe
transmission and/or transfer case damage.
Damage from improper towing is not cov-
ered under the New Vehicle Limited War-
ranty.
Recreational Towing — Quadra–Trac
II/Quadra–Drive II Four-Wheel Drive
Models
The transfer case must be shifted into NEU-
TRAL (N) and the transmission must be in
PARK for recreational towing. The NEUTRAL
(N) selection button is adjacent to the trans-
fer case selector switch. Shifts into and out of
transfer case NEUTRAL (N) can take place
with the selector switch in any mode position.
CAUTION!
• DO NOT dolly tow any 4WD vehicle. Towing with only one set of wheels on the
ground (front or rear) will cause severe
transmission and/or transfer case dam-
199
WARNING!
Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) if the
“Tire Pressure Monitoring Telltale Light” is
illuminated. Vehicle handling and braking
may be reduced. You could have a collision
and be severely or fatally injured.
Jack/Spare Tire Stowage
Jack Location
The scissor-type jack and tire changing tools
are located in rear cargo area, below the load
floor.Spare Tire Stowage
The spare tire is stowed under the load floor
in the rear cargo area and is secured to the
body with a special wing nut.
Preparations For Jacking
CAUTION!
Always lift or jack the vehicle from the
correct jacking points. Failure to follow
this information could cause damage to
the vehicle or underbody components.
NOTE:
To assist with changing a spare tire, the air
suspension system (if equipped) has a fea-
ture which allows the automatic leveling to be
disabled.
1. Park the vehicle on a firm, level surface. Avoid ice or slippery surfaces.
Spare Tire/Jack And Tools
1 — Cap-Less Fuel Fill Funnel
2 — Spare Tire
3 — Tire Changing Tools And Jack
215