Dodge Stratus Coupe (2005 year). Manual - part 6

3. To activate the ALR mode, slowly pull the shoulder
part of the belt all the way out until it stops, then let the
belt feed back into the retractor.

4. After the belt has retracted, tug on it. If the belt is
locked, you will not be able to pull it out. If you can pull
the belt out, it is not locked and not in the ALR mode. You
will need to repeat steps 3 and 4.

5. After confirming 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. Remem-
ber, if the lap part of the belt is not tight, the child
restraint system will not be secure. It may help to put
weight on the child restraint system and/or push on its
seatback while pulling up on the belt (see illustration).

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SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

6. If your child restraint system requires the use of a top
tether strap, refer to “Anchors for the child restraint
system” on page 85.

7. Before putting the child in the restraint, push and pull
the restraint in all directions to be sure it is firmly secure.
Do this before each use. If the child restraint system is not
firmly secure, repeat steps 1 through 6.

8. To remove a child restraint system and deactivate the
ALR mode, remove the child from the restraint. Unlatch
the buckle, remove the belt from the restraint and let the
belt fully retract.

Tether anchors for the child restraint system

In compliance with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards, your vehicle has 3 attachment points on the
rear shelf, located behind the top of your rear seat. For
securing a child seat tether strap to each of the 3 rear
seating positions (2 outer and 1 center) in your vehicle.

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SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

Tether strap anchor installation

1. Lift the cover from the tether anchor installation point
by pulling it back with your hand as illustrated.

2. Latch the top tether strap hook (A) of the child seat
onto the tether anchor bracket (B) and tighten the top
tether strap hook so it is securely fastened.

WARNING!

Child restraint tether anchorages are designed to
withstand only those loads imposed by a correctly
fitted child restraint system.
Under no circumstances are they to be used for adult
seats, or harnesses, or for attaching other items or
equipment to the vehicle.

Children who have outgrown child restraint
systems

Children who have outgrown a child restraint system
should be seated in the rear seat and wear the UNIBELT.
If the shoulder belt crosses their face or neck, and/or the
lap belt crosses their stomach, a commercially available
booster seat must be used to raise the child so that the
shoulder belt crosses their shoulder and the lap belt
remains positioned low across their hips. The booster seat
should fit the vehicle seat and should have a label
certifying compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards.

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SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

WARNING!

• Children who are not buckled up, with all the

doors locked, can be thrown out of the vehicle or
otherwise be seriously or fatally injured in the
event of a collision.

• A child should never be left unattended or unsu-

pervised around the vehicle. When you leave the
vehicle, always take the child out as well.

• Children can die from heat stroke if trapped

inside vehicles, especially on hot days.

• Keep vehicles locked and trunks closed when not

in use. Keep vehicle keys away from children.

Seat Belts And Pregnant Women

We recommend that pregnant women use the seat belts
throughout their pregnancy. Keeping the mother safe is
the best way to keep the baby safe.

Pregnant women should wear the lap part of the belt
across the thighs and as snug across the hips as possible.
Keep the belt low so that it does not come across the
abdomen. That way the strong bones of the hips will take
the force if there is a collision.

SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF SEAT
BELTS

The seat belt webbing may be cleaned with mild soap or
detergent solution. Allow the belts to dry in the shade.
Do not allow them to retract until completely dry. Do not
attempt to bleach or re-dye belts. The color may rub off
and webbing strength could be affected.
Regularly check seat belt buckles and release mecha-
nisms for positive action and the retractors when in the
automatic locking retractor mode for positive engage-
ment. Refer to “Installing a child restraint system to a
UNIBELT” on page 82.
Check that the anchor mounting bolts are tight. If the seat
belt webbing shows obvious cuts, tears, protruding bro-
ken fibers that cause a local increase in webbing thick-
ness, or severe fading which indicates weakening by
exposure to sunlight, the entire seat belt assembly should
be replaced.

The lap belt portion of the front UNIBELT has a sleeve
inside which the belt is folded back over itself in a loop.
This allows the belt to help absorb the energy of a
collision through a controlled release of the loop. In the
event that the loop inside the sleeve has come loose,
replace the entire seat belt assembly.

G28A0420

Good

No Good

Sleeve

SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

WARNING!

All seat belt assemblies, including retractors and
attaching hardware, should be inspected by an au-
thorized dealer after any collision. We recommend
that all seat belt assemblies in use during a collision
be replaced unless the collision was very minor and
the belts show no damage and continue to operate
properly.

Do not attempt to repair or replace any part of the
seat belt assemblies; that work should be done by an
authorized dealer. Failure to have an authorized
dealer perform the work could reduce the effective-
ness of the belts and could result in serious or fatal
injury in a collision.

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) - air bag

This vehicle is equipped with a Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS), which includes air bags for the driver and
front passenger. The SRS air bag is designed to supple-
ment the primary protection of the driver and front
passenger side seat belt systems by providing those
occupants with protection against head and chest injuries
in certain moderate to severe frontal collisions. The SRS
side air bag (if so equipped) is also designed to supple-
ment the seat belts and provide the driver and front
passenger with protection against chest injuries in certain
moderate to severe side impact collisions.

The SRS is NOT a substitute for the seat belts. For
maximum protection in all types of crashes and acci-
dents, seat belts must ALWAYS be worn by everyone
who drives or rides in this vehicle (with infants and small
children in an appropriate child restraint in the rear seat,
and older children buckled in the rear seat). Refer to
‘‘Child Restraints’’ on page 76.

SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

WARNING!

• IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ALWAYS WEAR

YOUR SEAT BELT PROPERLY EVEN WITH
AN AIR BAG.

• Seat belts help keep the driver and front pas-

senger properly positioned. This reduces the
risk of injury in all collisions, and reduces the
risk of serious or fatal injuries when the air bags
inflate. During sudden braking just before a
collision, an unrestrained or improperly re-
strained driver or front passenger can move
forward into direct contact with, or within close
proximity to, the air bag when it begins to
inflate. The beginning stage of air bag inflation
is the most forceful and can cause serious or
fatal injuries if the occupant comes in contact
with the air bag at this time.

• Seat belts reduce the risk of injury in rollovers,

side or rear impact collisions, and in lower-
speed frontal collisions, because the air bags are
not designed to inflate in those situations.

• Seat belts reduce the risk of being thrown from

your vehicle in a collision or rollover.

WARNING!

• IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO BE PROPERLY

SEATED.

A driver or front passenger sitting too close to the
steering wheel or instrument panel during air bag
deployment can be killed or seriously injured

Air bags inflate very quickly and with great force. If
the driver and front passenger are not properly
seated and restrained, the air bag may not provide
proper protection, and could cause serious or fatal
injuries when it inflates.
• Before driving, adjust the driver’s seat as far back

as possible without affecting your ability to be in
complete control of the vehicle.

• Before driving, adjust the front passenger seat as

far back as possible.

• Make sure all vehicle occupants are always prop-

erly restrained using the available seat belts.

• With seat belts properly fastened, the driver and

front passenger should sit well back in their seats
and remain upright without leaning against the
window or door.

SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

WARNING!

• Do not sit on the edge of the seat or lean your head

or chest close to the steering wheel or instrument
panel. Do not put your feet or legs on or against
the instrument panel.

• Seat all infants and children 12 years of age and

under in the rear seat properly restrained using an
appropriate child restraint system.

WARNING!

• Infants and small children should never ride

unrestrained, or lean against the instrument
panel. They should never ride held in your arms
or on your lap. They could be seriously injured or
killed in a collision, especially when the air bag
inflates. Children should be properly seated in
the rear seat in an appropriate child restraint
system. Refer to ‘‘Child Restraints’’ on page 76.

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SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

WARNING!

• REAR- FACING CHILD RESTRAINTS or IN-

FANT RESTRAINTS must NOT be used in the
front passenger seat as it places an infant too close
to the passenger air bag. The force of an inflating
air bag could kill or cause serious injuries to the
child.
Rear-facing child restraints or infants restraints
must only be used in the rear seat.

Air bag cover

SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

WARNING!

• FRONT- FACING CHILD RESTRAINTS should

be used in the rear seat whenever possible. If they
must be used in the front passenger seat, move the
seat to the full rear position. Failure to do so could
kill or cause serious injuries to the child.

• Older children up to and including 12 year olds,

should be seated in the rear seat with their seat
belt properly worn and with an appropriate
booster seat if needed.

How the Supplemental Restraint System works
The SRS includes the following components:

SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

1. Air bag module (Driver)

2. Air bag module (Passenger)

3. Air bag control unit (including the front impact sen-
sors)

4. SRS warning light

5. Side air bag modules (if so equipped)

6. Side impact sensors (if so equipped)

The air bag control unit monitors the readiness of the
electronic parts of the system whenever the ignition
switch is in the ‘‘ON’’ or ‘‘START’’ position. These
include all of the items listed above and all related
wiring.

SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

The air bags will operate only when the ignition switch is
in the ‘‘ON’’ or ‘‘START’’ position.

When an impact sensor detects a front or side impact of
sufficient force, it automatically ignities materials in the
module inflator which generate gas and inflates the
appropriate air bags.

NOTE:

A collision that is not severe enough to need

airbag protection will not activate the system. This does
not mean something is wrong with the air bag system.

Deployment of the air bags produces a sudden, loud
noise and releases some smoke and powder. This is not
dangerous and does not indicate a fire in the vehicle.
People with breathing problems may feel some tempo-
rary irritation from chemicals used to inflate the bags. If
irritation continues see your doctor. You may open the
windows after air bags inflates, if it is safe to do so.

After deployment, the air bags deflate very rapidly, so
there is little danger of not being able to see. The time
between the sensors first detecting an impact and the air
bags deflating after deployment is shorter than a blink of
an eye.

WARNING!

• Air bags inflate very quickly and with great force.

In certain situations, contact with an inflating air
bag may cause small cuts, abrasions, and bruises.

Event Data Recording

Your vehicle is equipped with an

9EDR9 - Event Data

Recorder which is capable of collecting and storing data
in the event of an air bag deployment.
The EDR may record the following information;
– Condition of Specific vehicle systems;
– Whether the driver and front passenger seat belts were
buckled;
– Condition of SRS warning light;
– Diagnostic code(s);

SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

Driver’s and passenger’s front air bag system

WARNING!

• Do not attach anything to the steering wheel’s

padded cover, such as trim material, badges, etc.
These could strike and injure an occupant if the
air bag inflates.

Driver

Front passenger

SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

WARNING!

• Do not set anything on, or attach anything to, the

instrument panel above the glove compartment. Such
items could strike and injure an occupant if the air
bag inflates.

• Do not mount or locate any aftermarket equipment

on or behind the knee bolsters.

• Do not attach accessories to, or put them in front of,

the windshield. They could restrict the air bag infla-
tion, or strike and injure an occupant, when the air
bag inflates.

• Do not put packages, pets or other objects between the

air bags and either the driver or the front passenger.
This could affect air bag performance, or could cause
severe or even fatal injury when the air bag inflates.

• Right after air bag inflation, several parts of the air

bag system will be hot. Do not touch them. You could
be burned.

• The air bag system is designed to work only once.

After the air bags deploy, they will not work again.
They must promptly be replaced and the entire air
bag system inspected by an authorized dealer.

Side air bag system (if so equipped)

The side air bags (A) are contained in the driver and front
passenger seatbacks.

SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

A label is attached to the seatbacks in vehicles with side
air bags.

The side air bag is designed to inflate only on the side of
the vehicle that is hit.

Because the side air bags do not protect the occupants in
all types of collisions, be sure to always wear your seat
belts properly.

WARNING!

• The side air bags are designed to supplement the

driver and front passenger seat belts in certain
side impacts. Seat belts should always be worn
properly, and the driver and front passenger
should sit well back and upright in their seats
without leaning against the window or door.

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SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

WARNING!

• The side air bag inflates with great force. In order

to reduce the risk of serious or possibly fatal
injury when the air bag is inflating, the driver and
front passenger should not put their arms out in
the windows or lean against the doors.

WARNING!

• In order to reduce risk of injury from a deploying

side air bag, do not allow any rear seat passengers
to hold onto the back of either front seat. Special
care should be taken with children.

• Do not place any objects near or around the front

of either front seatback. Such objects could inter-
fere with proper side air bag inflation, and could
also cause injury if thrown by the deployment of
the side air bag.

• Do not place stickers, labels or additional trim on

the back of either front seat. It could interfere
with proper side air bag inflation.

• Do not install seat covers on seats with side air

bags. Do not re-cover the seats that have side air
bags. Covers could interfere with proper side air
bag inflation.

SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

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