Dodge Chassis Cab (2012 year). Manual

WARNING!

• A lap belt worn too high can increase the risk of

internal injury in an accident. The belt forces
won’t be at the strong hip and pelvic bones, but
across your abdomen. Always wear the lap belt as
low as possible and keep it snug.

• A twisted belt will not protect you properly. In a

collision, it could even cut into you. Be sure the
belt is straight. If you can’t straighten a belt in a
vehicle, take it to your authorized dealer immedi-
ately and have it fixed.

5. Position the shoulder belt on your chest so that it is
comfortable and not resting on your neck. The retractor
will withdraw any slack in the belt.

6. To release the belt, push the red button on the buckle.
The belt will automatically retract to its stowed position.
If necessary, slide the latch plate down the webbing to
allow the belt to retract fully.

WARNING!

A frayed or torn belt could rip apart in an accident
and leave you with no protection. Inspect the belt
system periodically, checking for cuts, frays, or loose
parts. Damaged parts must be replaced immediately.
Do not disassemble or modify the system. Seat belt
assemblies must be replaced after an accident if they
have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.) or if the air bag deployed.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Regular Cab Front Center Three Point Belt

1. The front center seat belt on the Regular Cab may be
disconnected to open up utilization of the storage areas
behind the front seats. The black latch plate can be
detached from the black keyed seat belt buckle located on
the inboard side of the passenger seat. Insert the seat belt
tongue into the center red slot on the black buckle. The
black buckle latch plate can be removed when the seat
belt tongue is pressed into the buckle. Allow the retractor
to take up the extra webbing, and the buckles will hang
vertically from the cab back exit bezel, thus freeing up all
the area behind the front seats.

2. To reattach the seat belt to the front center seat, pull
the black buckle latch plate forward from the cab back
panel and insert it into the black keyed buckle until there
is an audible “click”. For proper seat belt usage, refer
“Lap/Shoulder Belt Operating Instructions”.

Detaching Buckle With Seat Belt Tongue

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!

• If the black latch and black buckle are not prop-

erly connected when the seat belt is used by an
occupant, the seat belt will not be able to provide
proper restraint and will increase the risk of injury
in an accident.

• When reattaching the black latch and black

buckle, ensure the seat belt webbing is not
twisted. If the webbing is twisted, follow the
preceding procedure to detach the black latch and
black buckle, untwist the webbing, and reattach
the black latch and black buckle.

Inserting Latch Plate

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!

• If the black latch and black buckle are not prop-

erly connected when the seat belt is used by an
occupant, the seat belt will not be able to provide
proper restraint and will increase the risk of injury
in an accident.

• When reattaching the black latch and black

In Use Position

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Adjustable Upper Shoulder Belt Anchorage

In the front row outboard seats, the shoulder belt can be
adjusted upward or downward to help position the belt
away from your neck. Press the button located on the
upper belt guide, and then move it up or down to the
position that fits you best.

As a guide, if you are shorter than average you will
prefer a lower position, and if you are taller than average
you will prefer a higher position. When you release the
anchorage, try to move it up or down to make sure that
it is locked in position.

Center Lap Belts

The center seating position for the Crew Cab front seat
has a lap belt only. To fasten the lap belt, slide the latch
plate into the buckle until you hear a

⬙click.⬙ To lengthen

the lap belt, tilt the latch plate and pull. To remove slack,
pull the loose end of the webbing. Wear the lap belt snug
against the hips. Sit back and erect in the seat, then adjust
the belt as tightly as is comfortable.

Adjusting Upper Shoulder Belt

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!

• A lap belt worn too loose or too high is dangerous.
• A belt worn too loose can allow you to slip down

and under the belt in a collision.

• A belt that is too loose or too high will apply crash

forces to the abdomen, not to the stronger hip
bones. In either case, the risk of internal injuries is
greater. Wear a lap belt low and snug.

Seat Belts In Passenger Seating Positions

The seat belts in the passenger seating positions are
equipped with an Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) or
a cinching latch plate which are used to secure a child
restraint system. For additional information refer to
“Installing Child Restraints Using the Vehicle Seat Belt”
under the “Child Restraint” section. The chart below
defines the type of feature for each seating position.

Regular Cab

Left

Center

Right

First Row

N/A

ALR

• N/A — Not Applicable
• ALR — Automatic Locking Retractor

Crew Cab

威

Left

Center

Right

First Row

N/A

ALR

Second Row

ALR

Cinch

ALR

• N/A — Not Applicable
• ALR — Automatic Locking Retractor

If the passenger seating position is equipped with an
ALR and is being used for normal usage:

Only pull the belt webbing out far enough to comfortably
wrap around the occupants mid-section so as to not

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

activate the ALR. If the ALR is activated you will hear a
ratcheting sound as the belt retracts. Allow the webbing
to retract completely in this case and then carefully pull
out only the amount of webbing necessary to comfort-
ably wrap around the occupants mid-section. Slide the
latch plate into the buckle until you hear a

⬙click.⬙

Automatic Locking Retractor Mode (ALR) — If
Equipped

In this mode, the shoulder belt is automatically pre-
locked. However, the belt will still retract to remove slack
in the shoulder belt. Use the Automatic Locking Mode
any time a child safety seat is installed in a seating
position that has a seat belt with this feature. Children
12 years old and younger should be properly restrained
in the rear seat whenever possible.

How To Engage The Automatic Locking Mode

1. Buckle the combination lap and shoulder belt.

2. Grasp the shoulder portion and pull downward until
the entire belt is extracted.

3. Allow the belt to retract. As the belt retracts, you will
hear a ratcheting sound. This indicates the safety belt is
now in the Automatic Locking mode.

How To Disengage The Automatic Locking Mode
Unbuckle the combination lap and shoulder belt and
allow it to retract completely to disengage the Automatic
Locking mode and activate the vehicle sensitive (emer-
gency) locking mode.

Center Lap Belts — Crew Cab

威 Only

The front center seating position has a lap belt only. To
fasten the lap belt, slide the latch plate into the buckle
until you hear a “click.” To lengthen the lap belt, tilt the
latch plate and pull. To remove slack, pull the loose end
of the webbing. Wear the lap belt snug against the hips.
Sit back and erect in the seat, then adjust the belt as
tightly as is comfortable.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Enhanced Seat Belt Use Reminder System
(BeltAlert

姞

)

BeltAlert

威 is a feature intended to remind the driver and

front passenger (if equipped with front passenger
BeltAlert

威) to fasten their seat belts. The feature is active

whenever the ignition is on. If the driver or front seat
passenger is unbelted, the Seat Belt Reminder Light will
turn on and remain on until both front seat belts are
fastened.

The BeltAlert

威 warning sequence begins after the vehicle

speed is over 5 mph (8 km/h), by blinking the Seat Belt
Reminder Light and sounding an intermittent chime.
Once the sequence starts, it will continue for the entire
duration or until the respective seatbelts are fastened.
After the sequence completes, the Seat Belt Reminder
Light remains illuminated until the respective seat belts
are fastened. The driver should instruct all other occu-
pants to fasten their seat belts. If a front seat belt is

unbuckled while traveling at speeds greater than 5 mph
(8 km/h), BeltAlert

威 will provide both audio and visual

notification.

The front passenger seat BeltAlert

威 is not active when the

front passenger seat is unoccupied. BeltAlert

威 may be

triggered when an animal or heavy object is on the front
passenger seat or when the seat is folded flat (if
equipped). It is recommended that pets be restrained in
the rear seat in pet harnesses or pet carriers that are
secured by seat belts, and cargo is properly stowed.

BeltAlert

威 can be enabled or disabled by your authorized

dealer. Chrysler Group LLC does not recommend deac-
tivating BeltAlert

威.

NOTE:

Although BeltAlert

威 has been deactivated, the

Seat Belt Reminder Light will continue to illuminate
while the driver’s or front passenger (if equipped with
belt alert) seat belt remains unfastened.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Seat Belts And Pregnant Women

We recommend that pregnant women use seat belts
throughout their pregnancies. 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 against 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 an accident.

Seat Belt Extender

If a seat belt is too short even when fully extended, your
authorized dealer can provide you with a seat belt
extender. This extender should be used only if the
existing belt is not long enough. When it is not required,
remove the extender and store it.

WARNING!

Using a seat belt extender when not needed can
increase the risk of injury in an accident. Only use
the seat belt extender when the lap belt is not long
enough when it is worn low and snug, and in the
recommended seating positions. Remove and store
the extender when not needed.

Driver and Right Front Passenger Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS) — Air Bag

This vehicle has Advanced Front Air Bags for both the
driver and front passenger (if equipped) as a supplement
to the seat belt restraint systems. The driver’s Advanced
Front Air Bag is mounted in the center of the steering
wheel. The passenger’s Advanced Front Air Bag is
mounted in the instrument panel, above the glove com-
partment. The words SRS AIRBAG are embossed on the
air bag covers.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:

These air bags are certified to the new Federal

regulations for Advanced Air Bags.

The Advanced Front Air Bags have a multistage inflator
design. This allows the air bag to have different rates of
inflation based on the severity and type of collision.

This vehicle may be equipped with driver and/or front
passenger seat track position sensors that may adjust the
inflation rate of the Advanced Front Air Bags based upon
seat position.

This vehicle may be equipped with a driver and/or front
passenger seat belt buckle switch that detects whether
the driver or front passenger seat belt is fastened. The
seat belt buckle switch may adjust the inflation rate of the
Advanced Front Air Bags.

NOTE:

• Air Bag covers may not be obvious in the interior trim,

but they will open during air bag deployment.

• After any accident, the vehicle should be taken to an

authorized dealer immediately.

Advanced Front Air Bag And Knee Bolster Locations

1 — Driver And Passenger

Advanced Front Air Bags

(if equipped)

2 — Knee Bolster

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Air Bag System Components

Your vehicle may be equipped with the following air bag
system components:

• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
• Air Bag Warning Light
• Steering Wheel and Column
• Instrument Panel
• Knee Impact Bolster
• Driver Advanced Front Air Bag
• Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag
• Front Seat Belt Pretensioners, Seat Belt Buckle Switch,

and Seat Track Position Sensors

Advanced Front Air Bag Features

The Advanced Front Air Bag system has multistage
driver and front passenger (if equipped) air bags. This
system provides output appropriate to the severity and
type of collision as determined by the Occupant Restraint
Controller (ORC).

The first stage inflator is triggered immediately during an
impact that requires air bag deployment. This low output
is used in less severe collisions. A higher energy output is
used for more severe collisions.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!

• No objects should be placed over or near the air

bag on the instrument panel, because any such
objects could cause harm if the vehicle is in a
collision severe enough to cause the air bag to
inflate.

• Do not put anything on or around the air bag

covers or attempt to open them manually. You may
damage the air bags and you could be injured
because the air bags may no longer be functional.
The protective covers for the air bag cushions are
designed to open only when the air bags are
inflating.

• Do not drill, cut or tamper with the knee bolster in

any way.

• Do not mount any accessories to the knee bolster

such as alarm lights, stereos, citizen band radios,
etc.

Knee Impact Bolsters
The Knee Impact Bolsters help protect the knees of the
driver and the front passenger, and position front occu-
pants for the best interaction with the Advanced Front
Air Bags.

Here are some simple steps you can take to minimize the
risk of harm from a deploying air bag:

Children 12 years old and under should always ride
buckled up in a rear seat.

WARNING!

Infants in rear-facing child restraints should never
ride in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger
Advanced Front Air Bag. An air bag deployment can
cause severe injury or death to infants in that posi-
tion.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Children that are not big enough to wear the vehicle seat
belt properly (see Section on Child Restraints) should be
secured in the rear seat in child restraints or belt-
positioning booster seats. Older children who do not use
child restraints or belt-positioning booster seats should
ride properly buckled up in the rear seat. Never allow
children to slide the shoulder belt behind them or under
their arm.

If a child from 1 to 12 years old (not in a rear facing child
seat) must ride in the front passenger seat, move the seat
as far back as possible and use the proper child restraint.
(Refer to “Child Restraints”)

You should read the instructions provided with your
child restraint to make sure that you are using it properly.

All occupants should always wear their lap and shoulder
belts properly.

The driver and front passenger seats should be moved
back as far as practical to allow the Advanced Front Air
Bags room to inflate.

If the air bag system in this vehicle needs to be modified
to accommodate a disabled person, contact the Customer
Center. Phone numbers are provided under

⬙If You Need

Assistance

⬙.

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 belts even though you have
air bags.

(Continued)

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING! (Continued)

• Being too close to the steering wheel or instrument

panel during Advanced Front Air Bag deployment
could cause serious injury, including death. Air
Bags need room to inflate. Sit back, comfortably
extending your arms to reach the steering wheel or
instrument panel.

Air Bag Deployment Sensors And Controls

Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
The ORC is part of a Federally regulated safety system
required for this vehicle.

The ORC determines if deployment of the front air bags
in a frontal or side collision is required. Based on the
impact sensor’s signals, a central electronic ORC deploys
the Advanced Front Air Bags, and front seat belt preten-
sioners — if equipped, as required, depending on the
severity and type of impact.

Advanced Front Air Bags are designed to provide addi-
tional protection by supplementing the seat belts in
certain frontal collisions depending on the severity and
type of collision. Advanced Front Air Bags are not
expected to reduce the risk of injury in rear, side or
rollover collisions.

The Advanced Front Air Bags will not deploy in all
frontal collisions, including some that may produce sub-
stantial vehicle damage — for example, some pole colli-
sions, truck underrides, and angle offset collisions. On
the other hand, depending on the type and location of
impact, Advanced Front Air Bags may deploy in crashes
with little vehicle front-end damage but that produce a
severe initial deceleration.

Because air bag sensors measure vehicle deceleration
over time, vehicle speed and damage by themselves are
not good indicators of whether or not an air bag should
have deployed.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Seat belts are necessary for your protection in all acci-
dents, and also are needed to help keep you in position,
away from an inflating air bag.

The ORC monitors the readiness of the electronic parts of
the air bag system whenever the ignition switch is in the
START or ON/RUN position. If the key is in the LOCK
position, in the ACC position, or not in the ignition, the
air bag system is not on and the air bags will not inflate.

The ORC contains a backup power supply system that
may deploy the air bags even if the battery loses power or
it becomes disconnected prior to deployment.

Also, the ORC turns on the Air Bag Warning
Light in the instrument panel for approxi-
mately four to eight seconds for a self-check
when the ignition is first turned on. After the

self-check, the Air Bag Warning Light will turn off. If the
ORC detects a malfunction in any part of the system, it

turns on the Air Bag Warning Light, either momentarily
or continuously. A single chime will sound if the light
comes on again after initial startup.

It also includes diagnostics that will illuminate the instru-
ment cluster Air Bag Warning Light if a malfunction is
noted that could affect the air bag system. The diagnos-
tics also record the nature of the malfunction.

WARNING!

Ignoring the Air Bag Warning Light in your instru-
ment panel could mean you won’t have the air bags
to protect you in a collision. If the light does not come
on as a bulb check when the ignition is first turned
on, stays on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes
on as you drive, have an authorized dealer service the
air bag system immediately.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Driver And Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag
Inflator Units
The Driver and Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag
Inflator Units are located in the center of the steering
wheel and on the right side of the instrument panel (if
equipped). When the ORC detects a collision requiring
the Advanced Front Air Bags, it signals the inflator units.
A large quantity of non-toxic gas is generated to inflate
the Advanced Front Air Bags. Different air bag inflation
rates are possible, based on the collision type and sever-
ity. The steering wheel hub trim cover and the upper
right side of the instrument panel separate and fold out
of the way as the air bags inflate to their full size. The air
bags fully inflate in about 50 to 70 milliseconds. This is
about half of the time it takes to blink your eyes. The air
bags then quickly deflate while helping to restrain the
driver and front passenger.
The Advanced Front Air Bag gas is vented through the
vent holes in the sides of the air bag. In this way, the air
bags do not interfere with your control of the vehicle.

Enhanced Accident Response System
In the event of an impact causing air bag deployment, if
the communication network remains intact, and the
power remains intact, depending on the nature of the
event the ORC will determine whether to have the
Enhanced Accident Response System perform the follow-
ing functions:

• Cut off fuel to the engine.
• Flash hazard lights as long as the battery has power or

until the ignition key is turned off.

• Turn on the interior lights, which remain on as long as

the battery has power or until the ignition key is
removed.

• Unlock the doors automatically.

If A Deployment Occurs
The Advanced Front Air Bags are designed to deflate
immediately after deployment.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Dodge Chassis Cab (2012 year). Manual - part 3