Dodge Challenger (2019 year). Manual

Frequently Asked Questions About Installing Child Restraints With LATCH

What is the weight limit (child’s weight +

weight of the child restraint) for using the

LATCH anchorage system to attach the

child restraint?

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?

Do not use the seat belt when you use the LATCH an-

chorage system to attach a rear-facing or forward-

facing child restraint.

Booster seats may be attached to the LATCH anchorages

if allowed by the booster seat manufacturer. See your

booster seat owner’s manual for more information.

Can two child restraints be attached us-

ing a common lower LATCH anchorage?

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.

Can the rear-facing child restraint touch

the back of the front passenger seat?

Yes

The child seat may touch the back of the front passen-

ger seat if the child restraint manufacturer also allows

contact. See your child restraint owner’s manual for

more information.

Can the rear head restraints be removed?

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SAFETY

Locating The LATCH Anchorages

Non-SRT Vehicles

WARNING!

If the rear or front passenger seats are not present in
your vehicle, NEVER install a child restraint in these
positions.

The lower anchorages are round bars that are found at the

rear of the seat cushion where it meets the
seatback, below the anchorage symbols on the
seatback. They are just visible when you lean into
the rear seat to install the child restraint. You will

easily feel them if you run your finger along the gap
between the seatback and seat cushion.

Non-SRT Vehicles

WARNING!

If the rear or front passenger seats are not present in
your vehicle, NEVER install a child restraint in these
positions.

LATCH Anchorages

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191

Locating The Upper Tether Anchorages

There are tether strap anchorages behind each

rear seating position located in the panel be-
tween the rear seatback and the rear window.
They are found under a plastic cover with the

tether anchorage symbol on it.

LATCH-compatible child restraint systems will be
equipped with a rigid bar or a flexible strap on each side.
Each will have a hook or connector to attach to the lower
anchorage and a way to tighten the connection to the
anchorage. Forward-facing child restraints and some rear-
facing child restraints will also be equipped with a tether

strap. The tether strap will have a hook at the end to attach
to the top tether anchorage and a way to tighten the strap
after it is attached to the anchorage.

Center Seat LATCH

If a child restraint installed in the center position blocks the
seat belt webbing or buckle for the outboard position, do
not use that outboard position. If a child seat in the center
position blocks the outboard LATCH anchors or seat belt,
do not install a child seat in that outboard position.

WARNING!

Never use the same lower anchorage to attach more
than one child restraint. Please refer to “To Install A
LATCH-Compatible Child Restraint” for typical instal-
lation instructions.

Always follow the directions of the child restraint manu-
facturer when installing your child restraint. Not all child
restraint systems will be installed as described here.

Tether Strap Anchorages

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SAFETY

To Install A LATCH-Compatible Child Restraint

If the selected seating position has a Switchable Automatic
Locking Retractor (ALR) seat belt, stow the seat belt,
following the instructions below. See the section “Installing
Child Restraints Using the Vehicle Seat Belt” to check what
type of seat belt each seating position has.

1. Loosen the adjusters on the lower straps and on the

tether strap of the child seat so that you can more easily
attach the hooks or connectors to the vehicle anchor-
ages.

2. Place the child seat between the lower anchorages for

that seating position. For some second row seats, you
may need to recline the seat and / or raise the head
restraint (if adjustable) to get a better fit. If the rear seat
can be moved forward and rearward in the vehicle, you
may wish to move it to its rear-most position to make
room for the child seat. You may also move the front seat
forward to allow more room for the child seat.

3. Attach the lower hooks or connectors of the child

restraint to the lower anchorages in the selected seating
position.

4. If the child restraint has a tether strap, connect it to the

top tether anchorage. See the section “Installing Child
Restraints Using the Top Tether Anchorage” for direc-
tions to attach a tether anchor.

5. Tighten all of the straps as you push the child restraint

rearward and downward into the seat. Remove slack in
the straps according to the child restraint manufactur-
er’s instructions.

6. Test that the child restraint is installed tightly by pulling

back and forth on the child seat at the belt path. It
should not move more than 1 inch (25.4 mm) in any
direction.

How To Stow An Unused Switchable-ALR (ALR)
Seat Belt:

When using the LATCH attaching system to install a child
restraint, stow all ALR seat belts that are not being used by
other occupants or being used to secure child restraints. An
unused belt could injure a child if they play with it and
accidentally lock the seat belt retractor. Before installing a
child restraint using the LATCH system, buckle the seat
belt behind the child restraint and out of the child’s reach.
If the buckled seat belt interferes with the child restraint
installation, instead of buckling it behind the child re-
straint, route the seat belt through the child restraint belt

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193

path and then buckle it. Do not lock the seat belt. Remind
all children in the vehicle that the seat belts are not toys and
that they should not play with them.

WARNING!

• Improper installation of a child restraint to the

LATCH anchorages can lead to failure of the re-
straint. The child could be badly injured or killed.
Follow the child restraint manufacturer’s directions
exactly when installing an infant or child restraint.

• Child restraint anchorages are designed to withstand

only those loads imposed by correctly-fitted child
restraints. Under no circumstances are they to be
used for adult seat belts, harnesses, or for attaching
other items or equipment to the vehicle.

Installing Child Restraints Using The Vehicle Seat
Belt

NOTE:

If your vehicle is not equipped with a rear seat,

FCA recommends that you do not allow children 12 years
old and under to ride in your vehicle. If the rear seats are
not present in your vehicle, NEVER install a child restraint
in these positions.

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!

• 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
younger, including a child in a rear-facing child
restraint.

• Never install a rear-facing child restraint in the front

seat of a vehicle. Only use a rear-facing child re-
straint in the rear seat. If the vehicle does not have a
rear seat, do not transport a rear-facing child restraint
in that vehicle.

WARNING!

• Improper installation or failure to properly 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 infant or child restraint.

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SAFETY

The seat belts in the passenger seating positions are
equipped with a Switchable Automatic Locking Retractor
(ALR) that is designed 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 in “Switchable Automatic Locking Retractors
(ALR)” under “Occupant Restraint Systems” for additional
information on ALR.

Please see the table below and the following sections for
more information.

Lap/Shoulder Belt Systems For Installing Child
Restraints In This Vehicle

NOTE:

If your vehicle is not equipped with a rear seat,

FCA recommends that you do not allow children 12 years
old and under to ride in your vehicle. If the rear seats are
not present in your vehicle, NEVER install a child restraint
in these positions.

Vehicle With Rear Seating

ALR = Switchable Automatic Locking Retractor

Top Tether Anchorage Symbol

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195

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 Restraint

Always 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?

Yes

Contact between the front passenger seat and

the child restraint is allowed, if the child re-

straint manufacturer also allows contact.

Can the rear head restraints be removed?

Can the buckle stalk be twisted to tighten the

seat belt against the belt path of the child

restraint?

Do not twist the buckle stalk in a seating po-

sition with an ALR retractor.

Installing A Child Restraint With A Switchable
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 properly secure a

child restraint can lead to failure of the restraint. The
child could be badly injured or killed.

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

• Follow the child restraint manufacturer’s directions

exactly when installing an infant or child restraint.

1. Place the child seat in the center of the seating position.

For some second row seats, you may need to recline the
seat and/or raise the head restraint (if adjustable) to get
a better fit. If the rear seat can be moved forward and
rearward in the vehicle, you may wish to move it to its
rear-most position to make room for the child seat. You

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197

may also move the front seat forward to allow more
room for the child seat.

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 retract
back into the retractor. As the webbing 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 Restraints Using
the Top Tether Anchorage” for directions to attach a
tether anchor.

9. Test that the child restraint is installed tightly by pulling

back and forth on the child seat at the belt path. It
should not move more than 1 inch (25.4 mm) in any
direction.

Any seat belt system will loosen with time, so check the
belt occasionally, and pull it tight if necessary.

Installing Child Restraints Using The Top Tether
Anchorage:

Non-SRT Vehicles

WARNING!

If the rear or front passenger seats are not present in
your vehicle, NEVER install a child restraint in these
positions.

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SAFETY

WARNING!

Do not attach a tether strap for a rear-facing car seat to
any location in front of the car seat, including the seat
frame or a tether anchorage. Only attach the tether
strap of a rear-facing car seat to the tether anchorage
that is approved for that seating position, located
behind the top of the vehicle seat. See the section
“Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH)
Restraint System” for the location of approved tether
anchorages in your vehicle.

1. Look behind the seating position where you plan to

install the child restraint to find the tether anchorage.
You may need to move the seat forward to provide
better access to the tether anchorage. If there is no top

tether anchorage for that seating position, move the
child restraint to another position in the vehicle if one is
available.

2. Rotate or lift the cover to access the anchor directly

behind the seat where you are placing the child re-
straint.

3. Route the tether strap to provide the most direct path for

the strap between the anchor and the child seat. If your
vehicle is equipped with adjustable rear head restraints,
raise the head restraint, and where possible, route the
tether strap under 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.

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199

4. Attach the tether strap hook of the child restraint to the

top tether anchorage as shown in the diagram.

5. Remove slack in the tether strap according to the child

restraint manufacturer’s instructions.

NOTE:

If your vehicle is not equipped with a rear seat,

FCA recommends that you do not allow children 12 years
old and under to ride in your vehicle. If the rear seats are
not present in your vehicle, NEVER install a child restraint
in these positions. If you must install a forward facing child
restraint in the front passenger seat, then you must use the
seat belt system to secure the restraint. A top tether strap
extension may be needed to reach the tether anchor on the
rear shelf directly behind the passenger seat.

WARNING!

• An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to

increased head motion and possible injury to the
child. Use only the anchorage position directly be-
hind 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.

Tether Strap Mounting

1 — Cover

A — Tether Strap Hook

3 — Attaching Strap

B — Tether Anchor

200

SAFETY

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
collision.

Pets should be restrained in the rear seat (if equipped) in
pet harnesses or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.

SAFETY TIPS

Transporting Passengers

NEVER TRANSPORT PASSENGERS IN THE CARGO AREA.

WARNING!

• Do not leave children or animals inside parked

vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up may
cause serious injury or death.

• It is extremely 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.

• Do not allow people to ride in any area of your

vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seat belts.

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

• Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and

using a seat belt properly.

Exhaust Gas

WARNING!

Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO), which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can even-
tually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO), follow
these safety tips:
• Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in

confined areas any longer than needed to move your
vehicle in or out of the area.

• If you are required to drive with the trunk/liftgate/

rear doors open, make sure that all windows are
closed and the climate control BLOWER switch is set
at high speed. DO NOT use the recirculation mode.

• If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the

engine running, adjust your heating or cooling con-
trols to force outside air into the vehicle. Set the
blower at high speed.

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201

The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into the
vehicle body is a properly maintained engine exhaust
system.

Whenever a change is noticed in the sound of the exhaust
system, when exhaust fumes can be detected inside the
vehicle, or when the underside or rear of the vehicle is
damaged, have a competent mechanic inspect the complete
exhaust system and adjacent body areas for broken, dam-
aged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Open seams or
loose connections could permit exhaust fumes to seep into
the passenger compartment. In addition, inspect the ex-
haust system each time the vehicle is raised for lubrication
or oil change. Replace as required.

Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The Vehicle

Seat Belts

Inspect the seat belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays, and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.

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 light

will 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. After the bulb check, this light will
illuminate with a single chime when a fault with the Air
Bag System has been detected. It will stay on until the
fault is removed. If the light comes on intermittently or
remains on while driving, have an authorized dealer
service the vehicle immediately.

Refer to “Occupant Restraint Systems” in “Safety” for
further information.

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 an autho-
rized 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 accelerator, brake or clutch pedals. Only use a floor mat

202

SAFETY

that is securely attached using the floor mat fasteners so it
cannot slip out of position and interfere with the accelera-
tor, 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 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 fasten-
ers 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

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

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 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 accelera-
tor, 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 objects could change the

(Continued)

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203

WARNING! (Continued)

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 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 accelerator, 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
secured 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 (includ-
ing 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 locking.

Fluid Leaks

Check area under the vehicle after overnight parking for
fuel, coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, or brake fluid leaks are
suspected. The cause should be located and corrected
immediately.

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Dodge Challenger (2019 year). Manual - part 12