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Dodge Avenger (2020 year). Manual in english - page 4

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80

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

5. Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?

WARNING!

If the answer to any of these questions was “no,” then the

Never allow a child to put the shoulder belt under an

child still needs to use a booster seat in this vehicle. If the

arm or behind their back. In a crash, the shoulder belt

child is using the lap/shoulder belt, check belt fit peri-

will not protect a child properly, which may result in

odically and make sure the seat belt buckle is latched. A

serious injury or death. A child must always wear

child’s squirming or slouching can move the belt out of

both the lap and shoulder portions of the seat belt

position. If the shoulder belt contacts the face or neck,

correctly.

move the child closer to the center of the vehicle. Never

allow a child to put the shoulder belt under an arm or

behind their back.

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

81

Recommendations For Attaching Child Restraints

Restraint Type

Combined

Use any attachment method shown with an “X” Below

2

Weight of the

LATCH -

Seat Belt Only

LATCH -

Seat Belt + Top

Child + Child

Lower Anchors

Lower Anchors

Tether Anchor

Restraint

Only

+ Top Tether

Anchor

Rear-Facing

Up to 65 lbs

X

X

Child Restraint

(29.5 kg)

Rear-Facing

More than

X

Child Restraint

65 lbs (29.5 kg)

Forward-Facing

Up to 65 lbs

X

X

Child Restraint

(29.5 kg)

Forward-Facing

More than

X

Child Restraint

65 lbs (29.5 kg)

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Lower Anchors And Tethers For Children (LATCH)

seating position. These anchorages are used to install

Restraint System

LATCH-equipped child seats without using the vehicle’s

seat belts. Some seating positions may have a top tether

anchorage but no lower anchorages. In these seating

positions, the seat belt must be used with the top tether

anchorage to install the child restraint. Please see the

following table for more information.

Your vehicle is equipped with the child restraint anchor-

age system called LATCH, which stands for Lower

Anchors and Tethers for CHildren. The LATCH system

has three vehicle anchor points for installing LATCH-

equipped child seats. There are two lower anchorages

located at the back of the seat cushion where it meets the

seatback and one top tether anchorage located behind the

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

83

LATCH Positions For Installing Child Restraints In

This Vehicle

2

•

Lower Anchorage Symbol 2 anchorages per

seating position

•

Top Tether Anchorage Symbol

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

What is the weight limit (child’s weight +

65 lbs

Use the LATCH anchorage system until the

weight of the child restraint) for using the

(29.5 kg)

combined weight of the child and the child

LATCH anchorage system to attach the child

restraint is 65 lbs (29.5 kg). Use the seat belt

restraint?

and tether anchor instead of the LATCH an-

chorage system once the combined weight is

more than 65 lbs (29.5 kg).

Can the LATCH anchorages and the seat belt

No

Do not use the seat belt when you use the

be used together to attach a rear-facing or

LATCH anchorage system to attach a rear-

forward-facing child restraint?

facing or forward-facing child restraint.

Can a child seat be installed in the center posi-

Yes

You can install child restraints with flexible

tion using the inner LATCH lower anchorages?

lower anchors in the center position. The inner

anchorages are 15.4 inches (392 mm) apart. Do

not install child restraints with rigid lower an-

chors in the center position.

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

85

Can two child restraints be attached using a

No

Never “share” a LATCH anchorage with two

common lower LATCH anchorage?

or more child restraints. If the center position

does not have dedicated LATCH lower anchor-

2

ages, 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 posi-

tion.

Can the rear-facing child restraint touch the

Yes

The child seat may touch the back of the front

back of the front passenger seat?

passenger seat if the child restraint manufac-

turer also allows contact. See your child re-

straint owner’s manual for more information.

Can the head restraints be removed?

No

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Locating The LATCH Anchorages

The lower anchorages are round bars that are

found at the rear of the seat cushion where it

meets the seatback, below the anchorage sym-

bols 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.

Rear Seat LATCH Anchorages

Locating The LATCH Anchorages

In addition, there are tether strap anchorages

behind each rear seating position located in the

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

87

panel between the rear seatback and the rear window.

anchorage and a way to tighten the connection to the

They are found under a plastic cover with the tether

anchorage. Forward-facing child restraints and some

anchorage symbol on it.

rear-facing infant restraints will also be equipped with a

2

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

Do not install child restraints with rigid lower attach-

ments in the center seating position. Only install this type

of child restraint in the outboard seating positions. Child

restraints with flexible, webbing mounted lower attach-

ments can be installed in any rear seating position.

Tether Strap Anchorages

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

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

make a clicking noise while the webbing is pulled back

WARNING! (Continued)

into the retractor. For additional information on ALR,

• Child restraint anchorages are designed to with-

refer to the “Automatic Locking Mode” description un-

stand only those loads imposed by correctly-fitted

der “Occupant Restraints”. The cinching latch plate is

child restraints. Under no circumstances are they to

designed to hold the lap portion of the seatbelt tight

be used for adult seat belts, harnesses, or for

when webbing is pulled tight and straight through a

attaching other items or equipment to the vehicle.

child restraint’s belt path. Please see the following

table(s) and the following sections for more information

Installing Child Restraints Using The Vehicle Seat

about both types of seat belts.

Belt

The seat belts in the passenger seating positions are

equipped with either a Switchable Automatic Locking

Retractor (ALR) or a cinching latch plate or both. Both

types of seat belts are 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

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

91

Lap/Shoulder Belt Systems For Installing Child

Restraints In This Vehicle

2

What is the weight limit

(child’s

Weight limit of the Child Restraint

Always use the tether anchor when

weight + weight of the child re-

using the seat belt to install a for-

straint) for using the Tether Anchor

ward facing child restraint, up to

with the seat belt to attach a forward

the recommended weight limit of

facing child restraint?

the child restraint.

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Can the rear-facing child restraint

Yes

Contact between the front passen-

touch the back of the front passen-

ger seat and the child restraint is

ger seat?

allowed, if the child restraint

manufacturer also allows contact.

Can the head restraints be re-

No

moved?

Can the buckle stalk be twisted to

Yes

In positions with cinching latch

tighten the seat belt against the belt

plates (CINCH), the buckle stalk

path of the child restraint?

may be twisted up to 3 full turns.

Do not twist the buckle stalk in a

seating position with an ALR re-

tractor.

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

95

strap. Refer to “Installing Child Restraints Using The

If the belt still cannot be tightened after you shorten the

Top Tether Anchorage” for directions to attach a tether

buckle, disconnect the latch plate from the buckle, turn

anchor.

the buckle around one half turn, and insert the latch plate

2

into the buckle again. If you still cannot make the child

6. Test that the child restraint is installed tightly by

restraint installation tight, try a different seating position.

pulling back and forth on the child seat at the belt

path. It should not move more than 1 inch (25 mm) in

Installing Child Restraints Using The Top Tether

any direction.

Anchorage

Any seat belt system will loosen with time, so check the

belt occasionally, and pull it tight if necessary.

1.

Look behind the seating position where you

plan to install the child restraint to find the

If the buckle or the cinching latch plate is too close to the

tether anchorage. You may need to move the

belt path opening of the child restraint, you may have

seat forward to provide better access to the

trouble tightening the seat belt. If this happens, discon-

tether anchorage. If there is no top tether

nect the latch plate from the buckle and twist the short

anchorage for that seating position, move

buckle-end belt up to three full turns to shorten it. Insert

the child restraint to another position in the

the latch plate into the buckle with the release button

vehicle if one is available.

facing out, away from the child restraint. Repeat steps 4

to 6, above, to complete the installation of the child

restraint.

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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

behind the seat where you are placing the child

restraint.

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.

Tether Strap Mounting

1 — Cover

A — Tether Strap Hook

3 — Attaching Strap

B — Tether Anchor

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

the top tether anchorage as shown in the diagram.

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

97

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

Transporting Pets

restraint manufacturer’s instructions.

Air Bags deploying in the front seat could harm your pet.

An unrestrained pet will be thrown about and possibly

2

WARNING!

injured, or injure a passenger during panic braking or in

a collision.

• An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to

increased head motion and possible injury to the

Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in pet harnesses

child. Use only the anchorage position directly

or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.

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.

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99

SAFETY TIPS

Exhaust Gas

Transporting Passengers

WARNING!

2

NEVER TRANSPORT PASSENGERS IN THE CARGO

Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon

AREA.

monoxide (CO), which is colorless and odorless.

Breathing it can make you unconscious and can

WARNING!

eventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO),

• Do not leave children or animals inside parked

follow these safety tips:

vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up may

• Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in

cause serious injury or death.

confined areas any longer than needed to move

• It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,

your vehicle in or out of the area.

inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people

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

riding in these areas are more likely to be seriously

rear doors open, make sure that all windows are

injured or killed.

closed and the climate control BLOWER switch is

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

set at high speed. DO NOT use the recirculation

that is not equipped with seats and seat belts.

mode.

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

using a seat belt properly.

(Continued)

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Safety Checks You Should Make Inside The

WARNING! (Continued)

Vehicle

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

engine running, adjust your heating or cooling

Seat Belts

controls to force outside air into the vehicle. Set the

Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,

blower at high speed.

frays, and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced

immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.

The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into

the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine exhaust

Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced after a

system.

collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must be replaced after

a collision if they have been damaged (i.e., bent retractor,

Whenever a change is noticed in the sound of the exhaust

torn webbing, etc.). If there is any question regarding belt

system, when exhaust fumes can be detected inside the

or retractor condition, replace the belt.

vehicle, or when the underside or rear of the vehicle is

damaged, have a competent mechanic inspect the com-

Air Bag Warning Light

plete exhaust system and adjacent body areas for broken,

damaged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Open

The light should come on and remain on for

seams or loose connections could permit exhaust fumes

four to eight seconds as a bulb check when the

to seep into the passenger compartment. In addition,

ignition switch is first turned ON. If the light is

inspect the exhaust system each time the vehicle is raised

not lit during starting, see your authorized

for lubrication or oil change. Replace as required.

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

101

dealer. If the light stays on, flickers, or comes on while

WARNING!

driving, have the system checked by an authorized

dealer.

Pedals that cannot move freely can cause loss of

2

vehicle control and increase the risk of serious per-

Defroster

sonal injury.

Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place

• Always make sure that floor mats are properly

the blower control on high speed. You should be able to

attached to the floor mat fasteners.

feel the air directed against the windshield. See your

• Never place or install floor mats or other floor

authorized dealer for service if your defroster is inoper-

coverings in the vehicle that cannot be properly

able.

secured to prevent them from moving and interfer-

ing with the pedals or the ability to control the

Floor Mat Safety Information

vehicle.

Always use floor mats designed to fit the footwell of your

• Never put floor mats or other floor coverings on top

vehicle. Use only floor mats that leave the pedal area

of already installed floor mats. Additional floor

unobstructed and that are firmly secured so that they

mats and other coverings will reduce the size of the

cannot slip out of position and interfere with the pedals

pedal area and interfere with the pedals.

or impair safe operation of your vehicle in other ways.

(Continued)

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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside

WARNING! (Continued)

The Vehicle

• Check mounting of mats on a regular basis. Always

properly reinstall and secure floor mats that have

Tires

been removed for cleaning.

Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear

• Always make sure that objects cannot fall into the

patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects

driver footwell while the vehicle is moving. Ob-

lodged in the tread or sidewall. Inspect the tread for cuts

jects can become trapped under the brake pedal

and cracks. Inspect sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.

and accelerator pedal causing a loss of vehicle

Check the wheel nuts for tightness. Check the tires

control.

(including spare) for proper cold inflation pressure.

• If required, mounting posts must be properly in-

Lights

stalled, if not equipped from the factory.

Failure to properly follow floor mat installation or

Have someone observe the operation of brake lights and

mounting can cause interference with the brake

exterior lights while you work the controls. Check turn

pedal and accelerator pedal operation causing loss of

signal and high beam indicator lights on the instrument

control of the vehicle.

panel.

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