2005 Dodge Stratus Owner's Manual - Page 36

36 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE Children that are not big enough to properly wear the vehicle seat belt (see section on "Child Restraint") should be secured in the rear seat in child restraints or beltpositioning booster seats. Older children who do not use child restraints or beltpositioning 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 must ride in the front passenger seat because the vehicle is crowded, move the seat as far back as possible, and use the proper child restraint. See the section on "Child Restraint". 2. You should read the instructions provided with your child restraint to make sure that you are using it properly. 3. All occupants should use their seat belts properly. 4. The driver and front passenger seats should be moved back as far as practical to allow the airbags time to inflate. 5. If your vehicle has left and right window bags, do not lean against the door, airbags will inflate forcefully into the space between you and the door. WARNING! • Relying on the airbags alone could lead to more severe injuries in a collision. The airbags work with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In some collisions the airbags won't deploy at all. Always wear your seat belts even though you have airbags. • Being too close to the steering wheel or instrument panel during airbag deployment could cause serious injury. Airbags need room to inflate. Sit back, comfortably extending your arms to reach the steering wheel or instrument panel. • If the vehicle has left and right window bags, they also need room to inflate. Do not lean against the door or window. Sit upright in the center of the seat.