2010 Dodge Avenger User Guide - Page 12

GETTING STARTED Installing The LATCH-Compatible Child Restraint System • Your vehicle's second row passenger seats are equipped with the child restraint anchorage system called LATCH, which stands for Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren. • Child seats with fixed lower attachments must be installed in the outboard positions only. Child seats with flexible lower attachments can be used in all three seating positions. • Never install LATCH-compatible child seats such that two seats share a common lower anchorage. If you are installing LATCH-compatible child restraints in adjacent rear seating positions, you can use either the lower anchors or the vehicle seat belt in the outboard seating position, but the center seating position must use the vehicle seat belt. Always use the top tether anchorage with a forward facing child seat. • The rear seat lower anchorages are round bars, located at the rear of the seat cushion where it meets 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 intersection of the seatback and seat cushion surfaces. • In addition, there are tether strap anchorages behind each rear seating position located in the panel between the rear seatback and the rear window. These tether strap anchorages are under a plastic cover. • Loosen the adjusters on the lower straps and tether straps so that you can attach the hook or connector to the lower and tether anchorages more easily. • Attach the lower hooks or connectors over the top of the seat cover material. • Then rotate the tether anchorage cover directly behind the seat where you are placing the child restraint and attach the tether strap to the anchorage, being careful to route the tether strap to provide the most direct path between the anchor and the child restraint. • Tighten all three straps as you push the child restraint rearward and downward into the seat. WARNING! • Improper installation of a child restraint to the LATCH anchorages can lead to failure of an infant or child restraint. The child could be badly injured or killed. Follow the manufacturer's directions exactly when installing an infant or child restraint. • An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to increased head motion and possible injury to the child. Use only the anchor positions directly behind the child seat to secure a child restraint top tether strap. 10