2009 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab Owner Manual - Page 63

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 61 • Carefully follow the instructions that come with the restraint. If you install the restraint improperly, it may not work when you need it. • The Extended Cab first, and Club/Crew Cab second row outside seating positions, have cinching latch plates. These are designed to keep the lap portion tight around the child restraint so that it is not necessary to use a locking clip. If the seat belt has a cinching latch plate, pulling up on the shoulder portion of the lap/shoulder belt will tighten the belt. The cinching latch plate will keep the belt tight, however, any seat belt system will loosen with time, so check the belt occasionally and pull it tight, if necessary. • Buckle the child into the restraint exactly as the manufacturer's instructions tell you. • When your child restraint is not in use, secure it in the vehicle with the seat belt or remove it from the vehicle. Do not leave it loose in the vehicle. In a sudden stop or collision, it could strike the occupants or seatbacks and cause serious personal injury. LATCH - Child Seat Anchorage System (Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren) - if equipped Each vehicle is equipped with the child restraint anchorage system called LATCH, which stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren. The LATCH system provides for the installation of the child restraint without using the vehicle's seat belts, instead securing the child restraint using lower anchorages and upper tether straps from the child restraint to the vehicle structure. LATCHcompatible child restraint systems are now available. However, because the lower anchorages are to be introduced over a period of years, child restraint systems having attachments for those anchorages will continue to also have features for installation using the vehicle's seat belts. Child restraints having tether straps and hooks for 2