Get Things To Know Before Starting Your Vehicle -> Occupant Restraint Systems Guide for Fiat 500 SUV First Generation (2007-2019)

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 21

NOTE: Gas props support the liftgate in the open

position. However, because the gas pressure drops with

temperature, it may be necessary to assist the props

when opening the liftgate in cold weather.

2

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS

Some of the most important safety features in your

vehicle are the restraint systems:

Occupant Restraint Systems Features

• Seat Belt Systems

• Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Air Bags

• Child Restraints

Liftgate Handle

WARNING!

Some of the safety features described in this section

may be standard equipment on some models, or may be

optional equipment on others. If you are not sure, ask

your authorized dealer.

• Driving with the liftgate open can allow poison-

ous exhaust gases into your vehicle. You and your

passengers could be injured by these fumes. Keep

the liftgate closed when you are operating the

vehicle.

Important Safety Precautions

• If you are required to drive with the liftgate 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.

Please pay close attention to the information in this

section. It tells you how to use your restraint system

properly, to keep you and your passengers as safe as

possible.

22 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Here are some simple steps you can take to minimize

the risk of harm from a deploying air bag:

6. All occupants should always wear their lap and

shoulder belts properly.

1. Children 12 years old and under should always ride

buckled up in a vehicle with a rear seat.

7. The driver and front passenger seats should be

moved back as far as practical to allow the front air

bags room to inflate.

2. If a child from 2 to 12 years old (not in a rear-facing

child restraint) must ride in the front passenger seat,

move the seat as far back as possible and use the

proper child restraint (refer to “Child Restraints” in

this section for further information).

8. Do not lean against the door or window. If your

vehicle has side air bags, and deployment occurs, the

side air bags will inflate forcefully into the space

between occupants and the door and occupants

could be injured.

3. Children that are not big enough to wear the vehicle

seat belt properly (refer to “Child Restraints” in this

section for further information) should be secured in

a vehicle with a rear seat in child restraints or

belt-positioning booster seats. Older children who do

not use child restraints or belt-positioning booster

seats should ride properly buckled up in a vehicle

with a rear seat.

9. If the air bag system in this vehicle needs to be

modified to accommodate a disabled person, refer to

the “If You Need Consumer Assistance” section for

customer service contact information.

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.

4. Never allow children to slide the shoulder belt

behind them or under their arm.

5. You should read the instructions provided with your

child restraint to make sure that you are using it

properly.

• Only use a rear-facing child restraint in a vehicle

with a rear seat.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 23

Seat Belt Systems

Initial Indication

Buckle up even though you are an excellent driver, even

on short trips. Someone on the road may be a poor

driver and could cause a collision that includes you.

This can happen far away from home or on your own

street.

If the driver is unbuckled when the ignition switch is

first in the AVV/START or MAR/ON/RUN position, a

chime will signal for a few seconds. If the driver or

outboard front seat passenger (if equipped with out-

board front passenger seat BeltAlert) is unbuckled

when the ignition switch is first in the AVV/START or

MAR/ON/RUN position the Seat Belt Reminder Light

will turn on and remain on until both outboard front

seat belts are buckled. The outboard front passenger

seat BeltAlert is not active when an outboard front

passenger seat is unoccupied.

2

Research has shown that seat belts save lives, and they

can reduce the seriousness of injuries in a collision.

Some of the worst injuries happen when people are

thrown from the vehicle. Seat belts reduce the possibil-

ity of ejection and the risk of injury caused by striking

the inside of the vehicle. Everyone in a motor vehicle

should be belted at all times.

Enhanced Seat Belt Use Reminder System

Driver And Passenger BeltAlert (If Equipped)

BeltAlert is a feature intended to remind the

driver and outboard front seat passenger (if

equipped with outboard front passenger seat

BeltAlert) to buckle their seat belts. The Belt Alert

feature is active whenever the ignition switch is in

the AVV/START or MAR/ON/RUN position.

24 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

BeltAlert Warning Sequence

The outboard front passenger seat BeltAlert is not active

when the outboard front passenger seat is unoccupied.

BeltAlert may be triggered when an animal or other

items are placed on the outboard front passenger seat or

when the seat is folded flat (if equipped). It is recom-

mended that pets be restrained in the rear seat (if

equipped) in pet harnesses or pet carriers that are

secured by seat belts, and cargo is properly stowed.

The BeltAlert warning sequence is activated when the

vehicle is moving above a specified vehicle speed range

and the driver or outboard front seat passenger is

unbuckled (if equipped with outboard front passenger

seat BeltAlert) (the outboard front passenger seat

BeltAlert is not active when the outboard front passen-

ger seat is unoccupied). The BeltAlert warning se-

quence starts by blinking the Seat Belt Reminder Light

and sounding an intermittent chime. Once the BeltAlert

warning sequence has completed, the Seat Belt Re-

minder Light will remain on until the seat belts are

buckled. The BeltAlert warning sequence may repeat

based on vehicle speed until the driver and occupied

outboard front seat passenger seat belts are buckled.

The driver should instruct all occupants to buckle their

seat belts.

BeltAlert can be activated or deactivated by your au-

thorized dealer. FCA US LLC does not recommend

deactivating BeltAlert.

NOTE: If BeltAlert has been deactivated and the driver

or outboard front seat passenger (if equipped with

outboard front passenger seat BeltAlert) is unbuckled

the Seat Belt Reminder Light will turn on and remain on

until the driver and outboard front seat passenger seat

belts are buckled.

Change Of Status

Lap/Shoulder Belts

If the driver or outboard front seat passenger (if

equipped with outboard front passenger seat BeltAlert)

unbuckles their seat belt while the vehicle is traveling,

the BeltAlert warning sequence will begin until the seat

belts are buckled again.

All seating positions in your vehicle are equipped with

lap/shoulder belts.

The seat belt webbing retractor will lock only during

very sudden stops or collisions. This feature allows the

shoulder part of the seat belt to move freely with you

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 25

under normal conditions. However, in a collision the

seat belt will lock and reduce your risk of striking the

inside of the vehicle or being thrown out of the vehicle.

WARNING! (Continued)

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

vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seat

belts.

2

WARNING!

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

using a seat belt properly. Occupants, including

the driver, should always wear their seat belts

whether or not an air bag is also provided at their

seating position to minimize the risk of severe

injury or death in the event of a crash.

• Wearing your seat belt incorrectly could make

your injuries in a collision much worse. You

might suffer internal injuries, or you could even

slide out of the seat belt. Follow these instructions

to wear your seat belt safely and to keep your

passengers safe, too.

• Two people should never be belted into a single

seat belt. People belted together can crash into

one another in a collision, hurting one another

badly. Never use a lap/shoulder belt or a lap belt

for more than one person, no matter what their

size.

• Relying on the air bags alone could lead to more

severe injuries in a collision. The air bags work

with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In

some collisions, the air bags won’t deploy at all.

Always wear your seat belt even though you have

air bags.

• In a collision, you and your passengers can suffer

much greater injuries if you are not properly

buckled up. You can strike the interior of your

vehicle or other passengers, or you can be thrown

out of the vehicle. Always be sure you and others

in your vehicle are buckled up properly.

• It is 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.

(Continued)

26 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!

WARNING! (Continued)

of the vehicle in a collision, increasing head and

neck injury. A seat belt worn under the arm can

cause internal injuries. Ribs aren’t as strong as

shoulder bones. Wear the seat belt over your

shoulder so that your strongest bones will take

the force in a collision.

• A shoulder belt placed behind you will not pro-

tect you from injury during a collision. You are

more likely to hit your head in a collision if you

do not wear your shoulder belt. The lap and

shoulder belt are meant to be used together.

• A frayed or torn seat belt could rip apart in a

collision and leave you with no protection. In-

spect the seat belt system periodically, checking

for cuts, frays, or loose parts. Damaged parts must

be replaced immediately. Do not disassemble or

modify the seat belt system. Seat belt assemblies

must be replaced after a collision.

• A lap belt worn too high can increase the risk of

injury in a collision. The seat belt forces won’t be

at the strong hip and pelvic bones, but across your

abdomen. Always wear the lap part of your seat

belt as low as possible and keep it snug.

• A twisted seat belt may not protect you properly.

In a collision, it could even cut into you. Be sure

the seat belt is flat against your body, without

twists. If you can’t straighten a seat belt in your

vehicle, take it to your authorized dealer immedi-

ately and have it fixed.

• A seat belt that is buckled into the wrong buckle

will not protect you properly. The lap portion

could ride too high on your body, possibly caus-

ing internal injuries. Always buckle your seat belt

into the buckle nearest you.

• A seat belt that is too loose will not protect you

properly. In a sudden stop, you could move too far

forward, increasing the possibility of injury. Wear

your seat belt snugly.

• A seat belt that is worn under your arm is dan-

gerous. Your body could strike the inside surfaces

(Continued)

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 27

Lap/Shoulder Belt Operating Instructions

1. Enter the vehicle and close the door. Sit back and

adjust the seat.

2

2. The seat belt latch plate is above the back of the front

seat, and next to your arm in the rear seat (for

vehicles equipped with a rear seat). Grasp the latch

plate and pull out the seat belt. Slide the latch plate

up the webbing as far as necessary to allow the seat

belt to go around your lap.

Inserting Latch Plate Into Buckle

4. Position the lap belt so that it is snug and lies low

across your hips, below your abdomen. To remove

slack in the lap belt portion, pull up on the shoulder

belt. To loosen the lap belt if it is too tight, tilt the

latch plate and pull on the lap belt. A snug seat belt

reduces the risk of sliding under the seat belt in a

collision.

Pulling Out The Latch Plate

3. When the seat belt is long enough to fit, insert the

latch plate into the buckle until you hear a “click.”

28 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Lap/Shoulder Belt Untwisting Procedure

Use the following procedure to untwist a twisted lap/

shoulder belt.

1. Position the latch plate as close as possible to the

anchor point.

2. At about 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) above the latch

plate, grasp and twist the seat belt webbing

180 degrees to create a fold that begins immediately

above the latch plate.

3. Slide the latch plate upward over the folded web-

bing. The folded webbing must enter the slot at the

top of the latch plate.

Positioning The Lap Belt

5. Position the shoulder belt across the shoulder and

chest with minimal, if any slack so that it is comfort-

able and not resting on your neck. The retractor will

withdraw any slack in the shoulder belt.

4. Continue to slide the latch plate up until it clears the

folded webbing and the seat belt is no longer

twisted.

6. To release the seat belt, push the red button on the

buckle. The seat belt will automatically retract to its

stowed position. If necessary, slide the latch plate

down the webbing to allow the seat belt to retract

fully.

Seat Belt Extender

If a seat belt is not long enough to fit properly, even

when the webbing is fully extended and the adjustable

upper shoulder belt anchorage (if equipped) is in its

lowest position, your authorized dealer can provide

you with a Seat Belt Extender. The Seat Belt Extender

should be used only if the existing seat belt is not long

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 29

enough. When the Seat Belt Extender is not required for

a different occupant, it must be removed.

Seat Belts And Pregnant Women

2

WARNING!

• ONLY use the Seat Belt Extender if it is physically

required in order to properly fit the original seat

belt system. DO NOT USE the Seat Belt Extender

if, when worn, the distance between the front

edge of the Seat Belt Extender buckle and the

center of the occupant’s body is LESS than

6 inches.

• Using a Seat Belt Extender when not needed can

increase the risk of serious injury or death in a

collision. Only use the Seat Belt Extender when

the lap belt is not long enough and only use in the

recommended seating positions. Remove and

store the Seat Belt Extender when not needed.

Pregnant Women And Seat Belts

Seat belts must be worn by all occupants including

pregnant women: the risk of injury in the event of an

accident is reduced for the mother and the unborn child

if they are wearing a seat belt.

Position the lap belt snug and low below the abdomen

and across the strong bones of the hips. Place the

shoulder belt across the chest and away from the neck.

Never place the shoulder belt behind the back or under

the arm.

30 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Seat Belt Pretensioner

Switchable Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)

The front seat belt system is equipped with pretension-

ing devices that are designed to remove slack from the

seat belt in the event of a collision. These devices may

improve the performance of the seat belt by removing

slack from the seat belt early in a collision. Pretension-

ers work for all size occupants, including those in child

restraints.

The seat belts in the passenger seating positions are

equipped with a Switchable Automatic Locking Retrac-

tor (ALR) which is used to secure a child restraint

system. For additional information, refer to “Installing

Child Restraints Using The Vehicle Seat Belt” under the

“Child Restraints” section of this manual.

The figure below illustrates the locking feature for each

seating position.

NOTE: These devices are not a substitute for proper

seat belt placement by the occupant. The seat belt still

must be worn snugly and positioned properly.

The pretensioners are triggered by the Occupant Re-

straint Controller (ORC). Like the air bags, the preten-

sioners are single use items. A deployed pretensioner or

a deployed air bag must be replaced immediately.

Energy Management Feature

This vehicle has a seat belt system with an Energy

Management feature in the front seating positions that

may help further reduce the risk of injury in the event of

a collision. The seat belt system has a retractor assembly

that is designed to release webbing in a controlled

manner.

ALR — Switchable Automatic Locking Retractor

If the passenger seating position is equipped with an

ALR and is being used for normal usage, only pull the

seat belt webbing out far enough to comfortably wrap

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 31

around the occupant’s mid-section so as to not activate

the ALR. If the ALR is activated, you will hear a clicking

sound as the seat belt retracts. Allow the webbing to

retract completely in this case and then carefully pull

out only the amount of webbing necessary to comfort-

ably wrap around the occupant’s mid-section. Slide the

latch plate into the buckle until you hear a Љclick.Љ

How To Engage The Automatic Locking Mode

1. Buckle the combination lap and shoulder belt.

2

2. Grasp the shoulder portion and pull downward until

the entire seat belt is extracted.

3. Allow the seat belt to retract. As the seat belt retracts,

you will hear a clicking sound. This indicates the seat

belt is now in the Automatic Locking Mode.

In Automatic Locking Mode, the shoulder belt is auto-

matically pre-locked. The seat belt will still retract to

remove any slack in the shoulder belt. Use the Auto-

matic Locking Mode anytime a child restraint is in-

stalled in a seating position that has a seat belt with this

feature. Children 12 years old and under should always

be properly restrained in a vehicle with a rear seat.

How To Disengage The Automatic Locking Mode

Unbuckle the combination lap/shoulder belt and allow

it to retract completely to disengage the Automatic

Locking Mode and activate the vehicle sensitive (emer-

gency) locking mode.

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.

• The seat belt assembly must be replaced if the

switchable Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)

feature or any other seat belt function is not

working properly when checked according to the

procedures in the Service Manual.

• Only use a rear-facing child restraint in a vehicle

with a rear seat.

• Failure to replace the seat belt assembly could

increase the risk of injury in collisions.

(Continued)

32 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

• Steering Wheel and Column

• Instrument Panel

WARNING! (Continued)

• Do not use the Automatic Locking Mode to re-

strain occupants who are wearing the seat belt or

children who are using booster seats. The locked

mode is only used to install rear-facing or

forward-facing child restraints that have a har-

ness for restraining the child.

• Knee Impact Bolsters

• Driver and Front Passenger Air Bags

• Supplemental Side Air Bags

• Supplemental Knee Air Bags

• Front and Side Impact Sensors

• Seat Belt Pretensioners

Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS)

Some of the safety features described in this section

may be standard equipment on some models, or may be

optional equipment on others. If you are not sure, ask

your authorized dealer.

• Seat Track Position Sensors

• Seat Belt Buckle Switch

Air Bag Warning Light

The air bag system must be ready to protect you in a

collision. The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)

monitors the internal circuits and interconnecting wir-

ing associated with the electrical Air Bag System Com-

ponents. Your vehicle may be equipped with the fol-

lowing Air Bag System Components:

The ORC monitors the readiness of the elec-

tronic parts of the air bag system whenever

the ignition switch is in the AVV/START or

MAR/ACC/ON/RUN position. If the igni-

tion switch is in the STOP/OFF/LOCK position or in

the ACC position, the air bag system is not on and the

air bags will not inflate.

Air Bag System Components

• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)

• Air Bag Warning Light

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 33

The ORC contains a backup power supply system that

may deploy the air bag system even if the battery loses

power or it becomes disconnected prior to deployment.

• The Air Bag Warning Light remains on after the four

to eight-second interval.

• The Air Bag Warning Light comes on intermittently

2

or remains on while driving.

The ORC turns on the Air Bag Warning Light in the

instrument panel for approximately four to eight sec-

onds for a self-check when the ignition switch is in the

MAR/ACC/ON/RUN position. After the self-check,

the Air Bag Warning Light will turn off. If the ORC

detects a malfunction in any part of the system, it turns

on the Air Bag Warning Light, either momentarily or

continuously. A single chime will sound to alert you if

the light comes on again after initial startup.

NOTE: If the speedometer, tachometer, or any engine

related gauges are not working, the Occupant Restraint

Controller (ORC) may also be disabled. In this condi-

tion the air bags may not be ready to inflate for your

protection. Have an authorized dealer service the air

bag system immediately.

WARNING!

The ORC also includes diagnostics that will illuminate

the instrument panel Air Bag Warning Light if a mal-

function is detected that could affect the air bag system.

The diagnostics also record the nature of the malfunc-

tion. While the air bag system is designed to be main-

tenance free, if any of the following occurs, have an

authorized dealer service the air bag system

immediately.

Ignoring the Air Bag Warning Light in your instru-

ment panel could mean you won’t have the air bag

system to protect you in a collision. If the light does

not come on as a bulb check when the ignition is

first turned on, stays on after you start the vehicle,

or if it comes on as you drive, have an authorized

dealer service the air bag system immediately.

• The Air Bag Warning Light does not come on during

the four to eight seconds when the ignition switch is

first in the MAR/ACC/ON/RUN position.

Front Air Bags

This vehicle has front air bags and lap/shoulder belts

for both the driver and front passenger. The front air

bags are a supplement to the seat belt restraint systems.

34 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

The driver front air bag is mounted in the center of the

steering wheel. The passenger front air bag is mounted

in the instrument panel, above the glove compartment.

The words “SRS AIRBAG” or “AIRBAG” are embossed

on the air bag covers.

WARNING!

• Being too close to the steering wheel or instru-

ment panel during front air bag deployment

could cause serious injury, including death. Air

bags need room to inflate. Sit back, comfortably

extending your arms to reach the steering wheel

or instrument panel.

• 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.

• Only use a rear-facing child restraint in a vehicle

with a rear seat.

Driver And Passenger Front Air Bag Features

Front Air Bag Locations

The Advanced Front Air Bag system has multistage

driver and front passenger air bags. This system pro-

vides output appropriate to the severity and type of

collision as determined by the Occupant Restraint Con-

troller (ORC), which may receive information from the

front impact sensors (if equipped) or other system

components.

1 — Driver And Passenger Front Air Bags

2 — Passenger Knee Impact Bolster

3 — Driver Knee Impact Bolster/Supplemental Driver Side

Knee Air Bag

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 35

The first stage inflator is triggered immediately during

an impact that requires air bag deployment. A low

energy output is used in less severe collisions. A higher

energy output is used for more severe collisions.

WARNING! (Continued)

may damage the air bags and you could be

injured because the air bags may no longer be

functional. The protective covers for the air bag

cushions are designed to open only when the air

bags are inflating.

• Relying on the air bags alone could lead to more

severe injuries in a collision. The air bags work

with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In

some collisions, air bags won’t deploy at all.

Always wear your seat belts even though you

have air bags.

2

This vehicle may be equipped with a driver and/or

front passenger seat belt buckle switch that detects

whether the driver or front passenger seat belt is

buckled. The seat belt buckle switch may adjust the

inflation rate of the Advanced Front Air Bags.

This vehicle may be equipped with driver and/or front

passenger seat track position sensors that may adjust

the inflation rate of the Advanced Front Air Bags based

upon seat position.

Front Air Bag Operation

Front Air Bags are designed to provide additional

protection by supplementing the seat belts. Front air

bags are not expected to reduce the risk of injury in rear,

side, or rollover collisions. The front air bags will not

deploy in all frontal collisions, including some that may

produce substantial vehicle damage — for example,

some pole collisions, truck underrides, and angle offset

collisions.

WARNING!

• No objects should be placed over or near the air

bag on the instrument panel or steering wheel

because any such objects could cause harm if the

vehicle is in a collision severe enough to cause the

air bag to inflate.

• Do not put anything on or around the air bag

covers or attempt to open them manually. You

(Continued)

36 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

On the other hand, depending on the type and location

of impact, front air bags may deploy in crashes with

little vehicle front-end damage but that produce a

severe initial deceleration.

Knee Impact Bolsters

The Knee Impact Bolsters help protect the knees of the

driver and front passenger, and position the front

occupants for improved interaction with the front air

bags.

Because air bag sensors measure vehicle deceleration

over time, vehicle speed and damage by themselves are

not good indicators of whether or not an air bag should

have deployed.

WARNING!

• Do not drill, cut, or tamper with the knee impact

bolsters in any way.

• Do not mount any accessories to the knee impact

bolsters such as alarm lights, stereos, citizen band

radios, etc.

Seat belts are necessary for your protection in all

collisions, and also are needed to help keep you in

position, away from an inflating air bag.

When the ORC detects a collision requiring the front air

bags, it signals the inflator units. A large quantity of

non-toxic gas is generated to inflate the front air bags.

Supplemental Driver Knee Air Bag

This vehicle is equipped with a Supplemental Driver

Knee Air Bag mounted in the instrument panel below

the steering column. The Supplemental Driver Knee Air

Bag provides enhanced protection during a frontal

impact by working together with the seat belts, preten-

sioners, and front air bags.

The steering wheel hub trim cover and the upper right

side of the instrument panel separate and fold out of the

way as the air bags inflate to their full size. The front air

bags fully inflate in less time than it takes to blink your

eyes. The front air bags then quickly deflate while

helping to restrain the driver and front passenger.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 37

Supplemental Side Air Bags

When the SAB deploys, it opens the seam on the

outboard side of the seatback’s trim cover. The inflating

SAB deploys through the seat seam into the space

between the occupant and the door. The SAB moves at

a very high speed and with such a high force that it

could injure occupants if they are not seated properly,

or if items are positioned in the area where the SAB

inflates. Children are at an even greater risk of injury

from a deploying air bag.

Your vehicle is equipped with two types of supplemen-

tal Side Air Bags:

2

1. Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bags (SABs):

Located in the outboard side of the front seats. The

SABs are marked with a “SRS AIRBAG” or “AIR-

BAG” label sewn into the outboard side of the

seats.

WARNING!

Do not use accessory seat covers or place objects

between you and the Side Air Bags; the perfor-

mance could be adversely affected and/or objects

could be pushed into you, causing serious injury.

2. Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtains

(SABICs): Located above the side windows. The

trim covering the SABICs is labeled “SRS AIR-

BAG” or “AIRBAG.”

Supplemental Seat-Mounted Side Air Bag Label

The SABs may help to reduce the risk of occupant injury

during certain side impacts, in addition to the injury

reduction potential provided by the seat belts and body

structure.

38 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

inflate. Children are at an even greater risk of injury

from a deploying air bag.

WARNING!

• Do not stack luggage or other cargo up high

enough to block the deployment of the SABICs.

The trim covering above the side windows where

the SABIC and its deployment path are located

should remain free from any obstructions.

• In order for the SABICs to work as intended, do

not install any accessory items in your vehicle

which could alter the roof. Do not add an after-

market sunroof to your vehicle. Do not add roof

racks that require permanent attachments (bolts

or screws) for installation on the vehicle roof. Do

not drill into the roof of the vehicle for any

reason.

Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtain (SABIC)

Label Location

SABICs may help reduce the risk of head and other

injuries to front and rear seat outboard occupants in

certain side impacts, in addition to the injury reduction

potential provided by the seat belts and body structure.

The SABIC deploys downward, covering the side win-

dows. An inflating SABIC pushes the outside edge of

the headliner out of the way and covers the window.

The SABICs inflate with enough force to injure occu-

pants if they are not belted and seated properly, or if

items are positioned in the area where the SABICs

The SABICs and SABs (Side Air Bags) are designed to

activate in certain side impacts. The Occupant Restraint

Controller (ORC) determines whether the deployment

of the Side Air Bags in a particular impact event is

appropriate, based on the severity and type of collision.

The side impact sensors aid the ORC in determining the

appropriate response to impact events. The system is

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 39

calibrated to deploy the Side Air Bags on the impact

side of the vehicle during impacts that require Side Air

Bag occupant protection. In side impacts, the Side Air

Bags deploy independently; a left side impact deploys

the left Side Air Bags only and a right-side impact

deploys the right Side Air Bags only. Vehicle damage by

itself is not a good indicator of whether or not Side Air

Bags should have deployed.

WARNING! (Continued)

children, should never lean on or sleep against

the door, side windows, or area where the side air

bags inflate, even if they are in an infant or child

restraint.

• Seat belts (and child restraints where appropriate)

are necessary for your protection in all collisions.

They also help keep you in position, away from

an inflating Side Air Bag. To get the best protec-

tion from the Side Air Bags, occupants must wear

their seat belts properly and sit upright with their

backs against the seats. Children must be prop-

erly restrained in a child restraint or booster seat

that is appropriate for the size of the child.

2

The Side Air Bags will not deploy in all side collisions,

including some collisions at certain angles, or some side

collisions that do not impact the area of the passenger

compartment. The Side Air Bags may deploy during

angled or offset frontal collisions where the front air

bags deploy.

Side Air Bags are a supplement to the seat belt restraint

system. Side Air Bags deploy in less time than it takes to

blink your eyes.

WARNING!

• Side Air Bags need room to inflate. Do not lean

against the door or window. Sit upright in the

center of the seat.

WARNING!

• Occupants, including children, who are up

against or very close to Side Air Bags can be

seriously injured or killed. Occupants, including

• Being too close to the Side Air Bags during

deployment could cause you to be severely in-

jured or killed.

(Continued)

40 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

• Instrument Panel

WARNING! (Continued)

• Knee Impact Bolsters

• Relying on the Side Air Bags alone could lead to

more severe injuries in a collision. The Side Air

Bags work with your seat belt to restrain you

properly. In some collisions, Side Air Bags won’t

deploy at all. Always wear your seat belt even

though you have Side Air Bags.

• Driver and Front Passenger Air Bags

• Supplemental Side Air Bags

• Supplemental Knee Air Bags

• Front and Side Impact Sensors

• Seat Belt Pretensioners

NOTE: Air bag covers may not be obvious in the

interior trim, but they will open during air bag deploy-

ment.

• Seat Track Position Sensors

• Seat Belt Buckle Switch

The SABICs may help reduce the risk of partial or

complete ejection of vehicle occupants through side

windows in certain side impact events.

If A Deployment Occurs

The front air bags are designed to deflate immediately

after deployment.

The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) monitors the

internal circuits and interconnecting wiring associated

with electrical Air Bag System Components listed be-

low:

NOTE: Front and/or side air bags will not deploy in all

collisions. This does not mean something is wrong with

the air bag system.

Air Bag System Components

• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)

• Air Bag Warning Light

If you do have a collision which deploys the air bags,

any or all of the following may occur:

• The air bag material may sometimes cause abrasions

and/or skin reddening to the occupants as the air

bags deploy and unfold. The abrasions are similar to

• Steering Wheel and Column

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 41

friction rope burns or those you might get sliding

along a carpet or gymnasium floor. They are not

caused by contact with chemicals. They are not

permanent and normally heal quickly. However, if

you haven’t healed significantly within a few days,

or if you have any blistering, see your doctor imme-

diately.

WARNING!

Deployed air bags and seat belt pretensioners can-

not protect you in another collision. Have the air

bags, seat belt pretensioners, and the seat belt

retractor assemblies replaced by an authorized

dealer immediately. Also, have the Occupant Re-

straint Controller System serviced as well.

2

• As the air bags deflate, you may see some smoke-like

particles. The particles are a normal by-product of the

process that generates the non-toxic gas used for air

bag inflation. These airborne particles may irritate

the skin, eyes, nose, or throat. If you have skin or eye

irritation, rinse the area with cool water. For nose or

throat irritation, move to fresh air. If the irritation

continues, see your doctor. If these particles settle on

your clothing, follow the garment manufacturer’s

instructions for cleaning.

NOTE:

• Air bag covers may not be obvious in the interior

trim, but they will open during air bag deployment.

• After any collision, the vehicle should be taken to an

authorized dealer immediately.

Enhanced Accident Response System

In the event of an impact, if the communication net-

work remains intact, and the power remains intact,

depending on the nature of the event, the ORC will

determine whether to have the Enhanced Accident

Response System perform the following functions:

Do not drive your vehicle after the air bags have

deployed. If you are involved in another collision, the

air bags will not be in place to protect you.

• Cut off fuel to the engine.

42 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

• Flash hazard lights as long as the battery has power

or until the hazard light button is pressed. The

hazard lights can be deactivated by pressing the

hazard light button.

move your vehicle to the side of the road, you must

follow the system reset procedure.

Customer Action

Customer Will See

• Turn on the interior lights, which remain on as long

as the battery has power or for 15 minutes from the

intervention of the Enhanced Accident Response

System.

NOTE: Each step MUST BE held for at least two

seconds

1. Turn ignition STOP/

OFF/LOCK. (Turn Sig-

nal Must be placed in

Neutral State).

• Unlock the power door locks.

Enhanced Accident Response System Reset

Procedure

2. Turn ignition MAR/

ACC/ON/RUN.

Right turn light BLINKS.

Left turn light is OFF.

After the event occurs, when the system is active, a

message regarding fuel cutoff is displayed. Turn the

ignition switch from ignition AVV/START or MAR/

ACC/ON/RUN to ignition STOP/OFF/LOCK. Care-

fully check the vehicle for fuel leaks in the engine

compartment and on the ground near the engine com-

partment and fuel tank before resetting the system and

starting the engine.

3. Turn right turn signal

switch ON.

Right turn light is

ON SOLID.

Left turn light BLINKS.

4. Place turn signal in

neutral state.

Right turn light is OFF.

Left turn light BLINKS.

5. Turn left turn signal

switch ON.

Right turn light BLINKS.

Left turn light is

ON SOLID.

Depending on the nature of the event the left and right

turn signal lights, located in the instrument panel, may

both be blinking and will continue to blink. In order to

6. Place turn signal in

neutral state.

Right turn light BLINKS.

Left turn light is OFF.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 43

Customer Action

Customer Will See

Customer Action

Customer Will See

NOTE: Each step MUST BE held for at least two

seconds

NOTE: Each step MUST BE held for at least two

seconds

2

7. Turn right turn signal

switch ON.

Right turn light is

ON SOLID.

Left turn light BLINKS.

12. Turn ignition MAR/

ACC/ON/RUN. (Entire

sequence needs to be

completed within one

minute or sequence will

need to be repeated).

System is now reset and

the engine may be

started.

8. Place turn signal in

neutral state.

Right turn light is OFF.

Left turn light BLINKS.

9. Turn left turn signal

switch ON.

Right turn light is

ON SOLID.

Left turn light is

ON SOLID.

Turn hazard flashers

OFF (Manually).

If a reset procedure step is not completed within

60 seconds, then the turn signal lights will blink and the

reset procedure must be performed again in order to be

successful.

10. Turn left turn signal

switch OFF. (Turn Signal Left turn light is OFF.

Switch Must be placed

Right turn light is OFF.

in Neutral State).

11. Turn ignition STOP/

OFF/LOCK.

44 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Maintaining Your Air Bag System

WARNING! (Continued)

be serviced in any way (including removal or

loosening/tightening of seat attachment bolts),

take the vehicle to your authorized dealer. Only

manufacturer approved seat accessories may be

used. If it is necessary to modify the air bag

system for persons with disabilities, contact your

authorized dealer.

WARNING!

• Modifications to any part of the air bag system

could cause it to fail when you need it. You could

be injured if the air bag system is not there to

protect you. Do not modify the components or

wiring, including adding any kind of badges or

stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or

the upper right side of the instrument panel. Do

not modify the front bumper, vehicle body struc-

ture, or add aftermarket side steps or running

boards.

• It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the air

bag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who

works on your vehicle that it has an air bag

system.

• Do not attempt to modify any part of your air bag

system. The air bag may inflate accidentally or

may not function properly if modifications are

made. Take your vehicle to an authorized dealer

for any air bag system service. If your seat,

including your trim cover and cushion, needs to

Event Data Recorder (EDR)

This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder

(EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in

certain crash or near crash-like situations, such as an air

bag deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that will

assist in understanding how a vehicle’s systems per-

formed. The EDR is designed to record data related to

vehicle dynamics and safety systems for a short period

of time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this

vehicle is designed to record such data as:

• How various systems in your vehicle were operating;

• Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts

were buckled/fastened;

(Continued)

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 45

• How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the

Child Restraints

accelerator and/or brake pedal; and,

Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up at all

times, including babies and children. Every state in the

United States, and every Canadian province, requires

that small children ride in proper restraint systems. This

is the law, and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.

• How fast the vehicle was traveling.

2

• These data can help provide a better understanding

of the circumstances in which crashes and injuries

occur.

Children 12 years or younger should ride properly

buckled up in a rear seat, if available. According to

crash statistics, children are safer when properly re-

strained in the rear seats rather than in the front.

NOTE: EDR data are recorded by your vehicle only if a

non-trivial crash situation occurs; no data are recorded

by the EDR under normal driving conditions and no

personal data (e.g., name, gender, age, and crash loca-

tion) are recorded. However, other parties, such as law

enforcement, could combine the EDR data with the type

of personally identifying data routinely acquired dur-

ing a crash investigation.

WARNING!

In a collision, an unrestrained child can become a

projectile inside the vehicle. The force required to

hold even an infant on your lap could become so

great that you could not hold the child, no matter

how strong you are. The child and others could be

badly injured. Any child riding in your vehicle

should be in a proper restraint for the child’s size.

To read data recorded by an EDR, special equipment is

required, and access to the vehicle or the EDR is needed.

In addition to the vehicle manufacturer, other parties,

such as law enforcement, that have the special equip-

ment, can read the information if they have access to the

vehicle or the EDR.

There are different sizes and types of restraints for

children from newborn size to the child almost large

enough for an adult safety belt. Always check the child

seat Owner’s Manual to make sure you have the correct

46 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

seat for your child. Carefully read and follow all the

instructions and warnings in the child restraint Own-

er’s Manual and on all the labels attached to the child

restraint.

NOTE:

• For

additional

information,

refer

or

to

call:

www.safercar.gov/parents/index.htm

1–888–327–4236

Before buying any restraint system, make sure that it

has a label certifying that it meets all applicable Safety

Standards. You should also make sure that you can

install it in the vehicle where you will use it.

• Canadian residents should refer to Transport

Canada’s website for additional information: http://

www.tc.gc.ca/eng/motorvehiclesafety/safedrivers-

childsafety-index-53.htm

Summary Of Recommendations For Restraining Children In Vehicles

Recommended Type Of Child

Restraint

Child Size, Height, Weight Or Age

Infants and Toddlers

Small Children

Children who are two years old or

younger and who have not reached

the height or weight limits of their

child restraint

Either an Infant Carrier or a Convert-

ible Child Restraint, facing rearward

in the rear seat of the vehicle

Children who are at least two years

old or who have out-grown the

height or weight limit of their rear-

facing child restraint

Forward-Facing Child Restraint with

a five-point Harness, facing forward

in the rear seat of the vehicle

Larger Children

Children who have out-grown their

forward-facing child restraint, but are

too small to properly fit the vehicle’s

seat belt

Belt Positioning Booster Seat and the

vehicle seat belt, seated in the rear

seat of the vehicle

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 47

Recommended Type Of Child

Child Size, Height, Weight Or Age

Restraint

2

Children Too Large for Child

Restraints

Children 12 years old or younger,

who have out-grown the height or

weight limit of their booster seat

Vehicle Seat Belt, seated in the rear

seat of the vehicle

Infant And Child Restraints

highest weight or height allowed by their convertible

child seat.

Safety experts recommend that children ride rear-facing

in the vehicle until they are two years old or until they

reach either the height or weight limit of their rear-

facing child restraint. Two types of child restraints can

be used rear-facing: infant carriers and convertible child

seats.

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.

The infant carrier is only used rear-facing in the vehicle.

It is recommended for children from birth until they

reach the weight or height limit of the infant carrier.

Convertible child seats can be used either rear-facing or

forward-facing in the vehicle. Convertible child seats

often have a higher weight limit in the rear-facing

direction than infant carriers do, so they can be used

rear-facing by children who have outgrown their infant

carrier but are still less than at least two years old.

Children should remain rear-facing until they reach the

• Only use a rear-facing child restraint in a vehicle

with a rear seat.

Older Children And Child Restraints

Children who are two years old or who have outgrown

their rear-facing convertible child seat can ride forward-

facing in the vehicle. Forward-facing child seats and

convertible child seats used in the forward-facing direc-

tion are for children who are over two years old or who

have outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit of

48 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

their rear-facing convertible child seat. Children should

remain in a forward-facing child seat with a harness for

as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height

allowed by the child seat.

WARNING! (Continued)

because it can loosen the child restraint attach-

ments. Remove the child restraint before adjust-

ing the vehicle seat position. When the vehicle

seat has been adjusted, reinstall the child re-

straint.

• When your child restraint is not in use, secure it

in the vehicle with a seat belt or LATCH anchor-

ages, or remove it from the vehicle. Do not leave

it loose in the vehicle. In a sudden stop or

accident, it could strike the occupants or seat-

backs and cause serious personal injury.

All children whose weight or height is above the

forward-facing limit for the child seat should use a

belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle’s seat

belts fit properly. If the child cannot sit with knees bent

over the vehicle’s seat cushion while the child’s back is

against the seatback, they should use a belt-positioning

booster seat. The child and belt-positioning booster seat

are held in the vehicle by the seat belt.

Children Too Large For Booster Seats

WARNING!

Children who are large enough to wear the shoulder

belt comfortably, and whose legs are long enough to

bend over the front of the seat when their back is

against the seatback, should use the seat belt in a rear

seat. Use this simple 5-step test to decide whether the

child can use the vehicle’s seat belt alone:

• Improper installation can lead to failure of an

infant or child restraint. It could come loose in a

collision. The child could be badly injured or

killed. Follow the child restraint manufacturer’s

directions exactly when installing an infant or

child restraint.

• After a child restraint is installed in the vehicle,

do not move the vehicle seat forward or rearward

1. Can the child sit all the way back against the back of

the vehicle seat?

(Continued)

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 49

2. Do the child’s knees bend comfortably over the front

of the vehicle seat – while they are still sitting all the

way back?

belt out of position. If the shoulder belt contacts the face

or neck, move the child closer to the center of the

vehicle, or use a booster seat to position the seat belt on

the child correctly.

2

3. Does the shoulder belt cross the child’s shoulder

between their neck and arm?

WARNING!

4. Is the lap part of the belt as low as possible, touching

the child’s thighs and not their stomach?

Never allow a child to put the shoulder belt under

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

belt will not protect a child properly, which may

result in serious injury or death. A child must

always wear both the lap and shoulder portions of

the seat belt correctly.

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

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

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

If the child is using the lap/shoulder belt, check seat

belt fit periodically and make sure the seat belt buckle is

latched. A child’s squirming or slouching can move the

50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Recommendations For Attaching Child Restraints

Restraint Type

Combined

Weight of the

Child + Child

Restraint

Use Any Attachment Method Shown With An “X” Below

LATCH –

Lower Anchors

Only

Seat Belt Only

LATCH –

Lower Anchors

+ Top Tether

Anchor

Seat Belt + Top

Tether Anchor

Rear-Facing

Child Restraint

Up to 65 lbs

(29.5 kg)

X

Rear-Facing

More than

Child Restraint

65 lbs (29.5 kg)

Forward-Facing

Child Restraint

Up to 65 lbs

(29.5 kg)

X

Forward-Facing

Child Restraint

More than

65 lbs (29.5 kg)

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 51

Lower Anchors And Tethers For CHildren

(LATCH) Restraint System

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.

2

LATCH Positions For Installing Child Restraints

In This Vehicle

LATCH Label

Your vehicle is equipped with the child restraint an-

chorage 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 seating position. These anchorages are used

to install 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

LATCH Positions For Installing Child Restraints In

This Vehicle

•

Lower Anchorage Symbol (2 Anchorages Per

Seating Position)

Top Tether Anchorage Symbol

52 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Frequently Asked Questions About Installing Child Restraints With LATCH

What is the weight limit (child’s

weight + weight of the child re-

straint) for using the LATCH an-

chorage 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?

No

Do not use the seat belt when you

use the LATCH anchorage system

to attach a rear-facing or forward-

facing child restraint.

Can two child restraints be at-

tached using 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 anchor-

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 position.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53

Can the rear-facing child restraint

touch the back of the front passen-

ger seat?

Yes

The child seat may touch the back

of the front passenger seat if the

child restraint manufacturer also

allows contact. See your child re-

straint owner’s manual for more

information.

2

Can the head restraints be

removed?

Yes, all may be removed.

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

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.

LATCH Anchorages

54 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Locating The Upper Tether Anchorages

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.

There are tether strap anchorages behind each

rear seating position located on the back of

the seat.

Center Seat LATCH

WARNING!

This vehicle does not have a center seating position.

Do not use the center lower LATCH anchorages to

install a child seat in the center of the back seat.

Always follow the directions of the child restraint

manufacturer when installing your child restraint. Not

all child restraint systems will be installed as described

here.

Rear Seat Tether Strap Mounting

LATCH-compatible child restraint systems will be

equipped with a rigid bar or a flexible strap on each

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 55

To Install A LATCH-Compatible Child Restraint

3. Attach the lower hooks or connectors of the child

restraint to the lower anchorages in the selected

seating position.

If the selected seating position has a Switchable Auto-

matic 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.

2

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 directions to attach a tether anchor.

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

anchorages.

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 manufacturer’s instructions.

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 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.

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.

56 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

How To Stow An Unused Switchable-ALR (ALR)

Seat Belt

WARNING! (Continued)

directions exactly when installing an infant or

child restraint.

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 restraint, route the seat belt

through the child restraint belt 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.

• Child restraint anchorages are designed to with-

stand 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

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.

• Follow the child restraint manufacturer’s direc-

tions exactly when installing an infant or child

restraint.

• Improper installation of a child restraint to the

LATCH anchorages can lead to failure of the

restraint. The child could be badly injured or

killed. Follow the child restraint manufacturer’s

(Continued)

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 57

The seat belts in the passenger seating positions are

equipped with a Switchable Automatic Locking Retrac-

tor (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 web-

bing 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.

Lap/Shoulder Belt Systems For Installing Child

Restraints In This Vehicle

2

Please see the table below and the following sections for

more information.

Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) Locations

• ALR = Switchable Automatic Locking Retractor

•

= Top Tether Anchorage Symbol

58 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Frequently Asked Questions About Installing Child Restraints With Seat Belts

What is the weight limit (child’s

weight + weight of the child re-

straint) for using the Tether Anchor

with the seat belt to attach a for-

ward facing child restraint?

Weight limit of the Child Restraint Always use the tether anchor when

using the seat belt to install a for-

ward facing child restraint, up to

the recommended weight limit of

the child restraint.

Can the rear-facing child restraint

touch the back of the front passen-

ger seat?

Yes

Contact between the front passen-

ger seat and the child restraint is

allowed, if the child restraint

manufacturer also allows contact.

Can the head restraints be re-

moved?

Yes

No

Yes, all may 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 position with an ALR re-

tractor.

Installing A Child Restraint With A Switchable

Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR):

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 direc-

tions exactly when installing an infant or child

restraint.

Child restraint systems are designed to be secured in

vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap belt portion of a

lap/shoulder belt.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 59

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 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.

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.

2

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 Re-

straints Using the Top Tether Anchorage” for direc-

tions to attach a tether anchor.

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.”

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.

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 web-

bing 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.

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

belt occasionally, and pull it tight if necessary.

60 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Installing Child Restraints Using The Top Tether

Anchorage

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.

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.

2. 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 pos-

sible, 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.

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

the top tether anchorage as shown in the diagram.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 61

WARNING! (Continued)

• 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.

2

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.

Rear Seat Tether Strap Mounting

Pets should be restrained in the rear seat in pet har-

nesses or pet carriers that are secured by seat belts.

4. Remove slack in the tether strap according to the

child restraint manufacturer’s instructions.

ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS

WARNING!

A long break-in period is not required for the engine

and drivetrain (transmission and axle) in your vehicle.

• An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to

increased head motion and possible injury to the

child. Use only the anchorage position directly

behind the child seat to secure a child restraint

top tether strap.

Drive moderately during the first 300 miles (500 km).

After the initial 60 miles (100 km), speeds up to 50 or

55 mph (80 or 90 km/h) are desirable.

While cruising, brief full-throttle acceleration within the

limits of local traffic laws contributes to a good break-in.

Wide-open throttle acceleration in low gear can be

detrimental and should be avoided.

(Continued)

Things To Know Before Starting Your Vehicle -> Occupant Restraint Systems for Your Fiat 500 SUV First Generation (2007-2019)

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