Dodge Stratus Coupe (2005 year). Instruction

SEAT BELTS

Seat belts are installed in your vehicle for the protection
of the driver and passengers.
Always use the seat belts. In an accident, injury to the
driver and passengers may be reduced if the seat belts are
properly used.

NOTE

: Legislation in your state may require seat belt

usage; however, even if it is not required seat belts should
always be used.

WARNING!

• Lock all doors before driving to reduce the risk of

injury or ejection in a collision.

• Seat belts should always be worn by every adult who

drives or rides in this vehicle, and by all children
who are large enough to wear seat belts properly.

• Never use one seat belt for more than one occupant.
• Never carry more people in the vehicle than there

are seat belts.

• Always adjust the belt for a snug fit.
• Always route the shoulder belt over your shoulder

and across your chest. Never put it behind you or
under your arm.

• Always wear the lap belt as low as possible across

your hips, not around your waist.

• To reduce the risk of serious or fatal injury in a

collision, including from a deploying driver air
bag, the driver should adjust the driver’s seat to
the rear most position that still allows good vis-
ibility and good control of the steering wheel, the
brake, accelerator, and vehicle controls.

SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

WARNING!

• To reduce the risk of severe or fatal injury from a

deploying passenger air bag, make sure the pas-
senger is also properly wearing their seat belt,
remains sitting well back and upright in their seat
and the seat is moved as far back as possible.
Refer to “Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) -
air bag” on page 89.

• Never hold an infant or child in your arms or on

your lap when riding in a vehicle even if you are
wearing your seat belt. Also never place any part
of the seat belt you are wearing around an infant
or child. To do so risks severe or fatal injury to
your child in a collision or sudden stop.

• All children 12 years old and under should always

ride in the rear seat, properly restrained, in order
to reduce risk of serious or fatal injury in a
collision, including from the deployment of a
front passenger air bag. Refer to “Child restraints”
on page 76.

WARNING!

• Any child who is too small to properly wear a seat

belt must be properly restrained in an appropriate
child restraint system. To reduce the risk of severe
or fatal injury in a collision, including from the
deployment of a front passenger air bag, children
should be seated only in the rear seat. Infants
must be in a rear-facing child safety seat and be
seated only in the rear seat.

UNIBELT restraint system

All seats are equipped with a UNIBELT system which
uses a single combined lap-and-shoulder belt with an
emergency locking retractor.
This system is designed to provide comfort and safety by
permitting full extension and automatic retraction of the
belts during normal vehicle operation. A sensing device
inside the belt retractor is designed to lock the retractor in
the event of an abrupt change in vehicle motion.

NOTE

: For instruction on how to install a child restraint

system, see “Installing a child restraint system with a
UNIBELT” on page 82.

SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

UNIBELT instructions

1. Get in the vehicle and sit in a normal correct posture.
To reduce the risk of severe or fatal injury caused by an
inflating air bag, adjust the driver’s seat to the rear most
position that still allows you to fully apply the pedals,
easily control the steering wheel and safely operate the
vehicle. The front passenger should also adjust their seat
as far back as possible. Refer to “Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS) - air bag” on page 89.

All vehicle occupant’s should sit and remain seated all
the way back in their seat with their back resting straight
against the upright seat back.

WARNING!

To minimize the risk of personal injury in the event
of a collision or sudden stop, both the driver and
passenger seatbacks should always be in a nearly
upright position while the vehicle is in motion.
The protection provided by the seat belts may be
reduced significantly when the seatback is reclined.
There is greater risk that the driver or the passenger
will slide under the belt and be seriously injured
when the seatback is reclined.

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SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

2. Grasp the metal tongue and slide it up the webbing so
that it becomes easy to pull across your body.
After a couple of tries this will become an automatic
one-handed motion.

3. Pull the seat belt out slowly while holding the metal
tongue. This system will not lock up if you stop or
hesitate, so relax and continue to “buckle-up”.
Push the metal tongue into the buckle until a “click” is
heard. Pull up on the belt to confirm the metal tongue is
locked securely in the buckle.

NOTE

: If the seat belt is pulled to its full extension, it can

enter the ALR mode and lock in position. If this occurs,
allow the belt to fully retract and then repeat step 3.

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SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

4. Pull up on the shoulder portion of the belt to ensure
that there is no slack in the lap belt. The belt will retain
the small amount of slack necessary for comfort when
you return to your normal seating position. If the belt is
still too tight, pull out 6 to 8 inches of webbing, release
the belt, and let it return to your chest.

NOTE

: If a person wearing the seat belt moves their

upper body or the belt completely unwinds, the retractor
may switch to its Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)
child restraint installation mode and lock (see page 82),
thus preventing further movement. If this happens, the
person should switch the retractor back to its Emergency
Locking Retractor (ELR) mode by unlatching the buckle
and letting the belt fully retract. The person should then
put the seat belt back on repeating steps 1 through 4.

WARNING!

• Be sure the lap belt portion fits snugly and as low

as possible across the hips, not around the waist.
Failure to do so may increase the chance or sever-
ity of injury in the event of a collision.

• Wear the seat belt without twisting it.

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SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

5. The shoulder belt portion will allow regular move-
ment under normal conditions. The belt will lock in the
event of an abrupt change in vehicle motion.

6. To release the belt, push the button on the buckle. The
belt retracts automatically, so hold the tongue when the
belt is released and while it retracts. Should the belt not
fully return to its stowed position, pull the shoulder belt
down slightly and release quickly.

Adjustable seat belt shoulder anchor (front seats)

The seat belt shoulder anchor height can be adjusted for
greater comfort.
To move the anchor down, depress the lock knob (A). To
move the anchor up, simply slide the anchor up to the
desired position (there is no need to depress the lock
knob).

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SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

WARNING!

To reduce risk of serious injury in a collision, adjust
the anchor at a position so that the belt passes over
your shoulder, but does not touch your neck.
Always adjust the anchor when vehicle is not in
motion.
Make sure the anchor is securely latched after ad-
justment.

Enhanced Driver Seat Belt Use Reminder System
(BeltAlert™)

If the driver’s seat belt has not been buckled within 60
seconds of starting the vehicle and if the vehicle speed is
greater than 5 mph (8 km/h), the Enhanced Warning
System (BeltAlert™) will alert the driver to buckle their
seat belt. The driver should also instruct all other occu-
pants to buckle their seat belts. Once the warning is
triggered, the Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlert™)
will continue to chime and flash the Seat Belt Warning
Light for 96 seconds or until the driver’s seat belt is
buckled.

The Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlert™) will be
reactivated if the driver’s seat belt is unbuckled for more
than 10 seconds and the vehicle speed is greater than 5
mph (8 km/h).

The Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlert™) can be en-
abled or disabled by your authorized dealer or by
following these steps:

NOTE

The following steps must occur within the first 60
seconds of the ignition switch being turned to the ON
or START position. The manufacturer does not recom-
mend deactivating the Enhanced Warning System
(BeltAlert™).

•

Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position, and

buckle the driver’s seat belt.

•

Turn the ignition key to the ACCESSORY/RUN

position (engine does not need to be running), and
wait for the Seat Belt Warning Light to turn off.

•

Within 60 seconds of starting the vehicle, unbuckle

and then re-buckle the driver’s seat belt at least three
times within 10 seconds, ending with the seat belt
buckled.

SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

•

Turn the ignition key to the OFF position. A single

chime will sound to signify that you have successfully
completed the programming.

The Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlert™) can be reac-
tivated by repeating this procedure.

NOTE

: Although

the

Enhanced

Warning

System

(BeltAlert™) has been deactivated, the Seat Belt Warning
Light will continue to illuminate while the driver’s seat
belt remains unfastened.

Seat belt extender

If the seat belt is too short, even when fully extended, a
seat belt extender is available from your dealer. The
extender may be used for either front seating positions.

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SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

WARNING!

• The extender should only be used if the existing

belt is not long enough.
Persons who can use the standard seat belt should
not use an extender. Unnecessary use could result
in serious personal injury in the event of a colli-
sion.

• When not required, the extender must be removed

and stowed because the use of the extender when
not required may deactivate the seat belt locking
mechanism.

CHILD RESTRAINTS

When transporting infants or small children in your
vehicle, an appropriate child restraint system should
always be used. This is required by law in most states.
Child restraints specifically designed for infants and
small children are offered by several manufacturers. Only
choose a child restraint system with a label certifying it
complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
213.

The child restraint system should be appropriate for your
child’s weight and height and properly fit the vehicle’s
seat.

All children should be restrained in a restraint device that
offers the maximum protection for their size and age.

•

Children less than 1 year and less than 20 pounds must
ride in a rear-facing child safety seat only in the rear
seat.

•

Children older than 1 year who weigh less than 40
pounds or are less than 40 inches tall should be in a
forward-facing restraint in the rear seat.

•

Children who weigh more than 40 pounds or are more
than 40 inches tall - regardless of age - should use a
booster seat in the rear seat until the lap/shoulder belt
fits properly.

SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

WARNING!

• All children 12 years old and under should be

seated in the rear seat, and properly restrained.
Accident statistics indicate that children of all
sizes and ages are safer when properly restrained
in the rear seat rather than in the front seat.

• Any child who is too large to use a child restraint

should ride in the rear seat and wear the lap and
shoulder belt properly. The shoulder belt should
be over the shoulder and across the chest, not
across the neck, and the lap belt should be low on
the child’s hips, not across the stomach. If neces-
sary, a booster seat should be used for proper seat
belt fit; follow the booster seat manufacturer’s
instructions. Only use a booster seat that certifies
it complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards.

WARNING!

Never hold an infant or child in your arms or on your
lap when riding in a vehicle, even if you are wearing
your seat belt. Also never place any part of your seat
belt around an infant or child. To do so risks severe
or fatal injury to the child in a collision or sudden
stop.

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SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

WARNING!

Your vehicle is also equipped with a front passenger
air bag. REAR-FACING CHILD RESTRAINTS or
INFANT RESTRAINTS must NOT be used in the
front passenger seat as it places an infant too close to
the passenger air bag. The force of an inflating air
bag could kill or cause serious injuries to the child.
Rear-facing child restraints or infant restraints must
only be used in the rear seat.

WARNING!

FRONT-FACING CHILD RESTRAINTS should al-
ways be used in the rear seat whenever possible; if
one must be used in the front passenger seat, adjust
the seat as far back as possible and ensure that the
child stays in the child seat properly restrained.
Failure to do so could result in serious or fatal injury
to the child.

Air bag cover

SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

WARNING!

• It is important to use an approved rear facing

infant restraint until the infant is one year old to
allow the infant’s neck and spine to develop
enough to support the weight of their head in the
event of a collision.

• When installing a child restraint system, follow

the instructions provided by the manufacturer
and follow the directions in this instruction. Failure
to do so can result in severe or fatal injury to your
child in a collision or sudden stop.

• After installation, push and pull the child re-

straint system back and forth, and side to side, to
see that it is firmly secured. If the child restraint
system is not installed securely, it may cause
injury to the child or other occupants in the event
of a collision or sudden stop.

• When not in use, keep your child restraint system

secured with the seat belt or remove it from the
vehicle in order to prevent it from being thrown
inside the vehicle during an accident.

NOTE

: Before purchasing a child restraint system, try

installing it in the rear seat to ensure a good fit. Due to the
location of the seat belt buckles and the shape of the seat
cushion it may be difficult to securely install some child
restraint systems.
If the child restraint system can be pulled forward or to
either side easily on the seat cushion after the seat belt
has been tightened, choose another child restraint sys-
tem.

• Depending on the seating position in the vehicle and

the child restraint system that you have, the child
restraint can be attached using one of the following 2
methods:

• To the lower anchorage in the rear seat ONLY if the

child restraint is compatible with the LATCH Sys-
tem. (See page 80).

• To the UNIBELT (See page 82).

SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

Installing a child restraint system to the lower
anchorage (LATCH System)

Your vehicle’s rear seat is equipped with lower anchor-
ages for attaching a child restraint system that is compat-
ible with the LATCH System.

NOTE

• The marks on the seatback show the location of the

lower anchorage points.

Child restraint system that is compatible with the
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for Children)
system.

A: Rear-facing child restraint
B: Forward-facing child restraint
C: Child restraint system lower anchor connectors
D: Tether anchor strap
(These are only examples.)

SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

Installation

1. Open the gap a little between the seat cushion (A) and
the seatback (B) with your hand to locate the lower
anchorages (C).

2. Push the child restraint system’s lower anchor connec-
tors into the lower anchorages (C) in accordance with the
instructions provided by the child restraint system’s
manufacturer.

3. If your child restraint system requires the use of a top
tether strap, refer to ‘‘Tether anchors for child restraint
systems’’ on page 85.

4. Push and pull the child restraint system in all direc-
tions to be sure it is firmly secured.

NOTE

• For a child restraint system that is compatible with the

LATCH system, it is not necessary to secure the child
restraint system using the vehicle’s seat belt.

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SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

WARNING!

• If there is any foreign material in or around the

lower anchorage connectors, remove it before in-
stalling the child restraint system. Also, make sure
the seat belt is away from, not looped through or
otherwise interfering with the child restraint sys-
tem. If foreign matter is not removed and/or the
seat belt interferes with the child restraint system,
the child restraint system will not be secured
properly and could detach and move forward in
the event of sudden braking or a collision, seri-
ously injuring the child and possible other vehicle
occupants.

• When the vehicle is moving, do not adjust the seat

where the child restraint system is installed.

Installing a child restraint system to a UNIBELT
at the rear seat positions or the front passenger
seat (With emergency/automatic locking
mechanism)

The UNIBELT at the rear seat positions, and at the front
passenger seat, can be converted from normal Emergency
Locking retractor (ELR) mode, to Automatic Locking
Retractor (ALR) mode. It must be converted to the ALR
mode when installing a child restraint system.

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SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

Children 12 years old and under should be restrained in
the rear seat only, whenever possible, although the front
passenger seat belt can also be the converted to ALR
mode.

WARNING!

• Before placing an infant or child in a child re-

straint system, be absolutely certain you con-
verted the retractor from the ELR mode to the ALR
mode. The ALR mode will keep the child restraint
system tightly secured to the seat.

Failure to convert the retractor to the ALR mode
may allow the child restraint system to move
forward during sudden braking or in a collision,
seriously injuring the child or other occupants.

Installation:

1. Place the child restraint system in the rear seating
position as shown in the illustration.

2. Route the unibelt through the child restraint system
according to the child restraint system manufacturer’s
instructions. Then insert the unibelt latch plate into the
buckle. Make sure you hear a

9click9 when you insert the

latch plate into the buckle.

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SEATS, SEAT BELTS, CHILD RESTRAINTS AND AIR BAGS

Dodge Stratus Coupe (2005 year). Instruction - part 5