Dodge 5500 Chassis Cab (2008 year). Instruction

6. To release the belt, push the red button on the buckle.
The belt will automatically retract to its stowed position.
If necessary, slide the latch plate down the webbing to
allow the belt to retract fully.

WARNING!

A frayed or torn belt could rip apart in a collision and
leave you with no protection. Inspect the belt system
periodically, checking for cuts, frays, or loose parts.
Damaged parts must be replaced immediately. Do
not disassemble or modify the system. Seat belt
assemblies must be replaced after a collision if they
have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.) or if the airbag deployed.

Standard Cab Front Center Three Point Belt

1. The front center seat belt on the Standard Cab may be
disconnected to open up utilization of the storage areas
behind the front seats. The black latch plate can be
detached from the black keyed seat belt buckle located on
the inboard side of the passenger seat. Insert the vehicle
ignition key into the center white slot on the black buckle.
The black buckle latch plate can be removed when the
key is pressed into the buckle. Allow the retractor to take
up the surplus webbing, and the buckles will hang
vertically from the cab back exit bezel, thus freeing up all
the area behind the front seats.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

2. To reattach the seat belt to the front center seat, pull
the black buckle latch plate forward from the cab back
panel and insert it into the black keyed buckle until there
is an audible click. Refer to the previous section for the
proper seat belt usage.

WARNING!

• If the black latch and black buckle are not prop-

erly connected when the seat belt is used by an
occupant, the seat belt will not be able to provide
proper restraint and will increase the risk of injury
in a collision.

• When reattaching the black latch and black

buckle, ensure the seat belt webbing is not
twisted. If the webbing is twisted, follow the
preceding procedure to detach the black latch and
black buckle, untwist the webbing, and reattach
the black latch and black buckle.

Detaching Buckle with Key

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!

If the black latch and buckle are not connected when
the seat belt is used by an occupant, the seat belt will
not restrain you properly.

Inserting Latch Plate

In Use Position

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Adjustable Upper Shoulder Belt Anchorage

In the front row outboard seats, the shoulder belt can be
adjusted upward or downward to help position the belt
away from your neck. Press the button located on the
upper belt guide, and then move it up or down to the
position that serves you best.

As a guide, if you are shorter than average, you will
prefer a lower position, and if you are taller than average,
you’ll prefer a higher position. When you release the
anchorage, try to move it up or down to make sure that
it is locked in position.

Automatic Locking Restraint (ALR) Mode – If
Equipped

In this mode, the shoulder belt is automatically pre-
locked. The belt will still retract to remove any slack in
the shoulder belt. The automatic locking mode is avail-
able on all passenger seating positions with a combina-
tion lap/shoulder belt.

When To Use The Automatic Locking Mode
Anytime a child safety seat is installed in a passenger
seating position. Children 12 years old and under should
be properly restrained in the rear seat whenever possible.

Adjusting Upper Shoulder Belt

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

How To Use The Automatic Locking Mode

1. Buckle the combination lap/shoulder belt.

2. Grasp the shoulder portion and pull downward until
the entire belt is extracted.

3. Allow the belt to retract. As the belt retracts, you will
hear a clicking sound. This indicates the safety belt is
now in the automatic locking mode.

How To Disengage The Automatic Locking Mode
Disconnect the combination lap/shoulder belt and allow
it to retract completely to disengage the automatic lock-
ing mode and activate the vehicle sensitive (emergency)
locking mode.

Center Lap Belts

The center seating position for the Quad Cab front seat
has a lap belt only. To fasten the lap belt, slide the latch
plate into the buckle until you hear a

9click.9 To lengthen

the lap belt, tilt the latch plate and pull. To remove slack,
pull the loose end of the webbing. Wear the lap belt snug
against the hips. Sit back and erect in the seat, then adjust
the belt as tightly as is comfortable.

WARNING!

• A lap belt worn too loose or too high is dangerous.
• A belt worn too loose can allow you to slip down

and under the belt in a collision.

• A belt that is too loose or too high will apply crash

forces to the abdomen, not to the stronger hip
bones. In either case, the risk of internal injuries is
greater. Wear a lap belt low and snug.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Seat Belt Pretensioners

The seat belts for both front seating positions are
equipped with pretensioning devices that are designed to
remove slack from the seat belt system in the event of a
collision. These devices improve the performance of the
seat belt by assuring that the belt is tight about the
occupant early in a collision. Pretensioners work for all
size occupants, including those in child restraints.

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 airbag control
module. Like the airbags, the pretensioners are single use
items. After a collision that is severe enough to deploy
the airbags and pretensioners, both must be replaced.

Enhanced Driver Seat Belt 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 occupants to
buckle their seat belts. If the driver unbuckles the seat
belt while the vehicle is in motion an immediate chime
will be heard and, 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 ignition is cycled,
driver’s seat belt is unbuckled for more than 10 seconds
and the vehicle speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h).

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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. DaimlerChrysler does not recom-
mend deactivating the Enhanced Warning System
(BeltAlert).

1. With all doors closed and the ignition switch in any
position except On or Start, buckle the driver’s seat belt.

2. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position and wait
for the Seat Belt Warning Light to turn off.

3. 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.

4. Turn off the engine. A single chime will sound to
signify that you have successfully completed the pro-
gramming.

The Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlert) can be reacti-
vated 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 unbuckled.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Seat Belts and Pregnant Women

We recommend that pregnant women use seat belts
throughout their pregnancies. Keeping the mother safe is
the best way to keep the baby safe.

Pregnant women should wear the lap part of the belt
across the thighs and as snug against the hips as possible.
Keep the belt low so that it does not come across the
abdomen. That way the strong bones of the hips will take
the force if there is a collision.

Seat Belt Extender

If a seat belt is too short, even when fully extended, your
dealer can provide you with a seat belt extender. This
extender should be used only if the existing belt is not
long enough. When it is not required, remove the ex-
tender and store it.

WARNING!

Using a seat belt extender when not needed can
increase the risk of injury in a collision. Only use the
seat belt extender when the lap belt is not long
enough when it is worn low and snug, and in the
recommended seating positions. Remove and store
the extender when not needed.

Driver And Right Front Passenger Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS)—Airbag

This vehicle may have front airbags for both the driver
and front passenger (if equipped) as a supplement to the
seat belt restraint systems. The driver’s front airbag is
mounted in the center of the steering wheel. The passen-
ger’s front airbag (if equipped) is mounted in the instru-
ment panel, above the glove compartment. The words
SRS AIRBAG are embossed on the airbag covers.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

These airbags are certified to the new Federal regulations
that allow less forceful deployments.

This vehicle may also be equipped without a passenger
side airbag. In this case the passenger side airbag will be
replaced with a storage bin.

WARNING!

• Do not put anything on or around the airbag

covers or attempt to instructionly open them. You may
damage the airbags and you could be injured
because the airbags are not there to protect you.
These protective covers for the airbag cushions are
designed to open only when the airbags are inflat-
ing.

• Do not mount any aftermarket equipment such as

trailer brake controllers, snowplow controllers,
auxiliary light switches, radios, etc. on or behind
the knee bolster. Knee bolsters are designed to
work with the air bag and seat belt to protect you.
Mounting any additional equipment on or behind
the knee bolster can cause injury during a crash.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Airbags inflate in moderate to high speed impacts. Along
with the seatbelts, front airbags work with the instrument
panel knee bolsters to provide improved protection for
the driver and front passenger.

The seat belts are designed to protect you in many types
of collisions. The front airbags deploy in moderate to
severe frontal collisions. In certain types of collisions, the
front airbags may be triggered. But even in collisions
where the airbags work, you need the seat belts to keep
you in the right position for the airbags to protect you
properly.

Here are some simple steps you can follow to minimize
the risk of harm from a deploying airbag.

• Children 12 years and under should ride buckled up in

a rear seat, if available.

• Infants in rear facing child restraints must NEVER

ride in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger front

airbag unless the airbag is turned off (Standard Cab
Vehicles Only). An airbag deployment can cause se-
vere injury or death to infants in that position. See the
Passenger Airbag On/Off Switch (If Equipped) sec-
tion.

• If your vehicle does not have a rear seat, see the

Passenger Airbag On/Off Switch (If Equipped) sec-
tion.

• Children that are not big enough to properly wear the

vehicle seat belt (see section on Child Restraints)
should be secured in the 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 the rear seat.
Never allow children to slide the shoulder belt behind
them or under their arm.

• All occupants should use their seat belts properly.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

• The driver and front passenger seats should be moved

back as far as practical to allow the airbag room to
inflate.

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 seri-
ous injury. Airbags need room to inflate. Sit back,
comfortably extending your arms to reach the
steering wheel or instrument panel.

Airbag System Components

The airbag system consists of the following:

• Airbag Control Module
• AIRBAG Readiness Light
• Driver Airbag
• Passenger Airbag (If Equipped)
• Steering Wheel and Column
• Instrument Panel
• Crash Sensor
• Interconnecting Wiring
• Knee Impact Bolsters
• Passenger Side Frontal Airbag ON/OFF Switch (Stan-

dard Cab Vehicles Only ) (If Equipped)

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

How The Airbag System Works

• The airbag control module determines if a frontal

collision is severe enough to require the airbags to
inflate.

• The airbag control module will not detect roll over, or

rear collisions.

• The airbag control module also monitors the readiness

of the electronic parts of the system whenever the
ignition switch is in the START or RUN positions.
These include all of the items listed above except the
knee bolsters, the instrument panel, and the steering
wheel and column. If the key is in the

9Off9 position, in

the ACC position or not in the ignition, the airbags are
not on and will not inflate

• The airbag control module also turns on the AIR BAG

light in the instrument panel for 6 to 8 seconds when
the ignition is first turned on, then turns the light off.

• If it detects a malfunction in any part of the

system, it turns on the light either momen-
tarily or continuously. The instrument clus-
ter will flash the seat belt indicator if it
detects a fault with the airbag indicator.

WARNING!

Ignoring the AIR BAG light in your instrument panel
could mean you won’t have the airbags to protect you
in a collision. If the light does not come on, stays on
after you start the vehicle, or if it comes on as you
drive, have the airbag system checked right away.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

• When the airbag control module detects a collision

requiring the airbags, it signals the inflator units. A
large quantity of nontoxic gas is generated to inflate
the airbags. The airbag covers separate and fold out of
the way as the airbags inflate to their full size. The
airbags fully inflate in milliseconds. This is less time
than it takes you to blink your eyes. The airbags then
quickly deflate while helping to restrain the driver and
front passenger (if equipped with passenger side air-
bag). The driver’s front airbag deflates through vents
towards the instrument panel. The passenger’s front
airbag (if equipped) is deflated through vent holes in
the sides of the airbag. In this way the airbags do not
interfere with your control of the vehicle.

• The knee impact bolsters help protect the knees and

position you for the best interaction with the front
airbag.

Passenger Airbag On/Off Switch – (Standard Cab
Vehicles Only) (If Equipped)

The passenger front airbag is to be turned off only if the
passenger:

• is an infant (less than 1 year old) who must ride in the

front seat because there is no rear seat, because the rear
seat is too small for a rear-facing infant restraint or

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

because the infant has a medical condition which
makes it necessary for the driver to be able to see the
infant,

• is a child, age 1 to 12 who must ride in the front seat

because there is no rear seat, because there is no rear
seat position available, or because the child has a
medical condition which makes it necessary for the
driver to be able to see the child,

• has a medical condition which makes passenger airbag

(if equipped) inflation (deployment) a greater risk for
the passenger than the risk of hitting the dashboard
(instrument panel) or windshield in a crash.

WARNING!

Whenever an airbag is turned off, even a lap/
shoulder belted passenger may hit their head, neck,
or chest on the dashboard (instrument panel) or
windshield in a crash. This may result in serious
injury or death.

To Shut Off the Passenger Airbag (Standard Cab Ve-
hicles Only) (If Equipped)

Place the ignition key in the Passenger Airbag On/Off
Switch (if equipped), push the key in and turn clockwise,
and remove the key from the switch. This will shut off the
passenger airbag (if equipped). The “Off” light near the
switch will illuminate when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

To Turn On the Passenger Airbag (Standard Cab Ve-
hicles Only) (If Equipped)

Place the ignition key in the Passenger Airbag On/Off
Switch (If Equipped), push the key in and turn counter-
clockwise, and remove the key from the switch. This will
turn on the passenger airbag (if equipped). The “Off”
light near the switch will be off when the ignition switch
is turned to the ON position.

If A Deployment Occurs
The airbag system is designed to deploy when the air bag
control module detects a moderate-to-severe frontal col-
lision, and then immediately to deflate.

NOTE:

A frontal collision that is not severe enough to

need airbag protection will not activate the system. This
does not mean something is wrong with the airbag
system.

If you do have a collision which deploys the airbags, any
or all of the following may occur:

• The nylon airbag material may sometimes cause abra-

sions and/or skin reddening to the driver and front
passenger as the airbags deploy and unfold. The
abrasions are similar to 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
immediately.

• As the airbags deflate you may see some smoke-like

particles. The particles are a normal by-product of the
process that generates the nontoxic gas used for airbag
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

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

irritation, move to fresh air. If the irritation continues,
see your doctor. If these particles settle on your
clothing, follow the garment manufacturer’s instruc-
tions for cleaning.

• It is not advisable to drive your vehicle after the

airbags have deployed. If you are involved in another
collision, the airbags will not be in place to protect you.

WARNING!

Deployed airbags can’t protect you in another colli-
sion. Have the airbags replaced by an authorized
dealer as soon as possible.

Enhanced Accident Response System
If the airbags deploy after an impact and the electrical
system remains functional, vehicles equipped with
power door locks will unlock automatically. In addition,
approximately 10 seconds after the vehicle has stopped
moving, the interior lights will light until the ignition
switch is turned off.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Dodge 5500 Chassis Cab (2008 year). Instruction - part 3