Dodge Dakota (2011 year). Instruction

5. Position the shoulder belt on your chest so that it is
comfortable and not resting on your neck. The retractor
will withdraw any slack in the belt.

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 an accident
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 an accident if they
have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.).

Adjustable Upper Shoulder Belt Anchorage
In the front and second row outboard seats, the shoulder
belt can be adjusted upward or downward to help
position the belt away from your neck. Press the release
button to release the anchorage, and then move it up or
down to the position that fits you best.

Adjustable Upper Shoulder Belt Anchorage

(Extended Cab)

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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

NOTE:

The adjustable upper shoulder belt anchorage is

equipped with an Easy Up feature. This feature allows
the shoulder belt anchorage to be adjusted in the upward
position without pushing the release button. To verify the
shoulder belt anchorage is latched, pull downward on
the shoulder belt anchorage until it is locked into
position.

Center Lap Belts
The front center seating position has a lap belt only. To
fasten the lap belt, slide the latch plate into the buckle
until you hear a “click.” 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.

Adjusting Upper Shoulder Belt

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.

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 in (15 to 30 cm) above the latch plate,
grasp and twist the belt webbing 180 degrees to create a
fold that begins immediately above the latch plate.

3. Slide the latch plate upward over the folded webbing.
The folded webbing must enter the slot at the top of the
latch plate.

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

Seat Belts In Passenger Seating Positions
The seat belts in the passenger seating positions are
equipped with a cinching latch plate which are used to
secure a child restraint system. For additional informa-
tion, refer to “Installing Child Restraints Using The
Vehicle Seat Belt” under the “Child Restraints” section.
The following chart defines the type of feature for each
seating position.

Left

Center

Right

First Row

Cinch – if

equipped

Cinch

Second Row

Cinch

Cinch – if

equipped

Cinch

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

If the passenger seating position is equipped with an
ALR and is being used for normal usage:

Only pull the belt webbing out far enough to comfortably
wrap around the occupant’s mid-section so as to not
activate the ALR. If the ALR is activated, you will hear a
ratcheting sound as the 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

⬙click.⬙

Automatic Locking Retractor Mode (ALR) —
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. Use the Automatic Locking Mode
anytime a child safety seat is installed in a seating

position that has a belt with this feature. Children
12 years old and under should always be properly
restrained in the rear seat.

How To Engage The Automatic Locking Mode

1. Buckle the combination lap and 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
Unbuckle the combination lap/shoulder belt and allow it
to retract completely to disengage the Automatic Locking
Mode and activate the vehicle sensitive (emergency)
locking mode.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!

• The belt and retractor assembly must be replaced

if the seat belt assembly Automatic Locking Re-
tractor (ALR) feature or any other seat belt func-
tion is not working properly when checked ac-
cording to the procedures in the Service Instruction.

• Failure to replace the belt and retractor assembly

could increase the risk of injury in collisions.

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 in the event of an
accident. These devices may improve the performance of
the seat belt by assuring that the belt is tight around 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 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 safety belt system with an Energy
Management feature in the front seating positions to help
further reduce the risk of injury in the event of a head-on
accident. This safety belt system has a retractor assembly
that is designed to release webbing in a controlled
manner. This feature is designed to help reduce the belt
force acting on the occupant’s chest.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!

• The belt and retractor assembly must be replaced

if the seat belt assembly Automatic Locking Re-
tractor (ALR) feature or any other seat belt func-
tion is not working properly when checked ac-
cording to the procedures in the Service Instruction.

• Failure to replace the belt and retractor assembly

could increase the risk of injury in accidents.

Enhanced Seat Belt Use Reminder System
(BeltAlert

姞)

BeltAlert

威 is a feature intended to remind the driver to

fasten their seat belt. This feature is active whenever the
ignition is on. If the driver is unbelted, the Seat Belt
Reminder Light will turn on and remain on until the
driver seat belt is fastened. BeltAlert

威 triggers within

60 seconds of vehicle speed over 5 mph (8 km/h). The
reminder sequence lasts for 96 seconds or until the driver
seat belt is fastened. After the sequence completes, the
Seat Belt Reminder Light remains illuminated until the
driver seat belt is fastened. The driver should instruct all
other occupants to fasten their seat belts. If the driver seat
belt is unbuckled while traveling at speeds greater than
5 mph (8 km/h), BeltAlert

威 will chime as a single

notification and illuminate the Seat Belt Reminder Light,
then will proceed to the 96 second reminder sequence.

BeltAlert

威 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).

BeltAlert

威 Programming

Chrysler Group LLC does not recommend deactivating
the BeltAlert

威.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

BeltAlert

威 can be enabled 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/RUN or START position.

1. With all doors closed, and the ignition switch in any
position except ON/RUN or START, buckle the driver’s
seat belt.

2. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position,
(engine does not need to be running). Wait for the Seat
Belt Reminder Light to turn off.

3. Within 60 seconds of turning the ignition switch to the
ON/RUN position, unbuckle and then re-buckle the
driver’s seat belt at least three times within 60 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 programming.

NOTE:

Watch the Seat Belt reminder Light to turn on

while the seat belt retracts and turn off while re-buckling
the seat belt.

BeltAlert

威 can be reactivated by repeating this procedure.

NOTE:

Although BeltAlert

威 has been deactivated, the

Seat Belt Reminder Light will continue to illuminate
while the driver’s seat belt remains unbuckled.

Seat Belts And Pregnant Women
We recommend that pregnant women use seat belts
throughout their pregnancy. 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 an accident.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Seat Belt Extender
If a seat belt is too short, even when fully extended, your
authorized 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 extender and store it.

WARNING!

Using a seat belt extender when not needed can
increase the risk of injury in an accident. 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.

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) – Air Bags
This vehicle has Advanced Front Air Bags for both the
driver and front passenger as a supplement to the seat
belt restraint systems. The driver’s Advanced Front Air

Bag is mounted in the center of the steering wheel. The
passenger’s Advanced Front Air Bag is mounted in the
instrument panel, above the glove compartment. The
words SRS AIRBAG are embossed on the air bag covers.

Advanced Front Air Bag And Knee Bolster Locations

1 — Driver And Passenger Advanced Front Air Bags
2 — Knee Bolster

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:

These air bags are certified to the new Federal

regulations for Advanced Air Bags.

The Advanced Front Air Bags have a multistage inflator
design. This allows the air bag to have different rates of
inflation based on the severity and type of collision.

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.

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 fastened. The
seat belt buckle switch may adjust the inflation rate of the
Advanced Front Air Bags.

This vehicle may also be equipped with Supplemental
Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtains (SABIC) to protect the
driver, front, and rear passengers sitting next to a win-
dow. If the vehicle is equipped with SABIC air bags, they
are located above the side windows and their covers are
also labeled: SRS AIRBAG.

NOTE:

• Air Bag covers may not be obvious in the interior trim,

but they will open during air bag deployment.

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

authorized dealer immediately.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Air Bag System Components
Your vehicle may be equipped with the following air bag
system components:

• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
• Air Bag Warning Light
• Steering Wheel and Column
• Instrument Panel
• Knee Impact Bolster
• Driver Advanced Front Air Bag
• Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag
• Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtains

(SABIC)

• Front and Side Impact Sensors

• Front Seat Belt Pretensioners, Seat Belt Buckle Switch,

and Seat Track Position Sensors

Advanced Front Air Bag Features
The Advanced Front Air Bag system has multistage
driver and front passenger air bags. This system provides
output appropriate to the severity and type of collision as
determined by the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC),
which may receive information from the front impact
sensors.

The first stage inflator is triggered immediately during an
impact that requires air bag deployment. This low output
is used in less severe collisions. A higher energy output is
used for more severe collisions.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!

• No objects should be placed over or near the air bag

on the instrument panel, 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 instructionly. You may damage
the air bags and you could be injured because the
air bags may no longer be functional. The protec-
tive covers for the air bag cushions are designed to
open only when the air bags are inflating.

• Do not drill, cut or tamper with the knee bolster in

any way.

• Do not mount any accessories to the knee bolster

such as alarm lights, stereos, citizen band radios,
etc.

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

• Do not have any accessory items installed which

will alter the roof, including adding a sunroof to
your vehicle. Do not add roof racks that require
permanent attachments (bolts or screws) for instal-
lation on the vehicle roof. Do not drill into the roof
of the vehicle for any reason.

Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtain
(SABIC) — If Equipped
SABIC air bags may offer side-impact protection to front
and rear seat outboard occupants in addition to that
provided by the body structure. Each air bag features
inflated chambers placed adjacent to the head of each
outboard occupant that reduce the potential for side-
impact head injuries. The curtains deploy downward,
covering both windows on the impact side.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:

Air Bag covers may not be obvious in the

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

The system includes side impact sensors that are cali-
brated to deploy the side air bags during impacts that
require side air bag occupant protection.

WARNING!

• If your vehicle is equipped with left and right

Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtain
(SABIC), do not stack luggage or other cargo up
high enough to block the location of the SABIC.
The area where the SABIC is located should re-
main free from any obstructions.

• 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.

Knee Impact Bolsters
The Knee Impact Bolsters help protect the knees of the
driver and the front passenger, and position front occu-
pants for the best interaction with the Advanced Front
Air Bags.

Along with seat belts and pretensioners, Advanced Front
Air Bags work with the knee bolsters to provide im-
proved protection for the driver and front passenger. Side
air bags also work with seat belts to improve occupant
protection.

Air Bag Deployment Sensors And Controls

Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
The ORC is part of a Federally regulated safety system
required for this vehicle.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

The ORC determines if deployment of the front and/or
side air bags in a frontal or side collision is required.
Based on the impact sensor’s signals, a central electronic
ORC deploys the Advanced Front Air Bags, SABIC air
bags — if equipped, and front seat belt pretensioners, as
required, depending on the severity and type of impact.

Advanced Front Air Bags are designed to provide addi-
tional protection by supplementing the seat belts in
certain frontal collisions depending on the severity and
type of collision. Advanced Front Air Bags are not
expected to reduce the risk of injury in rear, rollover, or
side collisions.

The Advanced Front Air Bags will not deploy in all
frontal collisions, including some that may produce sub-
stantial vehicle damage — for example, some pole colli-
sions, truck underrides, and angle offset collisions. On
the other hand, depending on the type and location of

impact, Advanced Front Air Bags may deploy in crashes
with little vehicle front-end damage but that produce a
severe initial deceleration.

The side air bags will not deploy in all side collisions.
Side air bag deployment will depend on the severity and
type of collision.

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.

Seat belts are necessary for your protection in all acci-
dents, and also are needed to help keep you in position,
away from an inflating air bag.

The ORC monitors the readiness of the electronic parts of
the air bag system whenever the ignition switch is in the
START or ON/RUN position. If the key is in the LOCK

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

position, in the ACC position, or not in the ignition, the
air bag system is not on and the air bags will not inflate.

The ORC contains a backup power supply system that
may deploy the air bags even if the battery loses power or
it becomes disconnected prior to deployment.

Also, the ORC turns on the Air Bag Warning
Light in the instrument panel for approxi-
mately four to eight seconds for a self-check
when the ignition is first turned on. 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 if the light
comes on again after initial startup.

It also includes diagnostics that will illuminate the instru-
ment cluster Air Bag Warning Light if a malfunction is
noted that could affect the air bag system.

WARNING!

Ignoring the Air Bag Warning Light in your instru-
ment panel could mean you won’t have the air bags
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.

Driver And Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag
Inflator Units
The Driver and Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag
Inflator Units are located in the center of the steering
wheel and on the right side of the instrument panel.
When the ORC detects a collision requiring the Ad-
vanced Front Air Bags, it signals the inflator units. A large
quantity of non-toxic gas is generated to inflate the
Advanced Front Air Bags. Different air bag inflation rates

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

are possible, based on the collision type and severity. 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 air bags fully
inflate in about 50 to 70 milliseconds. This is about half of
the time it takes to blink your eyes. The air bags then
quickly deflate while helping to restrain the driver and
front passenger.

The Advanced Front Air Bag gas is vented through the
vent holes in the sides of the air bag. In this way, the air
bags do not interfere with your control of the vehicle.

Supplemental Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtain
(SABIC) Inflator Units — If Equipped
During collisions where the impact is confined to a
particular area of the side of the vehicle, the ORC may
deploy the SABIC air bags, depending on the severity
and type of collision. In these events, the ORC will
deploy the SABIC only on the impact side of the vehicle.

A quantity of non-toxic gas is generated to inflate the
SABIC. The inflating SABIC pushes the outside edge of
the headliner out of the way and covers the window. The
SABIC inflates in about 30 milliseconds (about one-
quarter of the time that it takes to blink your eyes) with
enough force to injure you if you are not belted and
seated properly, or if items are positioned in the area
where the SABIC inflates. This especially applies to
children. The SABIC is only about 3-1/2 in (9 cm) thick
when it is inflated.

Because air bag sensors estimate deceleration over time,
vehicle speed and damage are not good indicators of
whether or not an air bag should have deployed.

Front And Side Impact Sensors
In front and side impacts, front and side impact sensors
can aid the ORC in determining the appropriate response
to certain impact events.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Enhanced Accident Response System
In the event of an impact causing air bag deployment, if
the communication network 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 follow-
ing functions:

• Cut off fuel to the engine.
• Flash hazard lights as long as the battery has power or

until the ignition key is turned off.

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

the battery has power or until the ignition key is
removed.

• Unlock the doors automatically.

If A Deployment Occurs
The Advanced Front Air Bags are designed to deflate
immediately after deployment.

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.

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

• The nylon air bag material may sometimes cause

abrasions and/or skin reddening to the driver and
front passenger as the air bags 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 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

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Dodge Dakota (2011 year). Instruction - part 3