CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHOR
DESCRIPTION
This vehicle is equipped with a Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren, or LATCH child restraint anchorage system. The LATCH system provides for the installation of suitable child restraints in certain seating positions without using the standard equipment seat belt provided for that seating position. The rear seats in these vehicles are equipped with a fixed-position child restraint upper tether anchor (2) for both the center and the two outboard seating positions, and child restraint lower anchors (1) for the two outboard seating positions only.
The three upper tether anchors (1) are integral to the rear seat back panels. One anchor is integral to the back of the right rear panel, and two are integral to the left rear panel. These anchors are each constructed from short lengths of heavy-gauge steel wire that is securely welded into stamped steel cups that are integral to the seat back panels. There is a separate molded plastic trim bezel located around each of the three anchors. These child restraint upper tether anchors cannot be adjusted or repaired and, if ineffective or damaged, they must be replaced as a unit with their respective rear seat back panels.
The lower anchors are integral to the rear seat back panel bracket (1), which is secured with screws to the rear floor panel just forward of the rear seat back panels and beneath the rear edge of the rear seat cushion. These anchors are each constructed from a heavy-gauge steel wire loop that is securely welded to the seat back panel bracket. The child restraint lower tether anchors cannot be adjusted or repaired and, if ineffective or damaged, they must be replaced as a unit with the rear seat back panel bracket.
The rear seat lower anchors (2) are each accessed from the front of their respective seat, at each side where the seat back meets the seat cushion. Round markers (1) with an imprinted child seat icon help identify the anchor locations as they may be otherwise difficult to see with the seat back in the upright position.
WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, during and following any seat belt or child restraint anchor service, carefully inspect all seat belts, buckles, mounting hardware, retractors, tether straps, and anchors for proper installation, operation, or damage. Replace any belt that is cut, frayed, or torn. Straighten any belt that is twisted. Tighten any loose fasteners. Replace any belt that has a damaged or ineffective buckle or retractor. Replace any belt that has a bent or damaged latch plate or anchor plate. Replace any child restraint anchor or the unit to which the anchor is integral that has been bent or damaged. Never attempt to repair a seat belt or child restraint component. Always replace damaged or ineffective seat belt and child restraint components with the correct, new and unused replacement parts listed in the DaimlerChrysler Mopar® Parts Catalog.
OPERATION
All vehicles manufactured for sale in the United States and Canada are required to be equipped with a Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren, or LATCH child restraint anchorage system. The second row seats in this vehicle have two pairs of anchor provisions for installing a LATCH-compatible child seat. A single seat may be mounted in the center seating position, or one in each outboard seating position.
With LATCH, child seats are secured by direct attachment to the vehicle seat structure, rather than by the seat belts. With LATCH-compatible child seats, lower anchors attach to the seat structure through heavy-gauge wire loops located at the intersection between the seat cushion and the seat back surfaces.
Three upper tether anchors are integral to the second row seat back frames to secure the top tether strap of child seats equipped with this feature. These upper tether anchors work with both LATCH-compatible and other child seats equipped with a top tether strap.
The owner's information packet in the vehicle glove box contains details and suggestions on the proper use of all of the factory-installed child restraint anchors.