2004 DODGE VIPER warning

that, and they reduce the risk of injury caused by striking
the inside of the vehicle. Everyone in a motor vehicle
needs to be buckled up all the time.
Lap/Shoulder Belts
Each seat belt is a combined lap/shoulder belt system.
The belt webbing retractor will lock only during very
sudden stops or impacts. This feature allows the shoulder
part of the belt to move freely with you under normal
conditions. But, in a collision, the belt will lock and
reduce the risk of your striking the inside of the vehicle or
being thrown out.
WARNING!
Wearing a seat belt incorrectly is dangerous. Seat
belts are designed to go around the large bones of
your body. These are the strongest parts of your body
and can take the forces of a collision the best.
Wearing your belt in the wrong place could make
your injuries in a collision much worse. You might
suffer internal injuries, or you could even slide out
of part of the belt. Follow these instructions to wear
your seat belt safely and to keep your passengers
safe, too.
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WARNING!
A belt that is too loose will not protect you as well. In
a sudden stop you could move too far forward,
increasing the possibility of injury. Wear your seat
belt snugly.
A belt that is worn under your arm is very danger-
ous. Your body could fall into the inside surfaces of
the vehicle in a collision, increasing head and neck
injury. And a belt worn under the arm can cause
internal injuries. Ribs aren't as strong as shoulder
bones. Wear the belt over your shoulder so that your
strongest bones will take the force in a collision.
5. Position the lap belt across your thighs, below your
abdomen. To remove slack in the lap belt portion, pull up
a little on the shoulder belt, as shown.6. To loosen the lap belt if it is too tight, tilt the latch plate
and pull on the lap belt. A snug belt reduces the risk of
sliding under the belt in a collision.
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WARNING!
A lap belt worn too high can increase the risk of
internal injury in a collision. The belt forces won't
be at the strong hip and pelvic bones, but across your
abdomen. Always wear the lap belt as low as pos-
sible and keep it snug.
7. 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.
WARNING!
A twisted belt can't do its job as well. In a collision
it could even cut into you. Be sure the belt is straight.
If you can't straighten a belt in your vehicle, take it
to your dealer and have it fixed.
8. To release the belt, push the red button marked PRESS
on the buckle. The belt will automatically retract to its
stowed position. If necessary, slide the latch plate down
the webbing to allow it to retract fully.
Enhanced Driver Seat Belt Reminder System
(BeltAlertŸ)
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 (BeltAlertŸ) 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 (BeltAlertŸ)
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 (BeltAlertŸ)
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).
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The Enhanced Warning System (BeltAlertŸ) 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. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position and
buckle the driver's seat belt.
2. Start the engine 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 (BeltAlertŸ) can be reac-
tivated by repeating this procedure.
NOTE:Although the Enhanced Warning System (BeltA-
lertŸ) has been deactivated, the Seat Belt Warning Light
will continue to illuminate while the driver's seat belt
remains unbuckled.
Six Point Belt System - If equipped
This six point belt system meets SCCA standards and
should be only used when engaged in related perfor-
mance driving events. The standard lap/shoulder belt
should be used whenever the vehicle is operated on the
street.
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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 an accident if they
have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.)
Child Restraint
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up all the
time, babies and children, too.
WARNING!
In a collision, an unrestrained child, even a tiny
baby, can become a missile 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.
All states and Canadian provinces require small
children to ride in proper restraint systems. This is
the law, and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.
Infants and Small Children
There are two different sizes and types of restraints for
children from newborn size to the bigger child almost
large enough for an adult seat belt. Always check the
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child seat owner's manual to ensure you have the right
seat for your child. Use the restraint system that is correct
for your child.
Two different child restraint systems are generally avail-
able:
²The infant carrier for babies weighing up to approxi-
mately 20 lbs. (9 kg).
²The child seat for small children over 20 lbs. (9kg).
WARNING!
A rearward facing infant restraint must not be used
in your Viper unless the passenger airbag has been
shut off. A rearward facing infant restraint may be
struck by a deploying passenger airbag which may
cause severe or fatal injury to the infant.
In addition, some manufacturers make systems that can
be first used as an infant carrier, then converted to a child
seat as the child grows.
Here are some tips on getting the most out of your child
restraint.
Before buying any restraint system, make sure that it has
a label certifying that it meets Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213. The manufacturer also recommends that
before you buy a child restraint, you try it in the seat
where you will use it.
The restraint must be appropriate for your child's weight
and height. Check the label on the restraint for this too.
Carefully follow the instructions that came with the
restraint. If you install the restraint improperly, it may not
work when you need it.
34 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Improper installation can lead to failure of a child
restraint. It could come loose in a collision. The child
could be badly injured or killed. Follow the manu-
facturer's directions exactly when installing a child
restraint.
²Child restraints are secured in the passenger seat by
the lap part of the lap/shoulder belt.
Buckle the child into the seat exactly as the child seat
manufacturer's directions tell you. The cinching latch
plate on the lap/shoulder belt will keep the belt tight.
When your infant carrier or child seat is not in use, secure
it with the seat belt or remove it from the vehicle. Don't
leave it loose in the vehicle. In a sudden stop or collision,
it could strike occupants and injure them.
LATCH Ð Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
Your vehicle's passenger seat is equipped with the child
restraint anchorage system called LATCH, which stands
for Lower Anchors and Tether for Children. The LATCH
system provides for the installation of the child restraint
without using the vehicle seat belt. The passenger seat
has an exclusive lower anchorage.
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recline the seatback full rearward and move the seat to its
most rearward position. Install the child restraint accord-
ing to the manufacturer's directions. Return the seatback
to an upright position. Remove slack from the tether
strap according to the child restraint manufacturer's
directions.WARNING!
An incorrectly anchored tether strap could lead to
increased head motion and possible injury to the
child. Use only the anchor position directly behind
the child seat to secure a child restraint top tether
strap.
Children Too Large For Child Seats
Children who are too large for child seats and who can sit
upright by themselves should use the lap/shoulder belt
for best protection.
²Make sure that the child is seated upright in the seat.
²The lap belt should be low on the hips and as snug as
possible.
²Check belt fit periodically. A child's squirming or
slouching can move the belt out of position.
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