2004 DODGE VIPER Owners Manual

Wind Buffeting
Wind buffeting can be described as the perception of
pressure on the ears or a helicopter-type sound in the
ears. Your vehicle may exhibit wind buffeting with the
windows down, or the top down. This is a normal
occurrence and can be minimized.
TRUNK SAFETY WARNING
WARNING!
Do not allow children to have access to the trunk,
either by climbing into the trunk from outside, or
through the inside of the vehicle. Always close the
trunk lid when your vehicle is unattended. Once in
the trunk, young children may not be able to escape.
If trapped in the trunk, children can die from suffo-
cation or heat stroke.
Trunk Internal Emergency Release
NOTE:As a security measure, a Trunk Internal Emer-
gency Release lever is built into the trunk latching
mechanism. In the event of an individual being locked
inside the trunk, the trunk can simply be opened by
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pulling on the lever attached to the trunk latching
mechanism, which is coated so that it glows in a dark-
ened trunk.
OCCUPANT RESTRAINTS
One of the most important safety features in your Viper
is the restraint system. This system consists of the driv-
er's and passenger's seat belts, airbags for the driver and
passenger, and a passenger airbag on/off switch located
in the center console compartment for deactivating the
passenger airbag system.
Please pay close attention to the information in this
section. It tells you how to use your restraint system
properly to keep you and your passenger as safe as
possible. Whichever system you have, all of the warnings
in this section apply.
WARNING!
In a collision, you and your passenger can suffer
much greater injuries if you are not properly buck-
led up. You can strike parts of the inside of your
vehicle or your passenger, or you can be thrown out
of the vehicle. Always be sure you and your passen-
ger are buckled up properly.
Buckle up even though you are an excellent driver. Even
on short trips. Someone on the road may be a poor driver
and cause a collision that includes you. And this can
happen far away from home or on your street.
Research has shown that seat belts save lives. They also
can reduce the seriousness of injuries in a collision. Some
of the worst injuries happen when people are thrown
from the vehicle. Seat belts provide protection against
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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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Lap/Shoulder Belt Operating Instructions
1. Enter the vehicle and close the door. Sit back and
adjust the seat.
2. The seat belt latch plate is located at the side of your
seat back. Grasp the latch plate and pull out the belt.3. Slide the latch plate up the webbing as far as necessary
to make the belt go around your lap.
4. When the belt is long enough to fit, insert the latch
plate into the buckle until you hear a ªclick.º
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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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Six Point Belt Operating Instructions
With the anti-submarining belt placed on the seat point-
ing up, buckle the left and right lap belts and strap both
legs. Buckle the left and right shoulder belts. Adjust the
belts by pulling on the web ends and/or re-positioning
the web clips and straps as required. Release the belts by
turning the belt latch mechanism
1¤4turn in either the
clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.
NOTE:The anti-submarining belt and the shoulder belt
are attached to eye bolts at designated locations and
should be removed from the vehicle when not in use. The
lap belts and straps can be stored behind or to the sides
of the seat after removal.
Seat Belts and Pregnant Women
We recommend that pregnant women use the 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 across 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.
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