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WINDOWS
Power Windows
The power window switches are located between the
driver and passenger seats on the center tunnel bezel, just
to the left of the parking brake. The switch on the left side
controls the driver’s window and the switch on the right
controls the passenger’s window. The power window
switches are active when the ignition is in RUN or
ACCESSORY.
The power window switch also works during accessory
delay. This delay feature will allow the windows to be
functional up to 2 minutes after the vehicle has been
turned off. This feature can be disabled at the dealership
if desired.
NOTE:Windows cannot be driven up during accessory
delay with a door open.NOTE:If the windows are completely closed, each
respective window will drop slightly when either door is
opened. The windows return to their full up position
when the door is again closed. This is necessary to clear
the seal when either door is opened.
WARNING!
Never leave children in a vehicle, with the keys in
the ignition switch. Occupants, particularly unat-
tended children, can become entrapped by the
power windows while operating the power window
switch. Such entrapment may result in serious injury
or death.
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NOTE:The Window Up switch will not function with
the door open and while the system is in the Power
Accessory Delay mode. If the window is in the process of
going up, opening the door will stop the window move-
ment immediately.
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.
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.
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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
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.
Removing Slack From Belt (Convertible Shown)
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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
(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. Once the warning is triggered, 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 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 (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. 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.NOTE:Watch for the Seat Belt Warning Light to turn on
while unbuckling and off while re-buckling the seat belt.
It may be necessary to retract the seat belt.
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.
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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:
•The infant carrier for babies weighing up to approxi-
mately 20 lbs. (9 kg).
•The 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.
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