2006 DODGE VIPER warning

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.
•Child 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 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 — 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
LATCH Anchorages
38 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
Installing Child Restraints Using the Vehicle Seat
belt
The passenger side seat belt is equipped with an auto-
matic locking retractor for child restraint system installa-
tion. It is designed to keep the lap portion of the restraint
tightly held to the passenger seat. Seat belts equipped
with automatic locking retractors will have a distinctive
label on the webbing.
To restrain the child seat, pull enough webbing from the
retractor to allow the belt to pass through the childrestraint and slide the latch plate into the buckle. Then,
pull on the webbing from the retractor until all of it is
extracted. Retract some to the webbing back to the
retractor to activate the automatic locking retractor. (See
Seat Belt Locking Mode below). Tighten the lap portion
of the belt and allow the excess webbing to retract back to
the retractor. If it still does not make the child restraint
secure, try different seating positions in addition to
securing the child restraint with the LATCH restraint
system.Seat Belt Locking Mode
The seat belts for both occupants are equipped with
emergency locking retractors for normal use. They are
activated during very sudden stops or impacts and are
set in emergency locking mode. However, the passenger
side seat belt is also equipped with an automatic locking
retractor to secure child restraint systems. It can also be
converted to set the seat belt in the emergency locking
mode.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 41
2

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) - Airbag
This vehicle has airbags for the driver and passenger as a
supplement to the seat belt restraint systems. The driver’s
airbag is mounted in the steering wheel. The passenger
side airbag is mounted in the instrument panel, under a
cover marked SRS/AIRBAG. These airbags inflate in
higher speed impacts. They work with the instrument
panel knee bolsters and the seat belts to provide im-
proved protection for the driver and right front passen-
ger.WARNING!
•Relying on the airbags alone could lead to more
severe injuries in a collision. The airbags work
with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In
some collisions the airbags won’t deploy at all.
Wear your seat belts even though you have air-
bags.
•Being too close to the steering wheel or instru-
ment panel during airbag deployment could cause
serious injury. Airbags need room to inflate. Sit
back, comfortably extending your arms to reach
the steering wheel or instrument panel.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 43
2

How The Airbag System Works
•
A crash sensor in the occupant compartment deter-
mines if a frontal impact is severe enough to require
the airbag. The sensor will not detect side, roll over, or
rear impacts. The crash sensor is connected to the
diagnostic unit and to the airbag/inflator unit.
•The Diagnostic Unit monitors the readiness of the
electronic parts of the system whenever the ignition
switch is in the START or RUN position. These include
all of the items listed above except the knee bolster, the
instrument panel, and the steering wheel and column.
The Diagnostic Unit also turns on the AIRBAG light in
the instrument panel for 6 to 8 seconds when the
ignition is first turned on, then turns the light off. If it
detects a malfunction in any part of the system, it turns
on the light either momentarily or continuously.
•The Airbag/Inflator Units are in the center of the
steering wheel and in the instrument panel. The words
SRS/AIRBAG are embossed on the airbag covers.
WARNING!
Ignoring the AIRBAG light in your instrument panel
could mean you won’t have the airbags to protect
you in a collision. If the light does not come on, stays
on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes on as you
drive, have the airbag system checked right away.
WARNING!
Do not put anything on or around the airbag covers
or attempt to manually open them. You may damage
the airbags and you could be injured because the
airbags are not there to protect you. These protective
covers for the airbag cushions are designed to open
only when the airbags are inflating.
46 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

However, if you haven’t healed significantly within a
few days, or if you have any blistering, see your doctor
immediately.
•As the airbags deflate you may see some smoke-like
particles. The particles are a normal by-product of the
process that generates the non toxic nitrogen gas used
for airbag inflation. These airborne particles may irri-
tate the skin, eyes, nose, or throat. If you have skin or
eye irritation, rinse the area with cool water. For nose
or throat irritation, move to fresh air. If the irritation
continues, see your doctor. If these particles settle on
your clothing, follow the garment manufacturer’s in-
structions for cleaning.
•Your vehicle may be safely driveable after the airbags
deploy. If so, you can tuck the deployed airbags inside
the opening in the steering wheel hub and instrument
panel trim covers to make driving somewhat easier.
WARNING!
Deployed airbags can’t protect you in another colli-
sion. Have the airbags replaced by an authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
Passenger Side AirBag On/Off Switch
The passenger airbag is to be turned off only if the
passenger:
•is an infant (less than 1 year old) who must ride in the
front seat because there is no rear seat, because the rear
seat is too small for a rear-facing infant restraint or
because the infant has a medical condition which
makes it necessary for the driver to be able to see the
infant,
48 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:When the passenger airbag is turned off the
airbag off light will illuminate
To Shut Off the Passenger Airbag:
•Place only the tip of the ignition key in the on/off
switch, turn the key clockwise, and remove the key
from the switch. This will shut off the passenger sideairbag. The PASS AIRBAG OFF light on the instrument
panel will illuminate when the ignition switch is
turned to the ON position.
To Turn On The Passenger Airbag:
•Place the ignition key in the on/off switch, turn the
key counterclockwise, and remove the key from the
switch. This will turn on the passenger side airbag.
The light on the instrument panel will be off when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON position.
WARNING!
The airbag may malfunction and serious injury
could result if key is left in the airbag shut off
switch. Always remove the key.
Passenger Airbag Off Light
50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
•Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured because the airbag is not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the airbag covers. Do not modify the
front bumper or vehicle body structure.
•You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee impact bolsters.
•You can be injured if you are too close to either
airbag cover when the airbags inflate. It is dan-
gerous to try to repair any part of the airbag
system yourself. Don’t try to repair the airbag
system. Be sure to tell anyone who works on your
vehicle that it has airbags.
You will want to have the airbags ready for your protec-
tion in a collision. While the airbag Supplemental Re-
straint System (SRS) is designed to be maintenance free,
if any of the following occurs, have an authorized dealer
service the system immediately.
•The AIRBAG light does not come on or flickers during
the 6 to 8 seconds when the ignition switch is first
turned on.
•The light remains on or flickers after the 6 to 8 second
interval.
•The light flickers or comes on and remains on while
driving.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 51
2

SAFETY TIPS
Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO)
follow the safety tips below.
•Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in confined
areas any longer than needed to move your vehicle in
or out of the area.
•If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running, adjust your heating or cooling con-
trols to force outside air into the vehicle. Set the blower
at high speed.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside the
Vehicle
Seat Belts
•
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the sys-
tem.
•Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident
if they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn web-
bing, etc.). If there is any question regarding belt or
retractor condition, replace the belt.
Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
2