2006 DODGE VIPER Owners Manual

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.
34 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
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
14turn 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 andshould 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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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
36 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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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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
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system provides for the installation of the child restraint
without using the vehicle seat belt. The passenger seat
has an exclusive lower anchorage.
These are round bars, located at the lower area of the seat
back, one on each side of the passenger seat. You will
easily feel them if you run your finger along the inter-
section of the surface. Install your child seat as per child
seat manufacturer recommendations.
NOTE:
•When using the LATCH attaching system to install a
child restraint, please ensure that all seat belts not
being used for occupant restraints are stowed and out
of reach of children. It is recommended that before
installing the child restraint, buckle the seat belt so the
seat belt is tucked behind the child restraint and out of
reach. If the buckled seat belt interferes with the child
restraint installation, instead of tucking the seat belt
behind the child restraint, route the seat belt throughthe child restraint belt path and then buckle it. This
should stow the seat belt out of the reach of an
inquisitive child. Remind all children in the vehicle
that the seat belts are not toys and should not be
played with, and never leave your child unattended in
the vehicle.
•If your child restraint seat is not LATCH compatible,
install the restraint using the vehicle seat belts.
Child Restraint Tether Anchor
Child restraints having tether straps and hooks for con-
nection to tether anchors have been available for some
time. In fact, many child restraint manufacturers will
provide add-on tether strap kits for some of their older
products. There is a tether strap anchor located in the
child tether access cover behind the passenger seat.
Remove the child tether access cover by prying either
side with a screwdriver or similar tool, as shown in
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illustration which follows. While the child tether is in
use, keep the access cover in a safe place so that it can be
replaced after use of the child tether.
To attach the tether strap to the anchor, move the
seatback fully forward. Pass the child restraint tether
hook through either opening in the seatback under thehead restraint. Attach the tether hook to the anchor loop,
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.
Child Tether Access Cover
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