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WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS
This manual containsWARNINGSagainst operating
procedures which could result in an accident or bodily
injury. It also containsCAUTIONSagainst procedures
which could result in damage to your vehicle. If you do
not read this entire manual you may miss important
information. Observe all Warnings and Cautions.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
The vehicle identification number (VIN) is on a stamped
plate at the left front corner of the instrument panel,
visible through the windshield. This number also ap-
pears on the Automobile Information Disclosure Label
affixed to a window on your vehicle. Save this label as a
convenient record of your vehicle identification number
and optional equipment.
Vehicle Identification Number
6 INTRODUCTION
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▫To Arm The Vehicle Theft Alarm System......21
▫Entering The Trunk/Liftgate With The System
Armed..............................23
▫Security System Disarm..................23
▫Tamper Alert.........................24
Trunk Safety Warning — Convertible Models
Only.................................25
▫Trunk Internal Emergency Release
(Convertible Models Only)................25
Liftgate — Coupe Models Only..............26
Windows.............................27
▫Power Windows.......................27
▫Auto Down Feature....................28
▫Power Accessory Delay Feature............28▫Wind Buffeting........................29
Occupant Restraints......................29
▫Lap/Shoulder Belts.....................30
▫Enhanced Driver Seat Belt Reminder System
(BeltAlert)...........................33
▫Six Point Belt System - If Equipped.........35
▫Seat Belts And Pregnant Women............35
▫Seat Belt Extender......................35
▫Child Restraint........................36
▫Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) - Airbag . .43
Engine Break-In Recommendations...........52
Safety Tips............................53
▫Exhaust Gas..........................53
10 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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Power Accessory Delay Feature
The Power Accessory Delay feature provides the cus-
tomer with the ability to operate the power windows,
and the radio for 2 minutes after the ignition switch is
turned off. If the key is removed from the ignition and the
driver door is opened prior to the completion of the
2–minute timer, the feature is immediately cancelled. The
Power Accessory Delay feature is initially enabled, but
may be enabled or disabled at the dealership.
DOOR LOCKS
WARNING!
Do not touch the exhaust pipe sill covers when
entering or exiting your Viper. They can be hot
enough to burn you. Observe the warning labels on
each door closure panel.
Electronic Locking/Unlocking
This vehicle is equipped with a virtual lock system. If the
vehicle is virtually locked, then the Outside door handle
is ignored. There is a door lock/unlock switch on each
door trim panel. Press this switch to lock or unlock the
door. The Odometer displays DOOR UNLOCKED con-
tinuously when both doors are unlocked. Also, the door
is considered unlocked if the inside door handle is
pulled. If only one door is unlocked, then the Odometer
will flash DOOR UNLOCKED every 2 seconds. After
about 40 seconds with the ignition off, the display will
turn off.
NOTE:If you attempt to lock the doors with the key in
the ignition and the driver’s door open, the doors will not
lock.
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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.
LIFTGATE — COUPE MODELS ONLY
The liftgate can be unlatched by using the vehicle key or
with the remote keyless entry transmitter. Press and hold
the trunk/liftgate button on the remote keyless entry
transmitter to unlatch the liftgate by remote. The front
and rear park/turn signal lights will blink 3 times. Then
pull the liftgate open with one fluid motion.
With the ignition ON, the trunk/liftgate open symbol
will be displayed in the instrument cluster indicating that
the liftgate is open.
With the key in the OFF/LOCK position or key out, the
trunk/liftgate open symbol will be displayed until the
liftgate is closed.
WARNING!
•Driving with the liftgate open can allow poison-
ous exhaust gases into your vehicle. You and your
passengers could be injured by these fumes. Keep
the liftgate closed when you are operating the
vehicle.
•If you are required to drive with the liftgate open,
make sure that all windows are closed, and the
climate control blower switch is set at high speed.
DO NOT use the recirculation mode.
Gas props support the liftgate in the open position.
However, because the gas pressure drops with tempera-
ture, it may be necessary to assist the props when
opening the liftgate in cold weather.
26 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
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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.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 27
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Auto Down Feature
Both windows have an auto down feature. Press the
window switch to the second detent, release, and the
window will go down automatically. Press the switch a
second time in either direction to stop the window.
To open the window to a desired position, press and hold
the window switch in the first detent until the window
has reached the desired position and then release it when
you want the window to stop.
Power Accessory Delay Feature
The Power Accessory Delay feature provides the cus-
tomer with the ability to operate the power windows,
and the radio for 2 minutes after the ignition switch is
turned off. If the key is removed from the ignition and the
driver door is opened prior to the completion of the
2–minute timer, the feature is immediately cancelled. The
Power Accessory Delay feature is initially enabled, but
may be enabled or disabled at the dealership.
Power Window Switches
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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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To Lower the Top:
1. To lower the top, first ensure that the door windows
are lowered at least an inch.
2. Depress the button at the top of the latch upwards and
then pull the handle down and rearward, towards you.
(See the picture shown)3. Disengage the latch hook from the windshield rod
making sure to pull the latch all the way back to the
detent stow position and pull the top away from the
windshield header.
4. Open the trunk.
5. Pull the convertible top back away from the wind-
shield and all the way back to the folded position into the
storage well to the back of the seating positions. Push the
leading edge of the top down to engage the downstack
latch.
6. Finally lower and close the trunk.
To Raise the Top:
1. To raise the convertible top, first ensure that the door
windows are lowered at least an inch.
2. Then open the trunk.
Unlatching Convertible Top
58 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE