2008 DODGE VIPER warning

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 portion 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 extended fully, your
dealer can provide you with a seat belt extender. This
extender should only be used if the existing belt is not
long enough. When it is not required, remove the ex-
tender, and store it.
WARNING!
Using a seat belt extender when not needed can
increase the risk of injury in a collision. Only use
when the seat belt is not long enough when it is worn
low and snug, and in the recommended seating
positions. Remove and store the extender when not
needed.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 39
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Driver and Passenger Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS) - Airbag
This vehicle is equipped with airbags for the driver and
passenger as a supplement to the seat belt restraint
systems. The driver airbag is mounted in the steering
wheel. The passenger airbag is mounted underneath a
cover in the passenger's side of the instrument panel. The
words SRS/AIRBAG is embossed on the airbag covers.
NOTE:The airbags are certified to the Federal regula-
tions that allow less forceful deployment. The passenger
airbag is certified to the Federal regulations that define
Occupant Classification (Refer to ªHow The Airbag Sys-
tem Worksº in this section).
The airbags have a multi stage inflator design. This may
allow the airbag to have different rates of inflation that
are based on collision severity and occupant size.
WARNING!
²Do not put anything on or around the airbag covers or
attempt to open them manually. You may damage the
airbags and you could be injured because the airbags are
no longer functional. These protective covers for the
airbag cushions are designed to open only when the
airbags are inflating.
²Do not drill, cut, or tamper with the knee bolster in any
way.
²Do not mount any accessories to the knee bolster such as
alarm lights, stereos, citizens band radios, etc.
²Relying 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. Always wear your seat belts
even though you have airbags.
²Being too close to the steering wheel or instrument panel
during airbag deployment could cause serious injury.
Airbags need room to inflate. Sit back, extending your
arms comfortably to reach the steering wheel or instru-
ment panel.
40 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

5. Never allow a child to place the shoulder belt behind
them or under the arm.
6. Never allow a child to lean forward toward the
instrument panel as a passenger airbag deployment
could cause severe injury or death to a child in this
position.
7. For a child from 1 to 12 years old: Move the passenger
seat as far back as possible. For a child from 20 to 60
pounds (9 kg to 27 kg): Secure them in the appropriate
child safety seat or booster seat. If too large for a booster
seat, the child should wear the lap/shoulder belt prop-
erly.
8. Read the instructions provided with your child re-
straint to make sure that you are using it properly.
9. Read the instructions provided with your child safety
seat or booster seat to make sure that you are using it
properly.10. All occupants should wear their lap and shoulder
belts properly.
11. Position the driver seat and passenger seat as far
away from the instrument panel as practical to allow the
airbags room to inflate. Note that the power adjustable
pedals allow for more driver's seat adjustment options.
Refer to ªAdjustable Pedalsº in Section 3 of this manual
for details.
Airbag System Components
The airbag system consists of the following:
²Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
²Airbag Warning Light
²Driver Airbag
²Passenger Airbag
²Passenger Airbag Off Light
42 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

The ORC turns on the Airbag warning light
and Passenger Airbag Disable (PAD) indica-
tor light for 6 to 8 seconds as a self-check
when the ignition is first turned on. After the
self-check, the Airbag warning light will turn off and
the PAD indicator light will function normally (Refer to
ªPassenger Airbag Disable (PAD) Indicator Lightº in
this section). If the ORC detects a malfunction in any
part of the system, it turns on the Airbag warning light
either momentarily or continuously. A single chime will
sound if the light comes on again after initial start up.
WARNING!
Ignoring the Airbag Warning 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.
²TheDriver Airbag/Inflator Unitis mounted in the
steering wheel. ThePassenger Airbag/Inflator Unitis
mounted underneath a cover in the passenger side of
the instrument panel. When the ORC detects a colli-
sion requiring the airbags, it signals the inflator units.
A large quantity of non-toxic gas is generated to inflate
the airbags. Different airbag inflation rates may be
possible based on collision severity and occupant size.
The steering wheel hub trim cover and the upper right
side of the instrument panel separate and then fold out
of the way, as the bags inflate to their full size. The
bags inflate fully in about 50±70 milliseconds. This is
about half of the time it takes to blink your eyes. The
bags then deflate quickly while helping to restrain the
driver and passenger. The airbag gas is vented toward
the instrument panel through vent holes in the airbag
material. In this way, the airbags do not interfere with
your control of the vehicle.
44 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

²TheKnee Impact Bolstershelp protect the knees of
the driver and the passenger, and position everyone
for the best interaction with the airbags.
²TheOccupant Classification Module (OCM)is lo-
cated underneath the passenger seat. The OCM uses
input from the Flex Mat to classify the occupant in the
passenger seat into a size category. The OCM commu-
nicates this information to the ORC. The ORC may
modify the rate of passenger airbag inflation or pre-
vent passenger airbag deployment based on occupant
classification.
If there is a fault present in the OCS, the Airbag
warning light will turn on. This indicates that you
should take the vehicle to an authorized dealer for
service. The Airbag warning light will turn on when-
ever there is fault present, which can affect the opera-
tion of the airbag system. If there is a fault present in
the OCS, both the PAD indicator light and the Airbagwarning light will illuminate to show that the passen-
ger airbag is turned off. Should this occur the passen-
ger airbag would remain off until the fault is cleared.
If an object is lodged under the seat and interferes with
operation of the Flex Mat, a fault will occur which
turns on both the PAD indicator light and the Airbag
warning light. Once the lodged object is removed, the
fault will be cleared automatically after a short period.
²ThePassenger Airbag Disabled (PAD) Indicator
Lightindicates to the driver and passenger when the
passenger airbag is turned OFF. In the presence of an
occupant seated properly in the passenger seat, when
the PAD indicator light is illuminated, the passenger
airbag is turned OFF.
The passenger airbag will be enabled for most any size
adult who is seated properly in the passenger seat. The
passenger airbag may or may not be enabled for
(depending on size) a small teenager or a small adult
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 45
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who is seated properly in the passenger seat. The
driver and passenger should always use the PAD
indicator light as an indication that the passenger is
positioned properly in their seat. If the PAD indicator
light comes on when an adult or teenager is in the
passenger seat, have the passenger reposition their self
in the seat until the light goes out. Remember, if the
PAD indicator light is illuminated the passenger air-
bag will not inflate in the event of a collision.
The passenger airbag will not be enabled for most any
size child who is seated properly in the passenger seat
and for most properly installed child restraint systems.
However, under certain conditions, even with a properly
installed child restraint system, the PAD indicator light
may not be on, even though the airbag is disabled. This
can occur if the child restraint is lighter than the thresh-
old weight necessary to turn the PAD indicator light on.
In any case,DO NOTassume the airbag is turned off if
the PAD indicator light is not illuminated.WARNING!
An infant in rear facing child safety seat, designed
for a child up to one year or approximately 20 pounds
(9 kg), should NEVER ride in the front seat of a
vehicle equipped with a passenger airbag, unless the
airbag is shut OFF. An airbag deployment can cause
severe injury or death to an infant in this position.
²TheFlex Matis located beneath the passenger seat
cushion foam. The Flex Mat sends signals to the OCM
for classifying the occupant in the passenger seat.
Any weight on the seat will be sensed by the Flex Mat.
Therefore, the occupant in the passenger seat needs to
sit in a normal position (with their feet on or near the
floor) in order to be classified properly. If an occu-
pant's weight is transferred to another part of the
vehicle (like the door or instrument panel), the system
46 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Unapproved modifications or service procedures to
the passenger seat assembly, its related components,
or seat cover may inadvertently change the airbag
deployment in case of a frontal crash. This could
result in death or serious injury to the passenger if
the vehicle is involved in an accident. A modified
vehicle may not comply with required Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).
If A Deployment Occurs
The airbag system is designed to deploy when the ORC
detects a moderate-to-severe frontal collision, to help
restrain the driver and passenger, and then to deflate
immediately.NOTE:A frontal collision that is not severe enough to
need airbag protection will not activate the system. This
does not mean something is wrong with the airbag
system.
If you do have a collision, which deploys the airbags, any
or all of the following may occur:
²The nylon airbag material may sometimes cause abra-
sions and/or skin reddening to the driver and passen-
ger as the airbags deploy and unfold. The abrasions
are similar to friction rope burns or those you might
get sliding along a carpet or gymnasium floor. They
are not caused by contact with chemicals. They are not
permanent and normally heal quickly. However, if you
haven't healed significantly within a few days, or if
you have any blistering, see your doctor immediately.
²As 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
48 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
²It is not advisable to drive your vehicle after the
airbags have been deployed. If you are involved in
another collision, the airbags will not be in place to
protect you.
WARNING!
Deployed airbags can't protect you in another colli-
sion. Have the airbags replaced by an authorized
dealer as soon as possible.
Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
²Modifications 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.
²You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee impact bolsters.
²It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has airbags.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 49
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