2008 DODGE VIPER Owners Manual

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
2

NOTE:Perchlorate Material Ð special handling may
apply. See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.
Airbag Warning Light
You will want to have the airbags ready for
your protection in a collision. While the airbag
system is designed to be maintenance free, if
any of the following occurs, have an autho-
rized dealer service the system immediately:
²The Airbag Warning light does not come on or flickers
during the 6 to 8 seconds when the ignition switch is
first turned on.
²The light remains on or flickers after the 6 to 8 second
interval.
²The light flickers or comes on and remains on while
driving.
Child Restraint
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up all the
time Ð babies and children, too. Every state in the United
States and all Canadian provinces require small children
ride in proper restraint systems. This is the law, and you
can be prosecuted for ignoring it.
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 injured badly. Any child riding in your
vehicle should be in a proper restraint for the child's
size.
50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

There are different sizes and types of restraints for
children from newborn size to the child almost large
enough for an adult safety belt. Always check the child
seat Owner's Manual to ensure you have the correct seat
for your child. Use the restraint that is correct for your
child:
Infant and Child Restraints
²
Safety experts recommend that children ride
rearward-facing in the vehicle until they are at least
one year oldandweigh at least 20 lbs (9 kg). Two types
of child restraints can be used rearward-facing: infant
carriers and ªconvertibleº child seats.
²The infant carrier is only used rearward-facing in the
vehicle. It is recommended for children who weigh up
to about 20 lbs (9 kg). ªConvertibleº child seats can be
used either rearward-facing or forward-facing in the
vehicle. Convertible child seats often have a higher
weight limit in the rearward-facing direction thaninfant carriers do, so they can be used rearward-facing
by children who weigh more than 20 lbs (9 kg) but are
less than one year old. Both types of child restraints are
held in the vehicle by the lap/shoulder belt.
WARNING!
A rearward facing infant restraint must not be used
in your Viper unless the passenger airbag has been
turned off. A rearward facing infant restraint may be
struck by a deploying passenger airbag, which may
cause severe or fatal injury to the infant.
Older Children and Child Restraints
Children who weigh more than 20 lbs (9 kg) and who are
older than one year can ride forward-facing in the
vehicle. Forward-facing child seats and convertible child
seats used in the forward-facing direction are for children
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 51
2

who weigh 20 to 40 lbs (9 to 18 kg) and who are older
than one year. These child seats are also held in the
vehicle by the lap/shoulder belt.
The belt-positioning booster seat is for children weighing
more than 40 lbs (18 kg), but who are still too small to fit
the vehicle's seat belts properly. If the child cannot sit
with knees bent over the vehicle's seat cushion while the
child's back is against the seat back, they should use a
belt-positioning booster seat. The child and belt-
positioning booster seat are held in the vehicle by the
lap/shoulder belt.
Children Too Large For Booster Seats
Children who are large enough to wear the shoulder belt
comfortably, and whose legs are long enough to bend
over the front of the seat when their back is against the
seat back, should use the lap/shoulder belt in a rear seat.
²Make sure that the child is upright in the seat.
²The lap portion should be low on the hips and as snug
as possible.
²Check belt fit periodically. A child's squirming or
slouching can move the belt out of position.
²If the shoulder belt contacts the face or neck, move the
child closer to the center of the vehicle. Never allow a
child to put the shoulder belt under an arm or behind
their back.
NOTE: For additional information, refer to
www.seatcheck.org or call 1±866±SEATCHECK.
WARNING!
Improper installation can lead to failure of a child
restraint. It could come loose in a collision. The child
could be injured badly or killed. Follow the manufactur-
er's directions exactly when installing a child restraint.
52 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Here are some tips on getting the most out of your child
restraint:
²Before buying any restraint system, make sure that it
has a label certifying that it meets all applicable Safety
Standards. We also recommend that you make sure
that you can install the child restraint in the vehicle
where you will use it before you buy it.
²The restraint must be appropriate for your child's
weight and height. Check the label on the restraint for
weight and height limits.
²Carefully follow the instructions that come with the
restraint. If you install the restraint improperly, it may
not work when you need it.
²Buckle the child into the seat according to the child
restraint manufacturer's directions.
²When your child restraint is not in use, secure it in the
vehicle with the seat belt or remove it from the vehicle.Do not leave it loose in the vehicle. In a sudden stop or
collision, it could strike the occupants or seat backs
and cause serious personal injury.
Child Restraint Tether Anchor
Child restraints having tether straps and hooks
for connection 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 behind the child tether
access cover behind the passenger seat.
To attach a child restraint tether strap:
1. Move the seat forward.
2. Move the seatback to its full forward position.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
2

3. Remove the child tether access cover by prying either
side with a screwdriver or similar tool, as shown.
NOTE: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.4. Pass the child restraint tether hook through either
opening in the seatback underneath the head restraint.
5. Attach the tether hook to the anchor loop.
6. Move the seat to its farthest rearward position. Apply
body pressure to the seat to be sure the seat adjusters
have latched.
Child Tether Access Cover
54 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

7. Return the seatback to an upright position.
8. Install the child restraint according to the manufactur-
er's directions.
9. Remove slack from the tether strap according to the
child restraint manufacturer's directions.
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 seat belt is equipped with an automatic
locking retractor for child restraint system installation. It
is designed to keep the lap portion of the restraint held
tightly to the passenger seat. Seat belts equipped with
automatic locking retractors have a distinctive label on
the webbing. (Refer to ªAutomatic Locking Modeº in this
section for additional information).
To restrain the child seat:
1. Pull enough webbing from the retractor to allow the
belt to pass through the child restraint and insert the latch
plate into the buckle until you hear a ªclick.º
2. Grasp the shoulder portion of the belt and pull all of
the webbing out of the retractor.
3. Allow some of the webbing to retract back into the
retractor. As the belt retracts, you will hear a clicking
sound indicating that the belt is now in automatic locking
mode.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 55
2