2009 DODGE VIPER lock

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 “Automatic Locking Mode” 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 “click.”
2. Grasp the shoulder portion of the belt and pull all of
the webbing out of the retractor.
58 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
4. 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, then secure the child
restraint with the Child Restraint Tether Anchor.
NOTE:
Once the belt is in automatic locking mode, you
will not be able to pull any more of the webbing out of the
retractor. In this mode, you will only be able to retract excess
webbing into the retractor to secure the child restraint.
Transporting Pets
Deploying airbags could harm your pet. An unrestrained
pet will be thrown about and possibly injured, or injure a
passenger during panic braking or in a collision.
Pets should be restrained in pet harnesses or pet carriers
that are secured by seat belts.
BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the drivetrain
(engine, transmission, and rear axle) in your new vehicle.
Following these few simple guidelines is all that is
necessary for a good break-in.
For the first 500 miles (800 km):
•Keep your vehicle speed below the legal, posted speed
limit and your engine speed below 4,000 RPM.
•Avoid driving at a constant speed, either fast or slow,
for long periods.
•Do not make any full throttle starts and avoid full
throttle acceleration.
•Use the proper gear for your speed range.
•Wait until the engine has reached normal operating
temperature before driving at the recommended maxi-
mum break-in speed.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 59
2

Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect the tread and side wall for
cuts and cracks. Check the wheel nuts for tightness.
Check the tires for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check Turn Signal and High
Beam Indicator Lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check the area under the vehicle after overnight parking
for fuel, water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are present, the cause should be corrected
immediately.
62 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

10. Push downward on the boot cover behind driver seat
to lock down the boot cover.
11. Stretch and smooth out the boot cover from the rear
of vehicle.12. Close the trunk.
13. Ensure that the forward edge of the boot cover is
tucked in fully.
Stretching and Smoothing Cover
Forward Edge
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 73
3

NOTE:Assist props will raise the hood to a normal
usage position. If greater access is required, the hood may
be pushed up at the front, raising the hood beyond the
initial opening height.
CAUTION!
Do not leave the hood open in areas where strong
gusts of wind are likely. Such a place might be by the
side of the road where large trucks pass by. Strong
gusts of wind may damage your hood. Always close
the hood in such situations.To prevent possible damage, do not slam the hood to
close it. Simply lower the hood until it is open approxi-
mately 6 in (15 cm) and then drop it. This should secure
both latches. Never drive your vehicle unless the hood is
fully closed with both latches engaged.WARNING!
If the hood is not fully latched, it could open when
the vehicle is moving and block your forward vision.
Be sure the hood latches are fully latched before
driving.
82 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch
Pull the multifunction lever toward you to switch the
headlights to high beam. Pull the lever a second time to
switch the headlights back to low beam.
Flash-to-Pass
You can signal another vehicle with your headlights by
lightly pulling the multifunction lever toward you. This
will cause the headlights to turn on at high beam and
remain on until the lever is released.
Interior Lights
The interior lights will turn on whenever a door is
opened or the liftgate is opened (Coupe models) and the
dimmer switch is not in the defeat position.
The interior lights will turn on, remain on for about
30 seconds, and then fade to off if any of the following
occur:
•A door is opened using the outside door handle and
then closed.
•A door is unlocked using the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) transmitter.Headlight Beam Control
86 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

•A door is unlocked using the outside driver’s door key
cylinder.
The interior lights will turn on and remain on for about
four seconds and then fade to off if a door is opened
using the inside door handle.
Courtesy/Reading Lights
Two courtesy/reading lights are located in the bottom of
the rearview mirror. You can turn these lights on and off
from the switches in the bottom of the mirror or from the
dimmer control in the multifunction lever. These lights
are also controlled automatically by the illuminated entry
system.
Courtesy lights are also found in the driver’s foot well,
the passenger’s foot well, and in the liftgate on Coupe
models. You can turn this light on and off from the
dimmer control in the multifunction lever. This light is
also controlled automatically by the illuminated entry
system.
Courtesy/Reading Light Switches
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 87
3

Battery Saver Feature — Interior Lights
To protect the battery, the interior lights will turn off
automatically 15 minutes after the ignition switch is
moved to the OFF/LOCK position. This will occur if the
interior lights were switched on manually or are on
because a door is open or the liftgate is open (Coupe
models). To restore interior light operation, turn the
ignition switch to the ON/RUN position or cycle the
light switch.
Dimmer Control
The dimmer control is part of the multifunction lever. It
controls the operation of the interior lights and the
brightness of the instrument panel lights.
Instrument Panel Dimming
With the parking lights or headlights
on, rotate the dimmer control upward
to increase the brightness of the instru-
ment panel lights or rotate it down-
ward to decrease the brightness of the
instrument panel lights.
Interior Light (ON)
Rotate the dimmer control completely
upward to the second detent to turn
on the interior lights. The interior
lights will remain on when the dim-
mer control is in this position.
88 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE