2009 DODGE VIPER Owners Manual

Lap/Shoulder Belt Untwisting Procedure
Use the following procedure to untwist a twisted lap/
shoulder belt.
1. Position the latch plate as close as possible to the
anchor point.
2. At about 6 to 12 in (15 to 30 cm) above the latch plate,
grasp and twist the belt webbing 180 degrees to create a
fold that begins immediately above the latch plate.
3. Slide the latch plate upward over the folded webbing.
The folded webbing must enter the slot at the top of the
latch plate.
4. Continue to slide the latch plate up until it clears the
folded webbing.
Enhanced Seat Belt Reminder System (BeltAlert)
If the driver does not buckle their seat belt and vehicle
speed exceeds 5 mph (8 km/h), or if the passenger does
not buckle their seat belt within 10 seconds of vehiclespeed exceeding 5 mph (8 km/h), the Enhanced Warning
System (BeltAlert) will alert the occupant(s) to buckle
their seat belt(s). Once triggered, BeltAlertwill flash the
Seat Belt Reminder Light and chime for up to 96 seconds
to alert the occupant(s) to buckle their seat belt(s). If the
driver unbuckles their seat belt while vehicle speed is
greater than 5 mph (8 km/h), or if the passenger unbuck-
les their seat belt for more than 10 seconds while vehicle
speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h), BeltAlertwill
reactivate.
BeltAlertProgramming
BeltAlertcan be enabled or disabled by your authorized
dealer or by performing the following steps:
NOTE:Chrysler LLC does not recommend deactivating
BeltAlert.
1. Close all doors.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF/LOCK position.
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3. Buckle the driver’s seat belt.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position, but
do not start the engine. Wait for the Seat Belt Reminder
Light to turn off and then proceed to the next step.
NOTE:You must perform the following steps within
60 seconds of turning the ignition switch to the ON/RUN
position.
5. Within 60 seconds of turning the ignition switch to the
ON/RUN position, 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 Reminder Light to turn
on while unbuckling the seat belt and turn off while
re-buckling the seat belt. It may be necessary to retract
the seat belt.6. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF/LOCK position. A
single chime will sound to signify that you have com-
pleted the programming successfully.
BeltAlertcan be reactivated by repeating this procedure.
NOTE:When BeltAlertis deactivated, the Seat Belt
Reminder Light will continue to illuminate as long as the
driver’s seat belt or the passenger’s seat belt is
unbuckled.
Automatic Locking Mode
The seat belts for both occupants are equipped with
emergency locking retractors for normal use. Emergency
locking retractors activate during very sudden stops or
impacts. The passenger seat belt in your vehicle can also
be converted to an automatic locking retractor to secure
child restraint systems. Seat belts equipped with auto-
matic locking retractors have a distinctive label on the
webbing.
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How to Engage the Automatic Locking Mode
To convert the passenger seat belt from emergency lock-
ing mode to automatic locking mode, grasp the shoulder
portion of the belt and pull all of the webbing out of the
retractor. Then, 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 auto-
matic locking mode.
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.
How To Disengage The Automatic Locking Mode
Simply allow all of the webbing to retract back into the
retractor to disengage the automatic locking mode. This
will return the retractor to the emergency locking mode
for normal use.
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
authorized 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 extender, and store it.
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WARNING!
Using a seat belt extender when not needed can
increase the risk of injury in a collision. Only use a
seat belt extender when the seat belt is not long
enough when worn low and snug and in the recom-
mended seating positions. Remove and store the
extender when not needed.
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’s airbag is mounted in the steering
wheel. The passenger’s 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 passen-
ger’s airbag is certified to the Federal regulations that
define Occupant Classification (Refer to “How The Air-
bag System Works” in this section).
The airbags have a multistage inflator design. This may
allow the airbag to have different rates of inflation that
are based on collision severity and occupant size.
WARNING!
•Do 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 inflat-
ing.
(Continued)
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WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not drill, cut, or tamper with the knee bolster
in any way.
•Do not mount any accessories to the knee bolster
such as alarm lights, stereos, citizens band radios,
etc.
•Relying 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.
•Being too close to the steering wheel or instrument
panel during airbag deployment could cause seri-
ous injury. Airbags need room to inflate. Sit back,
extending your arms comfortably to reach the
steering wheel or instrument panel.The airbags work with the instrument panel knee bolsters
and the seat belts to provide improved protection for the
driver and passenger. While the seat belts are designed to
protect the driver and passenger in many types of
collisions, the airbags will deploy in moderate to severe
frontal collisions. However, even in collisions where the
airbags deploy, all occupants need the seat belts to keep
them in the right position for the airbags to protect
properly.
NOTE:The passenger airbag may not deploy if the
Occupant Classification System (refer to “How The Air-
bag System Works” in this section) determines the seat is
empty or is occupied by someone that is classified in the
“child” category. This could be a child, a teenager, or
even a small adult. Therefore, even if the driver’s airbag
deploys, the passenger’s airbag may not deploy.
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Here are some simple steps you can take to minimize
the risk of harm from a deploying airbag.
1. An infant up to one year or approximately 20 lbs (9 kg)
should never ride in the vehicle because in the event of a
crash, the rear-facing child seat places them too close to
the passenger airbag.
2. An infant in a rear-facing child safety seat, designed
for a child up to one year or approximately 20 lbs (9 kg),
shouldNEVERride 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. Refer to “Passenger
Airbag Disabled (PAD) Indicator Light” in this section.
3. A child who is not big enough to wear the vehicle seat
belt properly (refer to information on Child Restraint in
this section) should be secured in a child safety seat or
booster seat.4. An older child who does not use a child safety seat or
booster seat should ride buckled properly in their seat.
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 lbs
(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 properly.
8. Read the instructions provided with your child re-
straint to make sure that you are using it properly.
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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 “Adjustable Pedals” in Section 3 of this manual
for details.
Airbag System Components
The Airbag System consists of the following:
•Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
•Airbag Warning Light
•Driver Airbag
•Passenger Airbag
•Passenger Airbag Off Light
•Steering Wheel and Column
•Instrument Panel
•Seat Track Position Sensors
•Interconnecting Wiring
•Seat Belt Reminder Light
•Knee Impact Bolsters
•Front Acceleration Sensors
•Passenger Seat Occupant Classification System (OCS)
Occupant Classification Module (OCM)
Passenger Airbag Disabled (PAD) Indicator Light
Flex Mat
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Interconnecting Wiring
Seat Track Position Sensors
How the Airbag System Works
•
TheOccupant Restraint Controller (ORC)determines
if a frontal collision is severe enough to require the
airbags to inflate. The airbag inflators are designed to
provide different rates of inflation. Based on the level
of collision severity, the ORC determines the proper
rate of inflation. The ORC may modify the rate of
passenger airbag inflation or prevent passenger airbag
deployment based on input from the Occupant Clas-
sification System (OCS). The ORC will not detect
roll-over or rear impacts. Furthermore, the airbags are
not on and will not inflate if the key is in the
OFF/LOCK position, in the ACC position, or not in
the ignition.The ORC also monitors the readiness of the electronic
parts of the system whenever the ignition switch is in
the ON/RUN position. These include all of the items
listed under “Airbag System Components,” except the
steering wheel and column and the knee bolsters.
•The ORC turns on the Airbag Warning
Light and Passenger Airbag Disable (PAD)
Indicator Light for six to eight 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 “Passenger Airbag Disable (PAD)
Indicator Light” 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 continu-
ously. A single chime will sound if the light comes on
again after initial start up.
46 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE