2010 DODGE VIPER Owners Manual

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. Release the
switch when you want the window to stop.
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 (convertible models).
This is a normal occurrence and can be minimized by
adjusting one or both windows up or down slightly.
LIFTGATE — COUPE MODELS ONLY
The liftgate can be unlocked or locked by the Remote
Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter or by activating either of
the power door lock switches located on the door trim
panels.
To unlock the liftgate with the RKE transmitter, press the
LIFTGATE button on the RKE transmitter for at least onePower Window Switches
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 29

second. The parking lights and turn signal lights will
flash three times to acknowledge the signal.
NOTE:Pressing the UNLOCK button on the RKE
transmitter will also allow liftgate access.
Once unlocked, the liftgate can be opened or closed. To
open the liftgate, press the LIFTGATE RELEASE switch
located in the exterior liftgate handle and pull the liftgate
open with one fluid motion.
NOTE: The liftgate release switch will be ignored under
the following conditions:
•When the ignition is in ON/RUN and the parking
brake is not set.
•When vehicle speed is not 0 mph (0 km/h).
•When all doors are locked (except for RKE transmitter
liftgate access). Refer to “Entering the Liftgate with the
System Armed — Coupe” under “Security Alarm
System” for additional information. The word “DECK” will flash in the odometer when the
liftgate is open. With the key in the ignition switch, this
display will turn off approximately 40 seconds after
switching OFF the ignition, or if the Power Accessory
Delay feature is active, it will turn off approximately
40 seconds after the delay feature times out.
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.
30 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
TRUNK LOCK AND RELEASE — CONVERTIBLE
MODELS ONLY
You can unlatch the trunk lid by pressing the TRUNK
button on the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter
for at least one second. The park lights and turn signal
lights will flash three times to acknowledge the signal
and the trunk lid will pop open.
You can also unlatch the trunk lid with the key. The key
cylinder is located on the trunk lid.
The word “DECK” will flash in the odometer when the
trunk lid is open. With the key in the ignition switch, this
display will turn off approximately 40 seconds after
switching OFF the ignition, or if the Power AccessoryDelay feature is active, it will turn off approximately
40 seconds after the delay feature times out.
NOTE:
Gas props support the trunk lid in the open
position. However, because the gas pressure drops with
temperature, it may be necessary to assist the props when
opening the trunk lid in cold weather.TRUNK SAFETY WARNING — CONVERTIBLE
MODELS ONLY
WARNING!
Do not allow children to have access to the trunk,
either by climbing into the trunk from outside, or
through the inside of the vehicle. Always close the
trunk lid when your vehicle is unattended. Once in
the trunk, young children may not be able to escape.
If trapped in the trunk, children can die from suffo-
cation or heat stroke.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 31

Trunk Emergency Release
The trunk of your vehicle is equipped with an emergency
release handle. It is located on the inside of the trunk lid,
near the latch, and is coated so that it glows in a darkened
trunk. Pull on the handle to open the trunk.
OCCUPANT RESTRAINTS
Some of the most important safety features in your
vehicle are the restraint systems:
•Three-point lap and shoulder belts for all seating
positions
•Advanced Front Airbags for driver and front passen-
ger
•An energy-absorbing steering column and steering
wheel
•Knee bolsters/blockers for front seat occupants
•Seat belts incorporate pretensioners to enhance occu-
pant protection by managing occupant energy during
an impact event — if equipped
•Passenger side seatbelt incorporates an Automatic
Locking Retractor (ALR), which locks the seat belt
webbing into position by extending the belt all the
Emergency Release
32 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

way out and then adjusting the belt to the desired
length to restrain a child seat or secure a large item in
a seat — if equipped
If you will be carrying children too small for adult-sized
seat belts, the seat belts or the Lower Anchors and Tether
for CHildren (LATCH) feature also can be used to hold
infant and child restraint systems. For more information
on LATCH, see Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren
(LATCH).
NOTE: The Advanced Front Airbags have a multistage
inflator design. This allows the airbag to have different
rates of inflation based on the severity and type of
collision.
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 passengers as safe as
possible.WARNING!
In an accident, you and your passengers can suffer
much greater injuries if you are not properly buckled
up. You can strike the interior of your vehicle or other
passengers, or you can be thrown out of the vehicle.
Always be sure you and others in your vehicle 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 an accident that includes you. This can happen
far away from home or on your own street.
Research has shown that seat belts save lives, and they
can reduce the seriousness of injuries in an accident.
Some of the worst injuries happen when people are
thrown from the vehicle. Seat belts reduce the possibility
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 33

of ejection and the risk of injury caused by striking the
inside of the vehicle. Everyone in a motor vehicle should
be belted at all times.
Lap/Shoulder Belts
Each seat belt is a combined lap/shoulder belt system.
The belt webbing retractor will lock only during very
sudden stops or impacts. This feature allows the shoulder
portion of the belt to move freely with you under normal
conditions. However, in an accident, the belt will lock
and reduce your risk of striking the inside of the vehicle
or being thrown out of the vehicle.
WARNING!
•It is dangerous to ride in a cargo area, inside or
outside of a vehicle. In an accident, people riding
in these areas are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not allow people to ride in any area of your
vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seat
belts.
•Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and
using a seat belt properly.
•Wearing a seat belt incorrectly is dangerous. Seat
belts are designed to go around the large bones of
your body. These are the strongest parts of your
body and can take the forces of an accident the
best.
•Wearing your belt in the wrong place could make
your injuries in an accident much worse. You
might suffer internal injuries, or you could even
slide out of part of the belt. Follow these instruc-
tions to wear your seat belt safely and to keep your
passengers safe, too.(Continued)
34 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING! (Continued)
•Two people should never be belted into a single
seat belt. People belted together can crash into one
another in an accident, hurting one another badly.
Never use a lap/shoulder belt or a lap belt for more
than one person, no matter what their size.
Lap/Shoulder Belt Operating Instructions
1. Enter the vehicle and close the door. Sit back and
adjust the seat.
2. The seat belt latch plate is located at the side of your
seat back. Grasp the latch plate and pull out the belt.3. Slide the latch plate up the webbing as far as necessary
to make the belt go around your lap.
Latch Plate (Convertible Shown)
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 35

4. When the belt is long enough to fit, insert the latch
plate into the buckle until you hear a “click.”WARNING!
•A belt that is buckled into the wrong buckle will
not protect you properly. The lap portion could
ride too high on your body, possibly causing
internal injuries. Always buckle your belt into the
buckle nearest you.
•A belt that is too loose will not protect you
properly. In a sudden stop, you could move too far
forward, increasing the possibility of injury. Wear
your seat belt snugly.(Continued)
Latch Plate To Buckle (Convertible Shown)
36 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE