2013 DODGE VIPER Owners Manual

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 whenever there is a fault
present, which can affect the operation of the airbag
system. If there is a fault present in the OCS, both the
PAD Indicator Light and the Airbag Warning Light will
illuminate to show that the passenger airbag is turned
off. Should this occur the passenger 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.
Passenger Airbag Disabled (PAD) Indicator Light
The Passenger Airbag Disabled (PAD) Indicator Light
indicates to the driver and passenger when the passengerairbag 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 (de-
pending on size) a small teenager or a small adult 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 illu-
minated the passenger airbag will not inflate in the event
of a collision.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 47

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 lbs
(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.
Flex Mat
The Flex Mat is 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 occupant’s weight
is transferred to another part of the vehicle (like the door
or instrument panel), the system may not classify the
occupant properly. Furthermore, objects lodged under
the seat can prevent the occupant’s weight from being
measured properly and may result in the occupant being
classified improperly.
The passenger seat assembly contains critical compo-
nents that affect passenger airbag deployment. Correctly
functioning passenger seat components are critical for the
OCS to classify the passenger properly and calculate the
48 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

proper airbag deployment. Do not make any modifica-
tions to the passenger seat components, assembly, or to
the seat cover. If the seat, trim cover, or cushion needs
service for any reason, take the vehicle to your autho-
rized dealer. Only manufacturer approved seat accesso-
ries may be used.
Enhanced Accident Response System
In the event of an impact causing airbag deployment, if
the communication network remains intact, and the
power remains intact, depending on the nature of the
event the ORC will determine whether to have the
Enhanced Accident Response System perform the follow-
ing functions:
•Cut off fuel to the engine.
• Flash hazard lights as long as the battery has power or
until the ignition is cycled to OFF. •
Turn on the interior lights, which remain on as long as
the battery has power or until the ignition is cycled to
OFF.
• Unlock the doors automatically.
If A Deployment Occurs
The front airbags are designed to deflate immediately
after deployment.
NOTE: Front airbags will not deploy in all collisions.
This does not mean something is wrong with the airbag
system.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 49

If you do have a collision, which deploys the airbags, any
or all of the following may occur:
•The nylon airbag material may sometimes cause abra-
sions and/or skin reddening to the driver and front
passenger 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.
• As 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 gas used for
airbag inflation. These airborne particles may irritate
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.
Do not drive your vehicle after the airbags have de-
ployed. If you are involved in another collision, the
airbags will not be in place to protect you.
WARNING!
Deployed air bags and seat belt pretensioners can not
protect you in another collision. Have the air bags,
seat belt pretensioners, and the front seat belt retrac-
tor assemblies replaced by an authorized dealer im-
mediately. Also, have the Occupant Restraint Con-
troller (ORC) system serviced as well.
50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
•Modifications to any part of the air bag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured if the air bag system is not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or the
upper right side of the instrument panel. Do not
modify the front bumper, vehicle body structure, or
add aftermarket side steps or running boards.
• It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the air
bag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has an air bag system.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not attempt to modify any part of your air bag
system. The air bag may inflate accidentally or may
not function properly if modifications are made.
Take your vehicle to an authorized dealer for any
air bag system service. If your seat, including your
trim cover and cushion, needs to be serviced in any
way (including removal or loosening/tightening of
seat attachment bolts), take the vehicle to your
authorized dealer. Only manufacturer approved
seat accessories may be used. If it is necessary to
modify the air bag system for persons with dis-
abilities, contact your authorized dealer.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 51

Airbag Warning Light
You will want to have the airbags ready to
inflate for your protection in a collision. The
Airbag Warning Light monitors the internal
circuits and interconnecting wiring associated
with airbag system electrical components. While the
airbag system is designed to be maintenance free, if any
of the following occurs, have an authorized dealer ser-
vice the airbag system immediately.
• The Airbag Warning Light does not come on during
the four to eight seconds when the ignition is first
cycled to the ON/RUN position.
• The Airbag Warning Light remains on after the four to
eight-second interval.
• The Airbag Warning Light comes on intermittently or
remains on while driving. NOTE:
If the speedometer, tachometer, or any engine
related gauges are not working, the Occupant Restraint
Controller (ORC) may also be disabled. The airbags may
not be ready to inflate for your protection. Promptly
check the fuse block for blown fuses. Refer to the label
located on the inside of the fuse block cover for the
proper airbag fuses. See your authorized dealer if the
fuse is good.
Child Restraints
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up all the
time, including babies and children. 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.
52 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
In a collision, an unrestrained child can become a
projectile 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
badly injured. Any child riding in your vehicle
should be in a proper restraint for the child’s size.
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
• Safety experts recommend that children ride rearward-
facing in the vehicle until they are two years old or until they reach either the height or weight limit of
their rear facing child safety seat. Two types of child
restraints can be used rearward-facing: infant carriers
and convertible child seats.
• The infant carrier is only used rearward-facing in the
vehicle. It is recommended for children from birth
until they reach the weight or height limit of the infant
carrier. Convertible child seats can be used either
rearward-facing or forward-facing in the vehicle. Con-
vertible child seats often have a higher weight limit in
the rearward-facing direction than infant carriers do,
so they can be used rearward-facing by children who
have outgrown their infant carrier but are still less than
at least two years old. Children should remain
rearward-facing until they reach the highest weight or
height allowed by their convertible child seat.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53

WARNING!
Rearward-facing infant restraints must never be se-
cured in the passenger seat of a vehicle with a
passenger airbag. In a collision, a passenger airbag
may deploy causing severe injury or death to infants
riding in rearward-facing infant restraints.
Older Children and Child Restraints
Children who are two years old or who have outgrown
their rear-facing convertible child seat can ride forward-
facing in the vehicle. Forward-facing child seats and
convertible child seats used in the forward-facing direc-
tion are for children who are over two years old or who
have outgrown the rear-facing weight or height limit of
their rear-facing convertible child seat. Children should
remain in a forward-facing child seat with a harness for
as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height
allowed by the child seat.All children whose weight or height is above the
forward-facing limit for the child seat should use a
belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle’s seat belts
fit properly. If the child cannot sit with knees bent over
the vehicle’s seat cushion while the child’s back is against
the seatback, they should use a belt-positioning booster
seat. The child and belt-positioning booster seat are held
in the vehicle by the seat belt.WARNING!
•
Improper installation can lead to failure of an
infant or child restraint. It could come loose in a
collision. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the child restraint manufacturer ’s
directions exactly when installing an infant or
child restraint.
(Continued)
54 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE