2013 DODGE VIPER steering

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
passenger
• 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 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 several factors, including 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.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 29

WARNING!
Using a seat belt extender when not needed can
increase the risk of injury in a collision. Only use the
seat belt extender when the lap belt is not long
enough when it is worn low and snug, and in the
recommended seating positions. Remove and store
the extender when not needed.
Driver And Passenger Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS) - Airbags
This vehicle is equipped with airbags for the driver and
passenger as a supplement to the seat belt restraint
systems. The driver’s Advanced Front Airbag is mounted
in the steering wheel. The passenger’s Advanced Front
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:
These airbags are certified to the new Federal
regulations for Advanced Airbags. The passenger’s Ad-
vanced Front Airbag is certified to the Federal regulations
that define Occupant Classification (Refer to “Airbag
Deployment Sensors And Controls”).Advanced Front Air Bag And Knee Bolster Locations
1 — Driver And Passenger Advanced Front Airbag
2 — Knee Bolster
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 39

WARNING!
•No objects should be placed over or near the air
bag on the instrument panel, because any such
objects could cause harm if the vehicle is in a
collision severe enough to cause the air bag to
inflate.
• Do not put anything on or around the air bag
covers or attempt to open them manually. You may
damage the air bags and you could be injured
because the air bags may no longer be functional.
The protective covers for the air bag cushions are
designed to open only when the air bags are
inflating.
• Do not drill, cut or tamper with the knee bolster in
any way.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not mount any accessories to the knee bolster
such as alarm lights, stereos, citizen 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, airbags won’t deploy at all. Al-
ways 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 steer-
ing wheel or instrument panel.
40 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Knee Impact Bolsters
The Knee Impact Bolsters help protect the knees of the
driver and the passenger, and position front occupants
for the best interaction with the airbags.
Airbag System Components
Your vehicle may be equipped with the following airbag
system components:
•Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
• Airbag Warning Light
• Steering Wheel and Column
• Instrument Panel
• Knee Impact Bolster
• Driver Advanced Front Airbag
• Passenger Advanced Front Airbag
• Front and Side Impact Sensors •
Front Seat Belt Pretensioners, Seat Belt Buckle Switch,
and Seat Track Position Sensors
• Occupant Classification System (OCS)
• Occupant Classification Module (OCM)
• Passenger Airbag Disable (PAD) Indicator Light
• Flex Mat
Airbag Deployment Sensors And Controls
The following requirements must be strictly adhered to:
• Do not modify the passenger seat assembly or compo-
nents in any way.
• Do not use prior or future model year seat covers not
designated for the specific model being repaired. Al-
ways use the correct seat cover specified for the
vehicle.
• Do not replace the seat cover with an aftermarket seat
cover.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 43

WARNING!
Ignoring the Air Bag Warning Light in your instru-
ment panel could mean you won’t have the air bags
to protect you in a collision. If the light does not come
on as a bulb check when the ignition is first turned
on, stays on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes
on as you drive, have an authorized dealer service the
air bag system immediately.
Driver Airbag/Passenger Airbag Inflator Units
The Driver Airbag Inflator Unit is mounted in the steer-
ing wheel. The Passenger Airbag Inflator Unit is
mounted underneath a cover in the passenger side of the
instrument panel. When the ORC detects a collision
requiring the Advanced Front Airbags, it signals the
inflator units. A large quantity of non-toxic gas is gener-
ated to inflate the airbags. Different airbag inflation rates
may be possible based on several factors, includingcollision severity and occupant size. The steering wheel
hub trim cover and the upper right side of the instrument
panel separate and then fold out of the way, as the
airbags inflate to their full size. The airbags inflate fully in
about 50 to 70 ms. This is about half of the time it takes
to blink your eyes. The airbags then deflate quickly while
helping to restrain the driver and passenger. The airbag
gas is vented toward the instrument panel through vent
holes in the airbag material. In this way, the airbags do
not interfere with your control of the vehicle.Occupant Classification Module (OCM)
The Occupant Classification Module (OCM) is located
underneath the passenger seat. The OCM uses input
from the Flex Mat to classify the occupant in the passen-
ger seat into a size category. The OCM communicates this
information to the ORC. The ORC may modify the rate of
passenger airbag inflation or prevent passenger airbag
deployment based on occupant classification.
46 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

Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear and uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect the tread and sidewall for
cuts and cracks. Check the wheel nuts for tightness.
Check the tires for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of brake lights and
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 area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
engine coolant, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are detected or if fuel, power steering fluid, or
brake fluid leaks are suspected, the cause should be
located and corrected immediately.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 63

TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HOOD .........113
 LIGHTS .............................115
▫ Headlight Switch .....................115
▫ Automatic Headlights ..................116
▫ Headlights On With Wipers (Available with
Automatic Headlights Only) .............124
▫ Headlight Time Delay ..................116
▫ Daytime Running Lights (DRL) ...........117
▫ Lights-On Reminder ...................117
▫ Multifunction Lever ...................118
▫ Turn Signals .........................118
▫ High/Low Beam Switch ................119
▫ Flash-To-Pass ........................119 ▫
Interior Lights .......................119
 WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHERS ......122
▫ Intermittent Wiper System ...............122
▫ Wiper Operation ..................... .122
▫ Mist Feature ........................ .123
▫ Windshield Washers ...................123
▫ Headlights On With Wipers (Available with
Automatic Headlights Only) .............124
 TILT STEERING COLUMN ...............124
 ADJUSTABLE PEDALS ..................125
▫ Adjustable Foot Rest ...................127
 ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL ...........127
▫ To Activate ......................... .128
66 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE