belt DODGE VIPER 2013 VX / 3.G User Guide

Seat Belt Pretensioners — If Equipped
The seat belts for both front seating positions may be
equipped with pretensioning devices that are designed to
remove slack from the seat belt in the event of an
collision. These devices improve the performance of the
seat belt by assuring that the belt is tight about the
occupant early in an collision. Pretensioners work for all
size occupants, including those in child restraints.
NOTE:These devices are not a substitute for proper seat
belt placement by the occupant. The seat belt still must be
worn snugly and positioned properly.
The pretensioners are triggered by the Occupant Re-
straint Controller (ORC). Like the airbags, the pretension-
ers are single use items. A deployed pretensioner or a
deployed airbag must be replaced immediately.
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 an 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 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

The airbags have a multistage inflator design. This allows
the airbag to have different rates of inflation that are
based on several factors, including collision severity and
occupant size.
While the seat belts are designed to protect the driver and
passenger in many types of collisions, the airbags will
deploy in certain frontal collisions depending on several
factors, including the severity and type of collision.
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 “Airbag Deployment
Sensors And Controls”) 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
Advanced Front Airbag deploys, the passenger’s Ad-
vanced Front Airbag may not deploy.
• Airbag covers may not be obvious in the interior trim;
but they will open during airbag deployment.
• After any collision, the vehicle should be taken to an
authorized dealer immediately.
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), should never ride in the front seat of a vehicle
equipped with a passenger airbag, unless the airbag is
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 41

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”.
3. A child who is not big enough to wear the vehicle seat belt properly should be secured in a child safety seat
or booster seat. (Refer to “Child Restraints”)
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.
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 always 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 adjust-
ment options. Refer to “Adjustable Pedals” in “Un-
derstanding The Features Of Your Vehicle” for de-
tails.
42 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

•Do not add a secondary seat cover other than those
approved by Chrysler Group LLC/Mopar.
•
At no time should any supplemental restraint system
(SRS) component or SRS related component or fastener
be modified or replaced with any part except those
which are approved by Chrysler Group LLC/Mopar .
Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
The ORC is part of a Federally regulated safety system
required for this vehicle.
The ORC determines if deployment of the front airbags in
a frontal or side collision is required. Based on the impact
sensors signals, a central electronic ORC deploys the
Advanced Front Airbags, as required, depending on
several factors, including the severity and type of impact.
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 Classification System (OCS). The ORC
will not detect roll-over or rear impacts.
Advanced Front Airbags are designed to provide addi-
tional protection by supplementing the seat belts in
certain frontal collisions depending on the severity and
type of collision. Advanced Front Airbags are not ex-
pected to reduce the risk of injury in rear, side, or rollover
collisions.
The Advanced Front Airbags will not deploy in all frontal
collisions, including some that may produce substantial
vehicle damage — for example, some pole collisions,
truck underrides, and angle offset collisions. On the other
hand, depending on the type and location of impact,
Advanced Front Airbags may deploy in crashes with
little vehicle front-end damage but that produce a severe
initial deceleration.
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Because airbag sensors measure vehicle deceleration over
time, vehicle speed and damage by themselves are not
good indicators of whether or not an airbag should have
deployed.
Seat belts are necessary for your protection in all colli-
sions, and also are needed to help keep you in position,
away from an inflating airbag.
The ORC monitors the readiness of the electronic parts of
the airbag system whenever the ignition is in the START
or ON/RUN position. If the ignition is in the OFF
position, in the ACC position, or not in the ignition, the
airbag system is not on and the airbags will not inflate.
The ORC contains a backup power supply system that
may deploy the airbags even if the battery loses power or
it becomes disconnected prior to deployment.The ORC turns on the Airbag Warning Light
and Passenger Airbag Disable (PAD) Indicator
Light for four to eight seconds as a self-check
when the ignition is first turned to ON/RUN.
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”). If the ORC detects a malfunction in any part of
the system, it turns on the Airbag Warning Light either
momentarily or continuously. A single chime will sound
if the light comes on again after initial startup.
It also includes diagnostics that will illuminate the instru-
ment cluster Airbag Warning Light if a malfunction is
noted that could affect the airbag system. The diagnostics
also record the nature of the malfunction.
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 45

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

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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