steering DODGE VIPER 2010 ZB II / 2.G Owners Manual

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

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”).
The airbags have a multistage inflator design. This allows
the airbag to have different rates of inflation that are
based on collision severity and occupant size.
WARNING!
•No objects should be placed over or near the
airbag on the instrument panel, because any such
objects could cause harm if the vehicle is in a
collision severe enough to cause the airbag to
inflate.
(Continued)
Advanced Front Airbag and Knee Bolster Locations
1 — Driver And Passenger Advanced Front Airbag
2 — Knee Bolster
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 43

WARNING! (Continued)
•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.
•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.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•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.
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.
44 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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 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 Advanced Front
Airbag may not deploy.
•Airbag covers may not be obvious in the interior trim;
but they will open during airbag deployment.
•After any accident, the vehicle should be taken to an
authorized dealer immediately.
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
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 45

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.
WARNING!
Ignoring the Airbag Warning Light in your instru-
ment panel could mean you won’t have the airbags to
protect you in a collision. If the light does not come
on, stays on after you start the vehicle, or if it comes
on as you drive, have an authorized dealer service the
airbag 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 collision 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 mate-
rial. In this way, the airbags do not interfere with your
control of the vehicle.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 49

Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
•Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured if the airbag 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
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has an airbag system.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not attempt to modify any part of your ad-
vanced airbag system. The airbag may inflate
accidentally or may not function properly if modi-
fications are made. Take your vehicle to an autho-
rized dealer for any advanced airbag system ser-
vice. If your seat including your trim cover and
cushion needs to be serviced in any way (includ-
ing removal or loosening/tightening of seat attach-
ment bolts), take the vehicle to your authorized
dealer. Only manufacturer approved seat accesso-
ries may be used. If it is necessary to modify the
airbag system for persons with disabilities, contact
your authorized dealer.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 55

WARNING! (Continued)
•Always make sure that objects cannot fall into the
driver foot well while the vehicle is moving.
Objects can become trapped under the brake pedal
and accelerator pedal causing a loss of vehicle
control.
•If required, mounting posts must be properly
installed, if not equipped from the factory.
Failure to properly follow floor mat installation or
mounting can cause interference with the brake
pedal and accelerator pedal operation causing loss
of control of the vehicle.
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 objectslodged in the tread. Inspect the tread and sidewall for
cuts and cracks. Check the wheel nuts for tightness.
Check the tires (including spare) for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of 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.
2
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 67

▫Lights-On Reminder ................... 90
▫ Battery Saver Feature — Exterior Lights ..... 90
▫ Fog Lights .......................... 90
▫ Turn Signals ......................... 91
▫ High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch ....... 91
▫ Flash-To-Pass ........................ 91
▫ Interior Lights ....................... 91
 Windshield Wipers And Washers ........... 94
▫ Intermittent Wiper System ............... 95
▫ Mist Feature ......................... 96 ▫
Windshield Washers ................... 96
 Tilt Steering Column .................... 96
 Adjustable Pedals ...................... 97
▫ Adjustable Foot Rest ................... 99
 Electrical Power Outlets ................. 100
 Console Features ...................... 102
 Storage ............................. 103
 Rear Window Features .................. 104
▫ Rear Window Defroster ................ 104
70 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!
•Do not leave the hood open in areas where strong
gusts of wind are likely. Such a place might be by
the side of the road where large trucks pass by.
Strong gusts of wind may damage your hood.
Always close the hood in such situations.
•To prevent possible damage, do not slam the hood
to close it. Simply lower the hood until it is open
approximately 6 in (15 cm) and then drop it. This
should secure both latches. Never drive your ve-
hicle unless the hood is fully closed with both
latches engaged.
WARNING!
Be sure the hood is fully latched before driving your
vehicle. If the hood is not fully latched, it could open
when the vehicle is in motion and block your vision.
Failure to follow this warning could result in serious
injury or death.
LIGHTS
Exterior and Interior Lighting Control
The multifunction lever on the left side of the
steering column controls the operation of the
headlights, parking lights, turn signal lights, front
fog lights, instrument panel lights and interior lights.
Headlights and Parking Lights
Turn the end of the multifunction lever to the first detent
for parking light operation. Turn the end of the lever to
the second detent for headlight operation.
88 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Interior Light Defeat (OFF)
Rotate the dimmer control to the ex-
treme bottom OFF position. The inte-
rior lights will remain off when the
doors are open.
Parade Mode (Daytime Brightness Feature)
Rotate the dimmer control to the first
detent (white semi-circle). This feature
brightens the odometer and radio dis-
play when the parking lights or head-
lights are on during daylight conditions.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHERS
The windshield wiper/washer control lever is on
the right side of the steering column.
From the off position, push the windshield wiper/
washer control lever upward to the first detent past the
intermittent DEL setting for low-speed wiper operation,
or to the second detent past the intermittent DEL setting
for high-speed wiper operation.
CAUTION!
Turn the windshield wipers off when driving
through an automatic car wash. Damage to the wind-
shield wipers may result if the wiper switch is left in
any position other than off.
94 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE