2005 Dodge Viper Owner's Manual - Page 45

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 45 WARNING! Do not put anything on or around the airbag covers or attempt to manually open them. You may damage the airbags and you could be injured because the airbags are not there to protect you. These protective covers for the airbag cushions are designed to open only when the airbags are inflating. • When the crash sensors detect an impact requiring the airbags, they signal the inflator units. A large quantity of non toxic nitrogen gas is generated to inflate the airbags. The airbag covers separate and fold out of the way as the airbags inflate to their full size. The airbags fully inflate in about 50 milliseconds. This is only about half of the time it takes you to blink your eyes. The airbags then quickly deflate while helping to restrain the driver and right front passenger. The airbag gas is vented through the airbag material towards the instrument panel. In this way the airbags do not interfere with your control of the vehicle. • The Knee Impact Bolsters help protect the knees and position you for the best interaction with the airbags. If A Deployment Occurs The airbag system is designed to deploy when the impact sensors detect a moderate to severe frontal collision, to help restrain the driver and right front passenger, and then to immediately deflate. NOTE: A frontal collision that is not severe enough to need airbag protection will not activate the system. This does not mean something is wrong with the airbag system. 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 abrasions and/or skin reddening to the driver and right 2