2008 Dodge Viper Owner Manual - Page 42

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 41 The airbags work with the instrument panel knee bolsters and the seat belts to provide improved protection for the driver and passenger. While the seat belts are designed to protect the driver and passenger in many types of collisions, the airbags will deploy in moderate to severe frontal collisions. 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 "How The Airbag System Works" in this section) 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 airbag deploys, the passenger airbag may not deploy. Here are some simple steps you can take to minimize the risk of harm from a deploying airbag. 1. An infant up to 1 year or approximately 20 pounds (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 rear facing child safety seat, designed for a child up to one year or approximately 20 pounds (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. Refer to "Passenger Airbag Disabled (PAD) Indicator Light" in this section. 3. A child that is not big enough to wear the vehicle seat belt properly (refer to information on Child Restraint in this section) should be secured in a child safety seat or booster seat. 4. An older child who does not use a child safety seat or booster seat should ride buckled properly in their seat. 2