2009 Dodge Viper Owner Manual - Page 49

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 47 WARNING! Ignoring the Airbag Warning Light in your instrument 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 the airbag system checked right away. • The Driver Airbag/Inflator Unit is mounted in the steering 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 airbags, it signals the inflator units. A large quantity of non-toxic gas is generated 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 bags inflate to their full size. The bags inflate fully in about 50 to 70 ms. This is about half of the time it takes to blink your eyes. The bags 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. • The Knee Impact Bolsters help protect the knees of the driver and the passenger, and position everyone for the best interaction with the airbags. • 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 passenger 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. 2