Dodge Challenger SRT8 (2009 year). Manual

Seat Belt Extender
If a seat belt is too short even when fully extended your
authorized dealer can provide you with a seat belt
extender. This extender should be used only if the
existing belt is not long enough. When it is not required,
remove the extender and store it.

WARNING!

Using a seat belt extender when not needed can
increase the risk of injury in a collision. Only use
when the seat belt is not long enough when it is worn
low and snug and in the recommended seating posi-
tion. Remove and store the extender when not
needed.

Driver and Front Passenger Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS) - Airbags
This vehicle has front airbags for both the driver and
front passenger as a supplement to the seat belt restraint

systems. The driver side front airbag is mounted in the
center of the steering wheel. The passenger side front
airbag is mounted in the instrument panel, above the
glove compartment. The words SRS AIRBAG are em-
bossed on the airbag covers.

1 — Airbags
2 — Knee Bolsters

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:

The front airbags are certified to the Federal

regulations that allow less forceful deployment.

The front airbags have a multistage inflator design. This
allows the airbag to have different rates of inflation that
are based on collision severity.

WARNING!

• Do not put anything on or around the front airbag

covers or attempt to open them. 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 inflating.

• 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.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

This vehicle is also equipped with supplemental side
curtain airbags (located above the side windows) to
protect the driver and passenger sitting next to a window.
Their covers are also labeled SRS AIRBAG.

NOTE:

Airbag covers may not be obvious in the interior

trim, but they will open to allow airbag deployment.

WARNING!

• Do not stack luggage or other cargo up high

enough to block the location of the side curtain
airbag. The area where the side curtain airbag is
located should remain free from any obstructions.

• Do not have any accessory items installed which

will alter the roof, including adding a sunroof to
your vehicle. Do not add roof racks that require
permanent attachments (bolts or screws) for instal-
lation on the vehicle roof. Do not drill into the roof
of the vehicle for any reason.

NOTE:

Do not use a clothing bar mounted to the coat

hooks in this vehicle. A clothing bar will impede the
proper performance of the curtain airbags.

Along with the seat belts, front airbags work with the
instrument panel knee bolsters to provide improved

Side Window Airbag

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

protection for the driver and front passenger. Side curtain
airbags also work with seat belts to improve occupant
protection.

While the seat belts are designed to protect you in many
types of collisions, the front airbags will deploy in
moderate-to-severe frontal collisions. The supplemental
side curtain airbag on the crash side of the vehicle will
also trigger in moderate-to-severe side collisions. How-
ever, even in collisions where the airbags deploy, you
need the seat belts to keep you in the correct position for
the airbags to protect you properly.

Here are some simple steps you can take to minimize
the risk of harm from a deploying airbag:

1. Children 12 years old and younger should ride buck-
led up in the rear seat.

WARNING!

Infants in rear-facing child restraints should NEVER
ride in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger
front airbag. An airbag deployment could cause
severe injury or death to infants in that position.

2. Children who are not big enough to wear the vehicle
seat belt properly should be secured in the rear seat in
child restraints or belt-positioning booster seats. (Refer to
information on Child Restraint in this section.)

3. Older children who do not use child restraints or
belt-positioning booster seats should ride properly buck-
led up in the rear seat. Never allow children to slide the
shoulder belt behind them or under their arm.

4. If a child from 1 to 12 years old must ride in the front
passenger seat because the vehicle is crowded, move the

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

seat as far back as possible and use the proper child
restraint. (Refer to information on Child Restraint in this
section.)

5. You should read the instructions provided with your
child restraint to make sure that you are using it properly.

6. All occupants should use their seat belts properly.

7. The driver and front passenger seats should be moved
back as far as practical to allow the airbags time to inflate.

8. Do not lean against the door, as the airbags will inflate
forcefully into the space between you and the door.

9. If the airbag system in this vehicle needs to be
modified to accommodate a disabled person, contact the
Customer Center. Phone numbers are provided in the

⬙If

You Need Customer Assistance

⬙ section.

WARNING!

• 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,
comfortably extending your arms to reach the
steering wheel or instrument panel.

• This vehicle has supplemental side curtain air-

bags, and they need room to inflate. Do not lean
against the door or window. Sit upright in the
center of the seat.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Airbag System Components
The airbag system consists of the following:

• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
• Side Remote Acceleration Sensors
• Side Door Pressure Sensors
• Airbag Warning Light
• Driver Airbag
• Front Passenger Airbag
• Supplemental Side Curtain Airbags above Side Win-

dows

• Steering Wheel and Column
• Instrument Panel
• Interconnecting Wiring

• Seat Belt Reminder Light
• Knee Impact Bolsters
• Front Acceleration Sensors
• Driver and Front Passenger Seat Belt Pretensioners

How the Airbag System Works

• The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) determines

if a frontal collision is severe enough to require the
airbags to inflate. The front airbag inflators are de-
signed to provide different rates of airbag inflation
from direction provided by the ORC. The ORC will not
detect rollover.

• The ORC also determines if a side impact is severe

enough to deploy the supplemental side curtain airbag
as required for each type of impact.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

• The ORC also monitors the readiness of the electronic

parts of the system whenever the ignition switch is in
the START or ON position. These include all of the
items listed above except the knee bolster, the instru-
ment panel, and the steering wheel and column. If the
key is in the LOCK position, in the ACC position, or
not in the ignition, the airbags are not on and they will
not inflate.

• The ORC also turns on the Airbag Warning

Light in the instrument panel for six to eight
seconds as a self-check when the ignition is
first turned on. After the self-check, the

Airbag Warning Light will turn off. If the ORC detects
a malfunction in any part of the system, it turns on the
Airbag Warning Light either momentarily or continu-
ously. A single chime will sound if the light comes on
again after initial start-up.

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 the airbag system checked right
away.

• The Driver and Front Passenger Airbag/Inflator

Units

are located in the center of the steering wheel

and 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 front airbags. Different
airbag inflation rates may be possible based on colli-
sion severity. The steering wheel hub trim cover, and
the upper passenger side of the instrument panel
separate and fold out of the way as the bags inflate to

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

their full size. The bags fully inflate in about 50 to 70
milliseconds. This is about half of the time that it takes
to blink your eyes. The bags then quickly deflate while
helping to restrain the driver and front passenger. The
driver front airbag gas is vented through vent holes in
the sides of the airbag. The passenger front airbag gas
is vented through vent holes in the sides of the airbag.
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 front passenger and position every-
one for the best interaction with the front airbag.

• The Supplemental Side Impact SRS Side Curtain

Airbags

are designed to activate only in certain side

collisions. When the ORC detects a collision requiring
the side curtain airbag to inflate, it signals the inflators
on the crash side of the vehicle. A quantity of non-toxic
gas is generated to inflate the side curtain airbag. The

inflating side curtain airbag pushes the outside edge of
the headliner out of the way and covers the window.
The airbag inflates in about 30 milliseconds (about
one-quarter of the time that it takes to blink your eyes)
with enough force to injure you if you are not belted
and seated properly, or if items are positioned in the
area where the side curtain airbag inflates. This espe-
cially applies to children. The side curtain airbag is
only about 3-1/2 in (9 cm) thick when it is inflated.

If a Deployment Occurs
The airbag system is designed to deploy when the ORC
detects a moderate-to-severe collision to help restrain the
driver and 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.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

If you do have a collision that 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.

• It is not advisable to drive your vehicle after the

airbags have been deployed. If you are involved in
another collision, the airbags will not be in place to
protect you.

WARNING!

Deployed airbags cannot protect you in another col-
lision. Have the airbags replaced by an authorized
dealer as soon as possible.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Enhanced Accident Response System
In the event of an impact that causes airbag deployment,
with the vehicle stopped, the vehicle communication
network intact, and the power intact, the Enhanced
Accident Response System performs the following func-
tions:

• Cuts off fuel to the engine.
• Flashes hazard lights.
• Turns on the interior lights, which remain on as long as

the battery has power or until the ignition key is
removed.

• Unlocks the doors automatically.

NOTE:

The interior lights can only be deactivated if the

key is removed from the ignition switch or the vehicle is
driven.

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 because the airbags are 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 passenger side of the instrument panel. Do
not modify the front bumper, vehicle body struc-
ture, or frame.

• You need proper knee impact protection in a

collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee impact bolster.

• 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 airbags.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:

Perchlorate Material — special handling may

apply. See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.

Airbag Warning Light

You will want to have the airbags ready to
inflate for your protection in an impact. While
the airbag system is designed to be mainte-
nance free, if any of the following occurs, have

an authorized dealer service the system promptly:

• The Airbag Warning Light does not come on or flickers

during the six to eight seconds when the ignition
switch is first turned ON.

• The light remains on or flickers after the six to eight

second interval.

• The light flickers or comes on and remains on while

driving.

Event Data Recorder (EDR)
In the event of an accident, your vehicle is designed to
record up to five seconds of specific vehicle data param-
eters (see the following list) in an event data recorder
prior to the moment of airbag deployment, or near
deployment, and up to a quarter second of high-speed
deceleration data during and/or after airbag deploy-
ment. EDR data are ONLY recorded if an airbag deploys,
or nearly deploys, and are otherwise unavailable.

NOTE:
1. A near-deployment event occurs when the airbag
sensor detects severe vehicle deceleration usually indica-
tive of a crash, but not severe enough to warrant airbag
deployment.

2. Under certain circumstances, EDR data may not be
recorded (e.g., loss of battery power).

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

In conjunction with other data gathered during a com-
plete accident investigation, the electronic data may be
used by Chrysler LLC and others to learn more about the
possible causes of crashes and associated injuries in order
to assess and improve vehicle performance. In addition
to crash investigations initiated by Chrysler LLC, such
investigations may be requested by customers, insurance
carriers, government officials, and professional crash
researchers, such as those associated with universities,
and with hospital and insurance organizations.

In the event that an investigation is undertaken by
Chrysler LLC (regardless of initiative), the company or its
designated representative will first obtain permission of
the appropriate custodial entity for the vehicle (usually
the vehicle owner or lessee) before accessing the elec-
tronic data stored, unless ordered to download data by a
court with legal jurisdiction (i.e., pursuant to a warrant).
A copy of the data will be provided to the custodial entity

upon request. General data that does not identify par-
ticular vehicles or crashes may be released for incorpo-
ration in aggregate crash databases, such as those main-
tained by the U.S. government and various states. Data of
a potentially sensitive nature, such as would identify a
particular driver, vehicle, or crash, will be treated confi-
dentially. Confidential data will not be disclosed by
Chrysler LLC to any third party except when:

1. Used for research purposes, such as to match data
with a particular crash record in an aggregate database,
provided confidentiality of personal data is thereafter
preserved,

2. Used in defense of litigation involving a Chrysler LLC
product,

3. Requested by police under a legal warrant, or

4. Otherwise required by law.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Data Parameters that May Be Recorded:

• Diagnostic trouble code(s) and warning light status for

electronically-controlled safety systems, including the
airbag system

• Airbag disable light status (if equipped)
• ⬙Time⬙ of airbag deployment (in terms of ignition

cycles and vehicle mileage)

• Airbag deployment level (if applicable)
• Impact acceleration and angle
• Seat belt status
• Brake status (service and parking brakes)
• Accelerator status (including vehicle speed)
• Engine control status (including engine speed)
• Transmission gear selection

• Cruise control status
• Traction/stability control status
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System status (if equipped)

Child Restraint
Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up all the
time, including babies and children. Every state in the
United States and all Canadian provinces require that
small children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the
law, and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.

Children 12 years and younger should ride properly
buckled up in a rear seat, if available. According to crash
statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in
the rear seats rather than in the front.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!

In a collision, an unrestrained child, even a tiny baby,
can become a missile 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.

Infants and Child Restraints
• Safety experts recommend that children ride rearward

-facing in the vehicle until they are at least one year old
and

weigh at least 20 lbs (9 kg). 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 who weigh up
to about 20 lbs (9 kg). Convertible child seats can be
used either rearward-facing or forward-facing in the
vehicle. Convertible 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 weigh more than 20 lbs (9 kg) but are
less than one year old. Both types of child restraints are
held in the vehicle by the lap/shoulder belt or the
LATCH child restraint anchorage system. Refer to
“LATCH — Child Seat Anchorage System (Lower
Anchors and Tether for CHildren)” in this section.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

• Rearward-facing child seats must NEVER be used in

the front seat of a vehicle with the front passenger
airbag unless the airbag is turned off. An airbag
deployment could cause severe injury or death to
infants in this position.

Older Children and Child Restraints
Children who weigh more than 20 lbs (9 kg) and who are
older than one year can ride forward-facing in the
vehicle. Forward-facing child seats and convertible child
seats used in the forward-facing direction are for children
who weigh 20 to 40 lbs (9 to 18 kg) and who are older
than one year. These child seats are also held in the
vehicle by the lap/shoulder belt or the LATCH child
restraint anchorage system. Refer to “LATCH — Child
Seat Anchorage System (Lower Anchors and Tether for
CHildren)” in this section.

The belt-positioning booster seat is for children weighing
more than 40 lbs (18 kg), but who are still too small to fit
the vehicle’s seat belts properly. If the child cannot sit
with knees bent over the vehicle’s seat cushion while the
child’s back is against the seatback, they should use a
belt-positioning booster seat. The child and belt-
positioning booster seat are held in the vehicle by the
lap/shoulder belt.

Children too Large for Booster Seats
Children who are large enough to wear the shoulder belt
comfortably and whose legs are long enough to bend
over the front of the seat when their back is against the
seatback should use the lap/shoulder belt in a rear seat.

• Make sure that the child is upright in the seat.
• The lap portion should be low on the hips and as snug

as possible.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

• Check belt fit periodically. A child’s squirming or

slouching can move the belt out of position.

• If the shoulder belt contacts the face or neck, move the

child closer to the center of the vehicle. Never allow a
child to put the shoulder belt under an arm or behind
their back.

NOTE:

For additional information, refer to

www.seatcheck.org or call 1–866–SEATCHECK.

WARNING!

• Improper installation can lead to failure of an

infant or child restraint. It could come loose in a
collision. The child could be badly injured or
killed. Follow the manufacturer’s directions ex-
actly when installing an infant or child restraint.

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

• A rearward-facing child restraint should only be

used in a rear seat. A rearward-facing child re-
straint in the front seat may be struck by a deploy-
ing passenger airbag, which may cause severe or
fatal injury to the infant.

Here are some tips on getting the most out of your child
restraint:

• Before buying any restraint system, make sure that it

has a label certifying that it meets all applicable Safety
Standards. We also recommend that you make sure
that you can install the child restraint in the vehicle
where you will use it before you buy it.

• The restraint must be appropriate for your child’s

weight and height. Check the label on the restraint for
weight and height limits.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Dodge Challenger SRT8 (2009 year). Manual - part 3