Dodge Viper (2017 year). Manual

The Occupant Classification System (Ocs) Consists Of
The Following:

• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
• Occupant Classification Module (OCM) and Sensor lo-

cated in the front passenger seat

• Passenger Air Bag Disabled (PAD) Indicator Light – an

amber light located in the center of the instrument panel

• Air Bag Warning Light

Occupant Classification Module (OCM) And Sensor

The Occupant Classification Module (OCM) is located
underneath the front passenger seat. The Sensor is located
beneath the passenger seat cushion foam. Any weight on
the seat will be sensed by the Sensor. The OCM uses input
from the Sensor to determine the front passenger’s most
probable classification. The OCM communicates this infor-
mation to the ORC. The ORC uses the classification to
determine whether it should activate or deactivate the
Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag. In order for the OCS to
operate as designed, it is important for the front passenger
to be seated properly and properly wearing the seat belt.
Properly seated passengers are:

• Sitting upright.

• Facing forward.
• Sitting in the center of the seat with their feet comfort-

ably on or near the floor.

• Sitting with their back against the seat back and the seat

back in an upright position.

The OCS may deactivate the deployment of the Passenger
Advanced Front Air Bag if the OCS estimates that:

• The front passenger seat is unoccupied or has very light

objects in it.

Seated Properly

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

• The front passenger seat is occupied by a rear-facing

child restraint.

• The front passenger seat is occupied by a child, includ-

ing a child seated in a forward-facing child restraint or
booster seat.

• The front passenger seat is occupied by a small passen-

ger, including a child or small adult.

• The front passenger is not properly seated or his or her

weight is taken off of the seat for a period of time.

Passenger Air Bag Disable (PAD) System

Front Passenger

Seat Occupant

Status

Front Passenger

Air Bag Output

Front Passenger

Air Bag Status

Unoccupied

seat*

NOT ILLUMI-

NATED

DEACTIVATED

Grocery bags,

heavy briefcases,

and other rela-
tively light ob-

jects

“PASSENGER

AIR BAG OFF”

DEACTIVATED

Rear-facing child

restraint**

“PASSENGER

AIR BAG OFF”

DEACTIVATED

Passenger Air Bag Disable (PAD) System

Front Passenger

Seat Occupant

Status

Front Passenger

Air Bag Output

Front Passenger

Air Bag Status

Child, including

a child in a

forward-facing

child restraint or

booster seat*

“PASSENGER

AIR BAG OFF”

DEACTIVATED

Small adult

“PASSENGER

AIR BAG OFF”

DEACTIVATED

Properly seated

adult

NOT ILLUMI-

NATED

ACTIVATED

* When the front passenger seat is empty or when very
light objects are placed on the seat, the Passenger Ad-
vanced Front Air Bag will not deploy even though the PAD
System Indicator Light is NOT illuminated.

** It is possible for a child to be classified as an adult,
allowing the deployment of the Passenger Advanced Front
Air Bag. Never allow children to ride in the front passenger
seat and never install a child restraint system, including a
rear-facing child restraint, in this vehicle.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!

• Never place a rear-facing child restraint in front of an

air bag. A deploying passenger front air bag can
cause death or serious injury to a child 12 years or
younger, including a child in a rear-facing child
restraint.

• Only use a rear-facing child restraint in a vehicle

with a rear seat.

• Children 12 years or younger should always ride

buckled up in a vehicle with a rear seat.

Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag Disabled (PAD) Indi-
cator Light

The Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag Disabled (PAD)
Indicator Light (an amber light located in the center of the
instrument panel) tells the driver and front passenger
when the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag is deacti-
vated. The PAD Indicator light illuminates the words
“PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF” to show that the Passenger
Advanced Front Air Bag will not deploy during a collision.
When the front passenger seat is empty or when very light
objects are placed on the seat, the Passenger Advanced
Front Air Bag will not deploy even though the PAD
indicator light is NOT illuminated.

The PAD indicator light should not be illuminated when an
adult passenger is properly seated in the front passenger
seat. The driver and adult passenger should verify that the
PAD Indicator Light is not illuminated when an adult is
riding in the front passenger seat. If an adult is not seated
properly, the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag may
deactivate and the PAD Indicator Light will be illuminated.

The PAD Indicator Light should be illuminated and the
Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag should be deactivated
for most properly seated and restrained children in the
passenger seat and for most properly installed child re-
straint systems. However, under certain conditions, even
with a properly installed child restraint system, the PAD
Indicator Light may not be illuminated, even though the
Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag is deactivated. This can
occur if the child restraint is lighter than the lightest weight
necessary to illuminate the PAD Indicator Light. NEVER
assume the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag is deacti-
vated unless the PAD Indicator Light is illuminated with
the words “PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF.”

If The Pad Indicator Light Is Illuminated For An Adult
Passenger:

If an adult passenger is seated in the front passenger seat
and the PAD Indicator Light is illuminated, the passenger

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

may be sitting improperly. Follow the steps below to allow
the OCS to detect the adult passenger’s seated weight to
activate the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag:

1. Turn off the vehicle and have the adult passenger step

out of the vehicle.

2. Remove any extra materials from the passenger seat,

such as cushions, pads, seat covers, seat massagers,
blankets, extra clothing, etc.

3. Place the seatback in the full upright position.

4. Have the adult passenger sit in the center of the seat,

with the passenger’s feet comfortably on or near the
floor, and with their back against the seatback.

5. Restart the vehicle and have the passenger remain in

this seated position for two to three minutes after
restarting the vehicle.

WARNING!

• If the PAD Indicator Light remains illuminated for

an adult passenger, have an authorized dealer service
the air bag system immediately. Failure to do so may
cause serious injury or death. If the PAD Indicator

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

Light is illuminated with the words “PASSENGER
AIR BAG OFF,” the Passenger Advanced Front Air
Bag will not deploy in the event of a collision.

• Never place a rear-facing child restraint in front of an

air bag. A deploying passenger front air bag can
cause death or serious injury to a child 12 years or
younger, including a child in a rear-facing child
restraint.

• Only use a rear-facing child restraint in a vehicle

with a rear seat.

• Children 12 years or younger should always ride

buckled up in a vehicle with a rear seat.

Lighter Weight Passengers (Including Small Adults)

When a lighter weight passenger, including a small adult,
occupies the passenger seat, the Passenger Advanced Front
Air Bag may be deactivated. Therefore, the Passenger
Advanced Front Air Bag may or may not be activated for a
lighter weight passenger, including a small adult (depend-
ing on size) who is seated in the passenger seat. This does
not mean that the OCS is working improperly.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

The driver and passenger must always use the PAD
Indicator Light as a determination of whether the Passen-
ger Advanced Front Air Bag is activated or deactivated. If
the PAD Indicator Light is illuminated with the words
“PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF” when an adult is in the front
passenger seat, have the passenger reposition his or her
body in the seat until the PAD Indicator Light goes out.

If the PAD Indicator Light is illuminated with the words
“PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF” the Passenger Advanced
Front Air Bag will not inflate in the event of a collision.

Do Not Decrease OR Increase The Front Passenger’s
Seated Weight On The Front Passenger Seat

The front passenger’s seated weight must be properly
positioned on the front passenger seat. Failure to do so may
result in serious injury or death. The OCS determines the
most probable classification of the occupant that it detects.
The OCS will detect the front passenger’s decreased or
increased seated weight, which may result in deactivation
or activation of the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag in a
collision. This does not mean that the OCS is working
improperly. Decreasing the front passenger’s seated weight
on the front passenger seat may result in deactivation of
the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag causing serious
injury or death. Increasing the front passenger’s seated

weight on the front passenger seat may result in activation
of the Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag. Examples of
improper front passenger seating include:

• The front passenger’s weight is transferred to another

part of the vehicle (like the door, arm rest or instrument
panel).

• The front passenger leans forward, sideways, or turns to

face the rear of the vehicle.

• The front passenger’s seatback is not in the full upright

position.

• The front passenger carries or holds an object while

seated (e.g., backpack, box, etc.).

• Objects are lodged under the front passenger seat.
• Objects are lodged between the front passenger seat and

center console.

• Accessories that may change the seated weight on the

front passenger seat are attached to the front passenger
seat.

• Anything that may decrease or increase the front pas-

senger’s seated weight.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING! (Continued)

• Always wear your seat belt and sit properly, with the

seatback in an upright position, your back against
the seatback, sitting upright, facing forward, in the
center of the seat, with your feet comfortably on or
near the floor.

• Do not carry or hold any objects (e.g., backpacks,

boxes, etc.) while seated in the front passenger seat.
Holding an object may provide an output signal to
the OCS that is different than the occupant’s prop-
erly seated weight input, which may result in serious
injury or death in a collision.

The Air Bag Warning Light

will illuminate whenever

the OCS is unable to classify the front passenger seat
status.

A malfunction in the OCS may affect the operation of the
air bag system. If the Air Bag Warning Light

does not

come on, or stays on after you start the vehicle, or it
comes on as you drive, take the vehicle to an authorized
dealer for service immediately.

WARNING!

• Ignoring the Air Bag Warning Light in your instru-

ment panel could mean you won’t have the air bags
to protect you in a collision. If the light does not
come on as a bulb check when the ignition is first
turned on, stays on after you start the vehicle, or if it
comes on as you drive, have an authorized dealer
service the air bag system immediately.

• Placing an object on the floor under the front pas-

senger seat may prevent the OCS from working
properly, which may result in serious injury or death
in a collision. Do not place any objects on the floor
under the front passenger seat.

• If there is a fault present in the OCS, both the PAD

Indicator Light and the Air Bag Warning Light will
illuminate to show that the Passenger Advanced
Front Air Bag is deactivated. Should this occur, the
Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag will remain de-
activated until the fault is cleared. This indicates that
you should take the vehicle to an authorized dealer
for service immediately.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

The passenger seat assembly contains critical OCS compo-
nents that may affect Passenger Advanced Front Air Bag
inflation. In order for the OCS to properly classify the
seated weight of a front seat passenger, the OCS compo-
nents must function as designed. Do not make any modi-
fications to the front passenger seat components, assembly,
or to the seat cover. If the seat, trim cover, or cushion needs
service for any reason, take the vehicle to your authorized
dealer. Only FCA US LLC approved seat accessories may
be used.

The following requirements must be strictly followed:

• Do not modify the front passenger seat assembly or

components in any way.

• Do not use prior or future model year seat covers or

cushions not designated by FCA US LLC for the specific
model being repaired. Always use the correct seat cover
and cushion specified for the vehicle.

• Do not replace the seat cover or cushion with an

aftermarket seat cover or cushion.

• Do not add a secondary seat cover or mat.

• At no time should any Supplemental Restraint System

(SRS) component or SRS related component or fastener
be modified or replaced with any part except those
which are approved by FCA US LLC.

WARNING!

• Unapproved modifications or service procedures to

the passenger seat assembly, its related components,
seat cover, or cushion may inadvertently change the
air bag deployment in case of a frontal collision. This
could result in death or serious injury to the front
passenger if the vehicle is involved in a collision. A
modified vehicle may not comply with required
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS)
and/or Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
(CMVSS).

• If it is necessary to modify the air bag system for

persons with disabilities, contact your authorized
dealer.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Knee Impact Bolsters

The Knee Impact Bolsters help protect the knees of the
driver and front passenger, and position the front occu-
pants for improved interaction with the front air bags.

WARNING!

• Do not drill, cut, or tamper with the knee impact

bolsters in any way.

• Do not mount any accessories to the knee impact

bolsters such as alarm lights, stereos, citizen band
radios, etc.

Supplemental Side Air Bags

Supplemental Door-Integrated Side Air Bag Inflatable
Curtains (SABICs)

This vehicle is equipped with Supplemental Door-
Integrated Side Air Bag Inflatable Curtains (SABICs).

SABICs may help reduce the risk of head and other injuries
to front seat outboard occupants in certain side impacts, in
addition to the injury reduction potential provided by the
seat belts and body structure.

The SABICs are located in the door trim below the side
windows. The trim covering the SABICs is labeled “SRS
AIRBAG” or “AIRBAG.”

The SABICs may help reduce the risk of partial or complete
ejection of vehicle occupants through side windows in
certain side impact events.

The SABICs deploy upward, covering the side windows.
An inflating SABIC pushes the outside edge of the trim out
of the way and covers the window. The SABICs inflate with
enough force to injure occupants if they are not belted and
seated properly, or if items are positioned in the area where
the SABICs inflate. Children are at an even greater risk of
injury from a deploying air bag.

SABICs are designed to activate in certain side impacts.
The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) determines
whether the deployment of the SABIC in a particular
impact event is appropriate, based on the severity and type
of collision. The side impact sensors aid the ORC in
determining the appropriate response to impact events.
The system is calibrated to deploy the SABIC on the impact
side of the vehicle during impacts that require SABIC
occupant protection. In side impacts, the SABICs deploy
independently; a left side impact deploys the left side
SABIC only and a right-side impact deploys the right side

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

SABIC only. Vehicle damage by itself is not a good indica-
tor of whether or not SABICs should have deployed.

SABICs will not deploy in all side collisions, including
some collisions at certain angles, or some side collisions
that do not impact the area of the passenger compartment.
SABICs may deploy during angled or offset frontal colli-
sions where the front air bags deploy.

SABICs are a supplement to the seat belt restraint system.
SABICs deploy in less time than it takes to blink your eyes.

WARNING!

• Occupants, including children, who are up against or

very close to SABICs can be seriously injured or
killed. Occupants, including children, should never
lean on or sleep against the door, side windows, or
area where the side air bags inflate, even if they are
in an infant or child restraint.

• Seat belts (and child restraints where appropriate)

are necessary for your protection in all collisions.
They also help keep you in position, away from an
inflating SABIC. To get the best protection from the

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

SABICs, occupants must wear their seat belts prop-
erly and sit upright with their backs against the seats.
Children must be properly restrained in a child
restraint or booster seat that is appropriate for the
size of the child.

• Do not stack luggage or other cargo up high enough

to block the deployment of the SABICs. The door
trim below the side windows where the SABIC and
its deployment path are located should remain free
from any obstructions.

• SABICs need room to inflate. Do not lean against the

door or window. Sit upright in the center of the seat.

• Being too close to the SABICs during deployment

could cause you to be severely injured or killed.

• Relying on the SABICs alone could lead to more

severe injuries in a collision. The SABICs work with
your seat belt to restrain you properly. In some
collisions, SABICs won’t deploy at all. Always wear
your seat belt even though you have SABICs.

NOTE:

Air bag covers may not be obvious to you, but they

will open during air bag deployment.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

The SABICs may help reduce the risk of partial or complete
ejection of vehicle occupants through side windows in
certain side impact events.

The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) monitors the
internal circuits and interconnecting wiring associated
with electrical Air Bag System Components listed below:

Air Bag System Components

• Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC)
• Air Bag Warning Light
• Steering Wheel and Column
• Instrument Panel
• Knee Impact Bolsters
• Driver and Front Passenger Air Bags
• Supplemental Side Air Bags
• Front and Side Impact Sensors
• Seat Belt Pretensioners
• Seat Track Position Sensors
• Seat Belt Buckle Switch

• Occupant Classification System

If A Deployment Occurs

The front air bags are designed to deflate immediately after
deployment.

NOTE:

Front and/or side air bags will not deploy in all

collisions. This does not mean something is wrong with the
air bag system.

If you do have a collision which deploys the air bags, any
or all of the following may occur:

• The air bag material may sometimes cause abrasions

and/or skin reddening to the occupants as the air bags
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 air bags 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 air bag
inflation. These airborne particles may irritate the skin,
eyes, nose, or throat. If you have skin or eye irritation,

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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 instructions for
cleaning.

Do not drive your vehicle after the air bags have deployed.
If you are involved in another collision, the air bags will
not be in place to protect you.

WARNING!

Deployed air bags and seat belt pretensioners cannot
protect you in another collision. Have the air bags, seat
belt pretensioners, and the seat belt retractor assem-
blies replaced by an authorized dealer immediately.
Also, have the Occupant Restraint Controller System
serviced as well.

NOTE:

• Air bag covers may not be obvious in the interior trim,

but they will open during air bag deployment.

• After any collision, the vehicle should be taken to an

authorized dealer immediately.

Enhanced Accident Response System

In the event of an impact, if the communication network
remains intact, and the power remains intact, depending
on the nature of the event, the ORC will determine whether
to have the Enhanced Accident Response System perform
the following functions:

• Cut off fuel to the engine.
• Flash hazard lights as long as the battery has power or

until the hazard light button is pressed. The hazard lights
can be deactivated by pressing the hazard light button.

• Turn on the interior lights, which remain on as long as

the battery has power.

• Unlock the power door locks.

Enhanced Accident Response System Reset Procedure

In order to reset the Enhanced Accident Response System
functions after an event, the ignition switch must be
changed from ignition START or ON/RUN to ignition OFF.
Carefully check the vehicle for fuel leaks in the engine
compartment and on the ground near the engine compart-
ment and fuel tank before resetting the system and starting
the engine.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Maintaining Your Air Bag System

WARNING!

• Modifications to any part of the air bag system could

cause it to fail when you need it. You could be
injured if the air bag system is not there to protect
you. Do not modify the components or wiring, in-
cluding 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 air bag

system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who works on
your vehicle that it has an air bag system.

• Do not attempt to modify any part of your air bag

system. The air bag may inflate accidentally or may
not function properly if modifications are made.
Take your vehicle to an authorized dealer for any air
bag system service. If your seat, including your trim
cover and cushion, needs to be serviced in any way
(including removal or loosening/tightening of seat
attachment bolts), take the vehicle to your authorized

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

dealer. Only manufacturer approved seat accessories
may be used. If it is necessary to modify the air bag
system for persons with disabilities, contact your
authorized dealer.

Event Data Recorder (EDR)

This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder
(EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in certain
crash or near crash-like situations, such as an air bag
deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that will assist
in understanding how a vehicle’s systems performed. The
EDR is designed to record data related to vehicle dynamics
and safety systems for a short period of time, typically 30
seconds or less. The EDR in this vehicle is designed to
record such data as:

• How various systems in your vehicle were operating;
• Whether or not the driver and passenger safety belts

were buckled/fastened;

• How far (if at all) the driver was depressing the accel-

erator and/or brake pedal; and,

• How fast the vehicle was traveling.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

• These data can help provide a better understanding of

the circumstances in which crashes and injuries occur.

NOTE:

EDR data are recorded by your vehicle only if a

non-trivial crash situation occurs; no data are recorded by
the EDR under normal driving conditions and no personal
data (e.g., name, gender, age, and crash location) are
recorded. However, other parties, such as law enforcement,
could combine the EDR data with the type of personally
identifying data routinely acquired during a crash investi-
gation.

To read data recorded by an EDR, special equipment is
required, and access to the vehicle or the EDR is needed. In
addition to the vehicle manufacturer, other parties, such as
law enforcement, that have the special equipment, can read
the information if they have access to the vehicle or the
EDR.

Child Restraints

Everyone in your vehicle needs to be buckled up at all
times, including babies and children. Every state in the
United States, and every Canadian province, requires that
small children ride in proper restraint systems. This is the
law, and you can be prosecuted for ignoring it.

Children 12 years or 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.

WARNING!

In a collision, an unrestrained child can become a
projectile 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 make sure you have the correct seat for your
child. Carefully read and follow all the instructions and
warnings in the child restraint Owner’s Manual and on all
the labels attached to the child restraint.

Before buying any restraint system, make sure that it has a
label certifying that it meets all applicable Safety Stan-
dards. You should also make sure that you can install it in
the vehicle where you will use it.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:

• For additional information, refer to www.safercar.gov/

parents/index.htm or call: 1–888–327–4236

• Canadian residents should refer to Transport Canada’s

website for additional information: www.tc.gc.ca/eng/
motorvehiclesafety/safedrivers-childsafety-index-53.htm

Summary Of Recommendations For Restraining Children In Vehicles

Child Size, Height, Weight Or Age

Recommended Type Of Child

Restraint

Infants and Toddlers

Children who are two years old or

younger and who have not reached

the height or weight limits of their

child restraint

Either an Infant Carrier or a Convert-

ible Child Restraint, facing rearward

in the rear seat of the vehicle

Small Children

Children who are at least two years

old or who have out-grown the

height or weight limit of their rear-

facing child restraint

Forward-Facing Child Restraint with

a five-point Harness, facing forward

in the rear seat of the vehicle

Larger Children

Children who have out-grown their

forward-facing child restraint, but

are too small to properly fit the vehi-

cle’s seat belt

Belt Positioning Booster Seat and the

vehicle seat belt, seated in the rear

seat of the vehicle

Children Too Large for Child Re-

straints

Children 12 years old or younger,

who have out-grown the height or

weight limit of their booster seat

Vehicle Seat Belt, seated in the rear

seat of the vehicle

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Dodge Viper (2017 year). Manual - part 3