2004 DODGE VIPER service

EXAMPLE:
Service Description:
95 = Load Index
ÐA numerical code associated with the maximum load a tire can carry.
H = Speed Symbol
ÐA symbol indicating the range of speeds at which a tire can carry a load corresponding
to its load index under certain operating conditions.
ÐThe maximum speed corresponding to the Speed Symbol should only be achieved un-
der specified operating conditions. (ie. tire pressure, vehicle loading, road conditions and
posted speed limits).
Load Identification:
(....blank....(= Absence of any text on sidewall of the tire indicates a Standard Load (SL) Tire
Extra Load (XL) = Extra Load (or Reinforced) Tire
Light Load = Light Load Tire
C,D,E = Load range associated with the maximum load a tire can carry at a specified pressure
Maximum Load Ð Maximum Load indicates the maximum load this tire is designed to carry.
Maximum Pressure Ð Maximum Pressure indicates the maximum permissible cold tire inflation pressure for
this tire.
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Tread Wear Indicators
Tread wear indicators are in the original equipment tires
to help you in determining when your tires should be
replaced.
These indicators are molded into the bottom of the tread
grooves and will appear as bands when the tread depth
becomes 1/16 inch (2 mm). When the indicators appear
in 2 or more adjacent grooves, the tire should be replaced.Many states have laws requiring tire replacement at this
point.
Replacement Tires
The tires on your new vehicle provide a balance of many
characteristics. They should be inspected regularly for
wear and correct cold tire inflation pressure. The manu-
facturer strongly recommends that you use tires equiva-
lent to the originals in size, quality and performance
when replacement is needed (see the paragraph on tread
wear indicators). Refer to the Tire and Loading Informa-
tion placard for the size designation of your tire. The
service description and load identification will be found
on the original equipment tire. Failure to use equivalent
replacement tires may adversely affect the safety, han-
dling, and ride of your vehicle. We recommend that you
contact your original equipment or an authorized tire
dealer with any questions you may have on tire specifi-
cations or capability.
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Improper alignment will not cause vehicle vibration.
Vibration may be a result of tire and wheel out-of-
balance. Proper balancing will reduce vibration and
avoid tire cupping and spotty wear.
Low Tire Pressure (LTP) System
Low Tire Indicator
The Low Tire indicator in the Liquid Crystal Display
(LCD) of the instrument cluster will flash slowly and a
single chime will sound to warn if tire pressure falls
below 20 psi (138 kpa). The indicator will flash more
rapidly and a continuous tone will sound to warn if tire
pressure falls below 14 psi (97 kpa). Seek repair as soon as
possible.
If the indicator stays on and one chime will sound, a
system failure has occurred. See your dealer for service.Although the tires are designed with a ªrun flatº feature
that allows the vehicle to be driven about 50 miles (80
km) at 55 m.p.h. (88 kph), immediate service should be
obtained if the Low Tire indicator is activated.
WARNING!
Do not exceed 55 m.p.h. (88 k.p.h.) if the LOW Tire
indicator in the instrument cluster is illuminated.
Vehicle handling and braking may be reduced. You
could have an accident and be severely or fatally
injured.
NOTE:The ªrun flatº feature eliminates the need for a
spare tire and jack. This vehicle is not equipped with
either a spare tire or jack.
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FUEL REQUIREMENTS
Your vehicle is designed to meet all emis-
sion regulations and provide excellent fuel
economy when using high quality pre-
mium unleaded gasoline having an octane
rating of 93 or higher.
Light spark knock at low engine speeds is not harmful to
your engine. However, continued heavy spark knock at
high speeds can cause damage and immediate service is
required. Engine damage resulting from operating with a
heavy spark knock may not be covered by the new
vehicle warranty.
Poor quality gasoline can cause problems such as hard
starting, stalling and hesitations. If you experience these
symptoms, try another brand of ªregularº gasoline be-
fore considering service for the vehicle.Over 40 automobile manufacturers around the world
have issued and endorsed consistent gasoline specifica-
tions (the World Wide Fuel Charter, WWFC) to define
fuel properties necessary to deliver enhanced emissions,
engine performance, and durability for your vehicle. The
manufacturer recommends the use of gasolines that meet
the WWFC specifications if they are available.
Reformulated Gasoline
Many areas of the country require the use of cleaner
burning fuel referred to as Reformulated Gasoline.
Reformulated gasolines contain oxygenates, and are spe-
cially blended to reduce vehicle emissions and improve
air quality.
The manufacturer strongly supports the use of reformu-
lated gasolines. Properly blended reformulated gasolines
will provide excellent performance and durability of
engine and fuel system components.
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Sulfur In Gasoline
Your vehicle may have been designed to meet California
low emission standards on clean burning, low sulfur,
California gasoline. Gasoline sold outside of California is
allowed to have higher sulfur levels that may affect the
performance of your vehicle's catalytic converter. This
may cause the Malfunction Indicator Light or Service
Engine Soon Light to illuminate.
The illumination of this light while operating on high
sulfur gasoline does not necessarily mean your emission
system control system is malfunctioning. The manufac-
turer recommends that you try a different brand of
unleaded gasoline having lower sulfur to determine if the
problem is fuel related before returning your vehicle to
an authorized dealer for service.
NOTE:If the Malfunction Indicator light or Service
Engine Soon light is flashing, immediate service is re-
quired.
Materials Added to Fuel
All gasoline sold in the United States and Canada is
required to contain effective detergent additives. The use
of additional detergents or other additives is not needed
under normal conditions.
ADDING FUEL
The fuel tank filler tube has a restricting door about 2
inches (50mm) inside the opening. If using a portable
container, it should have a flexible nozzle long enough to
force open the restricting door.
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HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
The flasher switch is on the top of the steering
column, just behind the steering wheel. Depress
the flasher button and all front and rear directional
signals will flash. Depress the flasher button again to turn
the flashers off.Do not use this emergency warning system when the
vehicle is in motion. Use it when your vehicle is disabled
and is creating a safety hazard for other motorists.
If it is necessary to leave the vehicle to go for service, the
flasher system will continue to operate with the ignition
key removed.
NOTE:With extended use, the flasher may run down
your battery.
IF YOUR ENGINE OVERHEATS
In any of the following situations, you can reduce the
potential for overheating by taking the appropriate ac-
tion.
²On the highways ÐSlow down and use the highest
gear possible.
²In city traffic ÐWhile stopped, put the transmission
in neutral, but do not increase engine idle speed.
132 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

²In city trafficÐWhile moving, shift into the highest
gear possible to reduce engine RPM.
NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition. If your air conditioner
is on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the cooling system and turning off the A/C removes this
heat. You can also turn the Temperature control to
maximum heat, the Mode control to floor, and the fan
control to High. This allows the heater core to act as a
supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the cooling system.WARNING!
A hot cooling system is dangerous. You or others
could be badly burned by steam or boiling coolant.
If your temperature gauge pointer is in the red area,
turn off the engine immediately. You may want to
call a service center for service. If you decide to look
under the hood yourself, see Section 7 of this
manual. Follow the warnings under the Radiator
Cap paragraph.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 133
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
m8.3L Engine Compartment................144
mOnboard Diagnostic System (OBD II).........145
mEmissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs............................146
mReplacement Parts......................147
mDealer Service.........................147
mMaintenance Procedures..................148
NEngine Oil..........................148
NDrive Belts Ð Check Condition And Tension . . 152NSpark Plugs.........................152
NCatalytic Converter....................153
NIgnition Wiring System And Ignition Timing . . 154
NCrankcase Emission Control System........155
NAir Cleaner Filter.....................155
NMaintenance-Free Battery................156
NBattery Save Feature...................158
NAir Conditioner......................160
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