2004 DODGE VIPER fuel

²Wait until the engine has reached normal operating
temperature before driving at the recommended maxi-
mum break-in speed.
²Avoid excessive idling.
²Check the engine oil level at every fuel fill.
NOTE:A new engine will consume some oil during the
first few thousand miles of operation. This should be
considered as a normal part of the break-in and not
interpreted as a sign of difficulty.
SAFETY TIPS
Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO)
follow the safety tips below.
²Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in confined
areas any longer than needed to move your vehicle in
or out of the area.
²If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running, adjust your heating or cooling con-
trols to force outside air into the vehicle. Set the blower
at high speed.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 47
2

Safety Checks You Should Make Inside the
Vehicle
Seat Belts
²
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the sys-
tem.
²Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident
if they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn web-
bing, etc.). If there is any question regarding belt or
retractor condition, replace the belt.
Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.
Safety Checks You Should Make Outside the
Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect for tread cuts or side wall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness and tires for
proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline fumes are
present, the cause should be corrected immediately.
48 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the light on could cause
further damage to the emission control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and driveability. The
vehicle must be serviced before any state emissions
tests can be performed.
If the light is flashing, severe catalytic converter damage
and power loss will soon occur. Immediate service is
required.
If the gas cap is not secured properly, the light may come
on. Be sure the gas cap is tightened every time you add
fuel.
High Beam Indicator
This light shows that the headlights are on high
beam. Pull the turn signal lever toward the steer-
ing wheel to switch the headlights from high or low
beam.
Seat Belt Indicator Light
This system alerts the driver to fasten the seat belt
if not done so within 60 seconds of starting the
vehicle and if the vehicle is moving faster than 5
mph (8 km/h). The system will cause a chime to sound
repeatedly and will flash the seat belt warning light for 96
seconds or until the driver's seat belt is fastened. The
reminder system will be reactivated if the driver's seat
belt is unfastened for more than 10 seconds and the
vehicle speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/hr). Refer to
Enhanced Seat Belt Use Reminder System (BeltAlertŸ) in
the Occupant Restraints section for deactivating the
system.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 77
4

This gauge does not indicate the amount of oil in the
engine. The engine oil level must be checked under the
hood. Check the level often during severe usage.
Fuel Gauge
This gauge shows the amount of fuel in the gas
tank. The reaction time of the gauge has been
slowed to avoid needle fluctuation during pe-
riods of high G force cornering.
Voltage Gauge
This gauge shows the electrical system voltage.
The normal operating voltage is from 12 to 14
volts with the engine running. If the pointer
remains at either the high or low ends of the
scale, the electrical system should be serviced.
ELECTRONIC DIGITAL CLOCK
The clock and radio each use the display panel built into
the radio. A digital readout shows the time in hours and
minutes whenever the ignition switch is in the ON or
ACC position.
When the ignition switch is in the OFF position, or when
the radio frequency is being displayed, time keeping is
accurately maintained.
Press and release the Time button to display the time.
Press and release the button a second time to turn off the
time display.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 81
4

Panel
Air is directed through the outlets in the instrument
panel. These outlets can be adjusted to direct air
flow.
Bi-Level
Air is directed through the instrument panel and
floor outlets. A small amount of air is also directed
through the defrost outlets.
NOTE:There is a varying temperature differential be-
tween the upper and lower outlets for added comfort.
The warmer air goes to the floor outlets. This feature
provides improved comfort during sunny but cool con-
ditions.
Floor
Air is directed through the floor outlets with a
lesser amount through the defrost outlets.Floor/Defrost
Air is directed through the windshield defrost and
the floor outlets. This setting works best in cold or
snowy conditions that require extra heat at the
windshield. This setting is good for maintaining comfort
while reducing moisture on the windshield.
Windshield Defrost
Air is directed through the windshield defrost
outlet. Use this mode with maximum fan and
temperature settings for best windshield defrosting.
NOTE:The air conditioning compressor operates in this
mode. This dehumidifies the air to help dry the wind-
shield. To improve fuel economy, leave in the Defrost
mode only when necessary.
A/C Pushbutton
With the fan control in the ON position, pushing
the A/C button turns on the air conditioning
compressor. An indicator light above the button
92 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

shows that the Air Conditioning compressor is on. Con-
ditioned air is now directed through the outlets selected.
Pushing the button a second time turns the compressor
OFF.
Slight changes in engine speed or power may be noticed
when the compressor is on. This is a normal occurrence
since the compressor will cycle on and off to maintain
comfort and increase fuel economy.
NOTE:If your air conditioning performance seems
lower than expected, check the front of the A/C con-
denser for an accumulation of dirt or insects.
Rear Window Defroster
Press the button once to turn on the Rear Window
Defroster and a second time to turn it off. A light
above the button shows that the Rear Defroster is On.NOTE:The defroster turns off automatically after 15
minutes of operation. Each later activation will allow 71¤2
minutes of operation.
CAUTION!
To avoid damaging the electrical conductors, do not
use scrapers, sharp instruments, or abrasive window
cleaners on the interior surface of the rear window.
Labels can be peeled off by soaking with warm
water.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 93
4

NCompact Spare Tire Ð If Equipped.........120
NTire Spinning........................121
NTread Wear Indicators..................122
NReplacement Tires.....................122
NAlignment And Balance.................123
mLow Tire Pressure (Ltp) System.............124
NLow Tire Indicator....................124
mTire Chains...........................125
mSnow Tires...........................125
mTire Storage...........................126
mTire Rotation Recommendations............126mGround Clearance......................126
mFuel Requirements......................127
NReformulated Gasoline.................127
NGasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............128
NMMT In Gasoline.....................128
NSulfur In Gasoline.....................129
NMaterials Added To Fuel................129
mAdding Fuel..........................129
mVehicle Loading........................130
mTrailer Towing.........................130
96 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Unburned fuel could enter the catalytic
converter and once the engine has started, ignite and
damage the converter and vehicle. If the vehicle has
a discharged battery, booster cables may be used to
obtain a start from a booster battery or the battery in
another vehicle. This type of start can be dangerous
if done improperly, so follow this procedure care-
fully. See section 6 of this manual for jump starting
instructions.
If the engine fails to start after you have followed the
ªNORMAL STARTINGº procedure, it may be flooded.
Push the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and
hold it there while cranking the engine. This should clear
any excess fuel in case the engine is flooded.NOTE:To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank
the engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
If the engine has been flooded, it may start to run, but not
have enough power to continue running when the start
button is released. If this occurs, continue cranking with
the accelerator pedal pushed all the way to the floor.
Release the accelerator pedal and the start button once
the engine is running smoothly.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, the ªNORMAL STARTINGº procedure
should be repeated.
STARTING AND OPERATING 99
5