Page 133 of 236
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
6
Page 136 of 236

without letting the vehicles touch. Set the parking brake,
place the transmission in neutral and turn the ignition
OFF for both vehicles.
3. Turn off the heater, radio and all unnecessary electrical
loads.
4. If you are jump starting your Viper, connect one end of
a jumper cable to the positive terminal of the booster
battery. Connect the other end of the same cable to the
remote battery positive terminal after removing the plas-
tic cover.
5. If you are jump starting another vehicle, connect one
end of a jumper cable to the remote battery positive
terminal post on the Power Distribution Center. Connect
the other end of the same cable to the positive terminal of
the discharged battery after removing the plastic cover.6. Connect the other cable, first to the negative terminal
of the booster battery and then to the ground (on the ear
of the Thermostat Housing) of your Viper as shown.
Make sure you have a good contact.
7. If you are jump starting another vehicle, connect one
end of a jumper cable to the ground (on the ear of the
Thermostat Housing shown in illustration) of your Viper
136 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
Page 179 of 236

Carpeting
Vacuum your carpeting regularly to prevent a soil
buildup. Shampoo soiled carpeting with a reliable uphol-
stery cleaner, using a natural sponge or soft bristle brush.
After carpeting dries, vacuum it thoroughly.
Underbody Maintenance
The corrosive materials used for ice and snow removal or
dust control may accumulate on the underbody of your
vehicle. If not removed, these materials may accelerate
rusting and deterioration of underbody components such
as fuel lines, frame, floor pan, exhaust system, etc.
At least twice during the winter months hose down the
wheel wells and underside of the vehicle. Make sure you
remove mud and salt from panels, crevices and ledges,
and that all drain holes and channels are free of debris.
NOTE:You can do more harm by hosing off the vehicle
without removing caked mud and debris.
The frame of your Viper is galvanized for rust-through
protection. It is also dipped in a black E-Coat to protect the
welded areas. Avoid any scratches through to bare metal.
Commercial Car Washes
We do not recommend that you take your Viper through
a commercial car wash.
In the event that you do take your Viper to a commercial
car wash, move the Heater/Air Conditioning blower
control to the lowest setting. This will prevent the possi-
bility of water entering the system.
CAUTION!
The tires on your Viper are wider than the guide
tracks on most washes and the low ground clearance
of your vehicle may not be compatible with some car
wash equipment. You could damage your vehicle.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 179
7
Page 181 of 236
Power Distribution Center
Cavity Fuse Circuits
1 Cartridge Fuse 40
AmpBatt-Relay Contact, High
Blower Motor Module-
ABS Pump Feed
2 Cartridge Fuse 40
AmpABS Pump Feed
3 Cartridge Fuse 30
Amp GreenBattery
4 Cartridge Fuse 20
Amp YellowFused Feed to RS Ampli-
fier or Power Amplifier
5 Cartridge Fuse 30
Amp GreenIgnition Switch (Run &
Accessory)-(Downstream)
6 Cartridge Fuse 40
AmpBatt
7 Cartridge Fuse 30
Amp GreenBatt-Relay Contact, ABS
Pump Motor
8 Cartridge Fuse 30
Amp GreenBatt-Motor, WiperCavity Fuse Circuits
9 Cartridge Fuse 40
AmpBatt-Fuseblock
10 Cartridge Fuse 30
Amp GreenBatt-Switch, Ignition
(Run/Start/Accy)
11 Mini Fuse 20
Amp YellowBatt-Relay Contact, Auto
Shutdown
12 Mini Fuse 20
Amp YellowSecondary Power Outlet
Feed
13 Mini Fuse 15
Amp BlueBatt-Flasher, Hazard
14 Mini Fuse 15
Amp BlueRear 02 Sensor to Heater
Relay
15 Mini Fuse 20
Amp YellowElectric Heated RR. WDO
(EBL)
16, 17 Mini Fuse 20
Amp YellowFused Feed-Cigar Lighter
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 181
7
Page 186 of 236

REPLACEMENT BULBS
Interior Light Bulbs
Message Center Indicators.................. 103
Cluster................................ 103
Gauge Pack............................ 103
Heater Control........................... 37
Interior Light..........................212±2
Courtesy Footwell Lights................... 194
Exterior Light Bulbs
Headlight-Low/High Beam.... Serviced at dealer only
Aux. Headlight-High Beam.........(HB3A) 9005XS
Front Park/Turn......................3157AK
Fog Light.......................(H10 U) 9145
Front Sidemarker.......................2886X
Center Stop Light.......... 16LED(not serviceable)
Rear Tail/Stop..........................3157
Rear Tail Light.......................... 194
Rear Marker Light........................ 194
Back up Light..........................3157
Rear Turn Light.......................3457AK
License................................ 168
NOTE:You will note that upon turning the (HID) High
Intensity Discharge Headlamp Bulbs on, there is a blue
hue to the lamps. This diminishes and becomes more
white after approximately 10 seconds as the system
charges.
186 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 195 of 236
FLUID CAPACITIES
U.S. Metric
Fuel (Approximate)18 Gallons 68 Liters
Engine Oil with Filter
8.3 Liter Engine 10 Quarts 9.5 Liters
Cooling System*
8.3 Liter Engine 16 Quarts 15 Liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 195
7
Page 230 of 236

Hazard Warning Flasher.................75,132
Headlights............................ 188
Aiming............................. 193
High Beam........................... 65
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch......... 65
Switch............................... 62
Time Delay........................... 63
Heater................................ 90
High Beam Indicator...................... 77
Hood Latch Maintenance.................. 163
Hood Release........................... 58
Hoses.............................170,171
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid.................... 175
Ignition
Key ................................. 11
Timing.............................. 154
Wiring System........................ 154
Infant Restraint.......................... 33Instrument Cluster........................ 74
Instrument Panel and Controls............... 73
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............. 178
Interior and Instrument Lights..........See Lights
Interior Lights........................... 61
Intermittent Wipers....................... 69
Introduction............................. 4
Jump Starting.......................... 134
Key-In Reminder......................... 12
Keyless Entry System...................... 15
Keys.................................. 11
Knee Bolster............................ 38
Lap/Shoulder Belts....................... 27
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren) . 35
Latches
Hood............................... 163
230 INDEX