2004 DODGE VIPER oil temperature

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

Trunk Ajar Light
This light indicates that the trunk is not latched.
Engine Coolant Temperature Light
A red LED light on the Coolant Temperature
gauge will illuminate to warn of an overheated
engine coolant condition.
Low Oil Pressure Light
A red LED light on the Oil Pressure gauge will
illuminate to indicate low engine oil pressure. The
light should come on briefly as a bulb check when the
engine is first started. If the light stays on or comes on
while driving, stop the vehicle and shut off the engine.
DO NOT operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected.
NOTE:This light does not indicate how much oil is in
the engine. The engine oil level must be checked under
the hood.
Charge System Light
A red LED light on the Voltage gauge will illumi-
nate when there is a charging system malfunction
or a possible accessory drive belt failure.
CAUTION!
The accessory belt also drives the water pump.
Operating the vehicle with a failed belt can cause
engine overheating and possible severe engine dam-
age.
Fog Light ON Indicator
This light indicates that the fog lights are on.
78 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Gauges
Tachometer
This gauge shows engine speed in revolutions-
per-minute (RPM) times 1,000. Avoid excessive
engine speeds in any part of the red warning
zone, particularly when driving downhill or in
lower gears.
Coolant Temperature Gauge
This gauge shows the engine coolant tempera-
ture. The gauge pointer will likely show higher
temperatures when driving in hot weather, up
mountain grades, or in heavy stop and go
traffic. If the red LED light turns on, stop the vehicle and
turn off the engine until the cause is corrected.
Oil Temperature Gauge
This gauge shows the oil temperature. The
gauge pointer will likely show higher tempera-
tures when driving in hot weather, up moun-
tain grades, or in heavy stop and go traffic. If
the red LED light turns on, stop the vehicle and turn off
the engine until the cause is corrected.
Oil Pressure Gauge
This gauge shows engine oil pressure when the
engine is running. The pressure will vary with
engine speed, oil viscosity, and engine tem-
perature. Oil pressures will be higher as the
engine is warming up. The normal operating pressure is
between 20 and 80 psi (pounds per square inch). If the
pointer remains in the red range, turn off the engine until
the cause is corrected.
80 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

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

The best time to check the oil level is approximately 5
minutes after a fully warmed up engine is turned off or
before starting the engine after it has sat overnight.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground also
will improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Add
oil only when the level is below the SAFE mark.Changing Engine Oil
Road conditions and your kind of driving affects the
interval at which your oil should be changed.
IfANYof the following apply to you, then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first and follow the maintenance rec-
ommendations in ScheduleB.
²Day or night temperatures are below 32ÉF (0ÉC)
²Stop and go driving
²Extensive engine idling
²Driving in dusty conditions
²Short trip driving of less than 10 miles (16.2 km)
²More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90ÉF (32ÉC)
²Taxi, Police, or delivery service (commercial service)
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 149
7

Engine Oil Viscosity Chart
The proper SAE viscosity grade of engine oil should be
selected based on the following recommendation and be
within the operating temperature shown in the engine oil
viscosity chart.
Synthetic Engine Oils
There are a growing number of engine oils being pro-
moted as either synthetic or semi-synthetic. If you choose
to use such a product, useonlythose oils that meet the
American Petroleum Institute (API) and SAE viscosity
standard. Follow the service schedule that describes your
driving type.
Materials Added To Engine Oils
It is not necessary to add any materials to crankcase oils
for most types of vehicle operation. The addition of
materials containing antirust or antiscuff additives can be
beneficial under certain conditions. These include: infre-
quent operation, short trips, and during break-in after a
major engine overhaul. The manufacturer's Engine Oil
Supplement is recommended for these situations.
Disposing of Used Engine Oil
Care should be taken in disposing of used engine oil from
your vehicle. Used oil, indiscriminately discarded, can
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 151
7

Oil Filter............................ 152
Oil Selection.......................... 150
Overheating........................... 78
Exhaust Gas Caution...................47,165
Exhaust System......................... 165
Exterior Lights.......................... 186
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 155
Flashers
Hazard Warning........................ 75
Fluid Capacities......................195,196
Fluid Leaks............................. 48
Fluid Level Checks
Capacities........................... 195
Manual Transmission................... 175
Power Steering........................ 161
Fog Lights.........................62,64,78
Four-Way Hazard Flasher.................. 132Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................... 138
Fuel................................. 127
Adding............................. 129
Gauge............................... 81
Octane Rating........................ 127
Tank Capacity........................ 195
Fuses................................ 180
GasCap .............................. 129
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends................ 128
Gauges................................ 80
Coolant Temperature..................78,80
Fuel................................ 81
Oil Pressure........................... 80
Tachometer........................... 80
Voltmeter............................ 81
Gear Ratios............................ 196
Glass Cleaning.......................... 178
Ground Clearance....................... 126
INDEX 229
10

Seat Belts.............................. 26
And Pregnant Women................... 32
Extender............................. 32
Inspection............................ 48
Operating Instructions................... 28
Reminder............................ 77
Seats................................. 57
Adjustment........................... 57
Reclining............................. 57
Selection of Oil......................... 150
Service Assistance....................... 216
Service Contract......................... 218
Service Manuals........................ 220
Setting the Clock......................... 81
Shift Indicator Light....................76,101
Shift Speeds.........................100,101
Side View Mirror Adjustment................ 56
Signals, Turn............................ 75
Six Point Belt System...................... 31Slippery Surfaces, Driving On............... 137
Snow Tires............................ 125
Spark Plugs............................ 152
Specifications........................... 196
Speedometer............................ 74
Starting............................... 97
Emergency (Jump Starting)............... 134
Engine Fails to Start..................... 98
Steering
Linkage............................. 163
Power...........................107,161
Tilt Column........................... 65
Storage............................... 183
Stuck, Freeing.......................... 138
Sulfur in Gasoline....................... 129
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag........ 38
Tachometer............................. 80
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant........... 80
234 INDEX