2005 DODGE VIPER parking brake

After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
WARNING!
Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to start
the vehicle. This could result in flash fire causing
serious personal injury.
TRANSMISSION SHIFTING
NOTE:The parking brake should be engaged and the
gear selector placed in REVERSE before leaving the
vehicle, especially on an incline.
Fully depress the clutch pedal before you shift gears. As
you release the clutch pedal, lightly depress the accelera-
tor pedal.Be sure the transmission is in FIRST gear, (not THIRD),
when starting from a standing position. Damage to the
clutch can result from starting in THIRD.
For most city driving you will find it easier to use only
the lower gears. For steady highway driving with light
accelerations, 6th gear is recommended.
Never drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal, or
try to hold the vehicle on a hill with the clutch pedal
partially engaged. This will cause abnormal wear on the
clutch.
Never shift into REVERSE until the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
NOTE:During cold weather, until the transmission
lubricant has warmed, you may have difficulty shifting.
This is normal and not harmful to the transmission.
114 STARTING AND OPERATING

To maintain a safe speed and prolong brake life, down-
shift to maintain a safe speed when descending a steep
grade.
WARNING!
Skipping more than one gear while downshifting,
could cause you to lose control of your vehicle. You
could have an accident.
CAUTION!
If you skip more than one gear while downshifting
or downshift at too high an engine speed, you could
damage the engine, transmission, or clutch.
PARKING BRAKE
When you apply the parking brake with the ignition ON,
the brake system warning light in the instrument cluster
will come on.
NOTE:This light shows only that the parking brake is
on. It does not show the degree of brake application.
Parking Brake
116 STARTING AND OPERATING

Before leaving the vehicle, make sure you fully apply the
parking brake. Place the transmission in REVERSE. Fail-
ure to do so may cause the vehicle to roll and cause
damage or injury.
As an added precaution, turn the front wheels toward the
curb on a downhill grade and away from the curb on an
uphill grade.
Always apply the parking brake whenever you are not in
the vehicle.WARNING!
Leaving children in a vehicle unattended is danger-
ous for a number of reasons. A child or others could
be injured. Children should be warned not to touch
the parking brake release lever or the gear selection
lever as doing so may move the vehicle. Don’t leave
the keys in the ignition. Be sure the parking brake is
fully disengaged before driving: failure to do so can
lead to brake failure, and an accident.
BRAKE SYSTEM
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) is designed to aid the
driver in maintaining vehicle control under adverse
braking conditions. The system operates with a separate
computer to modulate hydraulic pressure to prevent
wheel lock-up and help avoid skidding on slippery
surfaces.
STARTING AND OPERATING 117
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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
Ground Connection
152 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

▫Body Lubrication.....................179
▫Front And Rear Suspension Ball Joints......179
▫Steering Linkage......................180
▫Body Mechanism Lubrication.............180
▫Windshield Washers...................182
▫Exhaust System......................182
▫Cooling System.......................183
▫Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......188
▫Brake System........................188
▫Brake, Power Steering, And Fuel System
Hoses.............................189
▫Brake And Clutch Fluid.................190
▫Master Cylinder......................191▫Hydraulic Clutch.....................192
▫Transmission........................193
▫Rear Axle...........................193
▫Wheel Bearings.......................194
▫Appearance Care.....................194

Fuses—Power Distribution Center..........197

Vehicle Storage........................202

Replacement Bulbs......................204
▫Interior Light Bulbs....................204
▫Exterior Light Bulbs...................205

Exterior Light Bulb Service................205
▫Headlight, Parking, Front Park, Turn Signal, Front
Sidemarker And Front Fog Light Removal....205
158 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Other Body Mechanisms
The following body mechanisms should be inspected
and, if necessary, all pivot and sliding contact areas of
these components should be lubricated with the lubricant
specified as follows:
Smooth White Body Lubricant - Such as Mopar Spray
White Lube:
•Hood hinge
•D/ lid hinge
•Fuel door hinge
•Lock cylinders
•Parking brake mechanism
•Trunk latches
•Ash tray
Points That Should Not Be Lubricated
There are many points that should not be lubricated;
some because they are permanently lubricated, some
because lubricants will be detrimental to the operating
characteristics, and some because lubricants will cause
component failures.
In particular, do not lubricate rubber bushings, since this
not only will cause them to fail, but will destroy their
necessary frictional characteristics.
Parts that should not be lubricated are as follows:
•Generator bearings
•Drive belt
•Accessory drive belt idler pulley
•Idler arm assembly
•Front wheel bearing
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 181
7

the vehicle is not going to be driven in the next 3
weeks, follow the battery recharge procedure in the
Service Manual, then disconnect the battery at the
negative terminal or use the save feature described in
Maintaining your Vehicle section under the Mainte-
nance Procedures sub-section, within Maintenance-
Free Battery.
CAUTION!
Use care when disconnecting the remote positive
cable. It is connected to the battery and can short out
to any metal on the vehicle. Always tape or wrap the
exposed cable end to prevent electrical shorts.
•Disconnecting the battery causes the engine control
system to lose memory of some“learned”functions,
unless using the Battery Save feature described inMaintaining your Vehicle section under the Mainte-
nance Procedures sub-section, within Maintenance-
Free Battery. The engine may run rough when first
started after a battery disconnect until the control
module“relearns”these functions.
Check the battery every 4 to 6 weeks to ensure that the
voltage is above 12.40. Voltage will drop more rapidly
in hot temperatures. If battery voltage drops below
12.40, follow the battery recharge procedure in the
Service Manual.
•Check that the radiator coolant level of protection is to
at least -20°F (-29°C).
•Block the wheels. Do not apply the Parking Brake.
•Make sure that all tires are inflated to the optimum
pressure, (29 PSI).
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 203
7

Body
Component Fluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Hinges:
Door, Trunk & Hood Springs and
LinksMoparSpray White Lube
Latches:
Door, Hood & Trunk MoparMulti-Purpose Lube NLGI Grade 2
Door Hinge Check Spring Lubriplate Mo-Lith No. 2 Grease or Petrocan Multiflex Moly EP 2 Grease
Seat Regulator & Track MoparMulti-Purpose Lube NLGI Grade 2
Window System Components MoparSpray White Lube
Lock Cylinders MoparSpray White Lube
Parking Brake Mechanism MoparSpray White Lube
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 215
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