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
Headlight Aiming
The headlights on your new Viper were aimed at the
factory. The factory setting was made at a no load setting.
A great increase in weight will change the aiming and it
may be necessary to readjust the headlights if you
typically carry an excessive amount of weight in the
trunk or otherwise suspect misalignment.
Aiming Check
Each headlight assembly can be adjusted up and down
only. No left to right adjustment is necessary. To check,
proceed as follows:
1. Fill the fuel tank and park the vehicle on level ground.
A driveway is not normally level. If in doubt and you
have no way to check levelness, do not attempt to adjust
the headlights.
2.
Mark the position of the headlights on a wall prior to
loading the vehicle. Load the trunk with the items you
normally carry. Have someone sit in the driver’s seat who is
about the same weight as the person who drives the vehicle.
3. Push down on the front and rear of the vehicle several
times to make sure that the suspension has settled.
4. Then readjust the headlights to the original position.
NOTE:If any further adjustments are necessary, contact
your dealership.
FLUIDS AND CAPACITIESU.S. Metric
Fuel (approximate)
8.3 Liter Engine (Premium 91
Octane)18 gal-
lons68 liters
Engine Oil-With Filter
8.3 Liter Engines (0W-40) 10 qts. 9.5 Liters
Cooling System *
8.3 Liter Engines* (Mopar
Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/
102,000 Mile Formula)16 qts. 15 Liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to
MAX level.
212 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
At Each Stop for Fuel
•Check the engine oil level about 5 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level while
the vehicle is on level ground will improve the accu-
racy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when the
level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once a Month
•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and transmission and
add as needed.
•Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
At Each Oil Change
•Change the engine oil filter.
•Inspect the exhaust system.
•Inspect the brake hoses.
•Inspect the suspension components.
•Lubricate door hinges and check springs.
•Check the engine coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
•Check power steering fluid level.
220 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
8
M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S
Gas Caution.......................... 173
Jump Starting......................... 150
Keyless Transmitter Replacement............ 19
Bearings.............................. 194
Belt System, Six Point..................... 32
Belts, Drive............................ 168
Belts, Seat.............................. 26
Body Damage.......................... 195
Body Mechanism Lubrication............179,180
Body Mechanisms....................... 181
Boot, Convertible Top...................59,64
B-Pillar Location........................ 126
Brake, Parking.......................... 116
Brake System........................ 117,188
Anti-Lock............................ 117
Fluid Check.......................190,214
Hoses.............................. 189
Master Cylinder....................... 191
Warning Light......................... 91Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle.....50,121
Bulb Replacement....................... 205
Bulbs, Light.........................204,205
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)........ 212
Capacities, Fluid........................ 212
Capacity, Cargo Weight................... 146
Caps, Filler
Power Steering........................ 178
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 185
Car Washes............................ 197
Carbon Monoxide Warning...............51,145
Cargo Compartment
Capacity............................ 146
Carpeting............................. 196
Catalytic Converter...................... 168
CD Player............................95,98
CD Player Maintenance................... 103
Chains, Tire............................ 140
INDEX 245
10
Charging System Light..................... 90
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 123
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . 162
Checks, Safety........................... 51
Child Restraint........................34,39
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............... 37
Circuit Breakers......................... 197
Clean Air Gasoline....................... 142
Climate Control......................... 104
Clock................................. 93
Compact Disc Maintenance................. 103
Compact Spare Tire...................... 134
Console............................... 66
Console, Floor........................... 66
Contract, Service........................ 236
Converter, Catalytic...................... 168
Convertible............................. 55
Convertible Boot.......................59,64
Convertible Top.......................55,196Convertible Top Maintenance............... 196
Coolant Pressure Cap..................... 185
Cooling System......................... 183
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 185
Coolant Capacity...................... 212
Coolant Level......................183,187
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 186
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 184
Inspection........................... 183
Points to Remember.................... 187
Pressure Cap......................... 185
Radiator Cap......................... 185
Rubber and Plastic Components............ 188
Selection of Coolant...............184,212,213
Crankcase Emission Control System.......... 171
Customer Assistance..................... 235
Daytime Running Lights................... 76
Dealer Service.......................... 163
246 INDEX
Defroster, Windshield...................... 51
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers................. 82
Diagnostic System, Onboard................ 161
Dimmer Control......................... 74
Dimmer Switch, Headlight.................. 78
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............... 186
Door Locks............................. 13
Door Locks, Automatic.................... 15
Doors................................. 13
Drive Belts............................ 168
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................... 154
Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 68
Emergency Brake........................ 116
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............... 155
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 148Jump Starting......................... 150
Overheating.......................... 148
Towing............................. 155
Emission Control System Maintenance......162,218
Engine............................... 160
Break-In Recommendations................ 50
Checking Oil Level..................... 164
Compartment......................... 160
Coolant (Antifreeze).................183,213
Cooling...........................90,183
Exhaust Gas Caution..................51,145
Fails to Start.......................... 112
Fuel Requirements..................142,212
Oil ...........................164,212,213
Oil Change Interval.................... 165
Oil Disposal.......................... 167
Oil Filter............................ 167
Oil Selection.......................166,212
Overheating........................90,148
INDEX 247
10
Engine Oil Viscosity...................166,212
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart................. 166
Exhaust Gas Caution................51,145,182
Exhaust System......................... 182
Exterior Lights.......................... 205
Fan .................................. 105
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 171
Engine Oil........................... 213
Flashers
Hazard Warning.....................87,148
Turn Signal........................... 87
Flash-To-Pass........................... 78
Floor Console........................... 66
Fluid Capacities......................... 212
Fluid Leaks............................. 52
Fluid Level Checks
Brake............................190,214Capacities........................... 212
Cooling System....................... 183
Engine Oil........................... 164
Manual Transmission................... 193
Power Steering.....................178,214
Fluids................................ 213
Fog Lights.........................75,77,90
Four-Way Hazard Flasher.................. 148
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................... 155
Fuel................................. 142
Adding............................. 145
Additives............................ 144
Clean Air............................ 142
Gasoline............................ 142
Gauge............................... 93
Octane Rating........................ 213
Requirements......................142,212
Tank Capacity........................ 212
Fueling............................... 145
248 INDEX
Inside Rearview Mirror.................... 67
Instrument Cluster........................ 86
Instrument Panel and Controls............... 85
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............. 195
Interior and Instrument Lights..........See Lights
Interior Lighting......................... 74
Interior Lights........................... 74
Intermittent Wipers....................... 82
Introduction............................. 4
Jump Starting.......................... 150
Key-In Reminder......................... 12
Keyless Entry System...................... 15
Keys.................................. 11
Knee Bolster............................ 41
Lap/Shoulder Belts....................... 27
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren) . 36Latches
Hood.............................71,180
Lead Free Gasoline...................... 142
Light Bulbs............................ 205
Lights...............................52,73
Airbag.............................44,91
Anti-Lock Warning...................... 87
Back-Up............................. 74
Brake Warning......................... 91
Bulb Replacement...................... 204
Daytime Running....................... 76
Dimmer Switch, Headlight..............74,78
Engine Temperature Warning.............. 90
Exterior Check......................... 52
Fog .............................75,77,90
Hazard Warning Flasher...............87,148
Headlight Switch....................... 75
Headlights.........................75,207
High Beam........................... 78
250 INDEX