2005 DODGE VIPER Owners Manual

Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
•Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured because the airbag is not there to protect
you. Do not modify the components or wiring,
including adding any kind of badges or stickers to
the airbag covers. Do not modify the front bumper
or vehicle body structure.
•You need proper knee impact protection in a colli-
sion. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee impact bolsters.
•You can be injured if you are too close to either
airbag cover when the airbags inflate. It is danger-
ous to try to repair any part of the airbag system
yourself. Don’t try to repair the airbag system. Be
sure to tell anyone who works on your vehicle that
it has airbags.
You will want to have the airbags ready for your protec-
tion in a collision. While the airbag Supplemental Re-
straint System (SRS) is designed to be maintenance free,
if any of the following occurs, have an authorized dealer
service the system immediately.
•The AIRBAG light does not come on or flickers during
the 6 to 8 seconds when the ignition switch is first
turned on.
•The light remains on or flickers after the 6 to 8 second
interval.
•The light flickers or comes on and remains on while
driving.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 49
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Transporting Pets
Deploying airbags could harm your pet. An unrestrained
pet will be thrown about and possibly injured, or injure a
passenger during panic braking or in a collision.
Pets should be restrained in pet harnesses or pet carriers
that are secured by seat belts.
ENGINE BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
The engine in your new Viper does not require a long
break-in period. Following these few simple guidelines is
all that is necessary for a good break-in:
For the first 500 miles (800 km):
•Keep your vehicle speed below the legal, posted speed
limit and your engine speed below 4,000 rpm.
•Avoid driving at a constant speed, either fast or slow,
for long periods of time.
•Do not make any full throttle starts and avoid full
throttle acceleration.
•Use the proper gear for your speed range.
•Wait until the engine has reached normal operating
temperature before driving at the recommended maxi-
mum break-in speed.
•Avoid excessive idling.
•Check 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.
50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
•Do 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.
•If 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.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside the
Vehicle
Seat Belts
•
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.
•Seat 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.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 51
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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.
52 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS

Convertible Top Operation.................55
▫To Lower The Top......................56
▫To Raise The Top......................56
▫Convertible Top Boot Cover Installation–If
Equipped............................59
▫Convertible Top Boot Cover Removal And
Storage.............................64

Console Features........................66

Mirrors...............................67
▫Inside Day/Night Mirror.................67▫Electric Remote Control Mirrors............68
▫Mirror Adjustment.....................68

Seats.................................69
▫Manual Front Seat Adjustments............69
▫Reclining Seat.........................71

To Open And Close The Hood..............71

Lights................................73
▫Courtesy/Reading Lights.................73
▫Interior Lights........................74
3

▫Multi-Function Control Lever..............74
▫Headlights, Parking Lights, Instrument Panel
Lights, And Front Fog Lights..............75
▫Daytime Running Lights.................76
▫Lights-On Reminder....................76
▫Headlight Time Delay...................76
▫Battery Saver Feature—Exterior Lights......76
▫Fog Lights...........................77
▫Turn Signals..........................77
▫Highbeam/Lowbeam Select Switch..........78▫Flash To Pass.........................78

Tilt Steering Column.....................78

Adjustable Pedals.......................79
▫Adjustable Left Foot Rest.................80

Windshield Wipers And Washers.............81
▫Windshield Washers....................82
▫Mist Function.........................82
▫Intermittent Wiper System................82
54 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

CONVERTIBLE TOP OPERATION
WARNING!
The convertible top does not provide the structural
protection that a reinforced metal roof does, and the
fabric top cannot be expected to prevent the ejection
of the occupants of a vehicle in a collision. Therefore
it is important that all occupants wear their seat belts
at all times when riding in a convertible. Studies
have shown that it is generally safer to remain inside
a vehicle during a collision, than to be ejected from
the vehicle.
CAUTION!
To fully insure that no damage occurs, be sure that
the vehicle is at a complete stop with the gear
selector in the Park position (automatic transaxle) or
in the Neutral position (manual transaxle) before
lowering or raising the top.
CAUTION!
Do not operate the convertible top with ice or snow
build-up on the top. Damage to the top may occur.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 55
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To Lower the Top:
1. To lower the top, first ensure that the door windows
are lowered at least an inch.
2. Depress the button at the top of the latch upwards and
then pull the handle down and rearward, towards you.
(See the picture shown)3. Disengage the latch hook from the windshield rod
making sure to pull the latch all the way back to the
detent stow position and pull the top away from the
windshield header.
4. Open the trunk.
5. Pull the convertible top back away from the wind-
shield and all the way back to the folded position into the
storage well to the back of the seating positions. Push the
leading edge of the top down to engage the downstack
latch.
6. Finally lower and close the trunk.
To Raise the Top:
1. To raise the convertible top, first ensure that the door
windows are lowered at least an inch.
2. Then open the trunk.
Unlatching Convertible Top
56 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE