VENTILATION
When the ventilation mode is selected, outside air comes
through the panel outlets. Air will enter the vehicle with
or without the blower in operation.
CLIMATE CONTROLS
The Air Conditioning System allows you to balance the
temperature, amount and direction of the air circulating
throughout the vehicle.
Air Conditioning And Heater Controls
104 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
•In city traffic—While 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 149
6
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
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.
FUSES—Power Distribution Center
A power distribution center is located in the engine
compartment. This center contains fuses and relays.
CAUTION!
•When installing the Power Distribution Center
cover, it is important to ensure the cover is prop-
erly positioned and fully latched. Failure to do so
may allow water to get into the Power Distribu-
tion Center, and possibly result in a electrical
system failure.
•When replacing a blown fuse, it is important to
use only a fuse having the correct amperage
rating. The use of a fuse with a rating other than
indicated may result in a dangerous electrical
system overload. If a properly rated fuse contin-
ues to blow, it indicates a problem in the circuit
that must be corrected.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 197
7
Cavity Fuse Circuits
10 Cartridge
Fuse 30
Amp
GreenBatt-Switch, Ignition (Run/Start/
Accy)
11 Mini Fuse
20 Amp
YellowBatt-Relay Contact, Auto Shut-
down
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 RelayCavity Fuse Circuits
15 Mini Fuse
20 Amp
YellowElectric Heated RR. WDO (EBL)
16, 17 Mini Fuse
20 Amp
YellowFused Feed-Cigar Lighter
18 Mini Fuse
15 Amp
BlueBatt-Locks, Power Door
19 Mini Fuse
15 Amp
BlueBatt
20 Mini Fuse
15 Amp
BlueFeed-Courtesy, Dome, Visor, Illu-
minated Entry, Reading
21 Mini Fuse
15 Amp
BlueFuse Feed to Stop Lamp Switch
200 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
•Cut blocks of plywood about the same size of the tires.
Cover each block with indoor/outdoor carpeting and
place them between the tires and concrete. This will
prevent tire flat spotting.
•For long term storage, remove the tires and put the
vehicle up on blocks. Stack the tires on plywood and
cover with a tarp to prevent flat spotting.
•Move the wiper blades away from the windshield.
NOTE:To help prevent the battery from discharging
during shorter periods of inactivity, perform the follow-
ing:
1. Make sure that the trunk, hood, doors, windows and
convertible top are completely closed.
2. Make sure that remote transmitter is operating and
that the battery is good.3. Make sure that the hood, trunk and door switches are
in adjustment. Perform the quick system check which
follows.
Use the remote transmitter to set the alarm. If the alarm
SET light comes on and flashes, the system is operating
properly. If not, there is a problem with a switch or the
system. See your dealer for service.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
204 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
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
Fuses................................ 197
GasCap .............................. 145
Gasoline.............................. 142
Gasoline, Clean Air...................... 142
Gasoline, Reformulated................... 142
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends................ 143
Gauges................................ 92
Coolant Temperature..................90,92
Fuel................................ 93
Oil Pressure........................... 92
Speedometer.......................... 86
Tachometer........................... 92
Voltmeter............................ 93
General Information...................... 18
Glass Cleaning.......................... 195
Ground Clearance....................... 141
Hazard Warning Flasher.................87,148Headlights............................ 207
Aiming............................. 212
High Beam........................... 78
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch......... 78
Passing.............................. 78
Switch............................... 75
Time Delay........................... 76
Heater............................... 104
High Beam Indicator...................... 89
Hood Latch Maintenance.................. 180
Hood Release........................... 71
Hoses.............................188,189
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid.................... 192
Ignition
Key ................................. 11
Timing.............................. 170
Wiring System........................ 170
Infant Restraint.......................... 34
INDEX 249
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