Page 115 of 264

Recommended Shift Speeds
To use your manual transmission for fuel economy it
should be upshifted as listed below. Shift at the vehicle
speeds listed for acceleration. Earlier upshifts during
cruise conditions (relatively steady speeds) will result in
increased fuel economy, and may be used as indicated.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
RECOMMENDED SHIFT SPEEDS
1-2 2-3 3-4 4-5 5-6
MPH 17––27 42
(km/h) (27)––(43) (68)
Higher upshift speeds may be used to obtain a desired
acceleration rate.
Skip Shift Light
There are times when you must shift directly from First to
Fourth gear instead of from First to Second. An amber
(LED) arrow on the instrument cluster will light up
during these times. This is to help you get the best
possible fuel economy.
The shift arrow will light up when engine coolant is
higher than 106°F (41°C), vehicle speed is greater than 12
MPH and less than 20 MPH, engine speed is less than
1322 RPM, you are in 1st gear and you are at 1/4 throttle
or less.
When the arrow is lit, the shift mechanism will only
allow shifts from First to Fourth gears. After you shift to
Fourth gear, you can press the clutch in and shift to
another forward gear.
Downshifting - Proper downshifting will improve fuel
economy and prolong engine life.
STARTING AND OPERATING 115
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Page 170 of 264

To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
•Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected for prolonged period.
Ignition Wiring System and Ignition Timing
The ignition cables should be kept clean and properly
connected. Terminals should be fully seated. Do not
remove the nipple assemblies from the coil towers unless
the nipples are damaged or cable testing shows high
resistance or broken insulation. Refer to the Service
Manual for the proper procedure to be followed for
checking ignition cable resistance. Cracked, damaged, or
faulty cables should be replaced.
Because of the plastic body shell on your Viper, ignition
cables should be replaced with the specially designed RFI
cables available at your dealer.
Ignition timing cannot be set on this vehicle.
170 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 214 of 264
Chassis
Component Fluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Transmission Mopar Synthetic Manual Transmission Lubricant SAE 75W-85 (Castrol Syn-
torq LT 75W/85)
Rear Axle Mopar Synthetic Gear and Axle Lubricant SAE 75W-140, with Limited Slip
Additive Friction Modifier
Brake Master Cylinder MoparBrake & Clutch Fluid DOT 4 Motor Vehicle
Power Steering Reservoir ATF+4
214 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 248 of 264

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
Page 251 of 264

High Beam Indicator.................... 89
Instrument Cluster...................... 75
Interior.............................. 74
License............................. 211
Lights On Reminder..................... 76
Malfunction Indicator.................... 88
Map Reading.......................... 73
Oil Pressure........................... 90
Reading.............................. 73
Seat Belt Reminder...................... 89
Service...........................204,205
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator).... 88
Turn Signal.......................74,77,87
Loading Vehicle......................... 146
Capacities........................... 146
Tires ............................... 126
Locks
Door................................ 13
Low Tire Indicator....................... 139Low Tire Pressure System.................. 139
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren (LATCH) . 36
Lubricants..........................179,180
Lubrication, Body....................... 179
Luggage/Cargo Capacity.................. 146
Maintenance Free Battery.................. 171
Maintenance Schedule.................... 218
Light Duty ScheduleB................. 221
ScheduleA......................... 228
ScheduleB.......................... 221
Malfunction Indicator Light..............88,162
Manual, Service......................... 240
Manual Transmission..................... 114
Shift Speeds.......................... 115
Master Cylinder......................... 191
Message Center.......................... 87
Mirrors................................ 67
Electric Remote........................ 68
INDEX 251
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