2005 DODGE VIPER radiator cap

•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

Cooling System
Inspection
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot coolant or
steam from your radiator. If you see or hear steam
coming from under the hood, don’t open the hood
until the radiator has had time to cool. Never try to
open a cooling system pressure cap when the radia-
tor is hot.
Coolant Checks
Check engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12
months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If coolant is dirty or rusty in appearance, the
system should be drained, flushed and refilled with fresh
coolant. Check the front of the radiator for any accumu-
lation of bugs, leaves, etc.
Check the coolant bottle tubing for condition and tight-
ness of connection at reserve tank and radiator. Inspect
the entire system for leaks.
NOTE:Check the front of the radiator for debris (leaves,
paper, etc.) regularly. A build up of such material could
lead to engine overheating.
Do not remove the cooling system pressure cap when the
cooling system is hot.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 183
7

Adding Coolant
When adding coolant, or refilling the system, a minimum
solution of 50% recommended HOAT ethylene glycol
engine coolant (antifreeze) and distilled water should be
used. Use higher concentrations (not to exceed 70%) if
temperatures below
34°F(
37°C) are anticipated.
Use only high purity water such as distilled or deionized
water when mixing the water / antifreeze solution. The
use of lower quality water will reduce the amount of
corrosion protection in the engine cooling system.
NOTE:It is the owner’s responsibility to maintain the
proper level of protection against freezing according to
the temperatures occurring in the area where the vehicle
is operated.WARNING!
Never add coolant to the radiator when the engine is
overheated. Do not loosen or remove pressure cap to
cool overheated engine. The coolant is under pres-
sure and severe scalding could result.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of
coolant, and to insure that coolant will return to the
radiator from the coolant reserve tank.
The pressure cap should be inspected and cleaned if there
is any accumulation of foreign material on the sealing
surfaces.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 185
7

WARNING!
•The warning words“DO NOT OPEN HOT”on
the pressure cap are a safety precaution. Never
add coolant to the radiator when the engine is
overheated. Do not loosen or remove the pressure
cap to cool overheated engine. Heat causes pres-
sure to build up in the cooling system. To prevent
scalding or injury, do not remove the pressure cap
while the system is hot or under pressure.
•Do not use a pressure cap other than the one
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or
engine damage may result.
Disposal of Used Engine Coolant
Used ethylene glycol based engine coolant is a regulated
substance requiring proper disposal. Check with your
local authorities to determine the disposal rules for your
community. To prevent ingestion by animals or children
do not store ethylene glycol based engine coolant in open
containers or allow it to remain in puddles on the
ground. If ingested by a child, contact a physician
immediately. Clean up any ground spills immediately.
186 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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

Distribution Center..................... 197
Steering..........................121,178
Windows............................. 24
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts.............. 33
Programming Transmitters.................. 18
Radial Ply Tires......................... 134
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap).......... 185
Radio Antenna......................... 103
Radio Broadcast Signals.................... 94
Radio Operation........................ 103
Radio (Sound Systems).................... 95
Rear Axle............................. 193
Rear Wheel Bearings..................... 194
Rearview Mirrors........................ 67
Reclining Front Seats...................... 71
Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine
Parts............................... 213
Reformulated Gasoline.................... 142Refrigerant............................ 177
Reminder, Lights On...................... 76
Reminder, Seat Belt.....................31,89
Remote Keyless Entry..................... 15
Replacement Parts....................... 163
Replacement Tires....................... 137
Reporting Safety Defects................... 239
Restraints, Child......................... 34
Restraints, Infant......................... 34
Restraints, Occupant...................... 26
Rocking Vehicle When Stuck................ 155
Rotation, Tires.......................... 141
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle................. 51
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle............... 52
Safety Defects, Reporting.................. 239
Safety Information, Tire................... 122
Safety Tips............................. 51
Schedule, Maintenance.................... 218
INDEX 253
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