2005 DODGE VIPER towing

▫Compact Spare Tire—If Equipped.........134
▫Limited Use Spare—If Equipped.........135
▫Tire Spinning........................136
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................137
▫Replacement Tires.....................137
▫Alignment And Balance.................138

Low Tire Pressure (Ltp) System.............139
▫Low Tire Indicator....................139

Tire Chains...........................140

Snow Tires...........................140

Tire Storage...........................141

Tire Rotation Recommendations............141
Ground Clearance......................141

Fuel Requirements......................142
▫Spark Knock.........................142
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................142
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............143
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................143
▫Materials Added To Fuel................144
▫Fuel System Cautions..................144
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings..............145

Adding Fuel..........................145

Vehicle Loading........................146

Trailer Towing.........................146
110 STARTING AND OPERATING

Tire and Loading Information Placard
This placard tells you important information about the,
1) number of people that can be carried in the vehicle
2) the total weight your vehicle can carry
3) the tire size designed for your vehicle4) the cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear
and spare tires.
Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed
the load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You
will not exceed the tire’s load carrying capacity if you
adhere to the loading conditions, tire size and cold tire
inflation pressures specified on the Tire and Loading
Information placard and the Vehicle Loading section of
this manual.
NOTE:Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition,
gross axle weight ratings (GAWR’s) for the front and rear
axles must not be exceeded. For further information on
GAWR’s, vehicle loading and trailer towing, see the
Vehicle Loading section of this manual.
To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement“The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX
Tire and Loading Information
STARTING AND OPERATING 127
5

lbs.”on the Tire and Loading Information placard. The
combined weight of occupants, cargo/luggage and
trailer tongue weight (if applicable) should never exceed
the weight referenced here.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement“The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never exceed XXX pounds”on
your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and pas-
sengers from XXX kilograms or XXX pounds.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if“XXX”
amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb.
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is 650 lb. (since 5 x 150 = 750,
and 1400–750 = 650 lb.)5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo
being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your
trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
NOTE:The following table shows examples on how to
calculate total load, cargo/luggage and towing capacities
of your vehicle with varying seating configurations and
number and size of occupants. This table is for illustra-
tion purposes only and may not be accurate for the
seating and load carry capacity of your vehicle.
NOTE:For the following example the combined weight
of occupants and cargo should never exceed 865 lbs. (392
Kg).
128 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Remove the fuel tank filler tube cap (gas cap) slowly
to prevent fuel spray from the filler neck that may
cause injury. The volatility of some gasolines may
cause a buildup of pressure in the fuel tank that may
increase while you drive the vehicle. This pressure
can result in a spray of gasoline and/or vapors when
you remove the cap from a hot vehicle. Removing the
cap slowly allows the pressure to vent and prevents
fuel spray. Never have any smoking materials lit in
or near the vehicle when the fuel tank filler tube cap
(gas cap) is removed or when filling the tank. Never
fill the gas tank while the engine is running.
VEHICLE LOADING
Vehicle Loading Capacities
Front Seat Occupants....................... 2
Luggage....................... 115lbs. (51 kg)
Rated Vehicle Capacity............ 415lbs. (187kg)
TRAILER TOWING
Trailer towing with your Viper is not recommended.
146 STARTING AND OPERATING

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS

Hazard Warning Flasher..................148

If Your Engine Overheats.................148

Jump-Starting Procedures.................150

Driving On Slippery Surfaces..............154▫Traction............................154

Freeing A Stuck Vehicle..................155

Towing A Disabled Vehicle................155
6

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between Reverse
and First gear. Usually the least accelerator pedal pres-
sure to maintain the rocking motion without spinning the
wheels is most effective.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission/axle overheating and fail-
ure. It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the
wheels above 30 mph (48 km/h).
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
Do not tow with sling type equipment. Only use flat bed
equipment. Always comply with applicable state or local
towing ordinances.
CAUTION!
Towing with equipment other than flat bed types
may damage your vehicle.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 155
6

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (OBD II)
To meet new government regulations and promote
cleaner air, your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated
onboard diagnostic system called OBD II. This system
monitors the performance of the emissions and engine
control systems. When these systems are operating prop-
erly, your vehicle will provide excellent performance and
fuel economy, as well as engine emissions well within
current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the Malfunction Indicator Light. It will also
store diagnostic codes and other information to assist
your service technician in making repairs. Although your
vehicle will usually be driveable and not need towing,
see your dealer for service as soon as possible.CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the light on could cause
further damage to the emission control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and driveability. The
vehicle must be serviced before any state emissions
tests can be performed.
If the light is flashing, severe catalytic converter damage
and power loss will soon occur. Immediate service is
required.
If the gas cap is not tightened properly, the light may
come on. Be sure the gas cap is tightened every time you
add fuel.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 161
7

•Trailer towing
•Off-road or desert driving
•If equipped for and operating with E–85 (ethanol) fuel
If none of these apply to you, then change your engine oil
every 6,000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months, whichever
comes first and follow the maintenance recommenda-
tions in ScheduleA.
CAUTION!
Overfilling the crankcase will cause oil aeration and
loss of oil pressure. This could damage your engine.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, the manufacturer only
recommends full synthetic engine oils that are API rated
as SL/CF and meet the requirements of DaimlerChrysler
Material Standard MS-10725. Use Mopar or an equivalent
oil meeting the specification MS-10725.
If you choose to operate this vehicle in a very aggres-
sive driving style, the manufacturer recommends the
use of a full synthetic engine oil, such as Mobil 1SAE
0W-40.
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart
The proper SAE viscosity grade of engine oil should be
selected based on the following recommendation and be
within the operating temperature shown in the engine oil
viscosity chart.
166 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE