2006 DODGE VIPER Owners Manual

CONVERTIBLE TOP OPERATION —
CONVERTIBLE MODELS ONLY
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 57
3

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
58 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

3. Release the lever located behind the driver’s seat and
nestled in the folded convertible top (as pictured). To aid
in disengaging the latch, press down on the convertible
top while pressing on the latch lever.4. Manually raise the top until it meets the windshield
header (as pictured).
5. Close the trunk.
Convertible Top Latch
Raising Convertible Top
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 59
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6. While sitting inside the vehicle, hold onto the handles
and pull the top towards the windshield header. Push the
latch handle forward and engage the latch hook to the
windshield receiver rod.7. Ensure the outboard locating pins are in their respec-
tive receiving holes in the windshield header. Push the
latch handle forward all the way to close the latch.
Aligning Convertible Top
Engaging Convertible Top
60 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:Until the convertible top system has had ad-
equate time to break in, it may take greater effort to
engage the latch hook and close the latch. Several weeks
of normal convertible top usage will reduce these efforts.
Convertible Top Boot Cover Installation–If
Equipped
1. Open the trunk.
2. Lower the convertible top and make sure that the
convertible top latch handle is placed in the stowed
position.
3. lay the unfolded boot cover across the convertible top.
Unfolded Boot Cover
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4. Slide pocket over the front corner of convertible top on
the passenger side.5. Stretch and slide pocket over the front corner of
convertible top on the driver side.
Attaching Passenger SideAttaching Driver Side
62 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

6. Tuck cover under leading edge of convertible top. 7. Clip tab under trunk lid stop and quarter panel flange
on outer edge on the passenger side.
Tucking Boot Cover
Attaching Passenger Side Tab
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 63
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8. Push down to engage inboard tab on the passenger
side.9. Clip tab under trunk lid stop and quarter panel flange
on outer edge on the driver side.
Engaging Passenger Side TabAttaching Driver Side Tab
64 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE