Page 123 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 123
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Page 178 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 ServiceManual 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.
Crankcase Emission Control System
Proper operation of this system depends on freedom
from plugging due to deposits. As vehicle mileage builds
up, the Crankcase Ventilation Valve orifice may accumu-
late deposits. If a valve is not working properly, replace it
with a new orifice. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CLEAN THE
OLD ORIFICE!
Check the ventilation hose for indication of damage or
plugging deposits. Replace if necessary.
178 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 222 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 or equivalent, with
Limited Slip Additive Friction Modifier
Brake Master Cylinder MoparBrake & Clutch Fluid DOT 4 Motor Vehicle or equivalent.
Power Steering Reservoir MoparATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid or equivalent.
222 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Page 254 of 264

Engine Oil Viscosity...................174,220
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart................. 174
Exhaust Gas Caution..............26,53,151,189
Exhaust System......................... 189
Exterior Lights....................... 211,212
Fan .................................. 112
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 179
Engine Oil........................... 221
Flashers
Hazard Warning.....................91,156
Turn Signal........................... 91
Flash-To-Pass........................... 80
Floor Console........................... 68
Fluid Capacities......................... 220
Fluid Leaks............................. 54
Fluid Level Checks
Brake............................197,222Capacities........................... 220
Cooling System....................... 190
Engine Oil........................... 172
Manual Transmission................... 199
Power Steering.....................185,222
Fluids................................ 221
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts.......... 221
Fog Lights.........................78,79,94
Four-Way Hazard Flasher.................. 156
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................... 163
Fuel................................. 148
Adding............................. 152
Additives............................ 150
Clean Air............................ 149
Gasoline............................ 148
Gauge............................... 97
Octane Rating........................ 221
Requirements......................148,220
Tank Capacity........................ 220
254 INDEX
Page 257 of 264

Headlights.........................78,214
High Beam........................... 80
High Beam Indicator.................... 93
Instrument Cluster...................... 78
Interior............................76,77
License............................. 218
Lights On Reminder..................... 78
Malfunction Indicator.................... 92
Map Reading.......................... 75
Oil Pressure........................... 94
Reading.............................. 75
Seat Belt Reminder...................... 93
Service........................... 211,212
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator).... 92
Turn Signal.......................76,80,91
Loading Vehicle......................... 153
Capacities........................... 153
Tires ............................... 134Locks
Door................................ 14
Low Tire Indicator....................... 145
Low Tire Pressure System.................. 145
Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren (LATCH) . 38
Lubricants..........................186,187
Lubrication, Body....................... 186
Luggage/Cargo Capacity.................. 153
Maintenance Free Battery.................. 179
Maintenance Schedule.................... 226
Light Duty ScheduleB................. 229
ScheduleA......................... 236
ScheduleB.......................... 229
Malfunction Indicator Light..............92,170
Manual, Service......................... 246
Manual Transmission..................... 122
Shift Speeds.......................... 123
Master Cylinder......................... 197
INDEX 257
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