Page 45 of 264

You should read the instructions provided with your
child restraint to make sure that you are using it properly.
2.All occupants should wear their lap and shoulder
belts properly.
3.The driver and passenger seats should be moved
back as far as practical to allow the airbags room to
inflate. Additionally, the pedals are power adjustable,
so the driver seat can be moved back and the pedals
moved closer as needed so the driver can be as far from
the airbag as possible. (See section on Power Adjust-
able Pedals for operation.)
4.You should read the instructions provided with your
child safety or booster seat to make sure that you are
using it properly.The airbag system consists of the following:
•Airbag control module and internal crash sensor
•AIRBAG Readiness Light
•Driver and Passenger Airbag/inflator Units
•Passenger Side Airbag On/Off Switch
•Passenger Airbag Off Indicator Light
•Unique Steering Wheel and Column
•Unique Instrument Panel
•Interconnecting Wiring
•Knee Impact Bolster
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 45
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Page 51 of 264

Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
•Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured because the airbag is not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the airbag covers. Do not modify the
front bumper or vehicle body structure.
•You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee impact bolsters.
•You can be injured if you are too close to either
airbag cover when the airbags inflate. It is dan-
gerous to try to repair any part of the airbag
system yourself. Don’t try to repair the airbag
system. Be sure to tell anyone who works on your
vehicle that it has airbags.
You will want to have the airbags ready for your protec-
tion in a collision. While the airbag Supplemental Re-
straint System (SRS) is designed to be maintenance free,
if any of the following occurs, have an authorized dealer
service the system immediately.
•The AIRBAG light does not come on or flickers during
the 6 to 8 seconds when the ignition switch is first
turned on.
•The light remains on or flickers after the 6 to 8 second
interval.
•The light flickers or comes on and remains on while
driving.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 51
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Page 165 of 264
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
8.3L Engine Compartment................168
Onboard Diagnostic System (OBD II).........169
Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs............................170
Replacement Parts......................171
Dealer Service.........................171
Maintenance Procedures..................172
▫Engine Oil..........................172
▫Drive Belts — Check Condition And Tension . . 176▫Spark Plugs.........................176
▫Catalytic Converter....................176
▫Ignition Wiring System And Ignition Timing . . 178
▫Crankcase Emission Control System........178
▫Air Cleaner Filter.....................179
▫Maintenance-Free Battery................179
▫Battery Save Feature...................182
▫Air Conditioner......................184
▫Power Steering (Pump And Reservoir)......185
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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 255 of 264

Fueling............................... 152
Fuses................................ 203
GasCap .............................. 152
Gasoline.............................. 148
Gasoline, Clean Air...................... 149
Gasoline, Reformulated................... 149
Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends................ 149
Gauges................................ 96
Coolant Temperature..................94,96
Fuel................................ 97
Oil Pressure........................... 96
Speedometer.......................... 90
Tachometer........................... 96
Voltmeter............................ 97
General Information...................... 19
Glass Cleaning.......................... 201
Ground Clearance....................... 148Hazard Warning Flasher.................91,156
Headlights............................ 214
Aiming............................. 219
High Beam........................... 80
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch......... 80
Passing.............................. 80
Switch............................... 78
Time Delay........................... 79
Heater................................ 111
High Beam Indicator...................... 93
Hood Latch Maintenance.................. 188
Hood Release........................... 73
Hoses.............................195,196
Hydraulic Clutch Fluid.................... 198
Ignition
Key ................................. 12
Timing.............................. 178
Wiring System........................ 178
INDEX 255
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Page 263 of 264
Warranty Information..................... 245
Washer, Adding Fluid..................... 189
Washers, Windshield...................84,189
Wheel Alignment and Balance............... 145
Wheel Bearings......................... 200
Wind Buffeting.......................... 29
Windows.............................. 27
Power............................... 27
Windshield Defroster...................... 53
Windshield Washers....................84,189
Windshield Wipers....................... 84
Wipers, Intermittent....................... 85
Wiring, Ignition......................... 178
INDEX 263
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