2008 DODGE VIPER Owners Manual

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DESCRIPTION
Speedometer
Shows the vehicle's speed in miles-
per-hour (mph) and kilometers-per-
hour (km/h).
Odometer/Trip Odometer
The odometer shows the total distance the vehicle has
been driven.
NOTE:U.S. federal regulations require upon transfer of
vehicle ownership, the seller certify the mileage the
vehicle has been driven. Therefore, if the odometer
reading is changed because of repair or replacement, be
sure to keep a record of the reading before and after the
service so that the correct mileage can be determined.The trip odometer shows individual trip mileage. Press
and release the Trip button once to switch the display
from odometer to trip odometer. Press and release the
Trip button a second time to return the display to
odometer. While in trip mode, press and hold the Trip
button for at least 1 second to reset the trip odometer to
zero.
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Panel
The LCD panel at the bottom of the speedometer displays
specific messages for given conditions. These messages
are as follows:
²The words ªDOOR AJARº will display if a door is not
closed completely. In addition, a single chime will
sound if you move the vehicle when a door is not
closed completely.
²The words ªDOOR UNLOCKEDº will flash in the
display if one door is unlocked and will remain on
steady if both doors are unlocked.
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²The word ªDECKº will flash in the display if the
trunk/liftgate is open.
²The words ªLOW TIREº will flash slowly in the display
and a chime will sound if the tire pressure is low.
²The words ªFLAT TIREº will flash rapidly in the
display and a chime will sound if critically low tire
pressure is detected.
Message Center
When the appropriate conditions ex-
ist, the Message Center displays the
following indicators and warnings:
High Beam Light
This light will turn on when the high beam
headlights are on. Pull the Multi-Function Leveron the left side of the steering column toward you to
switch the headlights from low beam to high beam. Pull
the lever a second time to switch the headlights back to
low beam. (See page 81 for more information.)
Front Fog Light Indicator
This light will turn on when the front fog lights are
on. (See page 82 for more information.)
Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light
The amber Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light will
turn on and stay on briefly as a bulb check
when the ignition is first turned on. If the light
does not turn on during starting, see your
authorized dealer for service.
This light also illuminates at vehicle start-up to indicate
that the ABS self-check is in process. If the light remains
on after start-up, or turns on and remains on at road
speeds, it may indicate a system malfunction or that the
system is inoperative. In this case, the system reverts to
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standard non-anti-lock brakes. If this occurs, safely bring
the vehicle to a complete stop as soon as possible and
cycle the ignition key to attempt to reset the ABS. If the
light remains on, see your authorized dealer immediately
to have the system serviced. Furthermore, if the red
BRAKE warning light and the amber ABS warning light
are on, and the parking brake is fully released, see your
authorized dealer immediately. (See page 147 for more
information.)
WARNING!
If the ABS and/or Brake Warning lights illuminate,
please seek service immediately! Your vehicle will
have diminished braking capability and control if ABS
and/or service brake systems are not working properly.
Have your brake system serviced immediately.
Malfunction Indicator Light
This light is part of an onboard diagnostic
system called OBD. The OBD system monitors
engine control systems. The light will turn on
when the key is in the ON/RUN position
before engine start. If the light does not come on when
turning the key from OFF/LOCK to ON/RUN, have the
condition checked promptly.
Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor fuel quality, etc. may illuminate the light after
engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light
remains on through several of your typical driving
cycles. In most situations, the vehicle will drive normally
and will not require towing.
The Malfunction Indicator Light flashes to alert you to
serious conditions that could lead to immediate loss of
power or severe catalytic converter damage. The vehicle
should be serviced as soon as possible if this occurs. (See
page 195 for more information.)
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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.
Turn Signal Indicators
The left or right arrow will flash in unison with the
corresponding front and rear turn signals when the
turn signal switch is operated. (See page 82 for more
information.)
Hazard Indicators
Both turn signal arrows will flash in unison with the
front and rear turn signals when the hazard warning
switch is operated. (See page 176 for more information.)
NOTE:Leaving the hazard flashers on for extended
periods will wear down the battery.
Airbag Warning Light
This light will turn on for 6 to 8 seconds as a
bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned on. If the light does not turn on during
starting, remains on after starting, or turns on
while driving, have the system checked immediately by
an authorized dealer. (See page 40 for more information.)
Brake System Warning Light
The red Brake System Warning Light turns on
when the ignition is first turned on. It should
stay on briefly as a bulb check. If the light does not turn
on during starting, have it repaired promptly. If the light
remains on following the bulb check, it may be an
indication that the parking brake is not released. If the
light remains on when the parking brake is released, it
indicates a possible hydraulic brake system malfunction.
In this case, immediate repair is necessary and continued
operation of the vehicle in this condition is dangerous.
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NOTE:The light will turn on when the ignition switch
is in the ON/RUN position and the parking brake is
applied. This light shows only that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the brake light on is danger-
ous. Part of the brake system has failed. It will take
longer to stop the vehicle. You could have an acci-
dent. Have the brakes checked immediately. (See
page 144 for more information.)
Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Light
This light will turn on briefly as a bulb check
when turning on the ignition switch. It will also
turn on while the engine is running to warn of
a problem with the Electronic Throttle Control
system.
²If the light fails to turn on during the bulb check, see
you authorized dealer for service.
²If the light turns on steady while the engine is running,
safely bring the vehicle to a complete stop as soon as
possible, cycle the ignition key, and then restart the
engine. The light should turn off. However, if the light
remains on steady, see your authorized dealer for
service as soon as possible.
²If the light is flashing when the engine is running,
immediate service is required. If this occurs, you may
experience reduced vehicle performance, an elevated/
rough idle or engine stall, and your vehicle may
require towing.
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Low Tire Pressure Telltale / TPMS Malfunction
Indicator
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle
has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or
more of your tires is significantly under-inflated. Accord-
ingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as soon as possible and
inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a signifi-
cantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to overheat andcan lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel
efficiency and tire tread life and may affect the vehicle's
handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver 's responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS
low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale.
When the system detects a malfunction, the telltale will
flash for approximately one minute and then remain
continuously illuminated. This sequence will continue
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upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the mal-
function exists. When the malfunction indicator is illumi-
nated, the system may not be able to detect or signal low
tire pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons,
including the installation of replacement or alternate tires
or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. Always check the TPMS malfunc-
tion telltale after replacing one or more tires or wheels on
your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alternate
tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function
properly. (See page 166 for more information.)CAUTION!
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) has been
optimized for the original equipment tires and
wheels. The TPMS pressures have been established
for the tire size equipped on your vehicle. Undesir-
able operation or sensor damage may result when
using replacement equipment that is not of the same
size, type, and/or style. Aftermarket wheels can cause
sensor damage. Do not use aftermarket tire sealants
or balance beads if your vehicle is equipped with the
TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result.
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WARNING!
Do not exceed 55 mph (88 km/h) if the LOW Tire
indicator is activated. Vehicle handling and braking
may be reduced. You could have an accident and be
severely or fatally injured.
Seat Belt Reminder Light
If the driver does not buckle their seat belt and
vehicle speed exceeds 5 mph (8 km/h), or if the
passenger does not buckle their seat belt within 10
seconds of vehicle speed exceeding 5 mph (8 km/h), the
Enhanced Warning System (Belt Alert) will alert the
occupant(s) to buckle their seat belt(s). Once triggered,
the Enhanced Warning System (Belt Alert) will flash the
Seat Belt Reminder light and chime for up to 96 seconds
to alert the occupant(s) to buckle their seat belt(s). If the
driver unbuckles their seat belt while vehicle speed isgreater than 5 mph (8 km/h), or if the passenger unbuck-
les their seat belt for more than 10 seconds while vehicle
speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h), the Enhanced
Warning System (Belt Alert) will reactivate. (See page 36
for more information.)
Gauges & Indicator Lights
Tachometer
This gauge shows engine speed in revolutions-
per-minute (RPM) times 1,000. Avoid excessive
engine speeds in any part of the red warning
zone, particularly when driving downhill or in
lower gears.
Skip Shift Indicator Light
This indicator is located in the Tachometer. When
the indicator light turns amber, it means that you
are being prevented from shifting the transmission from
First to Second or to Third gear. When the indictor light
turns red, it means that the tachometer gauge pointer is at
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