2008 DODGE VIPER service

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.)
98 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

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.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 99
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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.
100 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

between 20 and 80 psi (pounds per square inch). If the
pointer remains in the red range, safely bring the vehicle
to a complete stop and turn off the engine. DO NOT
operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected.
This gauge does not indicate the amount of oil in the
engine. The engine oil level must be checked under the
hood. Check the level often during severe usage.
Oil Pressure Warning Light
The red Oil Pressure Warning Light is located in
the Oil Pressure Gauge. It will turn on to indicate
low engine oil pressure. The light should turn on briefly
as a bulb check when the engine is first started. If the
light remains on or turns on while driving, safely bring
the vehicle to a complete stop and turn off the engine. DO
NOT operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected.NOTE:This light does not indicate how much oil is in
the engine. The engine oil level must be checked using
the procedure shown in section 7. (See page 198 for more
information.)
Fuel Gauge
This gauge shows the amount of fuel in the gas
tank. The reaction time of the gauge has been
slowed to avoid needle fluctuation during pe-
riods of high G force cornering.
Voltage Gauge
This gauge shows the electrical system voltage.
The normal operating voltage is from 12 to 14
volts with the engine running. If the pointer
remains at either the high or low ends of the
scale, the electrical system should be serviced.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 105
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RW/FF (CD Mode For MP3 Play)
Press the FF side of the button to move forward through
the MP3 selection. Press the RW side of the button to
move back through the MP3 selection.
AM/FM Button (CD Mode For MP3 Play)
Switches back to Radio mode.
RND Button (CD Mode For MP3 Play)
Pressing this button plays files randomly.
DIR Button (CD Mode For MP3 Play)
Press the DIR Button to display folders, when playing an
MP3 discs that have a file/folder structure. Press DISC
up (button 1) or DISC down (button 5) to move through
the folders. Press the SET button to select a folder.
Operating Instructions - Hands Free Phone (If
Equipped)
Refer to Hands Free Phone section of the Owner's
Manual.
Operating Instructions - Satellite Radio Mode (If
Equipped)
Refer to the Satellite Radio section of the Owner's
Manual.
Operating Instructions - Video Entertainment
System (VESt) (If Equipped)
Refer to 6 Disc CD/DVD Changer (RDV) section of the
Owner's Manual.
SATELLITE RADIO Ð IF EQUIPPED
Satellite radio uses direct satellite to receiver broadcast-
ing technology to provide clear digital sound, coast to
coast. The subscription service provider is SiriusŸ Satel-
lite Radio. This service offers up to 100 channels of music,
sports, news, entertainment, and programming for chil-
dren, directly from its satellites and broadcasting studios.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 117
4

System Activation
Sirius Satellite Radio service is pre-activated, and you
may begin listening immediately to the one year of
SIRIUS audio service that is included with the factory-
installed satellite radio system in your vehicle. Sirius will
contact you to supply a welcome kit and to confirm
subscription information, including the set up of your
on-line listening account at no additional charge. For
further information, call the toll-free number 888-539-
7474, or visit the Sirius web site at www.sirius.com, or at
www.siriuscanada.ca for Canadian residents. Please have
the following information available when changing your
subscription:
1. The Electronic Serial Number/Sirius Identification
Number (ESN/SID).
2. Your Vehicle Identification Number.
Electronic Serial Number/Sirius Identification
Number (ENS/SID)
The Electronic Serial Number/Sirius Identification Num-
ber is needed to activate your Sirius Satellite Radio
system. To access the ESN/SID, refer to the following
steps:
ESN/SID Access With RBB, RAH, REVand RBK
Radios
With the ignition switch in the ACCESSORY position and
the radio OFF, press the Tape Eject or CD ªEJTº button
(depending on the radio type) and Time buttons simul-
taneously for 3 seconds. The first four digits of the
twelve-digit ESN/SID number will be displayed. Press
the SEEK UP (+) button to display the next four digits.
Continue to press the SEEK UP (+) button until all twelve
ESN/SID digits have been displayed. The SEEK DOWN
(-) will page down until the first four digits are displayed.
118 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

Operating Tips
NOTE:Refer to the chart at the end of this section for
suggested control settings for various weather condi-
tions.
Summer Operation
The engine cooling system in air-conditioned vehicles
must be protected with a high-quality antifreeze coolant
to provide proper corrosion protection and to protect
against engine overheating. A 50% solution of ethylene
glycol antifreeze coolant in water is recommended. Refer
to ªMaintenance Proceduresº in Section 7 of this manual
for proper coolant selection.
Winter Operation
²
Use the Defrost mode to direct cold air away from the
occupants during engine warm-up in cold weather.
²The blower air will heat faster in cold weather if you
use only the low blower speeds for the first ten
minutes of vehicle operation.
²Use of the air Recirculation mode during winter
months is not recommended because it may cause
window fogging.
Vacation Storage
Anytime you store your vehicle, or keep it out of service
(i.e. vacation) for two weeks or more, run the air condi-
tioning system at idle for about five minutes in the fresh
air and high blower setting. This will insure adequate
system lubrication to minimize the possibility of com-
pressor damage when the system is started again.
126 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

All vehicle wheels and tires must be the same size and
type as the original equipment and the tires must be
properly inflated to produce accurate signals for the
computer.
WARNING!
Significant over or under inflation of tires, or mixing
sizes of front or rear tires or wheels on the vehicle can
lead to loss of braking effectiveness.
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, have it re-
paired promptly.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
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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 147
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