2008 DODGE VIPER stop start

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
4

Be sure the transmission is in FIRST gear when moving
forward from a standing position.
CAUTION!
Failure to start out in FIRST gear when moving
forward from a starting position may result in dam-
age to the clutch.
You will find it easier to use only the lower gears for most
city driving. For steady highway driving with light
accelerations, 6th gear is recommended.
Never drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal, or
try to hold the vehicle on a hill with the clutch pedal
partially engaged. This will cause abnormal wear on the
clutch.
Never shift into REVERSE until the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.NOTE:
²Your vehicle is equipped with a transmission reverse
inhibitor system. When vehicle speed is greater than 5
mph (8 km/h), the reverse inhibitor activates to help
prevent shifts into reverse. When at a complete stop,
you may notice light shift efforts into reverse with the
ignition key on, and increased shift efforts into reverse
with the ignition key off. This is normal operation of
the transmission reverse inhibitor system.
²Shifting gears during cold weather may require an
increased effort until the transmission lubricant is
warm. This is normal and not harmful to the transmis-
sion.
²Due to the high performance nature of your drivetrain,
a certain amount of noise from the transmission is
normal. This noise can be most noticeable when the
vehicle is idling in neutral with the clutch engaged
(clutch pedal released), but it may also be heard when
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5

Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is hydroplaning and may cause partial or
complete loss of vehicle control and stopping ability. To
reduce this possibility, the following precautions should
be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when roads are
slushy.
2. Slow down if road has standing water or puddles.
CAUTION!
Driving your vehicle through deep puddles at speeds
over 5 mph, may cause water to be ingested into the
engine. This can cause severe engine damage.3. Replace tires when tread wear indicators first become
visible.
4. Keep tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain enough distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front to avoid a collision in a sudden stop.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Driving through water more than a few inches/
millimeters deep will require extra caution to ensure
safety and prevent damage to your vehicle.
140 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
²Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle's traction capabilities. Do not exceed 5 mph (8
km/h) when driving through standing water.
²Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle's braking capabilities, which increases stop-
ping distances. Therefore, after driving through
standing water, drive slowly and lightly press on
the brake pedal several times to dry the brakes.
²Getting water inside your vehicle's engine can
cause it to lockup and stall out and leave you
stranded.
²Failure to follow these warnings may result in
injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your
passengers, and others around you.
PARKING BRAKE
The parking brake should always be applied when the
driver is not in the vehicle.
WARNING!
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure you fully apply
the parking brake and shift the transmission into
REVERSE. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to
roll and cause damage or injury.
As an added precaution when parking the vehicle, turn
the front wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade
and away from the curb on an uphill grade.
To apply the parking brake, grasp the handle and pull it
rearward until you feel resistance. To release the parking
brake, grasp the handle and pull it slightly while pressing
the button on the end of the handle. When the button
142 STARTING AND OPERATING

drops into the handle (releasing the lock), guide the
handle downward to its stop and then release the button
and the handle.
The Brake System Warning Light in the instrument
cluster will turn on when the ignition is in the ON/RUN
position and the parking brake is applied.NOTE:This light only shows that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
WARNING!
²Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
children in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
injured seriously or fatally. Don't leave the keys in
the ignition. A child could operate power win-
dows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
²Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged
before driving: failure to do so can lead to brake
failure, and an accident.
Parking Brake
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5

BRAKE SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with dual hydraulic
brake systems. If either of the two hydraulic
systems loses normal capability, the remaining
system will still function. However, there will
be some loss of overall braking effectiveness. You may
notice increased pedal travel during application, greater
pedal force required to slow or stop, and potential
activation of the Brake System Warning Light.
In the event power assist is lost for any reason (i.e.,
repeated brake applications with the engine off) the
brakes will still function. However, the effort required to
brake the vehicle will be much greater than that required
with the power system operating.
Brake Pad Break-In
NOTE:Your vehicle is equipped with a high perfor-
mance braking system. The brake pads are a semi-
metallic compound, which offer superior fade resistance
for consistent operation. A compromise to using this type
of brake pad is that the brakes may squeal slightly under
certain weather and operating conditions (.i.e., during
light brake applications).
The brakes on your new vehicle do not require a long
break-in period. However, you should avoid repeated
hard brake applications from high speeds during initial
break-in. In addition, you should avoid severe brake
loading, such as may be encountered when descending
long mountain grades.
144 STARTING AND OPERATING

Safe Operating Tips
WARNING!
To use your brakes and accelerator more safely, follow these
tips:
²
Do not ªrideº the brakes by resting your foot on the pedal.
This could overheat the brakes and result in unpredictable
braking action, longer stopping distances, or brake damage.
²When descending mountains or hills, repeated braking can
cause brake fade with loss of braking control. Avoid
repeated heavy braking by downshifting the transmission
whenever possible.
²
Do not drive too fast for road conditions, especially when
roads are wet or slushy. A wedge of water can build up
between the tire tread and the road. This hydroplaning
action can cause loss of traction, braking ability, and control.
²After going through deep water or a car wash, brakes may
become wet, resulting in decreased performance and unpre-
dictable braking action. Dry the brakes by gentle, intermit-
tent pedal action while driving at very slow speeds.
Anti-Lock Brake System
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) is designed to aid the
driver in maintaining vehicle control under adverse
braking conditions. The system operates with a separate
computer to modulate hydraulic pressure to prevent
wheel lock-up and help avoid skidding on slippery
surfaces.
NOTE:During severe braking conditions, a pulsing
sensation may occur and a clicking noise will be heard.
This is normal, indicating that the Anti-Lock Brake
System is functioning.
The Anti-Lock Brake System conducts a low-speed self-
test at about 12 mph (20 km/h). If you have your foot
lightly on the brake while this test is occurring, you may
feel slight pedal movement. The movement can be more
apparent on ice and snow. This is normal.
STARTING AND OPERATING 145
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