2008 DODGE VIPER Owners Manual

WARNING!
²Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution and can
burn or even blind you. Don't allow battery fluid
to contact your eyes, skin, or clothing. Don't lean
over a battery when attaching clamps. If acid
splashes in eyes or on skin, flush the area imme-
diately with large amounts of water.
²Battery gas is flammable and explosive. Keep
flame or sparks away from the battery. Don't use a
booster battery or any other booster source with an
output greater than 12 volts. Don't allow cable
clamps to touch each other.
²Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories
contain lead and lead compounds. Wash hands
after handling.
CAUTION!
²It is essential when replacing the cables on the
battery that the positive cable is attached to the
positive post and the negative cable is attached to
the negative post. Battery posts are marked posi-
tive (+) and negative (-) and identified on the
battery case. Cable clamps should be tight on the
terminal posts and free of corrosion.
²If a ªfast chargerº is used while battery is in
vehicle, disconnect both vehicle battery cables
before connecting the charger to battery. Do not
use a ªfast chargerº to provide starting voltage.
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To Service the Battery:
1. Remove the floor portion of the rear compartment
carpet to access the battery compartment.
2. Remove the battery cover mounting screws and re-
move the battery cover.
3. Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery.
NOTE:The negative battery terminal is marked with a
(-) symbol. The positive battery terminal is marked with
a (+) symbol.
4. Disconnect the positive battery cable from the battery.
5. Remove or loosen the battery retainer clamp and bolt.
6. Lift out the battery.
7. Clean out the battery tray area, freeing area of dirt,
stones, and battery acid.8. Clean and inspect the battery terminals and replace if
parts are damaged or unusable.
9. Place the battery in the tray.
10. Tighten the battery retainer clamp and bolt down.
11. Connect the positive battery cable to the battery
positive terminal and tighten.
NOTE:The negative battery terminal is marked with a
(-) symbol. The positive battery terminal is marked with
a (+) symbol.
12. Connect the negative battery cable to the battery
negative terminal and tighten.
13. Install the battery cover and tighten down the screws.
14. Install the carpet in the floor portion of the rear
compartment.
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Battery Save Feature
The Battery Save feature conserves battery power when
storing the vehicle. It allows for up to 3 months of storage
time without losing radio and engine controller memory.
Using this feature is an alternative to disconnecting the
battery.
NOTE:This vehicle is designed to sit in storage with a
fully charged battery for up to 30 days. If you plan to
store the vehicle longer than 30 days, we recommend
doing one of the following:
²Disconnect the battery.
²Use the battery charger.
²Put the vehicle into Battery Save mode (3-month
charge).
To Activate the Battery Save Feature:
1. Insert the key into the ignition switch.2. Cycle the ignition switch from OFF/LOCK to ACC
four times. Leave the switch in the OFF/LOCK position
after the fourth cycle.
3. Push the driver's Power Door Lock switch in the UP
direction. A single chime will sound and the horn will
chirp to indicate that the process has begun.
Ignition Key Positions
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4. Remove the key from the ignition switch and exit the
vehicle. The Battery Save Feature will be enabled 45
seconds after all doors are closed.
NOTE:
²Turning the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position
at any time will cancel activation of the Battery Save
Feature.
²The remote keyless entry and the exterior passenger
door handle will not work when the Battery Save
feature is enabled. Enter the vehicle by using the key to
unlock the door manually and by using the exterior
driver door handle to open the door.
²The Vehicle Security Alarm is disabled when the
Battery Save Feature is enabled. Therefore, the vehicle
is not protected when the Battery Save Feature is
enabled.
²The exterior and interior lighting functions will not
work when the Battery Save Feature is enabled.
To Deactivate the Battery Save Feature:
1. Press the exterior driver's door handle once to wake
up the vehicle. Then, press the handle again to open the
door.
NOTE:If the door does not open (vehicle is armed),
press the remote keyless entry unlock button to unlock
the vehicle.
2. Insert the key into the ignition switch.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position. The
Battery Save Feature will turn off.
NOTE:If the ignition switch is NOT turned to ON/
RUN position, the Battery Save Feature will be enabled
45 seconds after the driver's door is closed.
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Air Conditioner Maintenance
For best possible performance, your air conditioner
should be checked and serviced by an Authorized Dealer
at the start of each warm season. This service should
include cleaning of the condenser fins and a performance
test. Drive belt tension should also be checked at this
time.
NOTE:If A/C performance seems less then normal,
check the front of the A/C condenser (located in front of
the radiator) for dirt and insect accumulation. Clean with
a gentle water spray as required. Front end fascia protec-
tors may reduce air flow to the condenser and radiator,
reducing A/C and engine cooling performance.WARNING!
²Use only refrigerants and compressor lubricants
approved by the manufacturer for your air condi-
tioning system. Some unapproved refrigerants are
flammable and can explode, injuring you. Other
unapproved refrigerants or lubricants can cause
the system to fail, requiring costly repairs. Refer to
Section 3 of the Warranty Information book for
further warranty information.
²The air conditioning system contains refrigerant
under high pressure. To avoid risk of personal
injury or damage to the system, adding refrigerant
or any repair requiring lines to be disconnected
should be done by an experienced technician.
212 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling
R-134a Air Conditioning Refrigerant is a hydrofluorocar-
bon (HFC) that is endorsed by the Environmental Pro-
tection Agency and is an ozone-saving product. How-
ever, the manufacturer recommends that air conditioning
service be performed by dealers or other service facilities
using recovery and recycling equipment.
NOTE:Use only manufacturer approved A/C System
Sealers, Stop Leak Products, Seal Conditioners, Compres-
sor Oil, and Refrigerants.
Power Steering Ð Fluid Check
Check the fluid level in the power steering fluid reservoir
at the specified intervals. Refer to ªMaintenance Sched-
ulesº in this manual.
Check the fluid HOT with the engine OFF.
WARNING!
Fluid level should be checked with the engine off to
prevent injury from moving parts and on a level
surface to insure accurate fluid level reading.
If adding fluid, use only the manufacturer's recom-
mended fluid as it is specially formulated for minimum
effect on the rubber hoses in the power steering system.
Refer to ªFluids, Lubricants and Genuine Partsº in this
section for the correct fluid type.
Before removing the reservoir cap, wipe the outside of
the cap and reservoir so that no dirt can fall into the
reservoir
Add fluid to bring the level up to the requirements
described on the reservoir. Do not overfill. Wipe any
spilled fluid from all surfaces with a clean cloth.
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WARNING!
Overfilling the power steering fluid reservoir can
result in spilling power steering fluid on hot engine
parts and the power steering fluid catching fire.
Front & Rear Suspension Ball Joints
This vehicle has suspension ball joints that require peri-
odic inspection and lubrication.
Inspection
The ball joints should be inspected whenever other
service or maintenance is performed on the vehicle.
Damaged seals should be replaced to prevent leakage or
contamination of the grease. If there is any movement
within the ball joint, the knuckle or control arm must be
replaced, as the ball joints are not serviceable by them-
selves. See your authorized dealer for service.
Lubrication
The ball joints are lubricated at the factory with special
grease. Therefore, when lubricating the ball joints, use
only special long life chassis grease such as Multi-
Mileage Lubricant, which is intended for this purpose.
Refer to the ªMaintenance Schedulesº in this manual for
the specified lubrication intervals.
Steering Linkage
There are two tie rod end ball joints that require periodic
inspection.
Inspection
The ball joint seals on the tie rod ends should be
inspected whenever other service or maintenance is
performed on the vehicle. Damaged seals should be
replaced to prevent leakage or contamination of the
grease. If damaged, the tie rod end must be replaced, as
the seals are not serviceable by themselves. See your
authorized dealer for service.
214 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Lubrication
The tie rod ends are lubricated for life. No periodic
lubrication is required.
Body Lubrication
Locks and all body pivot points, including seat tracks,
doors hinges, trunk/liftgate hinges, and hood hinges,
should be lubricated periodically to assure quiet, easy
operation and to protect against rust and wear. Prior to
the application of any lubricant, the parts concerned
should be wiped clean to remove dust and grit; after
lubricating excess oil and grease should be removed.
Particular attention should also be given to hood latching
components to insure proper function. When performing
other underhood services, the hood latch, release mecha-
nism, and safety catch should be cleaned and lubricated.
The external lock cylinders should be lubricated twice a
year, preferably in the fall and spring. Apply a smallamount of a high quality lubricant, such as MopartLock
Cylinder Lubricant or equivalent directly into the lock
cylinder.
Body Mechanism Lubrication
Body and other operating mechanisms and linkages
should be inspected, cleaned, and lubricated, as required
to maintain ease of operation and to provide protection
against rust and wear.
Before the application of any lubricant, the parts con-
cerned should be wiped clean to remove dust and grit;
after lubricating, excess oil or grease should be removed.
Hood Latch
When performing other underhood services, the hood
latch release mechanism and safety catch should be
inspected, cleaned, and lubricated.
It is important to maintain proper lubrication to insure
that the hood mechanisms work properly and safely.
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