2008 DODGE VIPER lock

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
mStarting Procedures.....................132
NNormal Starting......................133
NIf Engine Fails To Start.................135
NAfter Starting........................136
mTransmission Shifting....................136
NRecommended Shift Speeds..............138
NSkip Shift Indicator Light................138
mDriving On Slippery Surfaces..............139
NAcceleration.........................139NTraction............................140
mDriving Through Water..................140
NFlowing/Rising Water..................141
NShallow Standing Water.................141
mParking Brake.........................142
mBrake System..........................144
NBrake Pad Break-In....................144
NAnti-Lock Brake System................145
mPower Steering........................148
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CAUTION!
Long periods of engine idling, especially at high
engine speeds, can cause excessive exhaust tempera-
tures, which can damage your vehicle. Do not leave
your vehicle unattended with the engine running.
Normal Starting
NOTE:
²You must disarm the security system in order to start
the engine. For details, refer to ªSecurity Alarm Sys-
temº in Section 2 of this manual
²Normal Starting of either a cold or a warm engine does
not require pumping or depressing the accelerator
pedal. However, if the engine has not started within 3
seconds, slightly depress the accelerator pedal while
continuing to crank. If the engine fails to start within
15 seconds, turn the key to the ªOFF/LOCKº position,
wait 5 seconds, then repeat the normal starting proce-
dure.
To start the engine:
1. Fully apply the parking brake.
2. Press the clutch pedal to the floor.
NOTE:The engine will not start unless the clutch pedal
is pressed to the floor.
3. Place the gear selector in NEUTRAL
4. Insert the ignition key fully into the ignition switch
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Flowing/Rising Water
WARNING!
Do not drive on or cross a road or a path where water
is flowing and/or rising (as in storm run-off). Flow-
ing water can wear away the road or path's surface
and cause your vehicle to sink into deeper water.
Furthermore, flowing and/or rising water can carry
your vehicle away swiftly. Failure to follow this
warning may result in injuries that are serious or
fatal to you, your passengers, and others around you.
Shallow Standing Water
Although your vehicle is capable of driving through
shallow standing water, consider the following before
doing so:
CAUTION!
²Always check the depth of the standing water before
driving through it. Never drive through standing water that
is deeper than the bottom of the tire rims mounted on the
vehicle.
²Determine the condition of the road or the path that is
under water and if there are any obstacles in the way before
driving through the standing water.
²Do not exceed 5 mph (8 km/h) when driving through
standing water. This will minimize wave effects.
²Driving through standing water may cause damage to your
vehicle's drivetrain components. Always inspect your ve-
hicle's fluids (i.e., engine oil, transmission, axle, etc.) for
signs of contamination (i.e., fluid that is milky or foamy in
appearance) after driving through standing water. Do not
continue to operate the vehicle if any fluid appears con-
taminated, as this may result in further damage. Such
damage is not covered by the new vehicle limited warranty.
²Getting water inside your vehicle's engine can cause it to
lockup and stall out and cause serious internal damage to
the engine. Such damage is not covered by the new vehicle
limited warranty.
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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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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.
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The Anti-Lock Brake System pump motor runs during
the self-test at 12 mph (20 km/h) and during an ABS stop.
The pump motor makes a low humming noise during
operation, which is normal.
CAUTION!
The Anti-Lock Brake System is subject to possible
detrimental effects of electronic interference caused
by improperly installed after-market radios or
telephones.
WARNING!
²The Anti-Lock Brake System contains sophisticated elec-
tronic equipment that may be susceptible to interference
caused by improperly installed or high output radio trans-
mitting equipment. This interference can cause possible
loss of anti-lock braking capability. Installation of such
equipment should be performed by qualified professionals.
²Pumping of the Anti-Lock Brakes will diminish their effec-
tiveness and may lead to an accident. Pumping makes the
stopping distance longer. Just press firmly on your brake
pedal when you need to slow down or stop.
²Anti-lock system (ABS) cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
braking or steering efficiency beyond that afforded by the
condition of the vehicle brakes and tires or the traction
afforded.
²The ABS cannot prevent accidents, including those result-
ing from excessive speed in turns, following another vehicle
too closely, or hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents.
²The capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must never be
exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner, which could
jeopardize the user's safety or the safety of others.
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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.
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