2008 DODGE VIPER light

REAR WINDOW FEATURES
Electric Rear Window Defroster
The electric Rear Window Defroster Control is
located on the climate control. Press this button to
turn on the rear window defroster. A light above the
button will illuminate when the rear window defroster is
ON. The defroster automatically turns off after approxi-
mately 15 minutes of operation for the first push of the
button, and will turn off after approximately 8 minutes
for the second push of the button.
CAUTION!
To avoid damaging the electrical conductors of the
rear window defroster, do not use scrapers, sharp
instruments, or abrasive window cleaners on the
interior surface of the window.
Labels can be peeled off after soaking with warm
water.
128 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

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
STARTING AND OPERATING 133
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If the engine is flooded, it may start to run, but not have
enough power to continue running when the start button
is released. If this occurs, continue cranking up to 15
seconds with the accelerator pedal pushed all the way to
the floor. Release the accelerator pedal and the start
button once the engine is running smoothly.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, the ªNORMAL STARTINGº procedure
should be repeated.
After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
TRANSMISSION SHIFTING
NOTE:The parking brake should be engaged and the
gear selector placed in REVERSE before leaving the
vehicle, especially when parked on an incline.
Your vehicle is equipped with a high torque capacity dual
disc clutch. The clutch pedal must be fully depressed to
the floor during each shift. As you release the clutch
pedal, lightly depress the accelerator pedal.
CAUTION!
Failure to depress the clutch pedal fully to the floor
may cause increased shift efforts, and may result in
damage to the clutch and transmission.
136 STARTING AND OPERATING

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
STARTING AND OPERATING 137
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driving. The noise may also be more noticeable when
the transmission is warm. This noise is normal and is
not an indication of a problem with your clutch or
transmission.
Recommended Shift Speeds
To use your manual transmission for fuel economy it
should be upshifted as listed below. Shift at the vehicle
speeds listed for acceleration. Earlier upshifts during
cruise conditions (relatively steady speeds) will result in
increased fuel economy, and may be used as indicated.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
RECOMMENDED SHIFT SPEEDS
1-2 2-3 3-4 4-5 5-6
MPH 15 25 40 45 50
(km/h) (24) (40) (64) (72) (80)
Higher upshift speeds may be used to obtain a desired
acceleration rate.
Skip Shift Indicator Light
There are times when you must shift the transmis-
sion directly from First gear to Fourth gear instead
of from First gear to Second gear. This is to help you get
the best possible fuel economy from your vehicle. This
occurs when engine coolant is higher than 106ÉF (41ÉC),
and vehicle speed is greater than 12 MPH but less than 20
MPH, and engine speed is less than 1322 RPM, and the
transmission is in 1st gear, and the accelerator is at 1/4
throttle or less. The Skip Shift Indicator Light located in
the tachometer will turn Amber during these times.
When the indicator light turns amber, the shift mecha-
nism will only allow shifts from First gear to Fourth gear.
After you shift the transmission to Fourth gear, you can
press the clutch in and shift to another forward gear.
Downshifting - Proper downshifting will improve fuel
economy and prolong engine life.
138 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
STARTING AND OPERATING 143
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