2008 DODGE VIPER coolant level

Adding Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an improved engine
coolant that allows extended maintenance intervals. This
coolant can be used up to 5 Years or 100,000 miles (160
000 km) before replacement. To prevent reducing this
extended maintenance period, it is important that you
use the same coolant throughout the life of your vehicle.
Please review these recommendations for using Hybrid
Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) coolant.
When adding coolant:
²The manufacturer recommends using Mopart
Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula
HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technology).
²Mix a minimum solution of 50% HOAT engine coolant
and distilled water. Use higher concentrations (not to
exceed 70%) if temperatures below234ÉF (237ÉC) are
anticipated.
²Use only high purity water such as distilled or deion-
ized water when mixing the water/engine coolant
solution. The use of lower quality water will reduce
the amount of corrosion protection in the engine
cooling system.
Please note that it is the owner's responsibility to main-
tain the proper level of protection against freezing ac-
cording to the temperatures occurring in the area where
the vehicle is operated.
NOTE:Mixing coolant types will decrease the life of the
engine coolant and will require more frequent coolant
changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of
coolant, and to insure that coolant will return to the
radiator from the coolant recovery bottle.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 221
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The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
WARNING!
²The warning words ªDO NOT OPEN HOTº on
the cooling system pressure cap are a safety pre-
caution. Never add coolant when the engine is
overheated. Do not loosen or remove the cap to
cool an overheated engine. Heat causes pressure to
build up in the cooling system. To prevent scald-
ing or injury, do not remove the pressure cap while
the system is hot or under pressure.
²Do not use a pressure cap other than the one
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or en-
gine damage may result.
Disposal of Used Coolant
Used ethylene glycol based engine coolant is a regulated
substance requiring proper disposal. Check with your
local authorities to determine the disposal rules for your
community. To prevent ingestion by animals or children,
do not store ethylene glycol based engine coolant in open
containers or allow it to remain in puddles on the
ground. If ingested by a child, contact a physician
immediately. Clean up any ground spills immediately.
Coolant Level
The coolant bottle provides a quick visual method for
determining that the coolant level is adequate. With the
engine idling, and warm to normal operating tempera-
ture, the level of the coolant in the bottle should be
between the ranges indicated on the bottle.
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking for
coolant freeze point or replacing coolant. Advise your
222 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

service attendant of this. As long as the engine operating
temperature is satisfactory, the coolant bottle need only
be checked once a month.
When additional coolant is needed to maintain the
proper level, it should be added to the coolant bottle. Do
not overfill.
Points to Remember
NOTE:When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles (a
few kilometers) of operation, you may observe vapor
coming from the front of the engine compartment. This is
normally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot coolant to
enter the radiator.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
²Do not overfill the coolant recovery bottle.
²Check coolant freeze point in the coolant bottle. If
antifreeze needs to be added, contents of the coolant
bottle also must be protected against freezing.
²If frequent coolant additions are required, or if the
level in the coolant recovery bottle does not drop when
the engine cools, the cooling system should be pres-
sure tested for leaks.
²Maintain coolant concentration at 50% HOAT engine
coolant (minimum) and distilled water for proper
corrosion protection of your engine, which contains
aluminum components.
²Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery
bottle overflow hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
²Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean, also.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 223
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VEHICLE STORAGE
We recommend that you follow these guidelines for
storing your vehicle for extended periods.
²Fill the fuel tank. This will prevent water condensation
inside the tank. If you plan to store your vehicle more
than 2 months, add an anti-oxidant fuel stabilizer to
the fuel tank.
²Change the oil to remove any corrosive combustion
related acids in the crankcase.
²Check that the radiator coolant level of protection is to
at least -20ÉF (-29ÉC).
²Make sure that all tires are inflated to the optimum
pressure. (See page 158 for more information.)
²Wash and wax the vehicle to protect the finish.
²Store the vehicle in a dry, well-ventilated location.
²Move the wiper blades away from the windshield.
²Block the wheels. Do not apply the Parking Brake.
²Cut blocks of plywood about the same size of the tires.
Cover each block with indoor/outdoor carpeting and
place them between the tires and concrete. This will
prevent tire flat spotting.
²For long-term storage, remove the tires and put the
vehicle up on blocks. Stack the tires on plywood and
cover with a tarp to prevent flat spotting.
²If the vehicle will be subjected to freezing tempera-
tures, either remove the battery and store it in a dry,
well ventilated area or connect a trickle charger (1.5
Amp) with automatic shutdown / overcharge protec-
tion to the battery. However, do not leave the trickle
charger hooked up to the battery without being
plugged in to a 110 volt AC outlet, as this will result in
further drain on the vehicle's battery. If the vehicle is
not going to be driven in the next 3 weeks, perform the
battery recharge procedure in the Service Manual.
238 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

HEADLIGHT AIMING
The headlights on your new vehicle were aimed at the
factory under a no load setting. A great increase in weight
will change the aiming of the headlights. Therefore, it
may be necessary to readjust the headlights if you
typically carry an excessive amount of weight in the rear
compartment or generally suspect misalignment. In ei-
ther case, see your authorized dealer if the headlights
require adjustment.
FLUIDS AND CAPACITIES
U.S. Metric
Fuel (approximate)
8.4 Liter Engine 16 gal-
lons60.6 li-
ters
Engine Oil-With Filter
8.4 Liter Engine (SAE 0W-40) 10 qts. 9.5 Li-
ters
Cooling System *
8.4 Liter Engine* (Mopart
Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/
102,000 Mile Formula) or
equivalent.16 qts. 15 Liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to
MAX level.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 251
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At Each Stop for Fuel
²Check the engine oil level about 5 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level while
the vehicle is on level ground will improve the accu-
racy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when the
level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
²Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once a Month
²Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
²Inspect the battery, and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
²Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering, and transmission,
and add as needed.
²Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
At Each Oil Change
²Change the engine oil filter.
²Inspect the exhaust system.
NOTE:Also, inspect the exhaust system if you notice a
change in the sound of the exhaust system, or if the
exhaust fumes can be detected inside the vehicle.
²Inspect the brake hoses.
²Inspect the suspension components.
²Lubricate door hinges and check springs.
²Check the engine coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
²Check power steering fluid level.
258 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Carpeting............................. 233
Catalytic Converter...................... 204
CD (Compact Disc) Changer................ 114
CD (Compact Disc) Player...............108,112
Chains, Tire............................ 164
Charging System Light.................... 106
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 150
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light)............... 196
Checks, Safety........................... 57
Child Restraint....................50,51,52,55
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............... 53
Circuit Breakers......................... 234
Clean Air Gasoline....................... 168
Climate Control......................... 122
Clock................................ 106
Clutch Fluid........................... 228
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance............. 122
Console............................... 92Console, Floor........................... 92
Contract, Service........................ 279
Converter, Catalytic...................... 204
Convertible............................. 63
Convertible Boot.......................67,72
Convertible Top.......................63,232
Convertible Top Maintenance............... 232
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap).......... 221
Cooling System......................... 219
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 221
Coolant Capacity...................... 251
Coolant Level......................219,222
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 222
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 220
Inspection........................... 222
Points to Remember.................... 223
Pressure Cap......................... 221
Radiator Cap......................... 221
Rubber and Plastic Components............ 224
288 INDEX

Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)......220,251,252
Crankcase Emission Control System.......... 206
Customer Assistance..................... 277
Daytime Running Lights................... 82
Dealer Service.......................... 198
Defroster, Rear Window................... 128
Defroster, Windshield...................58,125
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers................. 87
Diagnostic System, Onboard................ 195
Dimmer Control......................... 85
Dimmer Switch, Headlight.................. 83
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............... 222
Door Locks............................. 23
Door Locks, Automatic.................... 25
Doors................................. 23
Drive Belts............................ 202Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................... 139
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water........................ 140
Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 76
Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light...... 100
Emergency Brake........................ 142
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............... 189
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 176
Jump Starting......................... 186
Overheating.......................... 176
Towing............................. 189
Emission Control System Maintenance......196,256
Engine............................... 194
Air Cleaner.......................... 203
Break-In Recommendations................ 56
Checking Oil Level..................... 198
INDEX 289
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