2009 DODGE VIPER check oil

attention should also be given to hood latching compo-
nents to insure proper function. When performing other
underhood services, the hood latch, release mechanism
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 small
amount of a high quality lubricant such as MOPAR
Lock Cylinder Lubricant directly into the lock cylinder.
Windshield Wiper Blades
Clean the rubber edges of the wiper blades and the
windshield periodically with a sponge or soft cloth and a
mild nonabrasive cleaner. This will remove accumula-
tions of salt or road film.
Operation of the wipers on dry glass for long periods
may cause deterioration of the wiper blades. Always use
washer fluid when using the wipers to remove salt or dirt
from a dry windshield.Avoid using the wiper blades to remove frost or ice from
the windshield. Keep the blade rubber out of contact with
petroleum products such as engine oil, gasoline, etc.
Adding Washer Fluid
The windshield washer fluid reservoir is located in the
front of the engine compartment on the passenger side of
the vehicle. Be sure to check the fluid level in the
reservoir at regular intervals. Fill the reservoir with
windshield washer solvent (not engine coolant (anti-
freeze) and operate the system for a few seconds to flush
out the residual water.
WARNING!
Commercially available windshield washer solvents
are flammable. They could ignite and burn you. Care
must be exercised when filling or working around
the washer solution.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 213
7

Clean the top of the master cylinder area before removing
the cap. If necessary, add fluid to bring the fluid level up
to the requirements described on the brake fluid reser-
voir.
Overfilling of fluid is not recommended because it may
cause leaking in the system.
With disc brakes, fluid level can be expected to fall as the
brake pads wear. However, low fluid level may be caused
by a leak and a checkup may be needed.
Use only the manufacturer’s recommended brake fluid.
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in this
section for the correct fluid type. Use of a brake fluid that
may have a lower initial boiling point or unidentified as
to specification, may result in sudden brake failure
during hard prolonged braking.WARNING!
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire.
Use only brake fluid that has been in a tightly closed
container to avoid contamination from foreign matter.
CAUTION!
•Do not allow petroleum base fluid to contaminate
the brake fluid, all brake seal components could
be damaged causing partial or complete brake
failure.
•Brake fluid can damage the finish of your vehicle.
Do not allow brake fluid to contact any painted
surface.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 223
7

Rear Axle
Axle Lubricant Level Check
Check the exterior of the axle for evidence of gear oil
leakage every 12 months or 6,000 miles (10 000 km). This
check should be made with the vehicle level and sup-
ported by the suspension, with the vehicle on the ground
or raised on an axle and wheel type hoist. The axle
lubricant level should be between the bottom of the filler
plug and a point approximately 3/8 in (9.5 mm) below
the filler plug. If adding axle lubricant, use only the
manufacturer’s recommended axle lubricant. Refer to the
“Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in this section
for the correct fluid type.
NOTE:The Limited Slip Differential requires that a
friction control additive be added when draining and
refilling the axle lubricant.
Change Axle Lubricant
Drain and fill the axle at the intervals specified in
“Maintenance Schedules” in Section 8 of this manual.
Change the lubricant immediately if contaminated with
water. See your authorized dealer for service.
Appearance Care And Protection From Corrosion
Protection of Body and Paint from Corrosion
Vehicle body care requirements vary according to geo-
graphic locations and usage. Chemicals that make roads
passable in snow and ice, and those that are sprayed on
trees and road surfaces during other seasons, are highly
corrosive to the metal in your vehicle.
The following maintenance recommendations will enable
you to obtain maximum benefit from the corrosion
resistance built into your vehicle.
226 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

VEHICLE STORAGE
We recommend that you follow these guidelines for
storing your vehicle for extended periods.
•Fill the fuel tank. This will prevent water condensation
inside the tank. If you plan to store your vehicle more
than two months, add an anti-oxidant fuel stabilizer to
the fuel tank.
•Change the oil to remove any corrosive combustion
related acids in the crankcase.
•Check that the radiator coolant level of protection is to
at least -20°F (-29°C).
•Make sure that all tires are inflated to the optimum
pressure.
•Wash and wax the vehicle to protect the finish.
•Store the vehicle in a dry, well-ventilated location.
•Move the wiper blades away from the windshield.
•Block the wheels. Do not apply the parking brake.
•Cut 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.
•For 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.
•If 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
protection 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 three weeks, perform
the battery recharge procedure in the Service Manual.
234 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

At Each Stop for Fuel
•Check the engine oil level about five minutes after a
fully warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level
while the vehicle is on level ground will improve the
accuracy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when
the level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once a Month
•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery, and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering, and transmission,
and add as needed.
•Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
At Each Oil Change
•Change the engine oil filter.
•Inspect 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.
•Inspect the brake hoses.
•Inspect the suspension components.
•Lubricate door hinges and check springs.
•Check the engine coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
•Check power steering fluid level.
252 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Location..........................192,207
Saving Feature (Protection)............... 210
Storing Vehicle........................ 210
Belts, Seat............................33,34
Body Mechanism Lubrication............... 212
Boot, Convertible Top...................69,74
B-Pillar Location........................ 156
Brake, Parking.......................... 145
Brake System........................147,222
Anti-Lock (ABS)....................147,148
Fluid Check.......................222,248
Master Cylinder....................... 222
Warning Light........................ 104
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle.....59,147
Bulb Replacement....................... 237
Bulbs, Light............................ 236
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)........ 246
Capacities, Fluid........................ 246Caps, Filler
Fuel................................ 175
Oil (Engine).......................... 205
Power Steering........................ 144
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)............... 219
Car Washes............................ 227
Carbon Monoxide Warning...............60,174
CD (Compact Disc) Changer................ 116
CD (Compact Disc) Player............... 111,115
Cellular Phone.......................... 125
Chains, Tire............................ 167
Charging System Light.................... 109
Chart, Tire Sizing........................ 153
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light)............... 201
Checks, Safety........................... 60
Child Restraint....................53,54,55,58
Child Restraint Tether Anchors............... 56
Circuit Breakers......................... 230
INDEX 281
10

Door Locks............................. 25
Door Locks, Automatic.................... 27
Doors................................. 25
Driving
On Slippery Surfaces.................... 141
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water........................ 142
Electric Remote Mirrors.................... 78
Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light...... 104
Emergency Brake........................ 145
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck............... 195
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 180
Jump Starting......................... 192
Overheating.......................... 180
Towing............................. 196
Emission Control System Maintenance......201,250Engine............................... 199
Air Cleaner.......................... 206
Break-In Recommendations................ 59
Checking Oil Level..................... 203
Compartment......................... 199
Coolant (Antifreeze).................217,247
Cooling..........................108,216
Exhaust Gas Caution................31,60,174
Fails to Start.......................... 136
Flooded, Starting...................... 136
Fuel Requirements..................170,246
Oil ...........................203,246,247
Oil Change Interval.................... 204
Oil Disposal.......................... 206
Oil Filler Cap......................... 205
Oil Filter............................ 206
Oil Selection.......................205,246
Overheating.......................108,180
Engine Oil Viscosity...................205,246
INDEX 283
10

Engine Oil Viscosity Chart................. 205
Ethanol............................... 171
Exhaust Gas Caution..............31,60,174,214
Exhaust System.......................60,214
Exterior Finish Care...................... 227
Filters
Air Cleaner.......................... 206
Engine Oil........................206,247
Engine Oil Disposal.................... 206
Finish Care............................ 227
Flashers
Hazard Warning....................103,180
Turn Signal........................85,103
Flash-To-Pass........................... 86
Flooded Engine Starting................... 136
Floor Console........................... 94
Fluid Capacities......................... 246
Fluid Leaks............................. 62Fluid Level Checks
Brake............................222,248
Capacities........................... 246
Clutch Fluid.......................... 224
Cooling System....................... 217
Engine Oil........................... 203
Manual Transmission.................224,248
Power Steering.....................144,248
Fluids................................ 247
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts.......... 247
Fog Lights.........................83,84,101
Four-Way Hazard Flasher.................. 180
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................... 195
Fuel................................. 170
Adding............................. 175
Clean Air............................ 171
Ethanol............................. 171
Filler Cap (Gas Cap).................... 175
Gasoline............................ 170
284 INDEX