2009 DODGE VIPER cooling

When adding engine coolant (antifreeze):
•The manufacturer recommends using MOPAR
Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Year/100,000 Mile Formula
HOAT (Hybrid Organic Additive Technology).
•Mix a minimum solution of 50% HOAT engine coolant
(antifreeze) and distilled water. Use higher concentra-
tions (not to exceed 70%) if temperatures below34°F
(37°C) are anticipated.
•Use only high purity water such as distilled or deion-
ized water when mixing the water/engine coolant
(antifreeze) 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 engine coolant (antifreeze) types will
decrease the life of the engine coolant (antifreeze) and
will require more frequent engine coolant (antifreeze)
changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of engine
coolant (antifreeze), and to insure that engine coolant
(antifreeze) will return to the radiator from the coolant
recovery bottle.
The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 219
7

WARNING!
•The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on
the cooling system pressure cap are a safety pre-
caution. Never add engine coolant (antifreeze)
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 scalding or injury, do not remove the
pressure cap while the system is hot or under
pressure.
•Do 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 (antifreeze) is
a regulated substance requiring proper disposal. Check
with your local authorities to determine the disposalrules for your community. To prevent ingestion by ani-
mals or children, do not store ethylene glycol based
engine coolant (antifreeze) 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 engine coolant (antifreeze) level is
adequate. With the engine idling, and warm to normal
operating temperature, the level of the engine coolant
(antifreeze) 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
engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point or replacing en-
gine coolant (antifreeze). Advise your service attendant
220 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

of this. As long as the engine operating temperature is
satisfactory, the coolant bottle need only be checked once
a month.
When additional engine coolant (antifreeze) 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
(kilometers) of operation, you may observe vapor coming
from the front of the engine compartment. This is nor-
mally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) 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.
•Do not overfill the coolant recovery bottle.
•Check engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point in the
coolant bottle. If engine coolant (antifreeze) needs to
be added, contents of the coolant bottle also must be
protected against freezing.
•If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are
required, or if the level in the coolant recovery bottle
does not drop when the engine cools, the cooling
system should be pressure tested for leaks.
•Maintain engine coolant (antifreeze) concentration at
50% HOAT engine coolant (antifreeze) (minimum)
and distilled water for proper corrosion protection of
your engine, which contains aluminum components.
•Make sure that the radiator and coolant recovery
bottle overflow hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 221
7

•Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean.
•Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may
result in unsatisfactory cooling performance, poor gas
mileage, and increased emissions.
Brake System
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedules” in Section 8 of this
manual for the proper maintenance intervals.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly an accident. Driving with your foot resting
or riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You would not have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
Master Cylinder - Brake Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder immediately
if the brake system warning light indicates system fail-
ure.
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder when per-
forming underhood services.
222 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

FLUIDS AND CAPACITIES
U.S. Metric
Fuel (Approximate)16 Gallons 60.6 Liters
Engine Oil with Filter
8.4 Liter Engine (SAE 0W-40, API Certified) 11 Quarts 10.4 Liters
Cooling System *
8.4 Liter Engine (MOPAREngine Coolant/Antifreeze 5
Year/100,000 Mile Formula)16 Quarts 15 Liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
246 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Clean Air Gasoline....................... 171
Climate Control......................... 125
Clock................................ 110
Clutch Fluid........................... 224
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance............. 124
Console............................... 94
Console, Floor........................... 94
Contract, Service........................ 273
Convertible............................. 65
Convertible Boot.......................69,74
Convertible Top.......................65,228
Convertible Top Maintenance............... 228
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap).......... 219
Cooling System......................... 216
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze).............. 218
Coolant Capacity...................... 246
Coolant Level......................217,220
Disposal of Used Coolant................ 220
Drain, Flush, and Refill.................. 217Inspection........................... 220
Points to Remember.................... 221
Pressure Cap......................... 219
Radiator Cap......................... 219
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze)......217,246,247
Customer Assistance..................... 271
Daytime Running Lights................... 84
Dealer Service.......................... 203
Defroster, Rear Window.................... 95
Defroster, Windshield...................61,128
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers................. 90
Diagnostic System, Onboard................ 200
Dimmer Control......................... 88
Dimmer Switch, Headlight.................. 86
Dipsticks
Power Steering........................ 144
Disposal
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............... 220
282 INDEX

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