2009 DODGE VIPER fuel pressure

Periodic Safety Checks You Should Make Outside
The Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect the tread and side wall for
cuts and cracks. Check the wheel nuts for tightness.
Check the tires for proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check Turn Signal and High
Beam Indicator Lights on the instrument panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check the area under the vehicle after overnight parking
for fuel, water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are present, the cause should be corrected
immediately.
62 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

INSTRUMENT PANEL FEATURES
1 - Air Outlet 7 - Speedometer/Odometer 13 - Climate Control
2 - Sound System Speaker 8 - Oil Pressure Gauge 14 - ENGINE START Button
3 - Main Message Center 9 - Passenger Airbag Off Light 15 - Voltage Gauge
4 - Fuel Gauge 10 - Passenger Airbag 16 - Engine Coolant Temperature Gauge
5 - Auxiliary Message Center 11 - Glove Compartment 17 - Engine Oil Temperature Gauge
6 - Tachometer 12 - Sound System Controls 18 - TRIP ButtonUNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 99
4

•If the light turns on steady while the engine is running,
safely bring the vehicle to a complete stop as soon as
possible, cycle the ignition key, and then restart the
engine. The light should turn off. However, if the light
remains on steady, see your authorized dealer for
service as soon as possible.
•If the light is flashing when the engine is running,
immediate service is required. If this occurs, you may
experience reduced vehicle performance, an elevated/
rough idle or engine stall, and your vehicle may
require towing.
Low Tire Pressure Telltale / TPMS Malfunction
Indicator
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and in-
flated to the inflation pressure recommended by
the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard
or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires ofa different size than the size indicated on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should deter-
mine the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when
one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illumi-
nates, you should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper
tire maintenance, and it is the driver ’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS
low tire pressure telltale.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 105
4

This gauge does not indicate the amount of oil in the
engine. The engine oil level must be checked under the
hood. Check the level often during severe usage.
Oil Pressure Warning Light
The red Oil Pressure Warning Light is located in
the Oil Pressure Gauge. It will turn on to indicate
low engine oil pressure. The light should turn on briefly
as a bulb check when the engine is first started. If the
light remains on or turns on while driving, safely bring
the vehicle to a complete stop and turn off the engine. DO
NOT operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected.
NOTE:This light does not indicate how much oil is in
the engine. The engine oil level must be checked using
the procedure shown in section 7.
Fuel Gauge
This gauge shows the amount of fuel in the gas
tank. The reaction time of the gauge has been
slowed to avoid needle fluctuation during pe-
riods of high G force cornering.
Voltage Gauge
This gauge shows the electrical system voltage.
The normal operating voltage is from 12 to
14 Volts with the engine running. If the pointer
remains at either the high or low ends of the
scale, the electrical system should be serviced.
Charge System Light
The red Charge System Light is located in the
Voltage Gauge. It will turn on when there is a
charging system malfunction or a possible accessory
drive belt failure.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 109
4

▫Anti-Lock Brake System................ 148
Tire Safety Information.................. 151
▫Tire Markings....................... 151
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN).......... 155
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure........... 156
Tires — General Information.............. 160
▫Tire Pressure........................ 160
▫Tire Inflation Pressures................. 161
▫Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation.... 162
▫Radial Ply Tires...................... 163
▫Tire Spinning....................... 164
▫Tread Wear Indicators................. 164
▫Life Of Tire......................... 165▫Replacement Tires.................... 166
▫Tire Storage......................... 167
Tire Chains.......................... 167
Snow Tires.......................... 167
Tire Rotation Recommendations............ 167
Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)....... 169
▫Low Tire Indicator.................... 169
Fuel Requirements..................... 170
▫8.4L Engine......................... 170
▫Reformulated Gasoline................. 171
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends............. 171
▫E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles...... 172
▫MMT In Gasoline.................... 172
132 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING! (Continued)
•Unequal tire pressures from one side of the ve-
hicle to the other can cause the vehicle to drift to
the right or left.
•Always drive with each tire inflated to the recom-
mended cold tire inflation pressure.
Economy
Improper inflation pressures can cause uneven wear
patterns to develop across the tire tread. These abnormal
wear patterns will reduce tread life resulting in a need for
earlier tire replacement. Under-inflation also increases
tire rolling resistance and results in higher fuel
consumption.
Ride Comfort and Vehicle Stability
Proper tire inflation contributes to a comfortable ride.
Over-inflation produces a jarring and uncomfortable
ride.
Tire Inflation Pressures
The proper cold tire inflation pressure is listed on the
driver’s side “B” Pillar.
Some vehicles may have Supplemental Tire Pressure
Information for vehicle loads that are less than the
maximum loaded vehicle condition. These pressure con-
ditions will be found in the “Supplemental Tire Pressure
Information” section of this manual.
The pressure should be checked and adjusted as well as
inspecting for signs of tire wear or visible damage at least
once a month. Use a good quality pocket-type gauge to
check tire pressure. DO NOT make a visual judgement
when determining proper inflation. Radial tires may look
properly inflated even when they are under-inflated.
STARTING AND OPERATING 161
5

TPMS Malfunction Warning
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not
operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure telltale.
When the system detects a malfunction, the telltale will
flash for approximately one minute and then remain
continuously illuminated. This sequence will continue
upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the mal-
function exists. When the malfunction indicator is illumi-
nated, the system may not be able to detect or signal low
tire pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons,
including the installation of replacement or alternate tires
or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. Always check the TPMS malfunc-
tion telltale after replacing one or more tires or wheels onyour vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alternate
tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function
properly.
FUEL REQUIREMENTS
8.4L Engine
The 8.4L engine is designed to meet all
emissions regulations and provide excel-
lent fuel economy and performance when
using high-quality premium unleaded
gasoline with an octane rating of 91 or
higher.
Light spark knock at low engine speeds is not harmful to
your engine. However, continued heavy spark knock at
high speeds can cause damage and immediate service is
required.
170 STARTING AND OPERATING

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