2009 DODGE VIPER manual transmission

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures.................... 134
▫Normal Starting..................... 135
▫If Engine Fails To Start................. 136
▫After Starting....................... 137
Manual Transmission................... 137
▫Recommended Shift Speeds............. 139
▫Skip Shift Indicator Light............... 139
Driving On Slippery Surfaces............. 141
▫Acceleration........................ 141▫Traction........................... 141
Driving Through Water.................. 142
▫Flowing/Rising Water................. 142
▫Shallow Standing Water................ 142
Power Steering........................ 144
▫Power Steering Fluid Check............. 144
Parking Brake........................ 145
Brake System......................... 147
▫Brake Pad Break-In................... 147
5

WARNING! (Continued)
•Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get
it started. Unburned fuel could enter the catalytic
converter and once the engine has started, ignite
and damage the converter and vehicle. If the
vehicle has a discharged battery, booster cables
may be used to obtain a start from a booster
battery or the battery in another vehicle. This type
of start can be dangerous if done improperly, so
follow this procedure carefully. See section 6 of
this manual for jump starting instructions.
If the engine is flooded, it may start to run, but not have
enough power to continue running when the ENGINE
START button is released. If this occurs, continue crank-
ing up to 15 seconds with the accelerator pedal pushed
all the way to the floor. Release the accelerator pedal and
the ENGINE START button once the engine is running
smoothly.If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15 sec-
ond periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal held
to the floor, the NORMAL STARTING procedure should
be repeated.
After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
NOTE:The parking brake should be engaged and the
shift lever 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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 137
5

•Shifting 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.
•Due 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
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 duringcruise 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
106°F (41°C), and vehicle speed is greater than 12 mph
(19 km/h) but less than 20 mph (32 km/h), and engine
speed is less than 1,322 RPM, and the transmission is in
STARTING AND OPERATING 139
5

Using the Air Pump Power Button
Push and release the button 3 once to turn ON
the TIREFIT kit. Push and release the button 3
again to turn OFF the TIREFIT kit.
Sealing a Tire with TIREFIT
A. Whenever You Stop to Use TIREFIT
1. Turn ON the vehicle’s hazard warning flashers.
2. Verify that the valve stem (on the wheel with the
deflated tire) is in a position that is near to the ground.
This will allow the TIREFIT Hoses 6 and 7 to reach the
valve stem and keep the TIREFIT kit flat on the ground.
This will provide the best positioning of the kit when
injecting the sealant into the deflated tire and running the
air pump. Move the vehicle as necessary to place the
valve stem in this position before proceeding.3. Place the transmission in PARK (auto transmission) or
in Gear (manual transmission) and turn OFF the ignition.
4. Set the parking brake.
B. Setting Up to Use TIREFIT
1. Remove the gloves from the Accessory Storage Com-
partment 8 and place them on your hands.
2. Turn the Mode Select knob 4 to the Sealant/
Air Mode position.
3. Uncoil the Clear Sealant Hose 7 and then remove the
Yellow Cap from the fitting at the end of the hose.
4. Place the TIREFIT kit flat on the ground next to the
deflated tire.
186 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

▫Brake System....................... 222
▫Manual Transmission.................. 224
▫Hydraulic Clutch..................... 224
▫Rear Axle.......................... 226
▫Appearance Care And Protection From
Corrosion.......................... 226
Fuses.............................. 230
▫Power Distribution Center.............. 230
▫Mini-Power Distribution Center.......... 233
Vehicle Storage....................... 234
Replacement Bulbs..................... 236
Bulb Replacement..................... 237▫Auxiliary High Beam Headlight, Front
Park/Turn Signal Light, Front Side Marker
Light............................. 237
▫High Intensity Discharge Headlights (HID) . . 238
▫Front Fog Light...................... 239
▫
Taillight, Tail/Stop Light, Rear Marker Light. . 240
▫
Taillight, Tail/Stop Light, Rear Marker Light
(Coupe Models)
...................... 241
▫Backup Light, Rear Turn Signal Light...... 242
▫License Light....................... 245
Fluids And Capacities................... 246
Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine Parts....... 247
▫Engine............................ 247
▫Chassis............................ 248
198 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Change Brake Fluid
Brake fluid will tend to absorb moisture from the atmo-
sphere over time. If the fluid becomes contaminated with
water, brake performance will deteriorate. Therefore, the
brake fluid must be changed at the intervals specified in
“Maintenance Schedules” in Section 8 of this manual. See
your authorized dealer for service.
Manual Transmission
Transmission Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid in the transmission when performing
other underhood services.
Check the fluid level by removing the fill plug located on
the left side of the transmission. The fluid level should be
at the bottom of the fill hole. Add fluid, if necessary, to
maintain the proper level. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants,
and Genuine Parts” in this section for the correct fluid
type.
CAUTION!
Using a transmission fluid other than the manufac-
turer’s recommended fluid may cause deterioration
in transmission shift quality and/or damage to the
transmission. Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and
Genuine Parts” in this section for the correct fluid
type.
Change Transmission Fluid
Change the fluid at the intervals specified in “Mainte-
nance Schedules” in Section 8 of this manual. If contami-
nated with water, change the fluid immediately. See your
authorized dealer for service.
Hydraulic Clutch
Master Cylinder — Clutch Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid in the clutch master cylinder when
performing underhood services.
224 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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

Power Door........................... 26
Low Tire Indicator....................... 169
Low Tire Pressure System.................. 169
Lubrication, Body....................... 212
Maintenance Free Battery.................. 207
Maintenance Procedures................... 203
Maintenance Schedule.................... 250
Light Duty Schedule “B”................. 253
Schedule “A”......................... 263
Schedule “B”......................... 253
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) . . 102,201
Manual, Service......................... 275
Manual Transmission..................... 137
Fluid Level Check...................224,248
Lubricant Selection..................... 248
Shift Speeds.......................... 139
Message Center......................... 101
Methanol............................. 171Mirrors................................ 77
Electric Remote........................ 78
Outside............................77,78
Rearview............................. 77
Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle............. 7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System............... 169
Mopar Parts.........................202,274
MTBE/ETBE........................... 171
Multi-Function Control Lever................ 83
New Vehicle Break-In Period................ 59
Occupant Restraints....................... 33
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel).............. 170
Odometer............................. 100
Trip ................................ 100
Oil, Engine.......................203,246,247
Capacity............................ 246
Change Interval....................... 204
288 INDEX