2009 DODGE VIPER oil temperature

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

6000 RPM. This serves as a visual aid to shift before
reaching the red line. This warning will turn off when the
tachometer pointer falls below 5900 RPM.
Coolant Temperature Gauge
This gauge shows the engine coolant tempera-
ture. The gauge pointer will likely show higher
temperatures when driving in hot weather, up
mountain grades, or in heavy stop and go
traffic. If the red Warning Light turns on while driving,
safely bring the vehicle to a stop, and turn off the engine.
DO NOT operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected.
Engine Temperature Warning Light
The red Engine Temperature Warning Light is
located in the Coolant Temperature Gauge. It will
turn on to warn of an overheated engine condi-
tion. If this light turns on while driving, safely bring the
vehicle to a stop and turn off the engine. DO NOT
operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected.
Oil Temperature Gauge
This gauge shows the oil temperature. The
gauge pointer will likely show higher tempera-
tures when driving in hot weather, up moun-
tain grades, or in heavy stop and go traffic. If
the red Warning Light remains on after the bulb check 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.
Oil Pressure Gauge
This gauge shows engine oil pressure when the
engine is running. The pressure will vary with
engine speed, oil viscosity, and engine tem-
perature. Oil pressures will be higher as the
engine is warming up. The normal operating pressure is
between 20 and 80 psi (pounds per square inch). If the
pointer remains in the red range, safely bring the vehicle
to a complete stop and turn off the engine. DO NOT
operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected.
108 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

•In city traffic —While moving, shift into the highest
gear possible to reduce engine RPM.
NOTE:There are steps that you can take to slow down
an impending overheat condition. If your air conditioner
is on, turn it off. The air conditioning system adds heat to
the cooling system and turning off the A/C removes this
heat. You can also turn the temperature control to maxi-
mum heat, the mode control to floor, and the fan control
to high. This allows the heater core to act as a supplement
to the radiator and aids in removing heat from the
cooling system.WARNING!
A hot cooling system is dangerous. You or others
could be badly burned by steam or boiling coolant. If
your temperature gauge pointer is in the red area,
turn off the engine immediately. You may want to call
a service center for service. If you decide to look
under the hood yourself, see Section 7 of this manual.
Follow the warnings under the “Radiator Cap” para-
graph.
TIREFIT KIT
Small punctures in the tire tread can be sealed with
TIREFIT. Foreign objects (e.g., screws or nails) should not
be removed from the tire. TIREFIT can be used in outside
temperatures down to approximately -4°F (-20°C).
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 181
6

The best time to check the oil level is approximately five
minutes after a fully warmed engine is turned off or
before starting the engine after it has sat overnight.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground also
will improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Add
oil only when the level is below the SAFE mark.
CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling will cause oil aeration or
loss of oil pressure. This could damage your engine.
Change Engine Oil
Road conditions and your kind of driving affect the
interval at which your oil should be changed. Check the
following list to see if any apply to you.
•Day or night temperatures are below 32°F (0°C)
•Stop and go driving
•Extensive engine idling
•Driving in dusty conditions
•Short trip driving of less than 10 miles (16.2 km)
•More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90°F (32°C)
NOTE:IfANYof these apply to you, then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or three months,
whichever comes first, and follow “Maintenance Sched-
ule B.” Refer to Section 8 of this manual.
If none of these apply to you, then change your engine oil
at every interval shown on “Maintenance Schedule A.
Refer to Section 8 of this manual.
NOTE:Under no circumstances should oil change in-
tervals exceed 6,000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months,
whichever comes first.
204 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, the manufacturer only
recommends full synthetic engine oils that meet the
American Petroleum Institute (API) categories of SM or
SM/CF, and meet the requirements of Chrysler Material
Standard MS-10725.
The manufacturer recommends the use of a full synthetic
engine oil, such as Mobil 1SAE 0W-40 or equivalent.
Engine Oil Viscosity (SAE Grade)
SAE 0W-40 engine oil is preferred for use within the
operating temperature shown in the engine oil viscosity
chart. The proper SAE viscosity grade of engine oil
should be selected based on the following recommenda-
tion and be within the operating temperature shown in
the engine oil viscosity chart.The engine oil filler cap also shows the recommended
engine oil viscosity for your engine. For information on
engine oil filler cap location, refer to “Engine Compart-
ment” in this section.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 205
7

MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE B
Follow “Maintenance Schedule B” if you usually operate
your vehicle under one or more of the following condi-
tions.
•Day or night temperatures are below 32°F (0°C).
•Stop and go driving.
•Extensive engine idling.
•Driving in dusty conditions.
•Short trips of less than 10 miles (16 km).
•More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90°F (32°C).NOTE:
•IfANYof these apply to you, then change your engine
oil every 3,000 miles (5000 km) or three months,
whichever comes first, and follow the maintenance
recommendations in “Maintenance Schedule “B” in
this section.
•IfANYof these apply to you, then flush and replace
the engine coolant every 102,000 miles (170 000 km) or
60 months, whichever comes first, and follow the
maintenance recommendations in “Maintenance
Schedule B” in this section.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 253
8
M
A
I
N
T
E
N
A
N
C
E
S
C
H
E
D
U
L
E
S

Gauge.............................. 109
Methanol............................ 171
Octane Rating......................170,247
Requirements......................170,246
Tank Capacity........................ 246
Fuel System Caution..................... 175
Fueling............................... 175
Fuses................................ 230
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap).................. 175
Gasoline, Clean Air...................... 171
Gasoline (Fuel)......................... 170
Gasoline, Reformulated................... 171
Gauges............................... 107
Coolant Temperature.................... 108
Fuel................................ 109
Oil Pressure.......................... 108
Speedometer......................... 100
Tachometer.......................... 107Voltmeter............................ 109
General Information...................... 24
Glass Cleaning.......................... 228
Ground Clearance....................... 177
Hazard
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water........................ 142
Hazard Warning Flasher................103,180
Headlights..........................83,238
High Beam........................... 86
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch......... 86
Lights On Reminder..................... 84
Passing.............................. 86
Switch............................... 83
Time Delay........................... 83
Heater.............................125,126
High Beam Indicator..................... 101
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch . . . 86
INDEX 285
10

Battery Saver........................84,88
Brake Warning........................ 104
Bulb Replacement...................... 236
Courtesy/Reading...................... 87
Daytime Running....................... 84
Dimmer Switch, Headlight................ 86
Electronic Throttle Control Warning......... 104
Engine Temperature Warning.............. 108
Exterior Check......................... 62
Fog ..............................84,101
Hazard Warning Flasher..............103,180
Headlight Switch....................... 83
Headlights.........................83,238
Headlights On Reminder................. 84
High Beam.........................86,101
High Beam Indicator.................... 101
Illuminated Entry....................... 18
Instrument Cluster...................... 83
Intensity Control....................... 88Interior............................86,88
Lights On Reminder..................... 84
LowTire ............................ 105
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine)........ 102
Map Reading.......................... 87
Oil Pressure.......................... 109
Park................................ 83
Passing.............................. 86
Reading.............................. 87
Seat Belt Reminder..................... 107
Service...........................236,237
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator) . . . 102
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS)........105,169
Turn Signal........................85,103
Voltage............................. 109
Loading Vehicle
Tires ............................... 156
Locks................................. 25
Door................................ 25
INDEX 287
10