2009 DODGE VIPER towing

Certain conditions such as a loose or missing gas cap,
poor fuel quality, etc., may illuminate the light after
engine start. The vehicle should be serviced if the light
remains on through several of your typical driving
cycles. In most situations, the vehicle will drive normally
and will not require towing.
The MIL flashes to alert you to serious conditions that
could lead to immediate loss of power or severe catalytic
converter damage. The vehicle should be serviced as
soon as possible if this occurs.
CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the light on could cause
further damage to the emission control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and driveability. The
vehicle must be serviced before any state emissions
tests can be performed.
Turn Signal Indicators
The left or right arrow will flash in unison with the
corresponding front and rear turn signals when the
TURN SIGNAL switch is operated.
Hazard Indicators
Both turn signal arrows will flash in unison with the
front and rear turn signals when the HAZARD
WARNING button is operated.
NOTE:Leaving the hazard flashers on for extended
periods will wear down the battery.
Airbag Warning Light
This light will turn on for six to eight seconds
as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned on. If the light does not turn on during
starting, remains on after starting, or turns on
while driving, have the system checked immediately by
an authorized dealer.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 103
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•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
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▫Materials Added To Fuel............... 173
▫Fuel System Cautions.................. 173
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings............. 174
Adding Fuel......................... 175
▫Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap)............... 175
Trailer Towing........................ 176Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.)................. 176
▫Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground)........................... 176
Ground Clearance..................... 177
STARTING AND OPERATING 133
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NOTE:Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition,
gross axle weight ratings (GAWRs) for the front and rear
axles must not be exceeded. For further information on
GAWRs, vehicle loading, and trailer towing, refer to
“Vehicle Loading” in this section.
To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX lbs or
XXX kg” on the Tire and Loading Information placard.
The combined weight of occupants, cargo/luggage and
trailer tongue weight (if applicable) should never exceed
the weight referenced here.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never exceed XXX lbs or XXX kg”
on your vehicle’s placard.2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and pas-
sengers from XXX lbs or XXX kg.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if “XXX”
amount equals 1,400 lbs (635 kg) and there will be five
150 lb (68 kg) passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs
(295 kg) (since 5 x 150 = 750, and 1400 – 750 = 650 lbs
[295 kg]).
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo
being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity
calculated in step 4.
STARTING AND OPERATING 157
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6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your
trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
NOTE:
•The following table shows examples on how to calcu-
late total load, cargo/luggage, and towing capacities
of your vehicle with varying seating configurationsand number and size of occupants. This table is for
illustration purposes only and may not be accurate for
the seating and load carry capacity of your vehicle.
•For the following example, the combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed 865 lbs
(392 kg).
158 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
•Never have any smoking materials lit in or near
the vehicle when the gas cap is removed or the
tank filled.
•Never add fuel to the vehicle when the engine is
running.
•A fire may result if gasoline is pumped into a
portable container that is inside of a vehicle. You
could be burned. Always place gas containers on
the ground while filling.
NOTE:
•Tighten the gas cap until you hear a “clicking” sound.
This is an indication that the gas cap is tightened
properly. The Malfunction Indicator Light in the in-
strument cluster may turn on if the gas cap is not
secured properly. Make sure that the gas cap is tight-
ened each time the vehicle is refueled.
•If the gas cap is lost or damaged, be sure the replace-
ment cap is for use with this vehicle.
TRAILER TOWING
Trailer towing with this vehicle is not recommended.
RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle (Flat
towing with all four wheels on the ground)
Recreational towing for this vehicle is not recommended.
NOTE:If the vehicle requires towing, make sure all four
wheels are off the ground.
176 STARTING AND OPERATING

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
CONTENTS
Hazard Warning Flasher................. 180
If Your Engine Overheats................ 180
TIREFIT Kit.......................... 181
▫TIREFIT Storage..................... 182
▫TIREFIT Usage Precautions.............. 182▫TIREFIT Kit Components And Operation.... 185
▫Sealing a Tire With TIREFIT............. 186
Jump-Starting Procedures................ 192
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................. 195
Towing A Disabled Vehicle............... 196
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7.If you are jump-starting another vehicle,connect one
end of a jumper cable to the remote jump-start positive
post(+). Connect the other end of the same cable to the
positive(+)terminal of the discharged battery.
8.If you are jump-starting your vehicle,connect the
other cable to the negativeterminal on the booster
battery. Connect the other end of the same cable to the ear
of the thermostat housing on the engine in your vehicle.
Make sure you have a good contact.
9.If you are jump-starting another vehicle,connect the
other cable to the ear of the thermostat housing on the
engine in your vehicle. Connect the other end of the same
cable to a good ground on the engine in the other vehicle.
Make sure that you have a good contact.WARNING!
•You should not try to start your vehicle by pushing
or towing.
•Do not connect the cable to the negative post of the
discharge battery. The resulting electrical spark
could cause the battery to explode.
•During cold weather when temperatures are be-
low freezing point, electrolyte in a discharged
battery may freeze. Do not attempt jump-starting
because the battery could rupture or explode. The
battery temperature must be brought up above
freezing point before attempting jump-start.
10. Start the engine in the vehicle that has the booster
battery. Let the engine idle a few minutes.
11. Turn off the Vehicle Security Alarm System.
194 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES