2010 DODGE VIPER Owners Manual

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
Starting Procedures .................... 144
▫ Normal Starting ..................... 144
▫ If Engine Fails To Start ................ 146
▫ After Starting ....................... 147
 Manual Transmission ................... 147
▫ Recommended Shift Speeds ............. 149
▫ Skip Shift Indicator Light ............... 150
 Driving On Slippery Surfaces ............. 151
▫ Acceleration ........................ 151 ▫
Traction ........................... 151
 Driving Through Water ................. 151
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ................. 152
▫ Shallow Standing Water ............... 152
 Power Steering ....................... 154
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ............. 154
 Parking Brake ........................ 155
 Brake System ........................ 157
▫ Brake Pad Break-In ................... 157
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▫Anti-Lock Brake System ............... 158
 Tire Safety Information ................. 161
▫ Tire Markings ....................... 161
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ......... 165
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ......... 166
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure .......... 167
 Tires — General Information ............. 171
▫ Tire Pressure ....................... 171
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures ................ 172
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . 174
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... 174
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... 174
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ................. 175 ▫
Life Of Tire ........................ 176
▫ Replacement Tires .................... 176
▫ Tire Storage ........................ 177
 Snow Tires .......................... 178
 Tire Rotation Recommendations ........... 178
 Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ....... 179
▫ Low Tire Indicator ................... 179
 Fuel Requirements ..................... 181
▫ 8.4L Engine ........................ 181
▫ Reformulated Gasoline ................ 181
▫ Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends ............. 182
▫ E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles ...... 182
▫ MMT In Gasoline .................... 183
142 STARTING AND OPERATING

▫Materials Added To Fuel ............... 183
▫ Fuel System Cautions ................. 184
▫ Carbon Monoxide Warnings ............ 185
 Adding Fuel ......................... 185
▫ Fuel Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .............. 185
 Trailer Towing ........................ 187 
Recreational Towing
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.) ................ 187
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground) ........................... 187
 Ground Clearance ..................... 187
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STARTING AND OPERATING 143

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust the
inside and outside mirrors, fasten your seat belt, and if
present, instruct any other occupant to buckle their seat
belt.
WARNING!
Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
children in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be injured
seriously or fatally. Do not leave the keys in the
ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
Long periods of engine idling, especially at high
engine speeds, can cause excessive exhaust tempera-
tures, which can damage your vehicle. Do not leave
your vehicle unattended with the engine running.
Normal Starting
CAUTION!
The engine in your vehicle is designed for operation
down to 0°F (-18°C). Starting the engine below 0°F
(-18°C) creates a potential for scuffing or seizing of
internal components in this very high performance
engine. To prevent engine damage, do not start the
engine at temperatures below 0°F (-18°C).
144 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:
•You must disarm the security system in order to start
the engine. Refer to “Security Alarm System” in
“Things To Know Before Starting Your Vehicle” for
further information.
•Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine does
not require pumping or pressing the accelerator pedal.
However, if the engine has not started within three
seconds, slightly press the accelerator pedal while
continuing to crank. If the engine fails to start within
15 seconds, turn the key to the OFF/LOCK position,
wait five seconds, then repeat the “Normal Starting”
procedure.To start the engine:
1. Fully apply the parking brake.
2. Press the clutch pedal to the floor.
NOTE:
The engine will not start unless the clutch pedal
is pressed to the floor.
3. Place the shift lever in NEUTRAL
4. Insert the ignition key fully into the ignition switch
5. Turn the key to the ON/RUN position.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 145

6. Press the red ENGINE START button located on the
instrument panel. Release the button when the engine
starts.If Engine Fails to Start
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
WARNING!
•Never pour fuel or other flammable liquid into the
throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to
start the vehicle. This could result in flash fire
causing serious personal injury.(Continued)
ENGINE START Button
146 STARTING AND OPERATING

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. Refer to “Jump
Starting” in “What To Do In Emergencies” for
further information.
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 placed into REVERSE before leaving the
vehicle, especially when parked on an incline.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 147

Your vehicle is equipped with a high torque capacity dual
disc clutch. The clutch pedal must be fully pressed to the
floor during each shift. As you release the clutch pedal,
lightly press the accelerator pedal.
CAUTION!
Failure to press the clutch pedal fully to the floor may
cause increased shift efforts, and may result in dam-
age to the clutch and transmission.
Be sure the transmission is in first gear when moving
forward from a standing position.
CAUTION!
Failure to start out in first gear when moving forward
from a starting position may result in damage to the
clutch. You will find it easier to use only the lower gears for most
city driving. For steady highway driving with light
accelerations, sixth gear is recommended.
Never drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal, or
try to hold the vehicle on a hill with the clutch pedal
partially engaged. This will cause abnormal wear on the
clutch.
Never shift into REVERSE until the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
NOTE:
•Your vehicle is equipped with a transmission reverse
inhibitor system. When vehicle speed is greater than
3 mph (5 km/h), the reverse inhibitor activates to help
prevent shifts into REVERSE. When at a complete
stop, you may notice light shift efforts into REVERSE
with the ignition key ON, and increased shift efforts
148 STARTING AND OPERATING