2010 DODGE VIPER TPMS

Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Light
This light will turn on briefly as a bulb check
when turning on the ignition switch. It will also
turn on while the engine is running to warn of
a problem with the Electronic Throttle Control
(ETC) system.
•If the light fails to turn on during the bulb check, see
your authorized dealer for service.
•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
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle
has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the
vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires.)4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 113

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.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is notoperating 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 on
your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alternate
tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function
properly.
114 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

CAUTION!
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) has been
optimized for the original equipment tires and
wheels. The TPMS pressures have been established
for the tire size equipped on your vehicle. Undesir-
able operation or sensor damage may result when
using replacement equipment that is not of the same
size, type, and/or style. Aftermarket wheels can cause
sensor damage. Do not use aftermarket tire sealants
or balance beads if your vehicle is equipped with the
TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result.
WARNING!
Do not exceed 55 mph (88 km/h) if the LOW Tire
indicator is activated. Vehicle handling and braking
may be reduced. You could have an accident and be
severely or fatally injured.
Seat Belt Reminder Light
If the driver does not buckle their seat belt and
vehicle speed exceeds 5 mph (8 km/h), or if the
passenger does not buckle their seat belt within
10 seconds of vehicle speed exceeding 5 mph (8 km/h),
the Enhanced Seat Belt Use Reminder System
(BeltAlert) will alert the occupant(s) to buckle their seat
belt(s). Once triggered, the BeltAlert will flash the Seat
Belt Reminder Light and chime for up to 96 seconds to
alert the occupant(s) to buckle their seat belt(s). If the
driver unbuckles their seat belt while vehicle speed is
greater than 5 mph (8 km/h), or if the passenger unbuck-
les their seat belt for more than 10 seconds while vehicle
speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h), the BeltAlert will
reactivate.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 115

▫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

SNOW TIRES
There are no snow tires that are compatible with the
wheels on this vehicle.
TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS
Tires on the front and rear axles of vehicles operate at
different loads and perform different steering, driving,
and braking functions. For these reasons, they wear at
unequal rates.
These effects can be reduced by timely rotation of tires.
The benefits of rotation are especially worthwhile with
aggressive tread designs such as those on all season type
tires. Rotation will increase tread life, help to maintain
mud, snow, and wet traction levels, and contribute to a
smooth, quiet ride.Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper mainte-
nance interval. Remember, more frequent rotation is
permissible if desired. Also, correct for anything causing
rapid or unusual wear prior to performing the tire
rotation.
NOTE:
Each wheel on your vehicle contains a tire
pressure sensor. The Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS) learns the location of each sensor though system
programming. Although not required, the manufacturer
recommends reprogramming the TPMS after rotating the
tires so that the system can relearn each sensor ’s location.
See your authorized dealer for system reprogramming.
Rotate the tires “side-to-side” as shown in the diagram.
178 STARTING AND OPERATING

TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS)
Low Tire Indicator
If tire pressure falls below 23 psi (159 kpa), the “Low Tire
Pressure Telltale” in the Message Center will illuminate,
a chime will sound, and the words “LOW TIRE” will
flash slowly in the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel in
the bottom of the speedometer. If tire pressure falls below
18 psi (124 kpa), the “Low Tire Pressure Telltale” will
illuminate, a chime will sound, and the words “FLAT
TIRE” will flash rapidly in the display. You should obtain
immediate service if the low tire indicator is activated.
NOTE:Each wheel on your vehicle contains a tire
pressure sensor. The TPMS learns the location of each
sensor though system programming. Although not re-
quired, the manufacturer recommends reprogramming
the TPMS after rotating the tires so that the system can
relearn each sensor ’s location. See your authorized dealer
for system reprogramming.
Tire Rotation
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 179

CAUTION!
The Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) has been
optimized for the original equipment tires and
wheels. The TPMS pressures have been established
for the tire size equipped on your vehicle. Undesir-
able operation or sensor damage may result when
using replacement equipment that is not of the same
size, type, and/or style. Aftermarket wheels can cause
sensor damage. Do not use aftermarket tire sealants
or balance beads if your vehicle is equipped with the
TPMS, as damage to the sensors may result.
WARNING!
Do not exceed 55 mph (88 km/h) if the “LOW TIRE”
indicator is activated. Vehicle handling and braking
may be reduced. You could have an accident and be
severely or fatally injured.
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 on
180 STARTING AND OPERATING

your 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. Poor quality gasoline can cause problems such as hard
starting, stalling, and hesitations. If you experience these
symptoms, try another brand of “premium” gasoline
before considering service for the vehicle.
Over 40 automobile manufacturers around the world
have issued and endorsed consistent gasoline specifica-
tions (the World Wide Fuel Charter, WWFC) which
define fuel properties necessary to deliver enhanced
emissions, engine performance, and durability for your
vehicle. The manufacturer recommends the use of gaso-
lines that meet the WWFC specifications if they are
available.
Reformulated Gasoline
Many areas of the country require the use of cleaner
burning gasoline referred to as “Reformulated Gasoline.”
Reformulated gasolines contain oxygenates, and are spe-
cifically blended to reduce vehicle emissions and im-
prove air quality.
5
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