2010 DODGE VIPER cooling

SAFETY TIPS
Transporting Passengers
NEVER TRANSPORT PASSENGERS IN THE CARGO
AREA.
WARNING!
•Do not leave children or animals inside parked
vehicles in hot weather. Interior heat build-up may
cause serious injury or death.
•It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,
inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision, people
riding in these areas are more likely to be seri-
ously injured or killed.
•Do not allow people to ride in any area of your
vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seat
belts.
•Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and
using a seat belt properly.
Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO), which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO)
follow these safety tips:
Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in confined
areas any longer than needed to move your vehicle in or
out of the area.
If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the engine
running, adjust your heating or cooling controls to force
outside air into the vehicle. Set the blower at high speed.
64 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:The air conditioning compressor operates in this
mode. This dehumidifies the air to help dry the wind-
shield. To improve fuel economy, leave in the Defrost
mode only when necessary.
Air Conditioning Control
With the fan control in the ON position, push the
A/C button to turn on the air conditioning com-
pressor. An indicator light above the button shows
that the Air Conditioning compressor is on. Conditioned
air is now directed through the outlets selected. Pushing
the button a second time turns the compressor OFF.
Slight changes in engine speed or power may be noticed
when the compressor is on. This is a normal occurrence
since the compressor will cycle on and off to maintain
comfort and increase fuel economy.
NOTE: If your air conditioning performance seems
lower than expected, check the front of the A/C con-
denser for an accumulation of dirt or insects.
Operating Tips
NOTE: Refer to the chart at the end of this section for
suggested control settings for various weather condi-
tions.
Summer Operation
The engine cooling system in air-conditioned vehicles
must be protected with a high-quality antifreeze coolant
to provide proper corrosion protection and to protect
against engine overheating. A solution of 50% ethylene
glycol antifreeze coolant and 50% water is recommended.
Refer to “Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your
Vehicle” for proper coolant selection.
Winter Operation
•
Use the Defrost mode to direct cold air away from the
occupants during engine warm-up in cold weather.
4
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 137

•On the highways —Slow down and use the highest
gear possible.
•In city traffic — While stopped, put the transmission
in NEUTRAL, but do not increase engine idle speed.
•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 (A/C) is on, turn it off. The A/C
system adds heat to the engine cooling system and
turning the A/C off can help remove this heat.
•You can also turn the temperature control to maximum
heat, the mode control to floor and the blower control
to high. This allows the heater core to act as a
supplement to the radiator and aids in removing heat
from the engine cooling system.
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the hood,
do not open the hood until the radiator has had time
to cool. Never try to open a cooling system pressure
cap when the radiator or coolant bottle is hot.
TIREFIT KIT
Small punctures up to14” (6 mm) 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).
This kit will provide a temporary tire seal, allowing you
to drive your vehicle up to 100 miles (160 km) with a
maximum speed of 55 mph (88 km/hr).6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 191

JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURES
WARNING!
•Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fans when-
ever the hood is raised. They can start anytime the
ignition switch is on. You can be hurt by the fans.
•Take care to avoid the accessory drive whenever
the hood is raised. You can be hurt by the moving
components.
•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.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution; do not
allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin, or cloth-
ing. Do not lean over a battery when attaching
clamps or allow the clamps to touch each other. If
acid splashes in eyes or on skin, flush contami-
nated area immediately with large quantities of
water.
•A battery generates hydrogen gas, which is flam-
mable and explosive. Keep flame or spark away
from the vent holes.
•Do not use a booster battery or any other booster
source with an output that exceeds 12 Volts.
NOTE: The battery is located underneath an access
panel inside the rear compartment on the left side of the
vehicle. A remote battery terminal is located in the engine
compartment for jump-starting.
202 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
Engine Compartment — 8.4L ............. 209
 Onboard Diagnostic System (OBD II) ....... 210
 Emissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs ............................ 211
 Replacement Parts ..................... 212
 Dealer Service ........................ 212
 Maintenance Procedures ................. 213
▫ Engine Oil ......................... 214
▫ Engine Oil Filter ..................... 216
▫ Engine Air Cleaner Filter ............... 216 ▫
Maintenance-Free Battery .............. 217
▫ Battery Save Feature .................. 219
▫ Air Conditioner Maintenance ............ 221
▫ Body Lubrication .................... 223
▫ Windshield Wiper Blades ............... 223
▫ Adding Washer Fluid ................. 224
▫ Exhaust System ..................... 224
▫ Cooling System ..................... 227
▫ Brake System ....................... 232
7

NOTE:If A/C performance seems less then normal,
check the front of the A/C condenser (located in front of
the radiator) for dirt and insect accumulation. Clean with
a gentle water spray as required. Front end fascia protec-
tors may reduce air flow to the condenser and radiator,
reducing A/C and engine cooling performance.
WARNING!
•Use only refrigerants and compressor lubricants
approved by the manufacturer for your air condi-
tioning system. Some unapproved refrigerants are
flammable and can explode, injuring you. Other
unapproved refrigerants or lubricants can cause
the system to fail, requiring costly repairs. Refer to
Warranty Information Book, located on the DVD,
for further warranty information.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•The air conditioning system contains refrigerant
under high pressure. To avoid risk of personal
injury or damage to the system, adding refrigerant
or any repair requiring lines to be disconnected
should be done by an experienced technician.
Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling
R-134a Air Conditioning Refrigerant is a hydrofluoro-
carbon (HFC) that is endorsed by the Environmental
Protection Agency and is an ozone-saving product. How-
ever, the manufacturer recommends that air conditioning
service be performed by authorized dealers or other
service facilities using recovery and recycling equipment.
NOTE:Use only manufacturer approved A/C System
Sealers, Stop Leak Products, Seal Conditioners, Compres-
sor Oil, and Refrigerants.
222 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
•Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected or removed, such as when diagnostic
testing, or for prolonged periods during very rough
idling or malfunctioning operating conditions.
Cooling System
WARNING!
•When working near the radiator cooling fans,
disconnect each fan motor lead or turn the ignition
switch to the OFF position. The fans are tempera-
ture controlled and can start any time the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
•You or others could be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the
hood, do not open the hood until the radiator has
had time to cool. Never try to open a cooling
system pressure cap when the radiator is hot.
Coolant Checks
Check engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every
12 months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 227

rusty in appearance, the system should be drained,
flushed, and refilled with fresh engine coolant (anti-
freeze). Check the front of the A/C condenser/radiator
for any accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by
gently spraying water from a garden hose vertically
down the face of the condenser/radiator.
Check the coolant recovery bottle tubing for brittle rub-
ber, cracking, tears, cuts, and tightness of the connection
at the bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire system for
leaks.
With the engine at normal operating temperature (but
not running), check the cooling system pressure cap for
proper vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of
engine coolant (antifreeze) from the radiator drain cock.
If the cap is sealing properly, the engine coolant (anti-
freeze) will begin to drain from the coolant recovery
bottle. DO NOT REMOVE THE COOLANT PRESSURE
CAP WHEN THE COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.Cooling System – Drain, Flush, and Refill
If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or contains a
considerable amount of sediment, clean and flush with a
reliable cooling system cleaner. Follow with a thorough
rinsing to remove all deposits and chemicals. Properly
dispose of the old engine coolant (antifreeze).
Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper mainte-
nance intervals.
Selection of Coolant
Use only the manufacturer’s recommended engine cool-
ant (antifreeze). Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genu-
ine Parts” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further
information.
228 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE