2010 DODGE VIPER radiator cap

•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

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

•Use only high purity water such as distilled or deion-
ized water when mixing the water/engine coolant
(antifreeze) solution. The use of lower quality water
will reduce the amount of corrosion protection in the
engine cooling system.
Please note that it is the owner’s responsibility to main-
tain the proper level of protection against freezing ac-
cording to the temperatures occurring in the area where
the vehicle is operated.
NOTE: Mixing engine coolant (antifreeze) types will
decrease the life of the engine coolant (antifreeze) and
will require more frequent coolant changes.
Cooling System Pressure Cap
The cap must be fully tightened to prevent loss of engine
coolant (antifreeze), and to insure that engine coolant
(antifreeze) will return to the radiator from the coolant
recovery bottle. The cap should be inspected and cleaned if there is any
accumulation of foreign material on the sealing surfaces.
WARNING!
•The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on
the cooling system pressure cap are a safety pre-
caution. Never add engine coolant (antifreeze)
when the engine is overheated. Do not loosen or
remove the cap to cool an overheated engine. Heat
causes pressure to build up in the cooling system.
To prevent scalding or injury, do not remove the
pressure cap while the system is hot or under
pressure.
•Do not use a pressure cap other than the one
specified for your vehicle. Personal injury or en-
gine damage may result.
230 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Disposal of Used Coolant
Used ethylene glycol based engine coolant (antifreeze) is
a regulated substance requiring proper disposal. Check
with your local authorities to determine the disposal
rules for your community. To prevent ingestion by ani-
mals or children, do not store ethylene glycol based
engine coolant (antifreeze) in open containers or allow it
to remain in puddles on the ground. If ingested by a child
or pet, seek emergency assistance immediately. Clean up
any ground spills immediately.
Coolant Level
The coolant bottle provides a quick visual method for
determining that the engine coolant (antifreeze) level is
adequate. With the engine idling, and warm to normal
operating temperature, the level of the engine coolant
(antifreeze) in the bottle should be between the ranges
indicated on the bottle.The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking for
engine coolant (antifreeze) freeze point or replacing en-
gine coolant (antifreeze). Advise your service attendant
of this. As long as the engine operating temperature is
satisfactory, the coolant bottle need only be checked once
a month.
When additional engine coolant (antifreeze) is needed to
maintain the proper level, it should be added to the
coolant bottle. Do not overfill.Points to Remember
NOTE:
When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles
(kilometers) of operation, you may observe vapor coming
from the front of the engine compartment. This is nor-
mally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) to enter the radiator.7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 231

Jump Starting......................... 202
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ....... 22
Location .......................... 202,217
Saving Feature (Protection) ............... 219
Storing Vehicle ........................ 219
Belts, Seat .......................... 32,34,65
Body Mechanism Lubrication ............... 223
Boot, Convertible Top ................... 75,79
B-Pillar Location ........................ 167
Brake, Parking .......................... 155
Brake System ........................ 157,232
Anti-Lock (ABS) .................... 157,158
Fluid Check ....................... 233,262
Master Cylinder ....................... 233
Warning Light ........................ 112
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle .....63,157
Bulb Replacement ....................... 251
Bulbs, Light .......................... 67,250Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)
........ 260
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 260
Caps, Filler Fuel ............................... 185
Power Steering ........................ 154
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............... 230
Car Washes ............................ 238
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............64,185
CD (Compact Disc) Changer ................ 125
CD (Compact Disc) Player ............... 119,123
Cellular Phone .......................... 134
Charging System Light .................... 118
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 163
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) ............... 211
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 64
Checks, Safety ........................... 64
Child Restraint ...................... 56,58,62
Child Restraint Tether Anchors ............... 60
10
INDEX 297

Circuit Breakers......................... 244
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 181
Climate Control ......................... 134
Clock ................................ 118
Clutch Fluid ........................... 236
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 133
Console .............................. 102
Console, Floor .......................... 102
Contract, Service ........................ 289
Convertible ............................. 71
Convertible Boot ....................... 75,79
Convertible Top ....................... 71,239
Convertible Top Maintenance ............... 239
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .......... 230
Cooling System ......................... 227
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .............. 229
Coolant Capacity ...................... 260
Coolant Level ...................... 227,231
Disposal of Used Coolant ................ 231 Drain, Flush, and Refill
.................. 228
Inspection ........................... 231
Points to Remember .................... 231
Pressure Cap ......................... 230
Radiator Cap ......................... 230
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ......228,260,261
Customer Assistance ..................... 287
Daytime Running Lights ................... 89
Dealer Service .......................... 212
Defroster, Rear Window ................... 104
Defroster, Windshield ................... 66,136
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ................. 95
Diagnostic System, Onboard ................ 210
Dimmer Control ......................... 93
Dimmer Switch, Headlight .................. 91
Dipsticks Power Steering ........................ 154
298 INDEX

Door Locks........................... 26
Mirrors .............................. 84
Outlet (Auxiliary Electrical Outlet) .......... 100
Steering ............................. 154
Windows ............................. 27
Windows, Express Down ................. 21
Pregnant Women and Seat Belts .............. 42
Pretensioners Seat Belts ............................ 41
Programming Transmitters
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 22
Radial Ply Tires ......................... 174
Radiator Cap (Coolant Pressure Cap) .......... 230
Radio Antenna ......................... 133
Radio Operation ........................ 134
Radio, Satellite (Uconnect studios)........... 129
Radio (Sound Systems) .................... 119
Rear Axle (Differential) .................... 237 Rear Liftgate
............................ 29
Rear Window Defroster ................... 104
Rear Window Features .................... 104
Rearview Mirrors ........................ 82
Reclining Front Seats ...................... 86
Recreational Towing ...................... 187
Reformulated Gasoline .................... 181
Refrigerant ............................ 222
Reminder, Lights On ...................... 90
Reminder, Seat Belt .................... 39,115
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) ................. 18
Remote Trunk Release ..................... 31
Replacement Parts ....................... 212
Replacement Tires ....................... 176
Reporting Safety Defects ................... 290
Restraints, Child ......................... 56
Restraints, Infant ......................... 57
Restraints, Occupant ...................... 32
Rocking Vehicle When Stuck ................ 205
306 INDEX