2013 DODGE VIPER cooling

applicable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or
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 recoverybottle. 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) solution.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
Selection Of Coolant
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 293

CAUTION!
•Mixing of engine coolant (antifreeze) other than
specified Organic Additive Technology (OAT) en-
gine coolant (antifreeze), may result in engine
damage and may decrease corrosion protection.
Organic Additive Technology (OAT) engine cool-
ant is different and should not be mixed with
Hybrid Organic Additive Technology (HOAT) en-
gine coolant (antifreeze). If a non-OAT engine
coolant (antifreeze) is introduced into the cooling
system in an emergency, it should be replaced with
the specified engine coolant (antifreeze) as soon as
possible.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Do not use water alone or alcohol-based engine
coolant (antifreeze) products. Do not use additional
rust inhibitors or antirust products, as they may not
be compatible with the radiator engine coolant and
may plug the radiator.
• This vehicle has not been designed for use with
propylene glycol-based engine coolant (antifreeze).
Use of propylene glycol-based engine coolant (an-
tifreeze) is not recommended.
Adding Coolant
Your vehicle has been built with an improved engine
coolant (antifreeze) that allows extended maintenance
intervals. This engine coolant (antifreeze) can be used up
to ten years or 150,000 miles (240,000 km) before replace-
ment. To prevent reducing this extended maintenance
294 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

period, it is important that you use the same engine
coolant (antifreeze) throughout the life of your vehicle.
Please review these recommendations for using Organic
Additive Technology (OAT) engine coolant (antifreeze).
When adding engine coolant (antifreeze):
•We recommend using MOPAR Antifreeze/Coolant
10 Year/150,000 Mile Formula OAT (Organic Additive
Technology).
• Mix a minimum solution of 50% OAT engine coolant
and distilled water. Use higher concentrations (not to
exceed 70%) if temperatures below 34° F (37° C) are
anticipated.
• 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 is not
recommended and can result in cooling system damage.
Drain, flush, and refill as soon as possible to avoid
damage if coolant types are mixed in an emergency.
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.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 295

WARNING!
•The warning words “DO NOT OPEN HOT” on the
cooling system pressure cap are a safety precaution.
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.
Disposal Of Used Engine 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 coolant level is adequate. With the
engine OFF and cold, 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 cool-
ant. 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.
296 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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.
If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
• Do not overfill the coolant expansion bottle. •
Check the coolant freeze point in the radiator and in
the coolant expansion bottle. If engine coolant (anti-
freeze) needs to be added, the contents of the coolant
expansion bottle must also be protected against
freezing.
• If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are
required, the cooling system should be pressure tested
for leaks.
• Maintain engine coolant (antifreeze) concentration at
50% OAT engine coolant (antifreeze) (minimum) and
distilled water for proper corrosion protection of your
engine which contains aluminum components.
• Make sure that the coolant expansion bottle overflow
hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
• Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 297

FLUID CAPACITIES
U.S.Metric
Fuel (Approximate) 16 Gallons60.6 Liters
Engine Oil With Filter
8.4 Liter Engine – We recommend you use SAE 0W-40,
API Certified. 11 Quarts
10.4 Liters
Transmission
8.4 Liter Engine – We recommend you use MOPAR ATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid. 3.4 Quarts
3.2 Liters
Rear Axle We recommend you use Castrol SAF-XJ/SAE 75W-140 Synthetic Gear and Axle Lubricant. 1.5 Quarts
1.4 Liters
Cooling System *
8.4 Liter Engine – We recommend you use MOPAR Antifreeze/
Engine Coolant 10 Year/150,000 Mile Formula or equivalent. 16 Quarts
15 Liters
* Includes heater and coolant recovery bottle filled to MAX level.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 321

Clean Air Gasoline....................... .248
Cleaning Wheels ............................. .304
Windshield Wiper Blades .................289
Climate Control ......................... .191
Clutch Fluid ............................ .301
Contract, Service ......................... .347
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) ...........295
Cooling System .......................... .292
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ...............294
Coolant Capacity ...................... .321
Coolant Level ........................ .292
Disposal of Used Coolant .................296
Drain, Flush, and Refill ..................293
Inspection ........................... .296
Points to Remember .....................297
Pressure Cap ......................... .295
Radiator Cap ......................... .295
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) ............293Corrosion Protection
...................... .302
Cruise Light ............................ .159
Cupholders ............................ .144
Customer Assistance ...................... .345
Daytime Brightness, Interior Lights .............121
Daytime Running Lights ....................117
Dealer Service ........................... .280
Defroster, Rear Window .....................148
Defroster, Windshield .......................62
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ..................122
Diagnostic System, Onboard .................278
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ...................119
Dipsticks Power Steering ....................... .215
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ...............296
Door Locks ..............................21
Door Locks, Automatic ......................23
356 INDEX

Door Opener, Garage...................... .133
Doors ..................................21
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ....................... .212
Electrical Outlet, Auxiliary (Power Outlet) ........141
Electric Remote Mirrors ......................70
Electronic Brake Control System ...............222
Traction Control System ..................223
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) ........127
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) ..............223
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) ......131
Emergency Brake ........................ .216
Emergency, In Case of Freeing Vehicle When Stuck ...............273
Hazard Warning Flasher ..................258
Jump Starting ........................ .269
Overheating ......................... .258Towing
............................. .274
Emission Control System Maintenance ..........278
Engine ................................ .277
Air Cleaner .......................... .283
Break-In Recommendations ................59
Checking Oil Level .....................281
Compartment ........................ .277
Coolant (Antifreeze) .....................292
Cooling ............................. .292
Exhaust Gas Caution .....................28
Fails to Start ......................... .204
Flooded, Starting ...................... .204
Fuel Requirements ..................... .248
Oil ................................ .281
Oil Change Interval .....................282
Oil Filler Cap ........................ .282
Oil Selection ......................... .282
Overheating ......................... .258
Engine Oil Viscosity ...................... .282
10
INDEX 357