2015 DODGE VIPER brake

NOTE:The distance measurement will be aborted if the
brake pedal is released before the vehicle comes to a
complete stop.
•Brake Speed
Displays the speed the vehicle is traveling when the
brake pedal is depressed.
NOTE:Brake Distance and Speed timers will only dis-
play#ready#when vehicle is traveling at greater than 30
MPH (48 km/h).
G-Force
When selected, this screen displays all four G-Force
values (two lateral and two longitudinal) as well as
steering angle.
When a G-Force greater than zero is measured, the
display will update the value real-time. As the G-Force
falls, the peak forces will continue to display.
Gauges 1
When selected, this screen displays the following values:
•Oil Temperature
Displays the actual oil temperature.
•Oil Pressure
Displays the actual oil pressure.
•Battery Voltage
Displays the actual battery voltage.
Gauges 2
When selected, this screen displays the following values:
•Coolant Temperature
Displays the actual coolant temperature.
•Oil Temperature
Displays the actual oil temperature.
192 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
!STARTING PROCEDURES................222
▫Normal Starting.......................222
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................224
▫After Starting........................225
!MANUAL TRANSMISSION...............225
▫Shifting.............................226
▫Recommended Shift Speeds..............227
▫Skip Shift Indicator Light...............228
!STREET/RACE MODE — IF EQUIPPED......229
!LAUNCH MODE.......................230
!DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES.........232
▫Acceleration.........................232
▫Traction............................232
!DRIVING THROUGH WATER.............233
▫Flowing/Rising Water..................233
▫Shallow Standing Water.................234
!POWER STEERING.....................235
▫Power Steering Fluid Check..............236
!PARKING BRAKE......................237
!BRAKE SYSTEM.......................239
5

▫Brake Pad Break-In....................239
!ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .241
▫Anti-Lock Brake System................241
▫Traction Control System (TCS)............243
▫Electronic Stability Control..............244
!TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION.............247
▫Tire Markings........................247
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)...........251
▫Tire Terminology And Definitions..........252
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........254
!TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION........258
▫Tire Pressure........................258
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................259
▫Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .261
▫Radial Ply Tires......................261
▫Tire Types...........................262
▫Run Flat Tires — If Equipped.............264
▫Spare Tires — If Equipped...............264
▫Tire Spinning........................267
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................267
▫Life Of Tire.........................268
▫Replacement Tires.....................268
!TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES).......270
!TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS.....270
!TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM (TPMS) . .271
▫Premium System......................274
220 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, 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. Press the red ENGINE START/STOP button located
on the instrument panel. Release the button when the
engine starts.
Engine START/STOP Button
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 223

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
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, the “Normal Starting” procedure should
be repeated.
After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically and it will
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.
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!
•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, as this will cause
abnormal wear on the clutch.
•Failure to press the clutch pedal fully to the floor
may cause increased shift efforts, and may result in
damage to the clutch and transmission.
•Do not rest your hand on the shift lever while
driving, as this may result in transmission damage.
•Do not attempt to shift the transmission if the rear
wheels are spinning due to loss of traction. Dam-
age to the transmission may occur.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 225

cruise conditions (relatively steady speeds) will result in
increased fuel economy, and may be used as indicated.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
RECOMMENDED SHIFT SPEEDS
1-4 4-55-6
mph 174550
(km/h) (27) (72) (80)
Higher upshift speeds may be used to obtain a desired
acceleration rate.
Skip Shift Indicator Light
There are times when you must shift the trans-
mission directly from first gear into fourth gear
instead of from first gear into second gear. This
is to help you get the best possible fuel
economy from your vehicle. This occurs when engine
coolant is higher than 107°F (42°C), and vehicle speed is
greater than 16 mph (26 km/h) but less than 18 mph
(29 km/h), and engine speed is less than 1,550 RPM, and
the transmission is in first gear, and the accelerator is at
20% throttle or less. The “Skip Shift Indicator Light”
located in the tachometer will illuminate during these
times.
When the “Skip Shift Indicator Light” illuminates, the
shift mechanism will only allow shifts from first gear to
fourth gear. After you shift the transmission into fourth
gear, you can press the clutch in and shift to another
forward gear.
Downshifting - Proper downshifting will improve fuel
economy and prolong engine life.
To maintain a safe speed and prolong brake life, down-
shift to maintain a safe speed when descending a steep
grade.
228 STARTING AND OPERATING

5. Rapidly press the accelerator pedal to the floor within
one second.
NOTE:If the cluster launch DID message indicates all
conditions are correct for launch and the throttle is
pressed to the floor quickly (within approximately 1/2
second) the system will hold the engine speed to a preset
speed (below the engine rev limiter speed).
6. Release the clutch aggressively. Do not ride the clutch.
Release the accelerator pedal to deactivate launch con-
trol. Pressing the launch control button or actuating the
brakes will also deactivate launch control.
NOTE:
•Launch Mode brings the engine to optimum launch
RPM and waits for the driver to release the clutch.
Launch Mode then uses engine throttle only to achieve
controlled wheelslip for maximum acceleration
through first gear.
•Launch Mode can be used in any of the Electronic
Stability Control (ESC) Modes.
LAUNCH Button
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 231

Shallow Standing Water
Although your vehicle is capable of driving through
shallow standing water, consider the following Cautions
and Warnings before doing so.
WARNING!
•Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle’s traction capabilities. Do not exceed 5 mph
(8 km/h) when driving through standing water.
•Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle’s braking capabilities, which increases stopping
distances. Therefore, after driving through stand-
ing water, drive slowly and lightly press on the
brake pedal several times to dry the brakes.
•Failure to follow these warnings may result in
injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your pas-
sengers, and others around you.
CAUTION!
•Always check the depth of the standing water
before driving through it. Never drive through
standing water that is deeper than the bottom of
the tire rims mounted on the vehicle.
•Determine the condition of the road or the path
that is under water and if there are any obstacles in
the way before driving through the standing water.
•Do not exceed 5 mph (8 km/h) when driving
through standing water. This will minimize wave
effects.
(Continued)
234 STARTING AND OPERATING