2016 DODGE VIPER SRT traction

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES ................244
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .244
▫ If Engine Fails To Start .................246
▫ After Starting ....................... .247
 MANUAL TRANSMISSION ...............247
▫ Shifting ............................ .248
▫ Recommended Shift Speeds ..............250
▫ Skip Shift Indicator Light ...............250
 STREET/RACE MODE — IF EQUIPPED ......251
 LAUNCH MODE ...................... .253
TRACK USE ......................... .255
▫ Guidelines For Track Use ................255
 DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES .........256
▫ Acceleration ........................ .256
▫ Traction ........................... .256
 DRIVING THROUGH WATER .............257
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................257
▫ Shallow Standing Water .................258
 POWER STEERING .....................259
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ..............260
5

PARKING BRAKE ..................... .261
 BRAKE SYSTEM ...................... .263
▫ Brake Pad Break-In ....................263
 ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM . . . .264
▫ Anti-Lock Brake System ................265
▫ Traction Control System (TCS) ............267
▫ Electronic Stability Control ..............267
 TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION .............272
▫ Tire Markings ....................... .272
▫ Tire Identification Number (TIN) ...........275
▫ Tire Terminology And Definitions ..........277
▫ Tire Loading And Tire Pressure ...........278
 TIRES — GENERAL INFORMATION ........283▫
Tire Pressure ....................... .283
▫ Tire Inflation Pressures .................284
▫ Tire Pressures For High Speed Operation . . . .286
▫ Radial Ply Tires ..................... .286
▫ Tire Types .......................... .287
▫ Run Flat Tires — If Equipped .............288
▫ Spare Tires — If Equipped ...............288
▫ Tire Spinning ....................... .291
▫ Tread Wear Indicators ..................291
▫ Life Of Tire ........................ .292
▫ Replacement Tires .....................293
 TIRE CHAINS (TRACTION DEVICES) .......295
 TIRE ROTATION RECOMMENDATIONS .....295
242 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
Ensure the transmission is in first gear when moving
forward from a standing position.
CAUTION!
Failure to start out in first gear when moving forward
from a starting position may result in damage to the
clutch.
Shifting
Fully press the clutch pedal and lift your foot off the
accelerator pedal before shifting gears. As you release the
clutch pedal, lightly press the accelerator pedal. Damage
to the transmission or clutch may occur if you do not
fully press the clutch pedal and lift off of the accelerator
pedal when shifting.
The six-speed manual transmission has a spring that
centers the shift lever near third and fourth gear. This
spring helps you know which gear you are in when you
are shifting. Be careful when shifting from first to second
or downshifting from sixth to fifth.
248 STARTING AND OPERATING

LAUNCH MODE
This system maximizes acceleration traction for straight
line racing.
1. Bring the vehicle to complete stop on a level tracksurface with the engine running.
2. Set the steering wheel for straight ahead driving.
3. Fully depress the clutch and select the first gear position.
4. Push and release the “LAUNCH” button (located on the steering wheel controls).
5. Rapidly press the accelerator pedal to the floor withinone second.
LAUNCH Button
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 253

NOTE:
•All SRT vehicles are track tested for 24 hours of
endurance, however, it is recommended that suspen-
sion system, brake system, prop shaft, and ½ shaft
boots should be checked for wear or damage after
every track event.
• Track usage results in increased operating tempera-
tures of the engine, transmission, clutch, driveline and
brake system. This may affect noise (NVH) counter-
measures designed into your vehicle. New compo-
nents may need to be installed to return the system to
the original NVH performance.
For ACR models, please review the supplemental manual
for track tips.DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is dangerous.
You could lose control of the vehicle and possibly
have a collision. Accelerate slowly and carefully
whenever there is likely to be poor traction (ice,
snow, wet, mud, loose sand, etc.).
Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is hydroplaning and may cause partial or
complete loss of vehicle control and stopping ability. To
reduce this possibility, the following precautions should
be observed:
256 STARTING AND OPERATING

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.
• Driving through standing water may cause damage
to your vehicle’s drivetrain components. Always
inspect your vehicle’s fluids (i.e., engine oil, trans-
mission, axle, etc.) for signs of contamination (i.e.,
fluid that is milky or foamy in appearance) after
driving through standing water. Do not continue to
(Continued)
258 STARTING AND OPERATING

Safe Operating Tips
WARNING!
To use your brakes and accelerator more safely,
follow these tips:
•Do not “ride” the brakes by resting your foot on the
pedal. This could overheat the brakes and result in
unpredictable braking action, longer stopping dis-
tances, or brake damage.
• When descending mountains or hills, repeated
braking can cause brake fade with loss of braking
control. Avoid repeated heavy braking by down-
shifting the transmission whenever possible.
• Do not drive too fast for road conditions, especially
when roads are wet or slushy. A wedge of water can
build up between the tire tread and the road. This
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
hydroplaning action can cause loss of traction,
braking ability, and control.
• After going through deep water or a car wash,
brakes may become wet, resulting in decreased
performance and unpredictable braking action.
Dry the brakes by gentle, intermittent pedal action
while driving at very slow speeds.
ELECTRONIC BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced electronic
brake control system that includes the Anti-Lock Brake
System (ABS), Traction Control System (TCS), and Elec-
tronic Stability Control (ESC). All of these systems work
together to enhance vehicle stability and control in vari-
ous driving conditions.
264 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!(Continued)
such equipment should be performed by qualified
professionals.
• Pumping of the Anti-Lock Brakes will diminish
their effectiveness and may lead to a collision.
Pumping makes the stopping distance longer. Just
press firmly on your brake pedal when you need to
slow down or stop.
• The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) cannot prevent
the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle, nor can it increase braking or steering
efficiency beyond that afforded by the condition of
the vehicle brakes and tires or the traction afforded.
• The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) cannot prevent
collisions, including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, following another vehicle too
closely, or hydroplaning.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•The capabilities of an Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS) equipped vehicle must never be exploited in
a reckless or dangerous manner, that could jeopar-
dize the user’s safety or the safety of others.
All vehicle wheels and tires must be the same size and
type as the original equipment and the tires must be
properly inflated to produce accurate signals for the
computer.
WARNING!
Significant over or underinflation of tires, or mixing
sizes of tires or wheels on the vehicle can lead to loss
of braking effectiveness.
266 STARTING AND OPERATING