check engine light DODGE VIPER 2013 VX / 3.G User Guide

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
STARTING PROCEDURES ................202
▫ Normal Starting ...................... .202
▫ If Engine Fails To Start .................204
▫ After Starting ....................... .205
 MANUAL TRANSMISSION ...............205
▫ Shifting ............................ .206
▫ Recommended Shift Speeds ..............207
▫ Skip Shift Indicator Light ...............208
 STREET/RACE MODE – IF EQUIPPED .......209
 LAUNCH MODE – IF EQUIPPED ...........210
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES .........211
▫ Acceleration .........................211
▫ Traction ............................211
 DRIVING THROUGH WATER .............212
▫ Flowing/Rising Water ..................212
▫ Shallow Standing Water .................213
 POWER STEERING .....................214
▫ Power Steering Fluid Check ..............215
 PARKING BRAKE ..................... .216
5

ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (OBD II)
To meet new government regulations and promote
cleaner air, your vehicle is equipped with a sophisticated
onboard diagnostic system called OBD II. This system
monitors the performance of the emissions and engine
control systems. When these systems are operating prop-
erly, your vehicle will provide excellent performance and
fuel economy, as well as engine emissions well within
current government regulations.
If any of these systems require service, the OBD II system
will turn on the Malfunction Indicator Light. It will also
store diagnostic codes and other information to assist
your service technician in making repairs. Although your
vehicle will usually be drivable and not need towing, see
your authorized dealer for service as soon as possible.
CAUTION!
Prolonged driving with the light on could cause
further damage to the emission control system. It
could also affect fuel economy and driveability. The
vehicle must be serviced before any state emissions
tests can be performed.
If the light is flashing, severe catalytic converter damage
and power loss will soon occur. Immediate service is
required.
EMISSIONS INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
PROGRAMS
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass
an inspection of your vehicle’s emissions control system.
Failure to pass could prevent vehicle registration. For states that require an Inspection and Mainte-
nance (I/M), this check verifies the “Malfunction
278 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Indicator Light (MIL)” is functioning and is not on when
the engine is running, and that the OBD II system is
ready for testing.
Normally, the OBD II system will be ready. The OBD II
system maynotbe ready if your vehicle was recently
serviced, recently had a dead battery or a battery replace-
ment. If the OBD II system should be determined not
ready for the I/M test, your vehicle may fail the test.
Your vehicle has a simple ignition key-actuated test,
which you can use prior to going to the test station. To
check if your vehicle’s OBD II system is ready, you must
do the following:
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position, but do not crank or start the engine.
2. If you crank or start the engine, you will have to start this test over. 3. As soon as you turn the ignition switch to the ON
position, you will see the MIL symbol come on as part
of a normal bulb check.
4. Approximately 15 seconds later, one of two things will happen:
• The MIL will flash for about 10 seconds and then
return to being fully illuminated until you turn OFF
the ignition or start the engine. This means that your
vehicle’s OBD II system is not readyand you should
not proceed to the I/M station.
• The MIL will not flash at all and will remain fully
illuminated until you turn OFF the ignition or start the
engine. This means that your vehicle’s OBD II system
is ready and you can proceed to the I/M station.
If your OBD II system is not ready,you should see your
authorized dealer or repair facility. If your vehicle was
recently serviced or had a battery failure or replacement,
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 279

•Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may
result in unsatisfactory engine coolant (antifreeze)
performance, poor gas mileage, and increased
emissions.
Brake System
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper mainte-
nance intervals.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure and
possibly an accident. Driving with your foot resting
or riding on the brake pedal can result in abnormally
high brake temperatures, excessive lining wear, and
possible brake damage. You would not have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
Master Cylinder – Brake Fluid Level Check
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder immediately
if the brake system warning light indicates system fail-
ure.
Check the fluid level in the master cylinder when per-
forming underhood services.
298 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

•Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
At Each Oil Change
• Change the engine oil filter.
• Inspect the exhaust system.
NOTE: Also, inspect the exhaust system if you notice a
change in the sound of the exhaust system, or if the
exhaust fumes can be detected inside the vehicle.
• Inspect the brake hoses. •
Inspect the suspension components.
• Lubricate door hinges and check springs.
• Check the engine coolant level, hoses, and clamps.
• Check power steering fluid level.
Required Maintenance Intervals
Refer to the Maintenance Schedules on the following
pages for the required maintenance intervals.
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SMAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 327

Battery................................ .284
Emergency Starting .....................269
Jump Starting ........................ .269
Keyless Transmitter Replacement (RKE) ........19
Location ............................ .284
Saving Feature (Protection) ................286
Storing Vehicle ....................... .286
Belts, Seat ...............................29
Body Mechanism Lubrication .................288
B-Pillar Location ......................... .232
Brake Control System, Electronic ..............222
Brake, Parking .......................... .216
Brake System ........................... .218
Anti-Lock (ABS) ...................... .218
Fluid Check .......................... .298
Master Cylinder ....................... .298
Warning Light ........................ .155
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle .........59
Brightness, Interior Lights ...................119 Bulb Replacement
........................ .319
Bulbs, Light ..............................63
Camera, Rear ........................... .131
Capacities, Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ..........321
Capacities, Fluid ......................... .321
Caps, Filler Oil (Engine) ......................... .282
Power Steering ....................... .215
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ...............295
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...................61
Car Washes ............................ .303
Cellular Phone ............................71
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ .228
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . .158
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ...............60
Checks, Safety ............................60
Child Restraint ............................52
Child Restraint Tether Anchors ................56
10
INDEX 355

Enhanced Accident Response Feature............49
Ethanol ............................... .249
Exhaust Gas Caution ........................28
Exhaust System ...........................61
Exterior Lighting ..........................115
Exterior Lights ............................63
Filters Air Cleaner .......................... .283
Engine Oil ........................... .283
Engine Oil Disposal .....................283
Flashers Hazard Warning ...................... .258
Turn Signal ............................63
Flash-To-Pass ............................119
Flooded Engine Starting ....................204
Fluid Capacities ......................... .321
Fluid Leaks ..............................63 Fluid Level Checks
Brake .............................. .298
Capacities ........................... .321
Clutch Fluid ......................... .301
Cooling System ....................... .292
Engine Oil ........................... .281
Manual Transmission ....................301
Power Steering ....................... .215
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts ...........322
Four-Way Hazard Flasher ...................258
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle .....................273
Fuel .................................. .248
Additives ........................... .250
Clean Air ........................... .248
Ethanol ............................. .249
Gasoline ............................ .248
Gauge .............................. .156
Materials Added ...................... .250
Methanol ........................... .249
358 INDEX

Bulb Replacement..................... .318
Cruise .............................. .159
Daytime Running .......................117
Dimmer Switch, Headlight ................118
Exterior ..............................63
Hazard Warning Flasher ..................258
Headlights ...........................115
Headlights On Reminder .................117
Headlights On With Wipers ...............116
Headlight Switch .......................115
High Beam ...........................119
High Beam Indicator ....................154
High Beam/Low Beam Select ..............119
Illuminated Entry .......................16
Instrument Cluster ......................115
Intensity Control .......................119
Interior ..............................119
Lights On Reminder .....................117
Malfunction Indicator (Check Engine) ........158Oil Pressure
......................... .156
Parade Mode (Daytime Brightness) ..........121
Passing ..............................119
Seat Belt Reminder ..................... .153
Security Alarm (Theft Alarm) ..............156
Service ............................. .318
Service Engine Soon (Malfunction Indicator) . . . .158
Theft Alarm (Security Alarm) ..............156
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) ............157
Turn Signal ............................63
Vanity Mirror ..........................70
Warning (Instrument Cluster Description) .....153
Loading Vehicle Tires ............................... .232
Locks ..................................21
Automatic Door ........................23
Auto Unlock ...........................23
Door ................................21
Power Door ...........................22
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INDEX 361

Low Tire Indicator....................... .245
Low Tire Pressure System ...................245
Lubrication, Body ........................ .288
Maintenance Free Battery ....................284
Maintenance Procedures ....................281
Maintenance Schedule ..................... .326
Malfunction Indicator Light (Check Engine) .......158
Manual, Service ......................... .350
Manual Transmission ..................... .205
Fluid Level Check ..................... .301
Lubricant Selection ..................... .323
Shift Speeds ......................... .207
Methanol .............................. .249
Mirrors .................................68
Electric Remote .........................70
Outside ..............................69
Rearview .............................68
Vanity ...............................70 Modifications/Alterations, Vehicle
...............7
Monitor, Tire Pressure System ................245
Mopar Parts ............................ .280
MTBE/ETBE ........................... .249
Multi-Function Control Lever .................118
Navigation System (Uconnect™ gps) ...........131
New Vehicle Break-In Period ..................59
Occupant Restraints ........................29
Octane Rating, Gasoline (Fuel) ................248
Oil, Engine ............................. .281
Capacity ............................ .321
Change Interval ....................... .282
Checking ........................... .281
Dipstick ............................ .281
Disposal ............................ .283
Filter .............................. .283
Filter Disposal ........................ .283
362 INDEX