fuel DODGE VIPER 2004 ZB / 2.G User Guide

2. EconomyÐ
Improper inflation pressures can cause uneven wear
patterns to develop across the tire tread. These abnormal
wear patterns will reduce tread life resulting in a need for
earlier tire replacement. Underinflation also increases tire
rolling resistance and results in higher fuel consumption.
3. Ride Comfort and Vehicle StabilityÐ
Proper tire inflation contributes to a comfortable ride.
Overinflation produces a jarring and uncomfortable ride.
Tire Inflation Pressures
The proper cold tire inflation pressure for passenger cars
is listed on either the face of the driver's door or the
driver's side ªBº pillar. For vehicles other than passenger
cars, the cold tire inflation pressures are listed on either
the ªBº pillar, the Certification Label or in the Tire
Inflation Pressures brochure in the glove compartment.Some vehicles may have Supplemental Tire Pressure
Information for vehicle loads that are less that the maxi-
mum loaded vehicle condition. These pressure condi-
tions will be found in the ªSupplemental Tire Pressure
Informationº section of this manual.
ªBº PILLAR
STARTING AND OPERATING 117
5

FUEL REQUIREMENTS
Your vehicle is designed to meet all emis-
sion regulations and provide excellent fuel
economy when using high quality pre-
mium unleaded gasoline having an octane
rating of 93 or higher.
Light spark knock at low engine speeds is not harmful to
your engine. However, continued heavy spark knock at
high speeds can cause damage and immediate service is
required. Engine damage resulting from operating with a
heavy spark knock may not be covered by the new
vehicle warranty.
Poor quality gasoline can cause problems such as hard
starting, stalling and hesitations. If you experience these
symptoms, try another brand of ªregularº gasoline be-
fore considering service for the vehicle.Over 40 automobile manufacturers around the world
have issued and endorsed consistent gasoline specifica-
tions (the World Wide Fuel Charter, WWFC) to define
fuel properties necessary to deliver enhanced emissions,
engine performance, and durability for your vehicle. The
manufacturer recommends the use of gasolines that meet
the WWFC specifications if they are available.
Reformulated Gasoline
Many areas of the country require the use of cleaner
burning fuel referred to as Reformulated Gasoline.
Reformulated gasolines contain oxygenates, and are spe-
cially blended to reduce vehicle emissions and improve
air quality.
The manufacturer strongly supports the use of reformu-
lated gasolines. Properly blended reformulated gasolines
will provide excellent performance and durability of
engine and fuel system components.
STARTING AND OPERATING 127
5

Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends
Some fuel suppliers blend unleaded gasoline with mate-
rials called oxygenates such as 10% alcohol, MTBE, ETBE
or TAME. Oxygenates are required in some areas of the
country during the winter months to reduce carbon
monoxide emissions. Fuels blended with these oxygen-
ates may be used in your vehicle.
CAUTION!
DO NOT use gasolines containing METHANOL.
Gasoline containing methanol may damage critical
fuel system components.
MMT In Gasoline
MMT is a manganese containing metallic additive that is
blended into some gasoline to increase the octane. Gaso-
lines blended with MMT offer no performance advantage
beyond gasolines of the same octane number without
MMT. Gasolines blended with MMT reduce spark plug
life and reduce emission system performance in some
vehicles. The manufacturer recommends that gasolines
without MMT be used in your vehicle. The MMT content
of gasoline may not be indicated on the gasoline pump,
therefore, you should ask your gasoline retailer whether
or not his/her gasoline contains MMT.
It is even more important to look for gasolines without
MMT in Canada because MMT can be used at higher
levels than are allowed in the United States. MMT is
prohibited in Federal and California reformulated gaso-
lines.
128 STARTING AND OPERATING

Sulfur In Gasoline
Your vehicle may have been designed to meet California
low emission standards on clean burning, low sulfur,
California gasoline. Gasoline sold outside of California is
allowed to have higher sulfur levels that may affect the
performance of your vehicle's catalytic converter. This
may cause the Malfunction Indicator Light or Service
Engine Soon Light to illuminate.
The illumination of this light while operating on high
sulfur gasoline does not necessarily mean your emission
system control system is malfunctioning. The manufac-
turer recommends that you try a different brand of
unleaded gasoline having lower sulfur to determine if the
problem is fuel related before returning your vehicle to
an authorized dealer for service.
NOTE:If the Malfunction Indicator light or Service
Engine Soon light is flashing, immediate service is re-
quired.
Materials Added to Fuel
All gasoline sold in the United States and Canada is
required to contain effective detergent additives. The use
of additional detergents or other additives is not needed
under normal conditions.
ADDING FUEL
The fuel tank filler tube has a restricting door about 2
inches (50mm) inside the opening. If using a portable
container, it should have a flexible nozzle long enough to
force open the restricting door.
STARTING AND OPERATING 129
5

WARNING!
Remove the fuel tank filler tube cap (gas cap) slowly
to prevent fuel spray from the filler neck that may
cause injury. The volatility of some gasolines may
cause a buildup of pressure in the fuel tank that may
increase while you drive the vehicle. This pressure
can result in a spray of gasoline and/or vapors when
you remove the cap from a hot vehicle. Removing the
cap slowly allows the pressure to vent and prevents
fuel spray. Never have any smoking materials lit in
or near the vehicle when the fuel tank filler tube cap
(gas cap) is removed or when filling the tank. Never
fill the gas tank while the engine is running.
VEHICLE LOADING
Vehicle Loading Capacities
Front Seat Occupants....................... 2
Luggage....................... 115lbs. (51 kg)
Rated Vehicle Capacity............ 415lbs. (187kg)
TRAILER TOWING
Trailer towing with your Viper is not recommended.
130 STARTING AND OPERATING

JUMP-STARTING PROCEDURES
WARNING!
²Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get
it started. Unburned fuel could enter the catalytic
converter and once the engine has started, ignite
and damage the converter and vehicle. If the
vehicle has a discharged battery, booster cables
may be used to obtain a start from a booster
battery or the battery in another vehicle. This type
of start can be dangerous if done improperly, so
follow this procedure carefully.
²Take care to avoid the radiator cooling fan and
accessory drive whenever the hood is raised. You
can be hurt by the moving components.
WARNING!
²Battery fluid is a corrosive acid solution; do not
allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin or cloth-
ing. Don't lean over battery when attaching
clamps or allow the clamps to touch each other. If
acid splashes in eyes or on skin, flush contami-
nated area immediately with large quantities of
water.
²A battery generates hydrogen gas that is flam-
mable and explosive. Keep flame or spark away
from the top of the battery. Do not use a booster
battery or any other booster source with an output
that exceeds 12 volts.
134 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

NPower Steering (Pump And Reservoir)......161
NBody Lubrication.....................162
NFront And Rear Suspension Ball Joints......162
NSteering Linkage......................163
NBody Mechanism Lubrication.............163
NWindshield Washers...................165
NExhaust System......................165
NCooling System.......................166
NHoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......170
NBrake System........................171
NBrake, Power Steering, And Fuel System
Hoses.............................171NBrake And Clutch Fluid.................173
NMaster Cylinder......................174
NHydraulic Clutch.....................175
NTransmission........................175
NRear Axle...........................176
NWheel Bearings.......................177
NAppearance Care.....................177
mFuses Ð Power Distribution Center..........180
mVehicle Storage........................183
mReplacement Bulbs......................186
NInterior Light Bulbs....................186
NExterior Light Bulbs...................186
142 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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 driveable and not need towing,
see your 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.
If the gas cap is not tightened properly, the light may
come on. Be sure the gas cap is tightened every time you
add fuel.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 145
7

NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
WARNING!
You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Do only that service work for which
you have the knowledge and the proper equipment.
If you have any doubt about your ability to perform
a service job, take your vehicle to a competent
mechanic.
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain the maintenance service
recommendations by the engineers who designed your
vehicle.
Besides the maintenance items for which there are fixed
maintenance intervals, there are other items that should
operate satisfactorily without periodic maintenance.
However, if a malfunction of these items does occur, it
could adversely affect the engine or vehicle performance.
These items should be inspected if a malfunction is
observed or suspected.
Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper lubrication of your vehicle's engine, the
engine oil must be maintained, at the correct level. Check
the oil level at regular intervals, such as every fuel stop.
148 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

²Trailer towing
²Off-road or desert driving
²If equipped for and operating with E±85 (ethanol) fuel
If none of these apply to you, then change your engine oil
every 6,000 miles (10 000 km) or 6 months, whichever
comes first and follow the maintenance recommenda-
tions in ScheduleA.
CAUTION!
Overfilling the crankcase will cause oil aeration and
loss of oil pressure. This could damage your engine.
Engine Oil Selection
For best performance and maximum protection under all
types of operating conditions, select only engine oils that
meet the American Petroleum Institute (API) certification
and SAE viscosity standards.
American Petroleum Institute (API) Engine Oil
Identification Symbol
This symbol on the front of an oil
container means that the oil has
been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (API) to meet
all the lubrication requirements
specified by the manufacturer.
150 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE