transmission DODGE VIPER 2005 ZB / 2.G User Guide

FREEING A STUCK VEHICLE
If your vehicle becomes stuck in mud, sand or snow, it
can often be moved by a rocking motion. Turn your
steering wheel right and left to clear the area around the
front wheels. Then shift back and forth between Reverse
and First gear. Usually the least accelerator pedal pres-
sure to maintain the rocking motion without spinning the
wheels is most effective.
CAUTION!
Racing the engine or spinning the wheels too fast
may lead to transmission/axle overheating and fail-
ure. It can also damage the tires. Do not spin the
wheels above 30 mph (48 km/h).
TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
Do not tow with sling type equipment. Only use flat bed
equipment. Always comply with applicable state or local
towing ordinances.
CAUTION!
Towing with equipment other than flat bed types
may damage your vehicle.
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 155
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▫Body Lubrication.....................179
▫Front And Rear Suspension Ball Joints......179
▫Steering Linkage......................180
▫Body Mechanism Lubrication.............180
▫Windshield Washers...................182
▫Exhaust System......................182
▫Cooling System.......................183
▫Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......188
▫Brake System........................188
▫Brake, Power Steering, And Fuel System
Hoses.............................189
▫Brake And Clutch Fluid.................190
▫Master Cylinder......................191▫Hydraulic Clutch.....................192
▫Transmission........................193
▫Rear Axle...........................193
▫Wheel Bearings.......................194
▫Appearance Care.....................194

Fuses—Power Distribution Center..........197

Vehicle Storage........................202

Replacement Bulbs......................204
▫Interior Light Bulbs....................204
▫Exterior Light Bulbs...................205

Exterior Light Bulb Service................205
▫Headlight, Parking, Front Park, Turn Signal, Front
Sidemarker And Front Fog Light Removal....205
158 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

To minimize the possibility of catalytic converter dam-
age:
•Do not shut off the engine or interrupt the ignition
when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle is in
motion.
•Do not try to start the engine by pushing or towing the
vehicle.
•Do not idle the engine with any spark plug wires
disconnected for prolonged period.
Ignition Wiring System and Ignition Timing
The ignition cables should be kept clean and properly
connected. Terminals should be fully seated. Do not
remove the nipple assemblies from the coil towers unless
the nipples are damaged or cable testing shows high
resistance or broken insulation. Refer to the Service
Manual for the proper procedure to be followed for
checking ignition cable resistance. Cracked, damaged, or
faulty cables should be replaced.
Because of the plastic body shell on your Viper, ignition
cables should be replaced with the specially designed RFI
cables available at your dealer.
Ignition timing cannot be set on this vehicle.
170 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Transmission
Lubricant Selection
Refer to the Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and Genu-
ine Parts section for correct fluid type.
CAUTION!
Using a transmission fluid other than the manufac-
turer’s recommended fluid may cause deterioration
in transmission shift quality. Refer to the Recom-
mended Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts sec-
tion for correct fluid type.
Fluid Level Check
The fluid in the transmission should be checked when-
ever other underhood services are done. Check the fluid
level by removing the fill plug located on the left side ofthe transmission. The fluid level should be at the bottom
of the fill hole. Add fluid, if necessary, to maintain the
proper level.
Frequency of Fluid Change
Under normal operating conditions, the fluid installed at
the factory will give satisfactory lubrication for the life of
the vehicle. If the vehicle is operated under severe
conditions, change the fluid as specified in Maintenance
ScheduleB. If contaminated with water, the fluid should
be changed immediately.
Rear Axle
Fluid Level Check
Every 12 months or 6,000 miles (10 000 km) the exterior of
the axle should be checked for evidence of gear oil
leakage. This check should be made with the vehicle in a
level position, supported by the suspension, on an axle
and wheel type hoist, or on the ground. The axle fluid
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 193
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level should be between the bottom of the filler plug and
a point approximately 3/8 inch (9.5mm) below the filler
plug.
Lubricant Selection
Use only the manufacturer’s recommended transmission
fluid. Refer to the Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and
Genuine Parts section for correct fluid type. This Limited
Slip Differential requires that a friction control additive
be added to the gear oil whenever a fluid change is made.
Frequency of Oil Change
Drain and fill the axle at the interval specified in the
Maintenance Schedules. Change the fluid immediately if
contaminated with water.
Wheel Bearings
Your Viper has permanently sealed wheel bearings that
do not require periodic maintenance.
Appearance Care
Your manufacturer’s dealer offers a complete line of
products for cleaning your Viper. Follow the instructions
on each container.
Leather or Vinyl Seat/Trim Care and Cleaning
Leather is best preserved by regular cleaning with a
damp soft cloth. Small particles of dirt can act as an
abrasive and damage the leather surface and should be
removed immediately with a damp cloth. Stubborn soils
can be removed easily with a soft cloth and Mopar Total
Clean. Care should be taken to avoid soaking the leather
with any liquid. Please do not use polishes, oils, cleaning
fluids, solvents, detergents, or ammonia based cleaners
to clean the leather. Application of a leather conditioner is
not required to maintain the original condition.
194 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Chassis
Component Fluid, Lubricant, or Genuine Part
Transmission Mopar Synthetic Manual Transmission Lubricant SAE 75W-85 (Castrol Syn-
torq LT 75W/85)
Rear Axle Mopar Synthetic Gear and Axle Lubricant SAE 75W-140, with Limited Slip
Additive Friction Modifier
Brake Master Cylinder MoparBrake & Clutch Fluid DOT 4 Motor Vehicle
Power Steering Reservoir ATF+4
214 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

At Each Stop for Fuel
•Check the engine oil level about 5 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level while
the vehicle is on level ground will improve the accu-
racy of the oil level reading. Add oil only when the
level is at or below the ADD or MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
Once a Month
•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage.
•Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and transmission and
add as needed.
•Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
At Each Oil Change
•Change the engine oil filter.
•Inspect the exhaust system.
•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.
220 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Miles 21,000 24,000 27,000 30,000 33,000 36,000
(Kilometers) (34 000) (38 000) (43 000) (48 000) (53 000) (58 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter, if not
replaced at 3 months.XXXXX X
Lubricate the front and rear suspension ball
joints.X
Inspect the brake linings. X X
Change the rear axle fluid. X X
Inspect and replace, if necessary, theair
cleaner filter.X
Replace thespark plugs.X
Change the transmission fluid. X
Inspect and replace, if necessary, thePCV ori-
fice.*X
Change the brake and clutch fluid. X
SCHEDULE“B”223
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Miles 39,000 42,000 45,000 48,000 51,000 54,000
(Kilometers) (62 000) (67 000) (72 000) (77 000) (82 000) (86 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter, if not
replaced at 3 months.XXXXX X
Lubricate the front and rear suspension ball
joints.X
Inspect the brake linings. X
Inspect and replace, if necessary, theengine
air cleaner filter.X
Change the transmission fluid. X
Change the rear axle fluid. X
224 SCHEDULE“B”
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Miles 57,000 60,000 63,000 66,000 69,000 72,000
(Kilometers) (91 000) (96 000) (101 000) (106 000) (110 000) (115 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter, if not re-
placed at 3 months.XXXXX X
Lubricate the front and rear suspension ball joints. X
Change the rear axle fluid. X X
Inspect the brake linings. X X
Inspect and replace, if necessary, theair cleaner
filter.X
Replace thespark plugs.X
Replace theignition cables.X
Inspect and replace, if necessary, thePCV orifice.*X
Inspect and replace the Auto Tension Drive Belt as
needed.X
Change the brake and clutch fluid. X
Change the transmission fluid. X
Flush and replace engine coolant at 60 months, if
not done at 102,000 miles.X
SCHEDULE“B”225
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