DODGE VIPER 2005 ZB / 2.G Workshop Manual

SAFETY TIPS
Exhaust Gas
WARNING!
Exhaust gases can injure or kill. They contain carbon
monoxide (CO) which is colorless and odorless.
Breathing it can make you unconscious and can
eventually poison you. To avoid breathing (CO)
follow the safety tips below.
•Do not run the engine in a closed garage or in confined
areas any longer than needed to move your vehicle in
or out of the area.
•If it is necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with the
engine running, adjust your heating or cooling con-
trols to force outside air into the vehicle. Set the blower
at high speed.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside the
Vehicle
Seat Belts
•
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the sys-
tem.
•Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident
if they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn web-
bing, etc.). If there is any question regarding belt or
retractor condition, replace the belt.
Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 51
2

Safety Checks You Should Make Outside the
Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for excessive tread wear or uneven wear
patterns. Check for stones, nails, glass, or other objects
lodged in the tread. Inspect for tread cuts or side wall
cracks. Check wheel nuts for tightness and tires for
proper pressure.
Lights
Have someone observe the operation of exterior lights
while you work the controls. Check turn signal and high
beam indicator lights on the instrument panel.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline fumes are
present, the cause should be corrected immediately.
52 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS

Convertible Top Operation.................55
▫To Lower The Top......................56
▫To Raise The Top......................56
▫Convertible Top Boot Cover Installation–If
Equipped............................59
▫Convertible Top Boot Cover Removal And
Storage.............................64

Console Features........................66

Mirrors...............................67
▫Inside Day/Night Mirror.................67▫Electric Remote Control Mirrors............68
▫Mirror Adjustment.....................68

Seats.................................69
▫Manual Front Seat Adjustments............69
▫Reclining Seat.........................71

To Open And Close The Hood..............71

Lights................................73
▫Courtesy/Reading Lights.................73
▫Interior Lights........................74
3

▫Multi-Function Control Lever..............74
▫Headlights, Parking Lights, Instrument Panel
Lights, And Front Fog Lights..............75
▫Daytime Running Lights.................76
▫Lights-On Reminder....................76
▫Headlight Time Delay...................76
▫Battery Saver Feature—Exterior Lights......76
▫Fog Lights...........................77
▫Turn Signals..........................77
▫Highbeam/Lowbeam Select Switch..........78▫Flash To Pass.........................78

Tilt Steering Column.....................78

Adjustable Pedals.......................79
▫Adjustable Left Foot Rest.................80

Windshield Wipers And Washers.............81
▫Windshield Washers....................82
▫Mist Function.........................82
▫Intermittent Wiper System................82
54 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

CONVERTIBLE TOP OPERATION
WARNING!
The convertible top does not provide the structural
protection that a reinforced metal roof does, and the
fabric top cannot be expected to prevent the ejection
of the occupants of a vehicle in a collision. Therefore
it is important that all occupants wear their seat belts
at all times when riding in a convertible. Studies
have shown that it is generally safer to remain inside
a vehicle during a collision, than to be ejected from
the vehicle.
CAUTION!
To fully insure that no damage occurs, be sure that
the vehicle is at a complete stop with the gear
selector in the Park position (automatic transaxle) or
in the Neutral position (manual transaxle) before
lowering or raising the top.
CAUTION!
Do not operate the convertible top with ice or snow
build-up on the top. Damage to the top may occur.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 55
3

To Lower the Top:
1. To lower the top, first ensure that the door windows
are lowered at least an inch.
2. Depress the button at the top of the latch upwards and
then pull the handle down and rearward, towards you.
(See the picture shown)3. Disengage the latch hook from the windshield rod
making sure to pull the latch all the way back to the
detent stow position and pull the top away from the
windshield header.
4. Open the trunk.
5. Pull the convertible top back away from the wind-
shield and all the way back to the folded position into the
storage well to the back of the seating positions. Push the
leading edge of the top down to engage the downstack
latch.
6. Finally lower and close the trunk.
To Raise the Top:
1. To raise the convertible top, first ensure that the door
windows are lowered at least an inch.
2. Then open the trunk.
Unlatching Convertible Top
56 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

3. Release the lever located behind the driver’s seat and
nestled in the folded convertible top (as pictured). To aid
in disengaging the latch, press down on the convertible
top while pressing on the latch lever.4. Manually raise the top until it meets the windshield
header (as pictured).
5. Close the trunk.
Convertible Top Latch
Raising Convertible Top
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 57
3

6. While sitting inside the vehicle, hold onto the handles
and pull the top towards the windshield header. Push the
latch handle forward and engage the latch hook to the
windshield receiver rod.7. Ensure the outboard locating pins are in their respec-
tive receiving holes in the windshield header. Push the
latch handle forward all the way to close the latch.
NOTE:Until the convertible top system has had ad-
equate time to break in, it may take greater effort to
Aligning Convertible Top
Engaging Convertible Top
58 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

engage the latch hook and close the latch. Several weeks
of normal convertible top usage will reduce these efforts.
Convertible Top Boot Cover Installation–If
Equipped
1. Open the trunk.
2. Lower the convertible top and make sure that the
convertible top latch handle is placed in the stowed
position.
3. lay the unfolded boot cover across the convertible top.
Unfolded Boot Cover
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 59
3

4. Slide pocket over the front corner of convertible top on
the passenger side.5. Stretch and slide pocket over the front corner of
convertible top on the driver side.
Attaching Passenger SideAttaching Driver Side
60 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE