maintenance schedule DODGE VIPER 2005 ZB / 2.G Owners Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTIONPAGE
1INTRODUCTION.............................................................3
2THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE..............................9
3UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE..............................53
4UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL....................................83
5STARTING AND OPERATING.................................................109
6WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES..............................................147
7MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE...............................................157
8MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES..................................................217
9IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE.........................................233
10INDEX....................................................................243
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ignition key or start the engine. This means that your
vehicle’s OBD system isnot readyand you shouldnot
proceed to the I/M station.
b. The MIL will not flash at all and will remain fully
illuminated until you turn off the ignition key or start
the engine. This means that your vehicle’s OBD system
isreadyand you can proceed to the I/M station.
If your OBD system isnot ready,you should see your
authorized dealer or repair facility. If your vehicle was
recently serviced or had a battery failure or replacement,
you may need to do nothing more than drive your
vehicle as you normally would in order for your OBD
system to update. A recheck with the above test routine
may then indicate that the system is now ready.
Regardless of whether your vehicle’s OBD system is
ready or not ready, if the MIL symbol is illuminated
during normal vehicle operation, you should have yourvehicle serviced before going to the I/M station. The I/M
station can fail your vehicle because the MIL symbol is on
with the engine running.
REPLACEMENT PARTS
Use of genuine Moparparts for normal/scheduled
maintenance and repairs is highly recommended to in-
sure the designed performance. Damage or failures
caused by the use of non-Moparparts for maintenance
and repairs will not be covered by the manufacturer’s
warranty.
DEALER SERVICE
Your dealer has the qualified service personnel, special
tools and equipment to perform all service operations in
an expert manner. Service Manuals are available which
include detailed service information for your vehicle.
Refer to these manuals before attempting any procedure
yourself.
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The best time to check the oil level is approximately 5
minutes after a fully warmed up engine is turned off or
before starting the engine after it has sat overnight.
Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground also
will improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Add
oil only when the level is below the SAFE mark.Changing Engine Oil
Road conditions and your kind of driving affects the
interval at which your oil should be changed.
IfANYof the following apply to you, then change your
engine oil every 3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months,
whichever comes first and follow the maintenance rec-
ommendations in ScheduleB.
•Day or night temperatures are below 32°F(0°C)
•Stop and go driving
•Extensive engine idling
•Driving in dusty conditions
•Short trip driving of less than 10 miles (16.2 km)
•More than 50% of your driving is at sustained high
speeds during hot weather, above 90°F (32°C)
•Taxi, Police, or delivery service (commercial service)Engine Oil Dipstick
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•Trailer towing
•Off-road or desert driving
•If 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, the manufacturer only
recommends full synthetic engine oils that are API rated
as SL/CF and meet the requirements of DaimlerChrysler
Material Standard MS-10725. Use Mopar or an equivalent
oil meeting the specification MS-10725.
If you choose to operate this vehicle in a very aggres-
sive driving style, the manufacturer recommends the
use of a full synthetic engine oil, such as Mobil 1SAE
0W-40.
Engine Oil Viscosity Chart
The proper SAE viscosity grade of engine oil should be
selected based on the following recommendation and be
within the operating temperature shown in the engine oil
viscosity chart.
166 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Drive Belts—Check Condition and Tension
At the mileage shown in the appropriate“Maintenance
Schedule”, check the condition of the drive belt for
condition and proper tension. Improper belt tension can
cause belt slippage and failure.
Inspect the drive belt for evidence of cuts, cracks, or
glazing and replace it if there is any sign of damage
which could result in belt failure.
Spark Plugs
Spark plugs must fire properly to assure proper engine
performance and emission control. Install new recom-
mended plugs with the recommended gap at the speci-
fied mileage.
Refer to the“Vehicle Emission Control Information”label
in the engine compartment for spark plug information.
Catalytic Converter
The catalytic converter requires the use of unleaded fuel
only. Leaded gasoline will destroy the effectiveness of the
catalyst as an emission control device.
Under normal operating conditions, the catalytic con-
verter will not require maintenance. However, it is im-
portant to keep the engine properly tuned to assure
proper catalyst operation and prevent possible catalyst
damage.
168 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Crankcase Emission Control System
Proper operation of this system depends on freedom
from plugging due to deposits. As vehicle mileage builds
up, the Crankcase Ventilation Valve orifice may accumu-
late deposits. If a valve is not working properly, replace it
with a new orifice. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CLEAN THE
OLD ORIFICE!
Check the ventilation hose for indication of damage or
plugging deposits. Replace if necessary.
Air Cleaner Filter
Under normal driving conditions, replace the air filter at
the intervals shown on“Maintenance Schedule A”. If,
however, you drive the vehicle frequently under dusty or
severe conditions, the filter element should be inspected
periodically and replaced if necessary at the intervals
shown in“Maintenance Schedule B”.
WARNING!
The air cleaner can provide protection if the engine
backfires. Do not remove the air cleaner unless such
removal is necessary for repair or maintenance.
Make sure that no one is near the engine compart-
ment before starting the vehicle with the air cleaner
removed. Failure to do so can result in serious
personal injury.
Maintenance-Free Battery
The top of the MAINTENANCE-FREE battery is perma-
nently sealed. You will never have to add water, nor is
periodic maintenance required.
The battery is in a compartment inside the trunk on the
left side.
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Power Steering (Pump and Reservoir)
WARNING!
Fluid level should be checked with the engine off to
prevent injury from moving parts. Do not overfill.
Use only the manufacturer’s recommended fluid.
Refer to Recommended Fluids, Lubricants and
Genuine Parts for correct fluid type.
Check power steering fluid level at intervals as specified
in the maintenance schedules.
During scheduled maintenance, check the power steering
fluid level at the power steering fluid reservoir.The fluid should be checked HOT with the engine OFF.
Before removing the reservoir cap, wipe the outside of
the cap and reservoir so that no dirt can fall into the
reservoir.
Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
178 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Relubrication
Ball joints are lubricated at the factory with a special
grease. They should be regreased at intervals as specified
in the maintenance schedules. When lubricating ball
joints, use only special long life chassis grease, such as
Multi-Mileage Lubricant, intended for this purpose.
Steering Linkage
There are two tie rod end ball joints that require periodic
inspection. The ball joint seals should be inspected when-
ever servicing the vehicle for other reasons. Damaged
seals should be replaced to prevent leakage or contami-
nation of the grease. The seals are not serviceable by
themselves, the entire outer tie rod end needs to be
replaced.
Lubrication
The tie rod ends are lubricated for life. No periodic
lubrication is required.
Body Mechanism Lubrication
Body and other operating mechanisms and linkages
should be inspected, cleaned, and lubricated, as required,
to maintain ease of operation and to provide protection
against rust and wear.
Before the application of any lubricant, the parts con-
cerned should be wiped clean to remove dust and grit;
after lubricating, excess oil or grease should be removed.
Hood Latch
When performing other underhood services, the hood
latch release mechanism and safety catch should be
inspected, cleaned, and lubricated.
It is important to maintain proper lubrication to insure
that the hood mechanisms work properly and safely.
Multi-Purpose Lubricant, NLGI Grade 2, should be ap-
plied sparingly to all pivot and sliding contact areas.
180 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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 wouldn’t have your full
braking capacity in an emergency.
Brake, Power Steering, and Fuel System Hoses
When servicing the vehicle for scheduled maintenance,
inspect surface of hoses and nylon tubing for evidence of
heat and mechanical damage. Hard and brittle rubber,
cracking, checking, tears, cuts, abrasion, and excessive
swelling suggest deterioration of the rubber. Particular
attention should be made to examining those hose sur-
faces nearest to high heat sources, such as the exhaust
manifold.Inspect all hose clamps and couplings to make sure they
are secure and no leaks are present.
Insure nylon tubing in these areas has not melted or
collapsed.
NOTE:Often, fluids are used during assembly plant
operations to ease the assembly of hoses to couplings.
Therefore, oil wetness at the hose-coupling area is not
necessarily an indication of leakage. Actual dripping of
hot fluid when systems are under pressure (during
vehicle operation) should be noted before hose is re-
placed based on leakage.
High pressure fuel system hoses have unique material
characteristics that provide adequate sealing and resist
attack by deteriorated gasoline.
Use only manufacturer specified hoses or their equiva-
lent in material and specification, in any fuel system
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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
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