transmission DODGE VIPER 2006 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 163
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▫Body Lubrication.....................186
▫Front And Rear Suspension Ball Joints......186
▫Steering Linkage......................187
▫Body Mechanism Lubrication.............187
▫Windshield Washers...................189
▫Exhaust System......................189
▫Cooling System.......................190
▫Hoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......195
▫Brake System........................195
▫Brake, Power Steering, And Fuel System
Hoses.............................196
▫Brake And Clutch Fluid.................197
▫Master Cylinder......................197▫Hydraulic Clutch.....................198
▫Transmission........................198
▫Rear Axle...........................199
▫Wheel Bearings.......................200
▫Appearance Care.....................200

Fuses — Power Distribution Center..........203

Vehicle Storage........................208

Replacement Bulbs......................211
▫Interior Light Bulbs....................211
▫Exterior Light Bulbs — Convertible Models . . . 211
▫Exterior Light Bulbs — Coupe Models......212

Exterior Light Bulb Service................212
166 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 ServiceManual 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.
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.
178 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Use only brake fluid that has been in a tightly closed
container to avoid contamination from foreign matter.
Hydraulic Clutch
The fluid in the clutch master cylinder should be checked
when performing other under hood services. To check
the fluid level, remove the reservoir cap. If necessary, add
fluid to the reservoir. Use only the manufacturer’s rec-
ommended brake fluid. Refer to the Recommended Flu-
ids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts section for the correct
fluid type. Mopar brake fluid or equivalent is fluid of this
quality and is recommended to provide best brake per-
formance. Make sure that the fluid has been stored in a
tightly closed container to avoid contamination with dirt
or moisture. Do Not Overfill. Overfilling can cause clutch
release problems as the clutch wears. A low fluid level
may indicate a leak, in which case, hydraulic clutch
linkage replacement may be required. The fluid level in
the reservoir will rise as the clutch wears - Do Not
Remove Fluid.Do not allow petroleum base fluid to contaminate the
brake fluid — seal damage will result.
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.
198 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

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 of
the 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
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.
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 199
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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 or equivalent, with
Limited Slip Additive Friction Modifier
Brake Master Cylinder MoparBrake & Clutch Fluid DOT 4 Motor Vehicle or equivalent.
Power Steering Reservoir MoparATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid or equivalent.
222 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.
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.
228 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Miles 21,000 24,000 27,000 30,000 33,000 36,000
(Kilometers) (35 000) (40 000) (45 000) (50 000) (55 000) (60 000)
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 front and 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” 231
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Miles 39,000 42,000 45,000 48,000 51,000 54,000
(Kilometers) (65 000) (70 000) (75 000) (80 000) (85 000) (90 000)
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 front and rear axle fluid. X
232 SCHEDULE “B”
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Miles 57,000 60,000 63,000 66,000 69,000 72,000
(Kilometers) (95 000) (100 000) (105 000) (110 000) (115 000) (120 000)
Change engine oil and engine oil filter, if not replaced
at 3 months.XXXXX X
Lubricate the front and rear suspension ball joints. X
Change the front and 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” 233
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