DODGE VIPER 2008 ZB II / 2.G Owners Manual

Traction
When driving on wet or slushy roads, it is possible for a
wedge of water to build up between the tire and road
surface. This is hydroplaning and may cause partial or
complete loss of vehicle control and stopping ability. To
reduce this possibility, the following precautions should
be observed:
1. Slow down during rainstorms or when roads are
slushy.
2. Slow down if road has standing water or puddles.
CAUTION!
Driving your vehicle through deep puddles at speeds
over 5 mph, may cause water to be ingested into the
engine. This can cause severe engine damage.3. Replace tires when tread wear indicators first become
visible.
4. Keep tires properly inflated.
5. Maintain enough distance between your vehicle and
the vehicle in front to avoid a collision in a sudden stop.
DRIVING THROUGH WATER
Driving through water more than a few inches/
millimeters deep will require extra caution to ensure
safety and prevent damage to your vehicle.
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Flowing/Rising Water
WARNING!
Do not drive on or cross a road or a path where water
is flowing and/or rising (as in storm run-off). Flow-
ing water can wear away the road or path's surface
and cause your vehicle to sink into deeper water.
Furthermore, flowing and/or rising water can carry
your vehicle away swiftly. Failure to follow this
warning may result in injuries that are serious or
fatal to you, your passengers, and others around you.
Shallow Standing Water
Although your vehicle is capable of driving through
shallow standing water, consider the following before
doing so:
CAUTION!
²Always check the depth of the standing water before
driving through it. Never drive through standing water that
is deeper than the bottom of the tire rims mounted on the
vehicle.
²Determine the condition of the road or the path that is
under water and if there are any obstacles in the way before
driving through the standing water.
²Do not exceed 5 mph (8 km/h) when driving through
standing water. This will minimize wave effects.
²Driving through standing water may cause damage to your
vehicle's drivetrain components. Always inspect your ve-
hicle's fluids (i.e., engine oil, transmission, axle, etc.) for
signs of contamination (i.e., fluid that is milky or foamy in
appearance) after driving through standing water. Do not
continue to operate the vehicle if any fluid appears con-
taminated, as this may result in further damage. Such
damage is not covered by the new vehicle limited warranty.
²Getting water inside your vehicle's engine can cause it to
lockup and stall out and cause serious internal damage to
the engine. Such damage is not covered by the new vehicle
limited warranty.
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WARNING!
²Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle's traction capabilities. Do not exceed 5 mph (8
km/h) when driving through standing water.
²Driving through standing water limits your vehi-
cle's braking capabilities, which increases stop-
ping distances. Therefore, after driving through
standing water, drive slowly and lightly press on
the brake pedal several times to dry the brakes.
²Getting water inside your vehicle's engine can
cause it to lockup and stall out and leave you
stranded.
²Failure to follow these warnings may result in
injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your
passengers, and others around you.
PARKING BRAKE
The parking brake should always be applied when the
driver is not in the vehicle.
WARNING!
Before leaving the vehicle, make sure you fully apply
the parking brake and shift the transmission into
REVERSE. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to
roll and cause damage or injury.
As an added precaution when parking the vehicle, turn
the front wheels toward the curb on a downhill grade
and away from the curb on an uphill grade.
To apply the parking brake, grasp the handle and pull it
rearward until you feel resistance. To release the parking
brake, grasp the handle and pull it slightly while pressing
the button on the end of the handle. When the button
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drops into the handle (releasing the lock), guide the
handle downward to its stop and then release the button
and the handle.
The Brake System Warning Light in the instrument
cluster will turn on when the ignition is in the ON/RUN
position and the parking brake is applied.NOTE:This light only shows that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
WARNING!
²Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
children in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
injured seriously or fatally. Don't leave the keys in
the ignition. A child could operate power win-
dows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
²Be sure the parking brake is fully disengaged
before driving: failure to do so can lead to brake
failure, and an accident.
Parking Brake
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BRAKE SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with dual hydraulic
brake systems. If either of the two hydraulic
systems loses normal capability, the remaining
system will still function. However, there will
be some loss of overall braking effectiveness. You may
notice increased pedal travel during application, greater
pedal force required to slow or stop, and potential
activation of the Brake System Warning Light.
In the event power assist is lost for any reason (i.e.,
repeated brake applications with the engine off) the
brakes will still function. However, the effort required to
brake the vehicle will be much greater than that required
with the power system operating.
Brake Pad Break-In
NOTE:Your vehicle is equipped with a high perfor-
mance braking system. The brake pads are a semi-
metallic compound, which offer superior fade resistance
for consistent operation. A compromise to using this type
of brake pad is that the brakes may squeal slightly under
certain weather and operating conditions (.i.e., during
light brake applications).
The brakes on your new vehicle do not require a long
break-in period. However, you should avoid repeated
hard brake applications from high speeds during initial
break-in. In addition, you should avoid severe brake
loading, such as may be encountered when descending
long mountain grades.
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Safe Operating Tips
WARNING!
To use your brakes and accelerator more safely, follow these
tips:
²
Do not ªrideº the brakes by resting your foot on the pedal.
This could overheat the brakes and result in unpredictable
braking action, longer stopping distances, or brake damage.
²When descending mountains or hills, repeated braking can
cause brake fade with loss of braking control. Avoid
repeated heavy braking by downshifting the transmission
whenever possible.
²
Do not drive too fast for road conditions, especially when
roads are wet or slushy. A wedge of water can build up
between the tire tread and the road. This hydroplaning
action can cause loss of traction, braking ability, and control.
²After going through deep water or a car wash, brakes may
become wet, resulting in decreased performance and unpre-
dictable braking action. Dry the brakes by gentle, intermit-
tent pedal action while driving at very slow speeds.
Anti-Lock Brake System
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) is designed to aid the
driver in maintaining vehicle control under adverse
braking conditions. The system operates with a separate
computer to modulate hydraulic pressure to prevent
wheel lock-up and help avoid skidding on slippery
surfaces.
NOTE:During severe braking conditions, a pulsing
sensation may occur and a clicking noise will be heard.
This is normal, indicating that the Anti-Lock Brake
System is functioning.
The Anti-Lock Brake System conducts a low-speed self-
test at about 12 mph (20 km/h). If you have your foot
lightly on the brake while this test is occurring, you may
feel slight pedal movement. The movement can be more
apparent on ice and snow. This is normal.
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The Anti-Lock Brake System pump motor runs during
the self-test at 12 mph (20 km/h) and during an ABS stop.
The pump motor makes a low humming noise during
operation, which is normal.
CAUTION!
The Anti-Lock Brake System is subject to possible
detrimental effects of electronic interference caused
by improperly installed after-market radios or
telephones.
WARNING!
²The Anti-Lock Brake System contains sophisticated elec-
tronic equipment that may be susceptible to interference
caused by improperly installed or high output radio trans-
mitting equipment. This interference can cause possible
loss of anti-lock braking capability. Installation of such
equipment should be performed by qualified professionals.
²Pumping of the Anti-Lock Brakes will diminish their effec-
tiveness and may lead to an accident. Pumping makes the
stopping distance longer. Just press firmly on your brake
pedal when you need to slow down or stop.
²Anti-lock system (ABS) cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
braking or steering efficiency beyond that afforded by the
condition of the vehicle brakes and tires or the traction
afforded.
²The ABS cannot prevent accidents, including those result-
ing from excessive speed in turns, following another vehicle
too closely, or hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents.
²The capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must never be
exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner, which could
jeopardize the user's safety or the safety of others.
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All vehicle wheels and tires must be the same size and
type as the original equipment and the tires must be
properly inflated to produce accurate signals for the
computer.
WARNING!
Significant over or under inflation of tires, or mixing
sizes of front or rear tires or wheels on the vehicle can
lead to loss of braking effectiveness.
Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light
The amber Anti-Lock Brake Warning Light will
turn on and stay on briefly as a bulb check
when the ignition is first turned on. If the light
does not turn on during starting, have it re-
paired promptly.This light also illuminates at vehicle start-up to indicate
that the ABS self-check is in process. If the light remains
on after start-up, or turns on and remains on at road
speeds, it may indicate a system malfunction or that the
system is inoperative. In this case, the system reverts to
standard non-anti-lock brakes. If this occurs, safely bring
the vehicle to a complete stop as soon as possible and
cycle the ignition key to attempt to reset the ABS. If the
light remains on, see your authorized dealer immediately
to have the system serviced. Furthermore, if the red
BRAKE warning light and the amber ABS warning light
are on, and the parking brake is fully released, see your
authorized dealer immediately.
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POWER STEERING
The standard power steering system will give you good
vehicle response and increased ease of maneuverability
in tight spaces. The system will provide mechanical
steering capability if power assist is lost.
If for some reason the power assist is interrupted, it will
still be possible to steer your vehicle. Under these condi-
tions, you will observe a substantial increase in steering
effort, especially at very low vehicle speeds and during
parking maneuvers.
NOTE:Increased noise levels at the end of the steering
wheel travel are considered normal and do not indicate
that there is a problem with the power steering system.
Upon initial start-up in cold weather, the power steering
pump may make noise for a short amount of time. This is
due to the cold, thick fluid in the steering system. This
noise should be considered normal, and it does not in any
way damage the steering system.WARNING!
Continued operation with reduced power steering
assist could pose a safety risk to yourself and others.
Service should be obtained as soon as possible.
CAUTION!
Prolonged operation of the steering system at the end
of the steering wheel travel will increase the steering
fluid temperature and it should be avoided when
possible. Damage to the power steering pump may
occur.
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TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
Tire Markings
NOTE:
²P (Passenger)-Metric tire sizing is based on U.S. design
standards. P-Metric tires have the letter ªPº molded
into the sidewall preceding the size designation. Ex-
ample: P215/65R15 95H.
²European Metric tire sizing is based on European
design standards. Tires designed to this standard have
the tire size molded into the sidewall beginning with
the section width. The letter9P9is absent from this tire
size designation. Example: 215/65R15 96H
²LT (Light Truck)-Metric tire sizing is based on U.S.
design standards. The size designation for LT-Metric
tires is the same as for P-Metric tires except for the
letters ªLTº that are molded into the sidewall preced-
ing the size designation. Example: LT235/85R16.
²Temporary Spare tires are high-pressure compact
spares designed for temporary emergency use only.
Tires designed to this standard have the letter ªTº
molded into the sidewall preceding the size designa-
tion. Example: T145/80D18 103M.
²High Flotation tire sizing is based on U.S. design
standards and it begins with the tire diameter molded
into the sidewall. Example: 31x10.5 R15 LT.
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