check oil DODGE VIPER 2008 ZB II / 2.G Owners Manual

2. Remove and replace the battery. Avoid touching the
new battery with your fingers. Skin oils may cause
battery deterioration. If you touch a battery, clean it with
rubbing alcohol.
3. To assemble the transmitter case, snap the two halves
together.
4. Test the transmitter operation.
General Information
This transmitter complies with FCC rules part 15. Opera-
tion is subject to the following conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference.
2. This device must accept any interference that may be
received, including interference that may cause undes-
ired operation.
If your Remote Keyless Entry transmitter ever fails to
operate from a normal distance, check the following:1. Closeness to a radio transmitter, such as a radio station
tower, airport transmitter, and some mobile or CB radios
can affect transmitter operation. To verify if this is the
cause, move the vehicle to another area and test trans-
mitter operation.
2. The transmitter may become ªout of syncº and will no
longer function if operated more than 255 times while out
of range of the vehicle (23 feet or 7 meters) or if operated
while the vehicle battery is dead or disconnected. To
ªsynchronizeº the transmitter, remove the key from the
ignition. Close the hood and all doors. Press both buttons
on the transmitter for about 10 seconds. The horn will
chirp once to acknowledge the signal. Normal transmit-
ter operation should resume.
3. The transmitter battery may be weak or dead. The
expected life of the battery is a minimum of three years.
22 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

²Avoid excessive idling.
²Check the engine oil level at every fuel fill.
NOTE:A new engine will consume some oil during the
first few thousand miles of operation. This should be
considered as a normal part of the break-in and not
interpreted as a sign of difficulty.
SAFETY TIPS
Exhaust Gas
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 controls to force
outside air into the vehicle. Set the blower at high speed.The best protection against carbon monoxide entry into
the vehicle body is a properly maintained engine exhaust
system.
Whenever a change is noticed in the sound of the exhaust
system, when exhaust fumes can be detected inside the
vehicle, or when the underside or rear of the vehicle is
damaged, have a competent technician inspect the com-
plete exhaust system and adjacent body areas for broken,
damaged, deteriorated, or mispositioned parts. Open
seams or loose connections could permit exhaust fumes
to seep into the passenger compartment. In addition,
inspect the exhaust system each time the vehicle is raised
for lubrication or oil change. Replace as required.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 57
2

Periodic 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 the tread and side wall for
cuts and cracks. Check the wheel nuts for tightness.
Check the 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.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching, and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check the area under the vehicle after overnight parking
for fuel, water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if gasoline
fumes are present, the cause should be corrected imme-
diately.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 59
2

6000 RPM. This serves as a visual aid to shift before
reaching the red line. This warning will turn off when the
tachometer pointer falls below 5900 RPM. (See page 136
for more information.)
Coolant Temperature Gauge
This gauge shows the engine coolant tempera-
ture. The gauge pointer will likely show higher
temperatures when driving in hot weather, up
mountain grades, or in heavy stop and go
traffic. If the red warning Light turns on while driving,
safely bring the vehicle to a stop, and turn off the engine.
DO NOT operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected.
Engine Temperature Warning Light
The red Engine Temperature Warning Light is
located in the Coolant Temperature Gauge. It will
turn on to warn of an overheated engine condi-
tion. If this light turns on while driving, safely bring thevehicle to a stop and turn off the engine. DO NOT
operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected. (See page
176 for more information.)
Oil Temperature Gauge
This gauge shows the oil temperature. The
gauge pointer will likely show higher tempera-
tures when driving in hot weather, up moun-
tain grades, or in heavy stop and go traffic. If
the red warning light remains on after the bulb check or
turns on while driving, safely bring the vehicle to a
complete stop and turn off the engine. DO NOT operate
the vehicle until the cause is corrected.
Oil Pressure Gauge
This gauge shows engine oil pressure when the
engine is running. The pressure will vary with
engine speed, oil viscosity, and engine tem-
perature. Oil pressures will be higher as the
engine is warming up. The normal operating pressure is
104 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

between 20 and 80 psi (pounds per square inch). If the
pointer remains in the red range, safely bring the vehicle
to a complete stop and turn off the engine. DO NOT
operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected.
This gauge does not indicate the amount of oil in the
engine. The engine oil level must be checked under the
hood. Check the level often during severe usage.
Oil Pressure Warning Light
The red Oil Pressure Warning Light is located in
the Oil Pressure Gauge. It will turn on to indicate
low engine oil pressure. The light should turn on briefly
as a bulb check when the engine is first started. If the
light remains on or turns on while driving, safely bring
the vehicle to a complete stop and turn off the engine. DO
NOT operate the vehicle until the cause is corrected.NOTE:This light does not indicate how much oil is in
the engine. The engine oil level must be checked using
the procedure shown in section 7. (See page 198 for more
information.)
Fuel Gauge
This gauge shows the amount of fuel in the gas
tank. The reaction time of the gauge has been
slowed to avoid needle fluctuation during pe-
riods of high G force cornering.
Voltage Gauge
This gauge shows the electrical system voltage.
The normal operating voltage is from 12 to 14
volts with the engine running. If the pointer
remains at either the high or low ends of the
scale, the electrical system should be serviced.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 105
4

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.
STARTING AND OPERATING 141
5

WARNING!
TIREFIT is not a permanent flat tire repair. Have the
tire inspected and repaired or replaced after using
TIREFIT. Do not exceed 55 mph (90 km/h) until
having the tire repaired or replaced. Failure to follow
this warning can result in injuries that are serious or
fatal to you, your passengers, and others around you.
(F) After Securing TIREFIT Sealant in the Tire:
Turn the Mode Select knob (4) to the Air Mode
position.
1. Uncoil the Black Air Pump Hose (6) and connect it to
the valve stem.2. Check the pressure in the tire by reading the Pressure
Gauge (2).
²If the pressure is less than 19 psi (1.3 bar), the tire is
too badly damaged. Do not attempt to drive the
vehicle further. Call for assistance.
²If the pressure is equal to or greater than 19 psi (1.3
bar), but less than the level indicated on the tire
pressure label, proceed to Step 4 of this procedure.
²If the pressure is at the level indicated on the tire
pressure label on the driver-side latch pillar, proceed
to Step 5 of this procedure.
3. Inflate the tire to the pressure indicated on the tire
pressure label on the driver-side latch pillar.
4. Disconnect the TIREFIT kit from the valve stem and
then reinstall the cap on the valve stem.
184 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
m8.4L Engine Compartment................194
mOnboard Diagnostic System (OBD II).........195
mEmissions Inspection And Maintenance
Programs............................196
mReplacement Parts......................197
mDealer Service.........................198
mMaintenance Procedures..................198
NEngine Oil..........................198
NEngine Oil Filter......................201NDrive Belts Ð Check Condition And Tension . . 202
NSpark Plugs.........................203
NEngine Air Cleaner Filter................203
NFuel Filter..........................204
NCatalytic Converter....................204
NIgnition Wiring System And Ignition
Timing.............................205
NCrankcase Emission Control System........206
NMaintenance-Free Battery................206
7

DEALER SERVICE
Your authorized dealer has the qualified service person-
nel, 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.
NOTE:Intentional tampering with emissions control
systems can result in civil penalties being assessed
against you.
WARNING!
You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Only do service work for which you
have the knowledge and the proper equipment. If you
have any doubt about your ability to perform a service
job, take your vehicle to a competent mechanic.
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
The pages that follow contain the maintenance service
recommendations by the engineers who designed your
vehicle.
Besides the maintenance items for which there are fixed
maintenance intervals, there are other items, which
should operate satisfactorily without periodic mainte-
nance. However, if a malfunction of these items does
occur, it could adversely affect the engine or vehicle
performance. These items should be inspected if a mal-
function is observed or suspected.
Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper engine lubrication, the engine oil must
be maintained at the correct level. Check the oil level at
regular intervals, such as every fuel stop.
198 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

The best time to check the oil level is approximately 5
minutes after a fully warmed 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.CAUTION!
Overfilling or underfilling will cause oil aeration or
loss of oil pressure. This could damage your engine.
Change Engine Oil
Road conditions and your kind of driving affect the
interval at which your oil should be changed. Check the
following list to see if any apply to you.
²Day or night temperatures are below 32ÉF (0ÉC)
²Stop and go driving
²Extensive engine idling
²Driving in dusty conditions
²Short trip driving of less than 10 miles (16.2 km)
Engine Oil Dipstick
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 199
7