transmission DODGE VIPER 2008 ZB II / 2.G Owners Manual

4. Tighten the lap portion of the belt and allow the excess
webbing to retract back to the retractor. If it still does not
make the child restraint secure, then secure the child
restraint with the Child Restraint Tether Anchor.
NOTE:Once the belt is in automatic locking mode, you
will not be able to pull any more of the webbing out of
the retractor. In this mode, you will only be able to retract
excess webbing into the retractor to secure the child
restraint.
Transporting Pets
Deploying airbags could harm your pet. An unrestrained
pet will be thrown about and possibly injured, or injure a
passenger during panic braking or in a collision.
Pets should be restrained in pet harnesses or pet carriers
that are secured by seat belts.
BREAK-IN RECOMMENDATIONS
A long break-in period is not required for the drivetrain
(engine, transmission, and rear axle) in your new vehicle.
Following these few simple guidelines is all that is
necessary for a good break-in:
For the first 500 miles (800 km):
²Keep your vehicle speed below the legal, posted speed
limit and your engine speed below 4,000 rpm.
²Avoid driving at a constant speed, either fast or slow,
for long periods.
²Do not make any full throttle starts and avoid full
throttle acceleration.
²Use the proper gear for your speed range.
²Wait until the engine has reached normal operating
temperature before driving at the recommended maxi-
mum break-in speed.
56 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Do not exceed 55 mph (88 km/h) if the LOW Tire
indicator is activated. Vehicle handling and braking
may be reduced. You could have an accident and be
severely or fatally injured.
Seat Belt Reminder Light
If the driver does not buckle their seat belt and
vehicle speed exceeds 5 mph (8 km/h), or if the
passenger does not buckle their seat belt within 10
seconds of vehicle speed exceeding 5 mph (8 km/h), the
Enhanced Warning System (Belt Alert) will alert the
occupant(s) to buckle their seat belt(s). Once triggered,
the Enhanced Warning System (Belt Alert) will flash the
Seat Belt Reminder light and chime for up to 96 seconds
to alert the occupant(s) to buckle their seat belt(s). If the
driver unbuckles their seat belt while vehicle speed isgreater than 5 mph (8 km/h), or if the passenger unbuck-
les their seat belt for more than 10 seconds while vehicle
speed is greater than 5 mph (8 km/h), the Enhanced
Warning System (Belt Alert) will reactivate. (See page 36
for more information.)
Gauges & Indicator Lights
Tachometer
This gauge shows engine speed in revolutions-
per-minute (RPM) times 1,000. Avoid excessive
engine speeds in any part of the red warning
zone, particularly when driving downhill or in
lower gears.
Skip Shift Indicator Light
This indicator is located in the Tachometer. When
the indicator light turns amber, it means that you
are being prevented from shifting the transmission from
First to Second or to Third gear. When the indictor light
turns red, it means that the tachometer gauge pointer is at
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 103
4

you understand and save you concern about these ªap-
parentº malfunctions, you must understand a point or
two about the transmission and reception of radio sig-
nals.
Two Types of Signals
There are two basic types of radio signals: AM or
Amplitude Modulation, in which the transmitted sound
causes the amplitude, or height, of the radio waves to
vary; and FM or Frequency Modulation, in which the
frequency of the wave is varied to carry the sound.
Electrical Disturbances
Radio waves may pick up electrical disturbances during
transmission. They mainly affect the wave amplitude,
and thus remain a part of the AM reception. They
interfere very little with the frequency variations that
carry the FM signal.
AM Reception
AM sound is based on wave amplitude, so AM reception
can be disrupted by such things as lightning, power lines
and neon signs.
FM Reception
Because FM transmission is based on frequency varia-
tions, interference that consists of amplitude variations
can be filtered out, leaving the reception relatively clear,
which is the major feature of FM radio.
NOTE:The radio, steering wheel radio controls (if
equipped), and 6±Disc CD/DVD changer (if equipped)
will remain active for up to 10 minutes after the ignition
switch has been turned OFF. Opening a vehicle front
door will cancel this feature.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 107
4

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
mStarting Procedures.....................132
NNormal Starting......................133
NIf Engine Fails To Start.................135
NAfter Starting........................136
mTransmission Shifting....................136
NRecommended Shift Speeds..............138
NSkip Shift Indicator Light................138
mDriving On Slippery Surfaces..............139
NAcceleration.........................139NTraction............................140
mDriving Through Water..................140
NFlowing/Rising Water..................141
NShallow Standing Water.................141
mParking Brake.........................142
mBrake System..........................144
NBrake Pad Break-In....................144
NAnti-Lock Brake System................145
mPower Steering........................148
5

If the engine is flooded, it may start to run, but not have
enough power to continue running when the start button
is released. If this occurs, continue cranking up to 15
seconds with the accelerator pedal pushed all the way to
the floor. Release the accelerator pedal and the start
button once the engine is running smoothly.
If the engine shows no sign of starting after two 15
second periods of cranking with the accelerator pedal
held to the floor, the ªNORMAL STARTINGº procedure
should be repeated.
After Starting
The idle speed will automatically decrease as the engine
warms up.
TRANSMISSION SHIFTING
NOTE:The parking brake should be engaged and the
gear selector placed in REVERSE before leaving the
vehicle, especially when parked on an incline.
Your vehicle is equipped with a high torque capacity dual
disc clutch. The clutch pedal must be fully depressed to
the floor during each shift. As you release the clutch
pedal, lightly depress the accelerator pedal.
CAUTION!
Failure to depress the clutch pedal fully to the floor
may cause increased shift efforts, and may result in
damage to the clutch and transmission.
136 STARTING AND OPERATING

Be sure the transmission is in FIRST gear when moving
forward from a standing position.
CAUTION!
Failure to start out in FIRST gear when moving
forward from a starting position may result in dam-
age to the clutch.
You will find it easier to use only the lower gears for most
city driving. For steady highway driving with light
accelerations, 6th gear is recommended.
Never drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal, or
try to hold the vehicle on a hill with the clutch pedal
partially engaged. This will cause abnormal wear on the
clutch.
Never shift into REVERSE until the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.NOTE:
²Your vehicle is equipped with a transmission reverse
inhibitor system. When vehicle speed is greater than 5
mph (8 km/h), the reverse inhibitor activates to help
prevent shifts into reverse. When at a complete stop,
you may notice light shift efforts into reverse with the
ignition key on, and increased shift efforts into reverse
with the ignition key off. This is normal operation of
the transmission reverse inhibitor system.
²Shifting gears during cold weather may require an
increased effort until the transmission lubricant is
warm. This is normal and not harmful to the transmis-
sion.
²Due to the high performance nature of your drivetrain,
a certain amount of noise from the transmission is
normal. This noise can be most noticeable when the
vehicle is idling in neutral with the clutch engaged
(clutch pedal released), but it may also be heard when
STARTING AND OPERATING 137
5

driving. The noise may also be more noticeable when
the transmission is warm. This noise is normal and is
not an indication of a problem with your clutch or
transmission.
Recommended Shift Speeds
To use your manual transmission for fuel economy it
should be upshifted as listed below. Shift at the vehicle
speeds listed for acceleration. Earlier upshifts during
cruise conditions (relatively steady speeds) will result in
increased fuel economy, and may be used as indicated.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
RECOMMENDED SHIFT SPEEDS
1-2 2-3 3-4 4-5 5-6
MPH 15 25 40 45 50
(km/h) (24) (40) (64) (72) (80)
Higher upshift speeds may be used to obtain a desired
acceleration rate.
Skip Shift Indicator Light
There are times when you must shift the transmis-
sion directly from First gear to Fourth gear instead
of from First gear to Second gear. This is to help you get
the best possible fuel economy from your vehicle. This
occurs when engine coolant is higher than 106ÉF (41ÉC),
and vehicle speed is greater than 12 MPH but less than 20
MPH, and engine speed is less than 1322 RPM, and the
transmission is in 1st gear, and the accelerator is at 1/4
throttle or less. The Skip Shift Indicator Light located in
the tachometer will turn Amber during these times.
When the indicator light turns amber, the shift mecha-
nism will only allow shifts from First gear to Fourth gear.
After you shift the transmission to Fourth gear, you can
press the clutch in and shift to another forward gear.
Downshifting - Proper downshifting will improve fuel
economy and prolong engine life.
138 STARTING AND OPERATING

To maintain a safe speed and prolong brake life, down-
shift to maintain a safe speed when descending a steep
grade.
WARNING!
Skipping more than one gear while downshifting,
could cause you to lose control of your vehicle. You
could have an accident.
CAUTION!
If you skip more than one gear while downshifting
or downshift at too high an engine speed, you could
damage the engine, transmission, or clutch.
DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES
Acceleration
WARNING!
Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is dangerous.
You could lose control of the vehicle and possibly
have an accident. Accelerate slowly and carefully
whenever there is likely to be poor traction (ice,
snow, wet, mud, loose sand, etc.).
STARTING AND OPERATING 139
5

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!
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
142 STARTING AND OPERATING