warning DODGE VIPER 2009 ZB II / 2.G Owner's Guide

•Avoid excessive idling.
•Check the engine oil level at every fuel fill.
NOTE:A new engine will consume some oil during the
first few thousand miles (kilometers) 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 System
WARNING!
Exhaust gases contain carbon monoxide, an ex-
tremely toxic gas that by itself is colorless and
odorless. To avoid inhaling these gases, the following
precautions should be observed:
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•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.
•It may be necessary to sit in a parked vehicle with
the engine running for more than a short period. If
so, adjust your climate control system to force
outside air into the vehicle. Set the blower at high
speed and the controls in any position except OFF
or RECIRC.
•The best protection against carbon monoxide entry
into the vehicle body is a properly maintained
engine exhaust system.
Be aware of changes in the sound of the exhaust system,
exhaust fumes detected inside the vehicle, or damage to
the underside or rear of the vehicle. Have a competent
mechanic inspect the complete exhaust system and adja-
cent body areas for broken, damaged, deteriorated or
60 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

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 or adjust as required.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside the
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the belt system periodically, checking for cuts,
frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be replaced
immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident if
they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.). If there is any question regarding belt or retractor
condition, replace the belt.
Airbag Warning Light
The light should come on and remain on for six to eight
seconds as a bulb check when the ignition switch is first
turned ON. If the light does not come on or flickers
during or after the six to eight seconds, or flickers or
comes on while driving, have the system checked by an
authorized dealer.
Defrosters
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode and place
the blower control on high speed. You should be able to
feel the air directed against the windshield. If the wind-
shield defroster is not working properly, have the system
checked as soon as possible by an authorized dealer.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 61
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CONVERTIBLE TOP OPERATION — IF EQUIPPED
WARNING!
The convertible top does not provide the structural
protection that a reinforced metal roof does, and the
fabric top cannot be expected to prevent the ejection
of the occupants of a vehicle in a collision. Therefore,
it is important that all occupants wear their seat belts
at all times when riding in a convertible. Studies
have shown that during a collision it is generally
safer to remain inside a vehicle than to be ejected
from the vehicle.
CAUTION!
•To insure that no damage occurs, be sure that the
vehicle is at a complete stop with the shift lever in
the NEUTRAL position before lowering or raising
the top.
•Do not operate the convertible top with ice or
snow build up on the top. Damage to the top may
occur.
To Lower the Top
1. Lower the window in each door at least 1 in (2.5 cm).
2. Lower both sun visors.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 65
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NOTE:The passenger side convex outside mirror will
give a much wider view to the rear, and especially of the
lane next to your vehicle.
WARNING!
Vehicles and other objects seen in the passenger side
convex mirror will look smaller and farther away
than they really are. Relying too much on your
passenger side convex mirror could cause you to
collide with another vehicle or other object. Use your
inside mirror when judging the size or distance of a
vehicle seen in the passenger side convex mirror.
Power Mirrors
The power mirror switch is located on the driver’s door
trim panel below the door handle. Press the button
marked “L” to select the driver’s outside mirror or the
button marked “R” to select the passenger’s outside
mirror. After selecting a mirror, either press on the top,bottom, left, or right side of the directional switch and the
mirror will move in the direction that the arrow is
pointing. To return the power mirror switch to the
neutral (off) position, press lightly on the push button not
previously pressed until the opposite push button pops
outward.
Power Mirror Controls
78 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
•Adjusting a seat while the vehicle is moving is
dangerous. The sudden movement of the seat
could cause you to lose control. The seat belt might
not be properly adjusted and you could be injured.
Adjust the seat only while the vehicle is parked.
•Do not ride with the seatback reclined so that the
shoulder belt is no longer resting against your
chest. In a collision, you could slide under the seat
belt and be seriously or even fatally injured. Use
the recliner only when the vehicle is parked.
Recliner Adjustment
The recliner control is located on the outboard side of the
seat. To recline the seat, lean forward slightly, pull the
recliner control lever upward, lean backward until the
seat is in the desired position, and release the lever. To
return the seat to its full upright position, lean forward,pull the recliner control lever upward and hold it until
the seat returns to its full upright position.Recliner Control
80 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:Assist props will raise the hood to a normal
usage position. If greater access is required, the hood may
be pushed up at the front, raising the hood beyond the
initial opening height.
CAUTION!
Do not leave the hood open in areas where strong
gusts of wind are likely. Such a place might be by the
side of the road where large trucks pass by. Strong
gusts of wind may damage your hood. Always close
the hood in such situations.To prevent possible damage, do not slam the hood to
close it. Simply lower the hood until it is open approxi-
mately 6 in (15 cm) and then drop it. This should secure
both latches. Never drive your vehicle unless the hood is
fully closed with both latches engaged.WARNING!
If the hood is not fully latched, it could open when
the vehicle is moving and block your forward vision.
Be sure the hood latches are fully latched before
driving.
82 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

intermittent DEL setting for Low-speed wiper operation,
or to the second detent past the intermittent DEL setting
for High-speed wiper operation.
CAUTION!
Turn the windshield wipers off when driving
through an automatic car wash. Damage to the wind-
shield wipers may result if the wiper switch is left in
any position other than off.
Intermittent Wiper System
Use the intermittent wiper when weather conditions
make a single wiping cycle with a variable pause be-
tween cycles desirable. From the off position, push the
windshield wiper/washer control lever upward to the
first detent DEL position, and then rotate the end of the
lever to select the desired delay interval. There are seven
delay settings, which allow you to regulate the wipe
interval from a minimum of one cycle every second to amaximum of approximately 15 seconds between cycles.
Rotating the lever upward decreases the delay time.
WARNING!
Sudden loss of visibility through the windshield
could lead to an accident. You might not see other
vehicles or other obstacles. To avoid sudden icing of
the windshield during freezing weather, warm the
windshield with defroster before and during wind-
shield washer use.
Mist Feature
From the off position, push the windshield wiper/
washer control lever downward to activate a single wipe
cycle to clear the windshield of road mist or spray from
a passing vehicle. The wipers will continue to operate
until you release the lever.
90 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

WARNING!
Tilting the steering column while the vehicle is
moving is dangerous. Without a stable steering col-
umn, you could lose control of the vehicle and have
an accident. Adjust the column only while the ve-
hicle is stopped. Be sure it is locked before driving.
ADJUSTABLE PEDALS
This feature allows the driver to move the brake and
accelerator pedals about 3 in (72 mm) forward or rear-
ward to allow for greater driving comfort. The adjustable
pedals switch is recessed into the knee bolster beneath
the steering column.
Adjustable Pedals Switch
92 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

To adjust the pedals:
1. Adjust the seat and steering column to a comfortable
position.
2. Either press the adjustable pedals switch forward to
move the pedals forward (toward the front of the ve-
hicle), or pull the switch rearward to move the pedals
rearward (toward the rear of the vehicle).
NOTE:
•Always adjust the pedals to a position that allows full
pedal travel.
•Further small adjustments may be necessary to find
the best possible seat/pedal position.
CAUTION!
Do not place any article under the adjustable pedals
or impede its ability to move as it may cause damage
to the pedal controls. Pedal travel may become lim-
ited if movement is stopped by an obstruction in the
adjustable pedal’s path.
WARNING!
Do not adjust the pedals while the vehicle is moving.
You could lose control and have an accident. Always
adjust the pedals while the vehicle is parked.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 93
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•The word “DECK” will flash in the display if the
trunk/liftgate is open.
•The words “LOW TIRE” will flash slowly in the
display and a chime will sound if the tire pressure is
low.
•The words “FLAT TIRE” will flash rapidly in the
display and a chime will sound if critically low tire
pressure is detected.
Message Center
When the appropriate conditions ex-
ist, the Message Center displays the
following indicators and warnings:
High Beam Light
This light will turn on when the high beam
headlights are on. Pull the Multifunction Lever on
the left side of the steering column toward you to switch
the headlights from low beam to high beam. Pull the
lever a second time to switch the headlights back to low
beam.
Front Fog Light Indicator
This light will turn on when the front fog lights are
on.
Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) 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, see your
authorized dealer for service.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 101
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