engine DODGE VIPER 2015 VX / 3.G Owner's Guide

feature. Refer to the “Customer Programmable Fea-
tures — Uconnect® System Settings” in this section of
the manual.
To provide you with maximum comfort in the Automatic
mode during cold start-ups, the blower fan will remain
on low until the engine warms up. The blower will
increase in speed and transition into Auto mode.
Recirculation Control
When outside air contains smoke, odors, or high humid-
ity, or if rapid cooling is desired, you may wish to
recirculate interior air by pressing the RECIRCULATION
control button. Recirculation mode should only be used
temporarily. The recirculation LED will illuminate on the
blower control knob when this button is selected. Push
the button a second time to turn off the Recirculation
mode LED and allow outside air into the vehicle.
NOTE:In cold weather, use of Recirculation mode may
lead to excessive window fogging. The Recirculation
mode is not allowed in Defrost mode to improve window
clearing operation. Recirculation will be disabled auto-
matically if these modes are selected.
Summer Operation
The engine cooling system must be protected with a
high-quality antifreeze coolant to provide proper corro-
sion protection and to protect against engine overheating.
OAT coolant (conforming to MS.90032) is recommended.
Refer to “Maintenance Procedures” in “Maintaining Your
Vehicle” for proper coolant selection.
Winter Operation
To ensure the best possible heater and defroster perfor-
mance, make sure the engine cooling system is function-
ing properly and the proper amount, type, and concen-
tration of coolant is used. Refer to “Maintenance
Procedures” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for proper
202 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS
!STARTING PROCEDURES................222
▫Normal Starting.......................222
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................224
▫After Starting........................225
!MANUAL TRANSMISSION...............225
▫Shifting.............................226
▫Recommended Shift Speeds..............227
▫Skip Shift Indicator Light...............228
!STREET/RACE MODE — IF EQUIPPED......229
!LAUNCH MODE.......................230
!DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES.........232
▫Acceleration.........................232
▫Traction............................232
!DRIVING THROUGH WATER.............233
▫Flowing/Rising Water..................233
▫Shallow Standing Water.................234
!POWER STEERING.....................235
▫Power Steering Fluid Check..............236
!PARKING BRAKE......................237
!BRAKE SYSTEM.......................239
5

!FUEL REQUIREMENTS..................277
▫8.4L Engine..........................277
▫Reformulated Gasoline.................278
▫Gasoline/Oxygenate Blends..............278
▫E-85 Usage In Non-Flex Fuel Vehicles.......279
▫MMT In Gasoline.....................279
▫Materials Added To Fuel................280
▫Fuel System Cautions...................280
▫Carbon Monoxide Warnings.............281
!ADDING FUEL........................282
▫Emergency Fuel Filler Door Release.........284
!TRAILER TOWING.....................286
!RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.)...................287
▫Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
(Flat Towing With All Four Wheels On The
Ground)...........................287
!GROUND CLEARANCE.................288
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 221

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust the
inside and outside mirrors, fasten your seat belt, and if
present, instruct any other occupant to buckle their seat
belt.
WARNING!
Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
unattended children in a vehicle is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be seri-
ously or fatally injured. Do not leave the Key Fob in
or near the vehicle (or in a location accessible to
children), and do not leave the ignition of a vehicle
equipped with Keyless Enter-N-Go™ in the ACC or
ON/RUN mode. A child could operate power win-
dows, other controls, or move the vehicle.
CAUTION!
Long periods of engine idling, especially at higher
than normal engine idle speeds, can cause excessive
exhaust temperatures, which can damage your ve-
hicle. Do not leave your vehicle unattended with the
engine running.
Normal Starting
CAUTION!
The engine in your vehicle is designed for operation
down to 0°F (-18°C). Starting the engine below 0°F
(-18°C) coolant temperature creates a potential for
scuffing or seizing of internal components in this
high performance engine. To prevent engine damage,
do not start the engine at temperatures below 0°F
(-18°C).
222 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:
•You must disarm the security system in order to start
the engine. Refer to “Security Alarm System” in
“Things To Know Before Starting Your Vehicle” for
further information.
•Normal starting of either a cold or a warm engine does
not require pumping or pressing the accelerator pedal.
However, if the engine has not started within three
seconds, slightly press the accelerator pedal while
continuing to crank. If the engine fails to start within
15 seconds, wait five seconds, then repeat the “Normal
Starting” procedure.
To Start The Engine:
1. Fully apply the parking brake.
2. Press the clutch pedal to the floor.
NOTE:The engine will not start unless the clutch pedal
is pressed to the floor.
3. Place the shift lever in NEUTRAL.
4. Press the red ENGINE START/STOP button located
on the instrument panel. Release the button when the
engine starts.
Engine START/STOP Button
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 223

If Engine Fails To Start
CAUTION!
To prevent damage to the starter, do not crank the
engine for more than 15 seconds at a time. Wait 10 to
15 seconds before trying again.
WARNING!
•Never pour fuel or other flammable liquids into
the throttle body air inlet opening in an attempt to
start the vehicle. This could result in a flash fire
causing serious personal injury.
(Continued)
WARNING!(Continued)
•Do not attempt to push or tow your vehicle to get it
started. Unburned fuel could enter the catalytic
converter and once the engine has started, ignite
and damage the converter and vehicle. If the ve-
hicle has a discharged battery, booster cables may
be used to obtain a start from a booster battery or
the battery in another vehicle. This type of start can
be dangerous if done improperly, so follow this
procedure carefully. Refer to “Jump Starting” in
“What To Do In Emergencies” for further informa-
tion.
If the engine is flooded, it may start to run, but not have
enough power to continue running when the ENGINE
START button is released. If this occurs, continue crank-
ing up to 15 seconds with the accelerator pedal pushed
224 STARTING AND OPERATING

all the way to the floor. Release the accelerator pedal and
the ENGINE 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 “Normal Starting” procedure should
be repeated.
After Starting
The idle speed is controlled automatically and it will
decrease as the engine warms up.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
NOTE:The parking brake should be engaged and the
shift lever placed into 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 pressed to the
floor during each shift. As you release the clutch pedal,
lightly press the accelerator pedal.
CAUTION!
•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, as this will cause
abnormal wear on the clutch.
•Failure to press the clutch pedal fully to the floor
may cause increased shift efforts, and may result in
damage to the clutch and transmission.
•Do not rest your hand on the shift lever while
driving, as this may result in transmission damage.
•Do not attempt to shift the transmission if the rear
wheels are spinning due to loss of traction. Dam-
age to the transmission may occur.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 225

cruise conditions (relatively steady speeds) will result in
increased fuel economy, and may be used as indicated.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
RECOMMENDED SHIFT SPEEDS
1-4 4-55-6
mph 174550
(km/h) (27) (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 trans-
mission directly from first gear into fourth gear
instead of from first gear into second gear. This
is to help you get the best possible fuel
economy from your vehicle. This occurs when engine
coolant is higher than 107°F (42°C), and vehicle speed is
greater than 16 mph (26 km/h) but less than 18 mph
(29 km/h), and engine speed is less than 1,550 RPM, and
the transmission is in first gear, and the accelerator is at
20% throttle or less. The “Skip Shift Indicator Light”
located in the tachometer will illuminate during these
times.
When the “Skip Shift Indicator Light” illuminates, the
shift mechanism will only allow shifts from first gear to
fourth gear. After you shift the transmission into 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.
To maintain a safe speed and prolong brake life, down-
shift to maintain a safe speed when descending a steep
grade.
228 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
If you skip more than one gear while downshifting
or downshift at too high a vehicle speed, you could
damage the engine, transmission, or clutch.
WARNING!
Skipping more than one gear while downshifting,
could cause you to lose control of your vehicle. You
could have a collision.
STREET/RACE MODE — IF EQUIPPED
This vehicle is equipped with a two mode electronic
controlled damping system. This system allows for a
compliant street suspension damping setting or a firmer
race suspension damping setting. When in street mode
the system will automatically shift the suspension damp-
ers to the firmer Race damping setting during some hard
acceleration and braking situations. There are two modes
of operation:
•Street Mode — This mode will give a sporty, but
comfortable ride. This mode is driver selectable when
the vehicle is placed in STREET mode (press the
“STREET” button on the Instrument Panel). This mode
is intended for a smoother ride on the various types of
pavement and road conditions while still providing
damping levels appropriate extreme capabilities.
•Race Mode — This mode is driver selectable when the
vehicle is placed in RACE mode (press the “RACE”
button on the Instrument Panel). This mode is for track
use only and will supply maximum grip to the tires.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 229

NOTE:
•With the ignition in the ON/RUN position, the sus-
pension damping system will be in the last mode the
system was in when the vehicle was turned off. The
driver can select either Street or Race damping mode
at any time.
•The suspension mode will lock and stay in whatever
the driver selects even when the ignition is turned off
and the car restarted.
•The RACE setting will provide a much firmer ride.
•When RACE mode is enabled, a Shock symbol with
“RACE” next to it will light up in the instrument
cluster.
LAUNCH MODE
This system maximizes acceleration traction for straight
line racing.
1. Bring the vehicle to complete stop on a level track
surface with the engine running.
2. Set the steering wheel for straight ahead driving.
3. Fully depress the clutch and select the first gear
position.
4. Press and release the “LAUNCH” Button (Located on
the steering wheel controls).
230 STARTING AND OPERATING