Dodge Viper SRT (2015 year). Instruction

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).

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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

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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

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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.

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225

Ensure 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 damage to the
clutch.

Shifting

Fully press the clutch pedal and lift your foot off the
accelerator pedal before shifting gears. As you release the
clutch pedal, lightly press the accelerator pedal. Damage
to the transmission or clutch may occur if you do not
fully press the clutch pedal and lift off of the accelerator
pedal when shifting.

The six-speed instruction transmission has a spring that
centers the shift lever near third and fourth gear. This

spring helps you know which gear you are in when you
are shifting. Be careful when shifting from first to second
or downshifting from sixth to fifth.

The spring will try to pull the shift lever toward third and
fourth gear. Make sure you move the shift lever into
second or fifth gear. If you let the shift lever move in the
direction of the pulling, you may end shifting from first
to fourth or from sixth to third gear.

You will find it easier to use only the lower gears for most
city driving. For steady highway driving with light
accelerations, sixth 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.

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STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:

• Your vehicle is equipped with a transmission reverse

inhibitor system. When vehicle speed is greater than
3 mph (5 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 in the ON position, and increased shift
efforts into REVERSE with the ignition in the OFF
position. This is normal operation of the transmission
reverse inhibitor system.

• Shifting 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.

• Due 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
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.

• You must always use first gear (or Reverse) when

starting from a standing position.

CAUTION!

Always make sure the vehicle comes to a complete
stop before shifting into REVERSE. Failure to do so
may result in transmission damage.

Recommended Shift Speeds

To use your instruction transmission for fuel economy it
should be upshifted as listed below. Shift at the vehicle
speeds listed for acceleration. Earlier upshifts during

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227

cruise conditions (relatively steady speeds) will result in
increased fuel economy, and may be used as indicated.

MANUAL TRANSMISSION

RECOMMENDED SHIFT SPEEDS

1-4

4-5

5-6

mph

(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.

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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.

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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).

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STARTING AND OPERATING

5. Rapidly press the accelerator pedal to the floor within

one second.

NOTE:

If the cluster launch DID message indicates all

conditions are correct for launch and the throttle is
pressed to the floor quickly (within approximately 1/2
second) the system will hold the engine speed to a preset
speed (below the engine rev limiter speed).

6. Release the clutch aggressively. Do not ride the clutch.

Release the accelerator pedal to deactivate launch con-
trol. Pressing the launch control button or actuating the
brakes will also deactivate launch control.

NOTE:

• Launch Mode brings the engine to optimum launch

RPM and waits for the driver to release the clutch.
Launch Mode then uses engine throttle only to achieve
controlled wheelslip for maximum acceleration
through first gear.

• Launch Mode can be used in any of the Electronic

Stability Control (ESC) Modes.

LAUNCH Button

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231

• Launch mode should not be used within the first 500

miles of engine break-in.

WARNING!

Launch Mode is intended for off-highway or off-road
use only and should not be used on any public
roadways. It is recommended that this feature be
used in a controlled environment, and within the
limits of the law. The capabilities of the vehicle as
measured by the performance pages must never be
exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner, which
can jeopardize the user’s safety or the safety of
others. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can
prevent accidents.

DRIVING ON SLIPPERY SURFACES

Acceleration

WARNING!

Rapid acceleration on slippery surfaces is dangerous.
You could lose control of the vehicle and possibly
have a collision. Accelerate slowly and carefully
whenever there is likely to be poor traction (ice,
snow, wet, mud, loose sand, etc.).

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:

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STARTING AND OPERATING

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 (8 km/h), may cause water to be ingested
into the engine. This can cause severe engine dam-
age.

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 of you to avoid a collision in a
sudden stop.

DRIVING THROUGH WATER

Driving through water more than a few inches/
centimeters deep will require extra caution to ensure
safety and prevent damage to your vehicle.

Flowing/Rising Water

WARNING!

Do not drive on or across a road or 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.

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233

Shallow Standing Water

Although your vehicle is capable of driving through
shallow standing water, consider the following Cautions
and Warnings before doing so.

WARNING!

• Driving through standing water limits your vehi-

cle’s traction capabilities. Do not exceed 5 mph
(8 km/h) when driving through standing water.

• Driving through standing water limits your vehi-

cle’s braking capabilities, which increases stopping
distances. Therefore, after driving through stand-
ing water, drive slowly and lightly press on the
brake pedal several times to dry the brakes.

• Failure to follow these warnings may result in

injuries that are serious or fatal to you, your pas-
sengers, and others around you.

CAUTION!

• Always 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.

• Determine 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.

• Do not exceed 5 mph (8 km/h) when driving

through standing water. This will minimize wave
effects.

(Continued)

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STARTING AND OPERATING

Dodge Viper SRT (2015 year). Instruction - part 14