Oh, and get this...

[Y2K5SRT]

I am reading through the manual tonight and learned a couple things that are pretty cool:

1. The dead pedal isn't so dead after all. Not only can you MOVE it backwards and forwards (and quite a bit - probably 8" or so), but you can also adjust the angle! When they finally do it, they do it right.

2. The dash lights have a "parade" setting: You can click it to a certain position and it will light everything up at full illumination, including the radio with any exterior lights on. Designed for seeing everything clearly during the day when you have your lights on. I think this feature is on some other cars, but I never heard it referred to as a "parade" feature.

3. Radio has a feature (can't remember the name and too tired to go out to the garage and check) that allows you to search stations by category. Rock, classical, etc. Pretty slick!

4. With that electronic odometer in the speedo, I didn't see any "trip" function. Turns out that the button is directly behind the steering column at the top. Easier to find by feel than sight.

As others have noted, the break in period shows only 500 miles instead of the 1,000 previously recommended. Also interesting that the only mention of RPM's (other than varying them) is to keep them under 4,000 for the first 500 miles. Used to be that it was suggested to do a graduated scale, something like 2500 for the first 200, 3000 for the next 200, and so forth. Now they say to keep it under the speed limit (why speed is a factor for engine break in I will never know) and under 4000 RPM's and vary them fairly frequently. Works for me!

I am sure there are many other interesting things of note and I will be sure to post the non-redundant ones as I discover them. Fun!

Chris

 

[SUN RA KAT]

You actually read the instruction manual?!?!?!

I suppose you ask for directions if you're lost, too.

 

[SRT10]

Also, the Canadian SRTs' will have the fog lights as daytime running lights. They will be on all the time and can't be shut off.
And one more thing, there is a battery save feature to use if you won't be driving the SRT for about 3 months! Neat!

 

[Nexus-6]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by SRT10:
And one more thing, there is a battery save feature to use if you won't be driving the SRT for about 3 months! Neat!

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Very cool! I could use that feature on all of my cars!

 

[Y2K10 SRT#39]

Chris-
You forgot to tell them about the programmable FOB features.
You can change the lock/unlock signals from horn and lights to nothing and anywhere in between. Kinda kool.

It's lots easier to see the trip reset knob if you lower the steering wheel. The dash tells you when you are in "trip" mode.

It also tells you "low tire" (seen at start up for almost 3 seconds), but not which one. It chimes once and flashes when the tire is under 20 lbs, and constantly chimes and flashes when under 14 lbs.

Much more to read!!!

Did you find the sleep switch yet?

 

[Performin Norman]

Chris, that car sounds incredible. Let me know if you have time. I want to come over and check it out. I can also use that as an opportunity to bring you a cd with all of those christmas pictures on it from the VCA Christmas party.

Thanks for the updates. That car looks awesome. BTW, Its snowing on your parade right now. Bummer.

 

[Y2K5SRT]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Performin Norman:
Chris, that car sounds incredible. Let me know if you have time. I want to come over and check it out. I can also use that as an opportunity to bring you a cd with all of those christmas pictures on it from the VCA Christmas party.

Thanks for the updates. That car looks awesome. BTW, Its snowing on your parade right now. Bummer.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Norman -

You are ALWAYS welcome at our house! Feel free to drop by anytime, snow or no snow...

Chris

 

[Joel]

Chris, congatulations on that new beauty, even nicer being in our favourite colour for the best and hardest cars !

 

[Jason-Middle Tennessee]

Congrats on your new beast Chris. But my question is are you going to add silver stripes to it anytime soon or at all?

 

[Performin Norman]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Y2KGTS:
Norman -

You are ALWAYS welcome at our house! Feel free to drop by anytime, snow or no snow...

Chris

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Chris, thanks for the open invite. I'm going over to see Mike's tonight since it is so nasty out and he only lives minutes from me. I would like to come see yours this weekend when the weather clears up a bit.

 

[slaughterj]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Stein:
If I owned an $80,000 car I would read the instructions also.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Not me, I'd let someone else do it and post the cliff notes...hey, that's what we have here!

 

[Y2K5SRT]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Viperzzilla:

I know a lot of cars have this feature. I always called it my interior light dimmer. My Taurus and Mazda 323 had a part that you could 'roll' up and down.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I know ALL cars have a rheostat for the dash lights. The interesting thing in the manual was that they referred to a "parade" feature so that you could set all of your dash lights (radio, etc.) to normal daytime brightness (as though your parking/driving lights were off). I think many cars have this as well, but I have never seen it referred to as a "parade" setting. Not too many cars probably qualify for the category!

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>That's a very good feature for the radio. My radio on my '91 Mazda 323 has it so that when you press the scan button, it will go through once and pick up some of the best radio receptions, then the second time through, it will add other less recepted stations to the better recepted. I also have a feature that you press and it will find the 6 strongest radio signals. This is coming from a stock, Japanese car radio from 1991 (or earlier)!!! I haven't heard of better features until now. Great job, Dodge!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I haven't played with the radio much, but it does seem to have a much better sound than the previous radio. Also, if the station broadcasts its station ID such as "98.9 The Rock", that will also show up on the radio display. While we lost the speed-sensitive volume (which was very nice), we gained a REAL volume knob that makes it much easier to adjust at speed. Six CD's is nice too. Oh yeah, and NO cupholder, or at least a really crappy one...

Another "discovery" for you guys: If you turn the engine off BEFORE you turn off your headlights and then turn them off, the HID's will come on for 90 seconds even with the key removed. I guess this is to light your way to your destination at night. Looks pretty darn cool too: All your lights are off except two very intense blueish "eyeballs". It looks darn near frightening on a black car at night, just the way I like it...

Say, did I mention that I REALLY love this car so far? Almost 300 miles and the promise of warm weather tomorrow. 500 here I come!

Chris

 

[commoditybroker]

Another "discovery" for you guys: If you turn the engine off BEFORE you turn off your headlights and then turn them off, the HID's will come on for 90 seconds even with the key removed. I guess this is to light your way to your destination at night. Looks pretty darn cool too: All your lights are off except two very intense blueish "eyeballs". It looks darn near frightening on a black car at night, just the way I like it...

Say, did I mention that I REALLY love this car so far? Almost 300 miles and the promise of warm weather tomorrow. 500 here I come! Chris

Chris,
My Dakota does the same thing with its headlights. It is actually pretty handy at night!

Zach

 

[Y2K5SRT]

Another amusing feature? Okay: In my Denali the radio will stay on with the ignition off and key removed until somebody opens a door (any door). In the Viper, the radio/CD also stays on, even when the passenger door opens. It turns off only when the driver's door opens (or on a timer if you linger for a while). In other words, the car is "tuned" to the driver and not those pesky passengers!

Chris

 

[commoditybroker]

That is GREAT! Every time I hear about a new feature, see a new pic, or read a new review, I want one more and more!!

Zach

 

[ElDiablo Viper]

One more cool thing and it will be a Corvette with a Viper logo

 

[KepRght]

serriously...

 

[Y2K5SRT]

You are absolutely right: That dang traction control, power heated seats, active handling, automatic climate control, heads up display, magnetic shocks, cruise control, digital gauges, automatic transmission, cup holders, automatic lights, teeny V8 engine, mild torque, inside hatch/trunk release, adjustable lumbar support, and speed-variable volume are all found on the SRT. NOT. Of course those last three items are on some other Vipers, but that makes no difference. One of the things that is absolutely AWESOME about these cars that no Corvette (or even a stock Gen I/II) can match is the exhaust sound. It sounds great at idle, and positively killer at full throttle. Oh, there will be some that say it is still not loud enough, but I venture to say most won't. The exhaust was the third thing I changed on the GTS (after the shift knob and tubes/filters) since it sounded like, well, a Corvette at idle. There is no mistaking this car for a Corvette in any single respect. Go see one in person, drive it if they will let you, stomp on the gas if you can, and then try to compare it to a Corvette. Seriously...

Oh yeah, and on the GTS the top space between the seats suspiciously holds two (or one) 16oz bottles of your favorite beverage perfectly (I know, I used it that way often). Yet on the SRT there is absolutely no place to try that feat with even one bottle - not even the supposed cupholder/ashtray (falls right out on any turn). Civilized indeed.

 

[ElDiablo Viper]

I saw one at our VCA dinner. Did not hear the car because my was so loud (no cats) If I could build one I would take the GenII and put SRT interior and that would make a perfect car for me. One problem with the interior that I have is that it lookes like Dodge Intrepid. genII is ugly but does not look like anything.

 

[Y2K5SRT]

And I stand corrected: The trunk release on the key fob WILL work with the car running - as long as the parking brake is pulled up. Brake down, trunk won't open. Brake up - opens right away! Pleasantly surprised yet again...

Chris

 

[wiseasp]

Another neat feature is if you lock your keys in the car or the key fob battery dies you can unlock the car from underneath the drivers outside mirror.

You do have to turn the key pretty hard, but it does work.

You must be registered for see images

ROB

 

[KepRght]

Another neat feature is if you lock your keys in the car or the key fob battery dies you can unlock the car from underneath the drivers outside mirror.

You do have to turn the key pretty hard, but it does work.

You must be registered for see images

ROB

so anyone can walk up and unlock the door without a key??

 

[Joseph Houss]

No, it actually is a mechanically actuated KEY cylinder.... so it allows you to open the door if your fobs fail, or battery dies.... but you still need your key.

Another neat feature is if you lock your keys in the car or the key fob battery dies you can unlock the car from underneath the drivers outside mirror.

You do have to turn the key pretty hard, but it does work.

You must be registered for see images

ROB

so anyone can walk up and unlock the door without a key??

 

[Y2K5SRT]

As previously posted by Y2KGTS:

You must be registered for see images

There is where you insert the key if the power ever fails. Cool!

Chris

No, it actually is a mechanically actuated KEY cylinder.... so it allows you to open the door if your fobs fail, or battery dies.... but you still need your key.

Another neat feature is if you lock your keys in the car or the key fob battery dies you can unlock the car from underneath the drivers outside mirror.

You do have to turn the key pretty hard, but it does work.

You must be registered for see images

ROB

so anyone can walk up and unlock the door without a key??

 

[kickinasp]

The "Parade" mode is when its Day light outside and you have to run with your lights on... use to be called "Funeral Mode" but I guess thats a little negative.. So Parade works... You can read your gages etc and have your lights on when driving in the day light.... But it was actually created for the Funeral thing.... little known fact.

 

[SRT10]

.... so it allows you to open the door if your fobs fail, or battery dies..

or if you put your car in "sleep mode" . In sleep mode you cannot open the doors (from the outside) and your key fob doesn't work.

 

[treynor]

I thought that was called "Gen-I mode"