Hi, Morketh...as you can see, this is one of my favorite topics. Having spent my entire professional life in a precise and highly scientific career, I have a very hard time sweeping critical issues under the "corporate carpet", so to speak.
Facts are as above.
However, since you have asked and since I have our 08, 10 and 14 Vipers right here...along with their owners manuals, as well as the 08, 09, and 14 service manuals on CD all before me...your answer (once again) is:
[h=2]"POWER STEERING FLUID[/h]The recommended fluid for the power steering system is Mopar® Power Steering fluid + 4 or Mopar® ATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid. Both Fluids have the same material standard specifications (MS-9602).
Mopar® ATF+4 (and Mopar® Power Steering fluid + 4), when new, is red in color. ATF+4 is dyed red so it can be identified from other fluids used in the vehicle such as engine oil or antifreeze. The red color is not permanent and is not an indicator of fluid condition. As the vehicle is driven, ATF+4 will begin to look darker in color and may eventually become brown. THIS IS NORMAL. ATF+4 also has a unique odor that may change with age. Consequently, odor and color cannot be used to indicate the fluid condition or the need for a fluid change.
The power steering system is filled-for-life at the factory and requires no regular maintenance. Although not required at specific intervals, the fluid level may be checked periodically. Check the fluid level anytime there is a system noise or fluid leak suspected."
For my typing convenience, this P.S. info quoted above was copied from the 2008 Viper Service Manual CD. The same info exists in the 2009 and 2014 Service Manuals.
The 2006 Owners Manual specifies ATF+4 on page 222...while the 2006 printed Service Manual says no ATF in the power steering (as does the 03, 04, and 05 Service Manuals).
Our 2008, 2010, and 2014 Owners Manuals specify: " Mopar® Power Steering Fluid + 4 or Mopar® ATF+4 Automatic Transmission Fluid"
BOTH are MS-9602
If you open (and, YES I have) our 08, 10, and 14 Vipers' P/S reservoir caps...the fluid is reddish...ATF+4...PERIOD !! If you open your Viper's P/S cap, who knows what you will find at this point because many, many techs referenced the Service Manual and not the Owners Manual and therefore used the older clear fluid...paying NO attention to the reddish fluid that they initially found. No comment.
As you can probably guess, I have personally checked the P/S fluids on many 04's, 05's and 06's...ALL of the observed fluids were ATF+4...reddish.
While our 2003 Viper did come with the old Mopar Power Steering Fluid which was clear, I changed it to ATF+4 AFTER the cooling module recall that affected about 1300 of the 2003 Vipers. I have continued to use the ATF+4 ever since in that 2003 without any problems.
I hope this helps. Feel free to call me if you need more convincing !!
Now, I have to try and put the correct Owners Manuals back in the correct Vipers.
Happy Memorial Day Weekend !!!
