DODGE SPRINTER 2004 1.G Owners Manual

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 131
4
Overheating (Water Heater) Insufficient coolant, check coolant level.
 The heater will remain switched off after it has been
overheated a number of times (about 10 times in
succession). Have the fault repaired by an
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Overheating (A ir Heater) The air channels are clogged.
The heater can be restarted once the fault has been
repaired. When this is done, the heater should be
switched on and off.
 The heater will remain switched off after it has been
overheated a number of times (about 3 times in
succession). Have the fault repaired by an
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
NOTE: Repairs should only be made by an authorized
Sprinter Dealer.
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STARTING AND OPERATING
5
CONTENTS
Power assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135Maximum Engine Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136Constant RPMs (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137

Stopping the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138

Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139Accelerator Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140Stopping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140Maneuvering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140Selector Lever Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141Gear Selection for Special Circumstances . . . . 142

Transmission Selector Lever, Manually
Unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

Loading the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144Loading Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145

Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146Service Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146Brake Pad Wear Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147Brake Indicator and Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBD) Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . 148Parking Brake Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150Driving Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Indicator
Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) . . . 155Acceleration Skid Control Indicator Lamp
(ASR) and Brake Assist System (BAS)
if equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155Acceleration Skid Control (ASR) Warning
Lamp and Electronic Stability Program (ESP)–
if equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157Acceleration Skid Control (ASR) . . . . . . . . . . . 158
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134 STARTING AND OPERATING
Deactivating the Acceleration Skid Control
(ASR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159Brake Assist System (BAS) (Cargo/passenger
vans type 2500 C/HC/SHC only) . . . . . . . . . . 160Indicator Lamp Electronic Stability
Program (ESP) (Cargo/passenger vans
type 2500 C/HC/SHC only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161Electronic Stability Program (ESP) (Cargo/
passenger vans type 2500 C/HC/SHC only) . . 162

Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163

Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163Tire Grip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165Hydroplaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165

Tire Pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165Tire Pressures of Loaded Vehicle in PSI (kPa) . 167Tire Pressures of Loaded Vehicle in PSI (kPa) . 168Comfort Tire Pressures in PSI (kPa) . . . . . . . . 169Comfort Tire Pressures in PSI (kPa) . . . . . . . . 169

Snow Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170

Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170Fuel Filter with Water Separator . . . . . . . . . . . 170Diesel Fuels for Use at Very Low
Temperatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171

Refueling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173

Programmed Top Speed (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . 173

Bleeding Diesel Fuel System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174

Draining Fuel Filter with Water Separator . . . . . 175Bleeding the Diesel Fuel System . . . . . . . . . . . 176

Permissible Roof Load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177

Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177Trailer Hitches (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177Electrical Connections (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . 177Vehicle and Trailer Weights and Ratings . . . . 178Loading a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178Checking Weights of Vehicle and Trailer . . . . 179Attaching a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179Towing a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180Parking a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182

Emissions Control System (Catalytic Converter) . 183

Fording (Wading Capability) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183

Body Builder Guideline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183A Special Note Concerning Vehicle
Alteration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
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STARTING AND OPERATING 135
5
POWER ASSISTANCE STARTING THE ENGINE
Battery charge warning lamp (1)
Engine oil level indicator lamp (2)
Preheater indicator lamp (3)
WARNING!
When the engine is not running, there is no power
assistance for the brake and steering system. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort is necessary
to brake and steer the vehicle.
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136 STARTING AND OPERATING1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Automatic transmission, shift selector lever to "P"
or "N" position, refer to "Automatic Transmission".
3. Do not depress the accelerator pedal.
4. Turn the key to position 2 in the ignition lock.
The preheater indicator lampq lights up.5. Turn the key clockwise to the stop as soon as the
preheater indicator lamp
q
goes out.
If the engine is at its normal operating temperature,
the preheater indicator lamp will only light up briefly.
Release the key as soon as the engine is running.
NOTE: The key must be returned to position 0 in the
ignition lock before repeating the starting procedure.
If the displayÁ lights up alternately withî in
the multi-function display, there is an immobilizer
malfunction or the key used has not been
programmed.
The: engine oil level warning lamp and the#
battery charge warning lamp must go out after the
engine is started.
If either lamp remains on, stop the engine at once and
have the cause traced and repaired by an authorized
Sprinter Dealer.
During the trip, check the displays and the warning/
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster at regular
intervals.
For instrument cluster and indicator lamps.Maximum Engine SpeedThe maximum engine speed for all vehicles is
4,200 rpm.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 137
5
Constant RPMs (Optional)The switch for the Constant RPMs
is located on the center section of
the dashboard.
Constant RPMs increases the
engine-idling RPMs to a set
working-RPM level and maintains
this level regardless of work load.
It can only be used when the vehicle is stationary, the
parking brake is engaged and the gear selector level is
in position "P".
Constant RPMs indicator lamp
To switch it on:
 Press the top of the switch; the indicator lamp in the
switch and the constant RPMs indicator lamp
will light up.
To switch off
 Press bottom of switch.
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138 STARTING AND OPERATINGNOTE: The Constant RPMs will automatically switch
off when the parking brake is released, the vehicle is in
motion or the control unit detects a malfunction.
The Constant RPMs will also automatically switch off
when you depress the brake pedal. In this case it will
automatically switch on again as soon as you release
the brake pedal.
STOPPING THE ENGINEAfter having brought the vehicle to a stop:
1. Do not depress the accelerator pedal.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Turn the key back to position 0 in the ignition lock.
NOTE: When the engine is very hot, such as after
climbing a long steep slope, allow the engine to idle for
1 to 2 minutes so that it can return to its normal
operating temperature.
For notes on the parking brake.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 139
5
A UTOMA TIC TRA NSMISSIONThe automatic transmission selects individual gears
automatically, dependent upon:
 Selector lever position
 Accelerator position
 Vehicle speed
The gear shifting process is continuously adapted,
dependent on the driving style, the driving situation
and the road characteristics.NOTE: When parking the vehicle or before working on
the vehicle with the engine running, apply the parking
brake and shift the selector lever into "P".
DrivingThe selector lever is automatically locked while in
position "P". To move the selector lever out of position
"P", the service brake is applied and the key in
position 2 in the ignition lock or the engine running
before the shift lock will release.
Shift selector lever to the desired position only when
the engine is idling normally and the service brake is
applied. Do not release the brake until ready to drive.
The vehicle may otherwise start creeping when the
selector lever is in drive or reverse position.
WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of "P"
or
"N" if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your
foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose
control of the vehicle and hit someone or something.
Only shift into gear when the engine is idling normally
and when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
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140 STARTING AND OPERATINGNOTE: After selecting any driving position from "N"
or "P", wait a moment to allow the gear to fully engage
before accelerating, especially when the engine is cold.A ccelerator PositionPartial throttle, for early upshifting and normal
acceleration
Full throttle, for later upshifting and rapid acceleration
Kickdown, (depressing the accelerator beyond full
throttle) for downshifting to a lower gear and
maximum acceleration. Once the desired speed is
attained, ease up on the accelerator, the transmission
shifts up again.StoppingFor brief stops, such as at traffic lights, leave the
transmission in gear and hold vehicle with the service
brake.
For longer stops with the engine idling, shift into "N"
or "P" and hold the vehicle with the service brake.
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill grade, do not
hold it with the accelerator, use the brake. This avoids
unnecessary transmission heat build up.
ManeuveringTo maneuver in tight areas, such as when pulling into
a parking space, control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes. Accelerate gently and never
abruptly step on the accelerator.
To rock a vehicle out of soft ground (mud or snow),
alternately shift from forward to reverse, while
applying slight partial throttle.
WARNING!
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector lever
not fully engaged in position "P" is dangerous.
Also, when parked on an incline, position "P"
alone may not prevent your vehicle from moving,
possibly hitting people or objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to position "P".
When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
against curb.
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