coolant temperature DODGE SPRINTER 2005 1.G Owners Manual

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
4
CONTENTS

Instruments and Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89


Instrument Cluster and Indicator Lamps . . . . . . . 91
Indicator Lamp Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Multi-Function Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Odometer and Trip Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Instrument and Display Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Outside Temperature Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Reversing Aid Distance Display (Optional) . . . 99
Tachometer (Engine rpm) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Fuel Gauge with Reserve Fuel Indicator
Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Battery Charge Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Water in Fuel Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Engine Oil Level Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Coolant Level Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Engine Control Unit Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . 107


Switch Locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108


ASSYST Maintenance Computer (Optional). . . . 110
Engine Oil Level – Display in Instrument
Cluster (Vehicles with ASSYST Maintenance
Computer only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Displaying Engine Oil Level with
Engine Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113


Engine Oil Level Indicator in Instrument
Cluster (Vehicles without ASSYST Maintenance
Computer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115


Heating, Ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Air Recirculation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
De-Fogging and De-Icing The Front
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Side Air Vents and Center Air Vents . . . . . . . . 120

92 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANELLegend For Instrument Cluster And Indicator Lamps
1. Tachometer (Engine rpm), refer to "Tachometer (Engine rpm)".
2. Turn signal indicator lamp (left), refer to "Multifunction Switch".
3. Turn signal indicator lamp (right), refer to "Multifunction switch".
4. ASR warning lamp or ESP
* warning lamp .
5. Speedometer.
6. Multi-function indicator, refer to "Multi-Function Indicator".
7. Gear selector lever position .
8. Coolant temperature gauge, refer to "Coolant Temperature Gauge".
* 2500 Type vehicles only 9. Fuel gauge with reserve fuel indicator lamp
(yellow), refer to "Fuel Gauge with Reserve Fuel
Indicator Lamp".
10. Warning and indicator lamps.
11. Odometer/trip meter selector, refer to "Odometer and Trip Meter".
Clock/outside temperature display selector, refer
to "Clock and Outside Temperature Display".
12. Instrument lighting brighter/dimmer, refer to "Instrument Lighting".

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 101
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Tachometer (Engine rpm)Do not exceed the maximum permissible engine speed.
NOTE: To protect the engine, its fuel supply is
interrupted when the maximum rpm is reached.
Despite this, the maximum rpm can still be exceeded in
overrun mode (e.g. when driving downhill).
Coolant Temperature GaugeThe coolant temperature is displayed when the key is
in position 2 in the ignition lock.
If corrosion inhibitor/antifreeze is present in the
correct concentration in the coolant, the coolant
temperature will be between 185 °F (+85 °C) and
250 °F (+120 °C), depending on operating conditions.
If the needle reaches the red section, do not continue to
drive the vehicle.

102 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANELFor coolant level indicator lamp /, refer to "Coolant
Level Indicator Lamp".
NOTE: Coolant temperature display
°F in USA only.
°C in Canada only.
CAUTION!
Do not leave your vehicle unattended with the
engine running as you would not be able to react to
the temperature indicator if the engine overheats.
This would lead in turn to engine damage.
WARNING!
Driving when your engine is badly overheated
can cause some fluids which may have leaked into
the engine compartment to catch fire. You could
be seriously burned. Steam from an overheated
engine can cause serious burns and can occur just
by opening the engine hood. Stay away from the
engine if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle and do
not stand near the vehicle until it cools down.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 129
4
HEATER BOOSTER
The switch (1) for activating the
heater booster system is located in
the center section of the dashboard.
The heater booster system can be
switched on while the vehicle is
being driven to help the engine to
reach its normal operating
temperature more quickly, which
will help to heat up the passenger compartment as
quickly as possible when the heating is switched on. To switch on with the engine running:
Press switch (1), the indicator lamp (2) lights up.
To switch off:
Press switch (1) again or switch the engine off. The
heater booster will then switch to run-on mode (about
2minutes).
NOTE:
When the vehicle is being driven and a coolant
temperature of over 185 °F (+80 °C) is reached, the
heater booster system will switch to regulation mode.
If the coolant temperature drops to below 167 °F
(+75 °C) with the heater booster system switched on,
heat output is increased again.
If the key is turned to position 0 in the ignition lock
(run-on for about 2 minutes), the last setting selected at
switch (1) is retained when the engine is restarted
(memory function).
The operation of the heater booster system is usually
not required at outside temperatures above 41 °F
(+5 °C).

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 137
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NOTE: Only on vehicles with automatic heater
control/regulated air conditioner:
Before switching on the heater or entering the switch-
on time, the temperature control (1) must be set to
maximum heater output (as illustrated).
Set the air distribution control (3) as required between
Y and Z .AUXILIARY HEAT EXCHANGER IN LOAD
COMPARTMENT, ONLY WITH AUXILIARY HEATER
(OPTIONAL)
The auxiliary heat exchanger switch
is located on the right next to the
steering column. To switch on at blower speed 1:
Press the upper section, the left-hand indicator lamp in
the switch lights up.
To switch on at blower speed 2:
Press the lower section, the right-hand indicator lamp
in the switch lights up.
To switch off :
Press the switch to the middle position.
Operation is only possible when the key is turned to
position 2 in the ignition lock.
NOTE:
The auxiliary heat exchanger in the load
compartment should be switched off at coolant
temperatures below 176 °F (+80 °C) to quickly de-fog
and de-ice the windshield and front side windows.

190 STARTING AND OPERATING
WARNING!
Take into consideration that when towing a trail-
er, the handling characteristics are different and
less stable from those when operating the vehicle
without a trailer.
It is important to avoid sudden maneuvers.
Sudden maneuvers may lead to loss of control
over the vehicle-trailer combination. This could
cause an accident resulting in property damage or
injury to you or others.
CAUTION!
If the transmission hunts between gears on
inclines, manually shift to a lower gear (select
"4",
"3", "2" or
"1"). A lower gear and reduction of
speed reduces the chance of engine overloading
and / or overheating.
When going down a long hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine’s braking effect. Avoid
riding the brakes, thus overheating the vehicle
and trailer brakes.
If the engine coolant rises to an extremely high
temperature (coolant temperature needle
approaching the red zone) when the air
conditioner is on, turn off the air conditioner.
Engine coolant heat can be additionally vented by
opening the windows, switching the climate
control fan speed to high and setting the
temperature control to the maximum hot position.

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 223
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Brake fluidRefer to the "Recommended Fluids" chart later in this
section for recommended brake fluids.
In the course of its service life, the boiling point of the
brake fluid will fall due to the continuous absorption of
moisture from the atmosphere.
If the brakes are placed under heavy loads (e.g., on
steep hills) bubbles of steam can then form in the brake
system.
This will adversely affect the brakes' effectiveness.Engine Cooling SystemThe use of aluminum components in Sprinter engines
requires that anticorrosive/antifreeze specifically
formulated to protect aluminum parts be used. The
factory approved Service Products are suitable for
Sprinter engines and can be mixed with the original
anticorrosion/antifreeze filled in at factory.
Cooling system design and anticorrosion/antifreeze
agent used stipulate the replacement interval for the
coolant solution in your vehicle. Please observe the
replacement interval specified in the Service Booklet
for your vehicle.
Failure to use MB 325.0 an ticorrosion/antifreeze and/or
equivalent to DaimlerChrys ler material standard MS-
9769 and/or adhere to the specified replacement interval
may result in a significantly shortened service life.For coolant composition and water quality, contact
your authorized Sprinter Dealer.Engine CoolantThe coolant is a mixture of water and a corrosion
inhibitor/antifreeze additive. Within the cooling
system, the corrosion inhibitor/antifreeze ensures
 anti-corrosion protection
 antifreeze protection
 a higher boiling point.
The coolant added in the factory ensures adequate
antifreeze and anti-corrosion protection.
Refer to the "Recommended Fluids" chart for coolant
recommendations.
For reasons of anti-corrosion protection and to increase
the boiling point, the cool ant added to the cooling
system is designed for all year round operation – even
in countries with high prevailing temperatures.

224 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLEHave the coolant renewed at least every 15 years or
after 160,000 miles.
When the coolant is renewed, the new coolant should
contain 50% antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor by volume.
This corresponds to antifreeze protection down to -
37 °C/-35°F.
Do not exceed a proportion of about 55 % by volume
(antifreeze protection down to about -45 °C/-49 °F) as
the heat dissipation properties then deteriorate.
In the event of coolant loss, do not add water only, but
sufficient antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor to maintain
the correct concentration.
The water in the coolant must satisfy certain
requirements. These are often met by tap supply
drinking water.
The water must be specially prepared if the water
quality does not come up to the required standards.
Have the corrosion inhibitor/antifreeze concentration
in the coolant checked at the outset of winter,
respectively once a year in countries with high
prevailing temperatures. A regular check is included in the maintenance service.
Checking Coolant LevelCoolant reservoir (1)
The cooling system is pressurized. Only check the
coolant level with the vehicle parking on a level surface
and with the engine switched off.
– Wait until the coolant temperature has dropped
below 194 °F (+90 °C).

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 225
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Open the hood.
 At first, only turn the radiator cap to the first detent to release the pressure from the cooling system.
Only then should the radiator cap be removed
completely.
 To add coolant: If the engine is cold:
Add coolant until the coolant level reaches the base
area which is visible through the filler opening (area
moistened).
WARNING!
In order to avoid any possibly serious burns:
 If you see flames or smoke coming from the engine compartment, or if the coolant
temperature gauge indicates that the engine is
overheated, do not open the hood. Move away
from the vehicle and do not open the hood until
the engine has cooled. If necessary, call the fire
department.
 Do not remove pressure cap on coolant reservoir if engine temperature is above 194 °F (+90 ×C).
A l l o w e n g i n e t o c o o l do w n b e f o r e r e m o v i ng c a p .
The coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and is
under pressure.
 Using a rag, slowly open cap approximately 1/2 turn to relieve excess pressure. If opened
immediately, scalding hot fluid and steam will
be blown out under pressure.
WARNING!
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts. Anti-freeze contains ethylene glycol which may burn
if it comes into contact with hot engine parts.
 Check coolant level only with the engine switched off and the key in position 0 in the
ignition lock.