towing DODGE SPRINTER 2005 1.G Owners Manual

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
2
CONTENTS

Ignition Lock / Starter Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14


Central Locking (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Unlocking: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Locking: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Central Locking Switch 17
Locking Status Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Locking and Unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
To Program the Automatic Lock Feature
when Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19


Remote Keyless Entry (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Unlocking with Remote Keyless Entry . . . . . . . 21
Locking with Remote Keyless Entry . . . . . . . . . 22


Replacing Batteries in Remote Keyless Entry . . . 22


Security System with Towing and Passenger
Compartment Protection (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Audible Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Visual Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Switching off the Alarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24


Towing Protection and Passenger Compartment
Protection Switch (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Towing Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Switching off the Towing Protection . . . . . . . . . 24
Passenger Compartment Protection . . . . . . . . . 25
Switching off the Passenger Compartment
Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Alarm Pushbutton (Vehicles with Security
Systems only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26


Opening/Closing doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Sliding Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Rear Cargo Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Passenger/Cargo Area Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37


Occupant Restraints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 23
2
Replacing Batteries Rated voltage: 6 V
DC (2x 3V)
Rated current:10 mA1. Release themechanical key
by pressing the
release button.
2. Remove the battery cover.
3. Remove the battery and install new one (note correct polarity;
positive terminal up).
4. Press on the battery cover until it snaps into place.
SECURITY SYSTEM WITH TOWING AND
PASSENGER COMPARTMENT PROTECTION
(OPTIONAL)The security system is ready for operation, if the
vehicle is locked with the remote keyless entry
transmitter.
If a doo r is open , th e security sy stem is no t s witch ed on
during the locking process.
Security system activation is indicated by the turn
signal lamps flashing three times in succession.
For a function check, when the security system is
switched on, the indicator lamps in the towing
protection/passenger compartment protection switch
flash.
The security system will switch off if the vehicle is
unlocked using the remote keyless entry transmitter.
The turn signal lamps flash once.

24 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLEThe alarm is triggered if the security system has been
activated and
 A door is opened,
 a door is unlocked from inside,
 the engine cover is opened,
 the key is used to unlock the vehicle at any door,
 the key is turned to position 2 in the ignition lock.Audible AlarmThe horn sounds for about 25 seconds.Visual AlarmThe turn signal lamps flash for about 4 minutes.Switching off the AlarmThe alarm will switch off immediately if the vehicle is
unlocked using the remote keyless entry transmitter.
NOTE: Do not manually unlock the doors as this will
trigger the alarm.
TOWING PROTECTION AND PASSENGER
COMPARTMENT PROTECTION SWITCH
(OPTIONAL)See Section 4, Understanding Your Instrument Panel,
for switch locations.
Switch off the towing protection
Indicator lamp
As a function check, (1) the indicator
lamp (2) flashes when the security
system is switched on.
Switch off the passenger compartment protection.Towing ProtectionThe towing protection is ready for operation after
30 seconds as the security system has been activated.
The alarm is triggered if the vehicle is lifted while the
security system is activated.Switching off the Towing ProtectionIf the vehicle is to be transported or loaded, the towing
protection must be switched off in order to avoid a
false alarm.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 25
2
1. Place the key in position 0 or 1 in the ignition lock.
2. Press the switch up (1) to switch off the towing protection.
The indicator lamp (2) is briefly illuminated.
If passenger compartment protection will be switched
off as well, wait until the indicator lamp (2) goes out,
and
3. Press switch (3) downward. The indicator lamp (2) flashes about 10 times.
To activate the setting (towing protection/passenger
compartment protection switched off):
4. Keep the key in locking position in the driver’s door lock for more than 2 seconds or
5. lock the vehicle using the remote keyless entry transmitter.
The towing protection will remain switched off until
the vehicle is locked again with the remote keyless
entry transmitter.
NOTE: The alarm will switch off immediately if the
vehicle is centrally unlocked using the remote keyless
entry transmitter.
Passenger Compartment ProtectionThe passenger compartment protection is ready for
operation 30 seconds after the security system has been
activated. The alarm is tr iggered if movement inside
the vehicle is registered while the security system is
activated.
NOTE: Close the side windows and the glass tilting
roof.
Do not leave any objects (mascots, hangers) on the
interior mirror or on the roof grab handles, as these
could trigger a false alarm.Switching off the Passenger Compartment
ProtectionIf persons or animals remain in the locked vehicle,
switch off the passenger compartment protection to
prevent a false alarm.
1. Place the key in position 0 or 1 in the ignition lock.
2. Press the switch downward (3) to switch off the passenger compartment protection. The indicator
lamp (2) flashes about 10 times.
If towing protection is to be switched off as well, wait
until the indicator lamp (2) goes out, and

26 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE3. Press switch up (1).
The indicator lamp (2) is briefly illuminated.
To activate the setting (passenger compartment/
towing protection switched off):
4. Lock the vehicle using the remote keyless entry transmitter.
The passenger compartment protection will remain
switched off until the vehicle is locked again with the
remote keyless entry transmitter.
NOTE: The alarm will switch off immediately if the
vehicle is centrally unlocked using the remote keyless
entry transmitter.
Alarm Pushbutton (Vehicles with Security Systems
only)See Section 4, Understanding Your Instrument Panel,
for switch locations.
Trigger the alarm manually/lock the
vehicle.
The audible and visual alarm can be
triggered manually by using the
alarm pushbutton.
Audible Alarm
The horn sounds until the alarm is switched off.
Visual Alarm
The turn signal lamps flash until the alarm is switched
off.
Trigger the alarm manually and lock the vehicle.
Press the alarm pushbutton upward once.
The indicator lamp flashes in the towing/passenger
compartment protection switch.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 109
4
Legend for Switch Locations
1. Fog lamp switch (Optional), refer to "Fog Lamp Switch".
2. Headlamp range control, refer to "Headlamp Range Control".
3. Auxiliary heat exchanger switch (Optional) .
4. Heated rear window (Optional) .
5. Left-hand seat heater switch (Optional) .
6. Central locking switch with load compartment lock (Optional) .
7. Alarm pushbutton .
8. Deactivate Acceleration skid control (ASR) switch . 9. Switch for auxiliary heater (Optional)
10. Right-hand seat heater switch (Optional),
11. Sun roof operation switch (Optional)
.
12. Interior cargo area lighting (Optional), refer to "Interior Cargo Area Lighting".
13. Towing/passenger compartment protection switch (Optional) .
14. Airflow switch for the air conditioner for rear passenger compartment (Optional) .
15. Temperature control (Optional) .
16. Electric blower switch (Optional) .
17. Windshield heater switch (Optional).
18. Constant RPM switch (Optional).

140 STARTING AND OPERATING

Deactivating the Acceleration Skid
Control (ASR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Brake Assist System (BAS)
(vehicle type 2500 only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Indicator Lamp Electronic Stability Program
(ESP) (type 2500 vehicles only) . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
(vehicle type 2500 only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171


Auxiliary Drive (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172


Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173


Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Tire Grip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Hydroplaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175


Tire Pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Tire Pressures of Loaded Vehicle in PSI (kPa) . . . 177
Vehicle type 2500 C/HC/SHC . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Vehicle type 3500 C/HC/SHC . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Comfort Tire Pressures in PSI (kPa) . . . . . . . . 178
Comfort Tire Pressures in PSI (kPa) . . . . . . . . 178


Snow Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179


Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Fuel Filter with Water Separator . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Diesel Fuels for Use at Very Low
Temperatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180


Refueling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182


Programmed Top Speed (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . 182


Bleeding Diesel Fuel System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183


Draining Fuel Filter with Water Separator . . . . . 184
Bleeding the Diesel Fuel Syst em . . . . . . . . . . . 185


Permissible Roof Load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186


Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Trailer Hitches (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Electrical Connections (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . 186
Vehicle and Trailer Weights and Ratings . . . . 187
Loading a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Checking Weights of Vehicle and Trailer . . . . 188
Attaching a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Towing a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Parking a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191


Emissions Control System (Catalytic Converter) 192


Inhalation of Exhaust Gas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192


Fording (Wading Capability) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192


Body Builder Guideline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
A Special Note Concerning Vehicle
Alteration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194

150 STARTING AND OPERATINGTRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER, MANUALLY
UNLOCKINGIn the case of power failure the transmission selector
lever can be manually unlocked (for vehicle towing).
To do so, insert a pin (1) (ball point pen), into the
covered opening below the po sition "D" of the shift
pattern. While pushing the pin down, move selector
lever from position "P".
After removal of the pin from the opening, the cover
will not close fully. Only after moving the selector lever
to positions "D+" and "D–" do es the cover return to its
closed position.
Reversing Aid (Optional)1. Reversing aid sensors
The reversing aid monitors the rear area of the vehicle
by means of four sensors in the rear bumper.
The reversing aid automatically provides you with a
visual and audible indication of the distance between
your vehicle and an obstacle, when the key is in
position 2 in the ignition lock and the reverse gear is
engaged.
1
1
N54.65-2043-20

186 STARTING AND OPERATINGPERMISSIBLE ROOF LOADThe maximum permissible roof load is:
 Vehicles with low roof 660 lbs (300 kg)
 Vehicles with high roof 330 lbs (150 kg)
 The weight of any load carried on the roof, including the roof rack, must not exceed the
maximum permissible roof load.TRAILER TOWING Trailer Hitches (Optional)
Only install a trailer hitch
receiver approved for your
vehicle. For information on availability and
installation, please see your authorized Sprinter
Dealer.
The bumpers on your vehicle are not designed for use
with clamp-type hitches. Do not attach rental hitches
or other bumper-type hitches to them.
To reduce the possibility of damage, remove the hitch
ball adaptor from the receiver when not in use.Electrical Connections (Optional)The Sprinter is available with a variety of pre-installed
conditions (lines and turn signal indicator and brake
module installed and / or not installed). Make sure that
the correct trailer hitch receiver kit is used. For further
information, please see your authorized Sprinter
Dealer.
In order to prevent possible damage to the vehicle’s
electrical system by incorrectly installing the trailer
wiring plug, we recommend having the harness
connected at an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
WARNING!
Failure to use proper equipment and driving tech-
nique can result in a loss of vehicle control when
towing a trailer.
Improper towing or failure to follow the
instructions contained in this guide can result in
serious injury. Follow the guidelines below
carefully to assure safe trailer operation.
Ask your authorized Sprinter Dealer, if you
require an explanation of information contained
in this guide.

188 STARTING AND OPERATINGChecking Weights of Vehicle and TrailerTo assure that the tow vehicle and trailer are in
compliance with the maximum permissible weight
limits, and to know the actual weights, have the loaded
vehicle-trailer combination (tow vehicle including
driver, passengers and cargo, trailer fully loaded)
weighed on a commercial scale.
Check the vehicle’s front and rear Gross Axle Weight
(GAW), the GTW and TW. The values as measured
must not be exceeded, according to the weight listed
under “Vehicle and trailer weight and ratings”.Attaching a TrailerPlease observe maximum permitted trailer dimensions
(width and length).
Most states and all Canadian provinces require safety
chains between your tow vehicle and the trailer. The
chains should be crisscrossed under the trailer tongue.
They must be attached to the hitch receiver, and not to
the vehicle’s bumper or axle. Be sure to leave enough
slack in the chains to permit turning corners.
Most states and all Canadian provinces require a
separate brake system at various trailer weights.
WARNING!
Do not connect a trailer brake system (if trailer is
so equipped) directly to the vehicle’s hydraulic
brake system as your vehicle is equipped with an-
tilock brakes. If you do, neither the vehicle’s
brakes nor the trailer’s brakes will function prop-
erly. This could cause an accident resulting in
property damage, injury or death to you or others.
The provided vehicle electrical wiring harness for
trailer towing has a brake signal wire for hook-up
to a brake controller.
Most states and all Canadian provinces require a
break-away switch on trailers with a separate
brake system. The switch activates the trailer
brakes in the possible event that the trailer might
separate from the tow vehicle.
You should consider using a trailer sway control
system. For further information see your
authorized Sprinter Dealer.