brake fluid DODGE SPRINTER 2006 1.G Owners Manual

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 95
4
Indicator Lamp Symbols
vAcceleration skid control (ASR)
or electronic stability program (
ESP®)*
or slippery surface warning.
1Airbag Malfunction (USA only).
Parking brake applied.
AHigh beam on, refer to "Multifunction Switch".
#Battery not being charged,
refer to "Battery Charge Indicator Lamp".
Water in fuel filter, refer to "Water in Fuel
Indicator Lamp".
2Brake pads worn.
:Engine oil level too low,
refer to "Engine Oil Level Indicator Lamp".
/Coolant level too low,
refer to "Coolant Level Indicator Lamp".
;Brake fluid level too low and electronic brake force
distribution (EBD) malfunction (USA only).
*2500 Type Vehicles only.
3Brake fluid level too low and electronic brake force
distribution (EBD) malfunction (Canada only).
<Seat belt warning lamp.
-Anti-lock brake system (ABS) malfunction.
#Electronic stability program (ESP®)* malfunction.
±Engine control unit malfunction.
kAcceleration skid control (ASR) malfunction
and brake assist system (BAS)1 malfunction.
™Constant RPMs on.
WFluid level in windshield washer low.
qPreheating.

160 STARTING AND OPERATING
Brake Indicator and Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBD) Indicator Lamp
;USA only
3Canada only
With the key in position 2 in the ignition lock and the
parking brake released, the indicator lamp; (3)
lights up for about 2 seconds.If the indicator lamp does not go out after about
2 seconds, the brake fluid level has sunk below the
minimum filling capacity.
If the brake indicator lamp comes on while driving, the
brake fluid level is below the minimum filling capacity
or the electronic brake force distribution (EBD) is
malfunctioning.
For information on the electronic brake force
distribution, refer to "Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBD)".

STARTING AND OPERATING 161
5
NOTE: If you find that the minimum mark on the
brake fluid reservoir is reached, have the brake system
checked for pad thickness and leaks.Parking Brake Indicator Lamp
With the key in position 2 in the ignition lock and the
parking brake released, the indicator lamp lights
up for about 2 seconds.
If the parking brake is on, the indicator lamp does
not go out before the parking brake is released.
WARNING!
Driving with the brake indicator lamp; (3)
illuminated can result in an accident. There may
be a malfunction in the brake system or in the
electronic brake force distribution. The braking
characteristics are affected and the vehicle could
skid if it is braked hard.
Have your brake system checked immediately if
the brake indicator lamp; (3) stays on. Do
not add brake fluid before checking the brake
system. Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can
result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts
and the brake fluid catching fire. There is a risk of
injury due to hot engine parts or hot steam.

STARTING AND OPERATING 167
5
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)
The electronic brake force distribution (EBD) prevents
the rear wheels from being overbraked when there is
little load on the rear axle or if there is not much friction
between the tires and road (e.g., if the road is wet).Acceleration Skid Control Indicator Lamp (ASR)
and Brake Assist System (BAS)1 if equipped
When the key is in position 2 in the ignition lock, the
indicator lampk will light up in the instrument
cluster as a function check. It goes out when the engine
is running.
1Vehicle type 2500 only
WARNING!
If the brake indicator lamp ;(-) does not
go out or lights up again while driving, the brake
fluid level may not necessarily have dropped be-
low the minimum filling capacity but a malfunc-
tion may have occurred in the EBD. In this case
continue driving, but with even greater care.
The wheels of the rear axle could lock if the
vehicle is braked hard. This could lead to a
skidding of the vehicle. Have the malfunction
traced and repaired without delay by an
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road, traffic and weather conditions.
Driving too fast increases the risk of an accident.

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
7
CONTENTS
Q Engine Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Q Sprinter Original Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Q Service Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
…Disposal of Service Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Q Emission Related Component Warranty
Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Q Regular Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
…Windshield Washer System Fluid Reservoir . 257
…Air Filter Restriction Indicator (Optional) . . . 258
…Approved Engine Oils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
…Engine Oil Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
…Ribbed V-Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
…Hydraulic Brake System, Clutch
Mechanism Fluid Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
…Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
…Engine Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
…Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
…Checking Coolant Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Q Winter Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Q Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
…Disconnecting the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
…Reconnecting the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
…Charging the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Q Replacing Wiper Blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
…Appearance Care and Corrosion Protection . 269
…Power Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
…Automatic Car Wash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
…Tar Stains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
…Paintwork, Painted Body Components . . . . . . 272
…Engine Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
…Vehicle Washing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
…Ornamental Moldings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273

252 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
…Headlamps, Taillamps, Identification Lamps,
Turn Signal Lenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
…Reversing Aid Sensors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
…Window Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
…Wiper Blade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
…Light Alloy Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
…Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
…Steering Wheel and Gear Selector Lever . . . . 275
…Cup Holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
…Seat Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
…Headliner and Shelf Below Rear Window . . . 275
…Upholstery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
…Hard Plastic Trim Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
…Plastic and Rubber Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
Q Electrical Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 276
…Standard Fuse and Relay Equipment . . . . . . . 277
…Relay Assignment, Standard Equipment . . . . 281
…Fuse and Relay Optional Equipment . . . . . . . 281
Q Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
…Front Lamp Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
…Taillamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289
…License Plate Lamps
(Cargo/Passenger Vans Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
…Additional Brake Lamp
(Cargo/Passenger Vans Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
…Side-Mounted Turn Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
…Side-Marker Lamps,
Standing Lamps (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
…Identification Lamps
(Cargo/passenger vans only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
…Interior Lighting in Passenger
Compartment and Load Compartment . . . . . 293
…Interior Lighting with Reading Lamp . . . . . . . 294
…Interior Lighting with Interior Sensor
Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 294
…Exit Lamps (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Q Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
…Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . . . . . . 297

254 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Legend For Engine Compartment
1. Washer system fluid reservoir.
2. Maintenance indicator for air cleaner element
(Optional).
3. Oil dipstick.
4. Oil filler neck.
5. Ribbed V-belt.
Auxiliary drive (Optional) refer to “Auxiliary
drive“.6. Fuel filter with water separator.
7. Hydraulic brake fluid reservoir.
8. Coolant reservoir.
9. Battery
The auxiliary battery is located underneath the
front passenger seat (optional equipment).
10. Fuse box
(These special fuses should only be replaced at by
an authorized Sprinter Dealer).

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 255
7
SPRINTER ORIGINAL PARTS
Every authorized Sprinter Dealer maintains a stock of
Sprinter original parts for maintenance and repair work.
Over 6,000 retailers around the world guarantee that
you can be supplied with Sprinter original parts
wherever you are. Over 300,000 different parts and
assemblies, including parts for older vehicle models,
are distributed from a central parts warehouse using
an optimally tuned logistics concept.
Sprinter original parts are subjected to the most
stringent quality inspections and will ensure that the
vehicle is maintained at a high level of operating
efficiency and safety, and that it maintains its value.
Each part has been specifically designed and
manufactured or selected and approved for use in
Sprinter vehicles.
It is therefore best to use only Sprinter original parts.
For cost-effective repairs in accordance with sound
recycling principles, the use of non-genuine parts and
accessories not authorized by the manufacturer could
damage the vehicle or compromise its durability or safety.
When ordering original parts, always provide the
vehicle identification number and the engine number. SERVICE PRODUCTS
Mechanical elements and the lubricants used for them
must be carefully matched.
For this reason, only brands tested and approved by
the manufacturer should be used. Please contact your
Sprinter Dealer to obtain the necessary information.
No lubricant additives should be used.
The use of such additives could affect your warranty
rights. Information is available from any authorized
Sprinter Dealer.
For specifications of engine oils, coolant and brake
fluid, contact your authorized Sprinter Dealer.
WARNING!
If handled incorrectly, service products can consti-
tute a health risk for people and an environmental
hazard.
Always observe relevant guidelines for handling,
storing and disposing of service products.

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 257
7
The following checks should be performed at regular
intervals (for example once a week or each time the
vehicle is refueled):
 Windshield washer system/headlamp cleaning
system (optional) – washer system fluid reservoir.
 Air strainer, in vehicles with an air strainer element
maintenance indicator (optional equipment).
 Engine oil level.
 Checking ribbed V-belt.
 Hydraulic brake system, clutch mechanism fluid
level.
 Coolant level.
 Tire and spare wheel condition and pressures of the
same. For more information, refer to "Wheels and
Tires".
 Spare wheel location.
 Vehicle lighting.Windshield Washer System Fluid Reservoir
1. Washer system fluid reservoir
When topping off, add windshield washer fluid ("S"
for summer or "W" for winter) to the water.
Capacity of fluid reservoir (1): about 7.4 US qt (7 liters).

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 261
7
Hydraulic Brake System, Clutch Mechanism Fluid
Level
1. Brake fluid reservoir
Brake fluid level must be between the MIN and MAX
marks in the reservoir (1).
If the brake fluid is below the MIN mark, there may be
a fault in the hydraulic system. Have the system
checked as soon as possible by an authorized Sprinter
Dealer.Brake fluid
Refer 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 System
The 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.