cooling DODGE SPRINTER 2006 1.G Owners Manual

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 109
4
If a large quantity of coolant is being lost, or if smaller
amounts are lost at regular intervals, have the engine
cooling system examined by an authorized Sprinter
Dealer.Engine Control Unit Indicator Lamp
When the key is in position 2 in the ignition lock, the
engine control unit indicator lamp± will light up in
the instrument cluster. It must go out when the engine
is running.
If the engine control unit indicator lamp± remains on
or lights up again while the vehicle is moving, the fuel tank
was run empty or a fault has developed in the engine
control unit. The engine’s power output may be reduced.
Refuel and bleed the fuel system or have the cause
traced and rectified by an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
CAUTION!
Never run the engine if the coolant level is too
low. This could cause the engine to overheat,
leading 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 cool downs.

118 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
HEATING, VENTILATION
Temperature control (1)
Airflow control (2)
Air distribution control (3)ZAir to the windshield and from the air vents
XAir to the windshield and footwell and from
the air vents
YAir to the footwell and from the air vents
hAir from the air vents
NOTE: If the vehicle interior has been heated up by
intense sunlight, ventilate the interior briefly before
driving the vehicle.
Only with automatic heater control (Optional):
The selected temperature is reached as quickly as
possible in heater mode and then held constant.
WARNING!
Follow the recommended settings for heating and
cooling given on the following pages. Otherwise
the windows could fog up, impairing visibility
and endangering you and others.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 125
4
To switch on:
Press switch (1), the indicator lamp (2) in the switch
lights up.
To switch off:
Press switch (1) again, the indicator lamp (2) goes out.
NOTE: Run the air conditioning at least once a month
for about 10 minutes.
It is possible that the air conditioning will
automatically switch off at outside temperatures below
41 °F (+5 °C). Dehumidification is then also not
possible.
Condensation may emerge from the underside of the
vehicle.
The air conditioner only uses the refrigerant R-134a.
This refrigerant does not damage the earth’s ozone
layer.Climate Control (on Vehicles with Air Conditioning)
1. Set the airflow control (2) to position 1 to 4.
Position 4 gives maximum cooling.
2. Set the temperature switch (1) as required (The
interior temperature is regulated by the
Tempmatik. If the interior temperature falls below
the preset temperature, warm air is automatically
supplied).
3. Set the air distribution control (3) to h.
4. To switch on air conditioning, press switch (4).
WARNING!
While driving, deactivate the air conditioning
only temporarily to prevent window fogging.

126 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
NOTE: Open and adjust the air vents as required, refer
to "Side Air Vents and Center Air Vents".
At high outside temperatures, a better cooling
performance is achieved by switching on air
recirculation. For note on air recirculation, refer to "Air
Recirculation".Dehumidification
(on Vehicles with Air Conditioning)
1. Set the airflow control (2) to position 3 or 4.
2. Set the temperature control (1) as required.
3. Set the air distribution control (3) between X
and Z.

128 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
To switch it on:
1. Press switch (1) on air conditioning, regulated.
The indicator lamp (2) will light up.
2. Operate the airflow switch (3).
Blower level 1, press the airflow switch (3)
upwards; the left-hand indicator lamp will light up.
Blower level 2, press the airflow switch (3)
downwards; the right-hand indicator lamp will
light up.
3. Set temperature control (4) as needed.
Increase cooling turn upwards.
Decrease cooling turn downwards.
To switch off:
1. Switch the airflow switch (3) to the center position.
2. Press switch (1) air conditioning, regulated; the
indicator lamp (2) will go out.Air Recirculation
Recirculation mode can now be assisted by the air
conditioner for rear passenger compartment.
To switch it on:
Operate the airflow switch (3)
Blower level 1, press the airflow switch (3) upwards;
the left-hand indicator lamp will light up.
Blower level 2, press the airflow switch (3)
downwards; the right-hand indicator lamp will light
up.
To switch off:
Switch the airflow switch (3) to the center position.

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

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.

262 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Failure to use MB 325.0 anticorrosion/antifreeze and/or
equivalent to DaimlerChrysler 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 Coolant
The 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 coolant added to the cooling
system is designed for all year round operation – even
in countries with high prevailing temperatures.Have 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.

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 263
7
A regular check is included in the maintenance service.
Checking Coolant Level
Pressure cap on coolant 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).
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).
Allow engine to cool down before removing cap.
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.

264 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
 Open the hood.
 At first, only turn the pressure cap on coolant
reservoir to the first detent to release the pressure
from the cooling system. Only then should the
pressure 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).If the engine is already at its regular operating
temperature:
Add coolant until the coolant level is about 0.6 inch
(1.5 cm) above the base area which is visible
through the filler opening.
 Replace and tighten the pressure cap on coolant
reservoir.
If a large quantity of coolant has been lost, or if smaller
amounts are lost at regular intervals, have the engine
cooling system examined by an authorized Sprinter
Dealer.
For coolant composition and water quality, contact
your Sprinter Dealer.
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.