instrument cluster DODGE SPRINTER 2005 1.G User Guide

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 107
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 LampWhen 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.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 111
4
Depending on the driving style, the mileage covered
and the operating conditions, the next service due is
displayed either as a remaining distance in "mi"
(in km) or as a remaining time in "days". The length of
time between services should not exceed 2 years.
The display will be cancelled when the
button ( ‘) is pressed, or automatically after
10 seconds.
When a service has been performed, have the ASSYST
maintenance computer reset by an authorized Sprinter
Dealer.
Should your Sprinter for any reason not be serviced by
an authorized Sprinter Dealer, the ASSYST
maintenance computer can, in exceptional
circumstances, be reset as follows:
Turn the key to position 2 in the ignition lock and
immediately press the button ( ‘) twice.
Within 10 seconds, return the key to position 0 in the
ignition lock.
Press and hold the button ( ‘). Turn the key to
position 2 in the ignition lock. Keep the
button ( ‘) pressed. The maintenance indicator with the current remaining
time/distance is shown.
After about 10 seconds, an acoustic signal will sound
and the maintenance indicator is displayed with the
new remaining time/distance.
Release the button (
‘).
NOTE:
The ASSYST maintenance computer provides
information on the optimum maintenance requirements.
If maintenance intervals are not observed, resulting
damage will not be covered by Warranty.
The ASSYST maintenance computer is not an engine
oil gauge.
Engine oil level – for display in instrument cluster, see
next page.
If the engine oil level indicator lamp lights up, refer to
"Engine Oil Level Indicator Lamp".
If the battery is disconnected, the time is not recorded
by the ASSYST maintenance computer. Such periods
must be considered if maintenance intervals are
measured by time.

112 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANELEngine Oil Level – Display in Instrument Cluster
(Vehicles with ASSYST Maintenance Computer only)If the : indicator lamp lights up briefly when the
engine is running, the engine oil level has dropped to
the minimum mark. Check the engine oil level without
delay and add oil to the upper mark on the dipstick. If no engine oil is added and the engine oil level drops
further, a warning buzzer will also sound and
will appear in the multi-function indicator. 2.0 quarts
(about 1.9 liters) of oil must be added.
NOTE:
Engine oil level display
– "qt" in USA only.
– "l" in Canada only.
CAUTION!
If the : indicator lamp lights up, the warning
symbol in the multi-function indicator appears
and the warning buzzer sounds, the operating
safety of the engine is endangered (possibility of
engine damage).
A sudden decrease or absence of oil pressure may
indicate a mechanical failure. Bring the vehicle to
a safe stop, and investigate the cause to prevent
further damage. Do not operate the engine until
the cause has been determined and corrected.
Symb
N00.00-2384-00
qt

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 115
4
ENGINE OIL LEVEL INDICATOR IN INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER
(VEHICLES WITHOUT ASSYST MAINTENANCE
COMPUTER)If the : indicator lamp lights up when the engine is
running, the engine oil level has dropped to the
minimum mark. Check the engine oil level without
delay and add engine oil up to the upper mark on the
dipstick.
If there is no engine oil in the oil sump, a warning
buzzer will sound if the key is turned to position 2 in
the ignition lock or if the vehicle is being driven, and
the warning
will appear in the multi-function indicator. About 2
quarts (1.9 liters) of oil must be added.
Check the engine oil level without delay and add
engine oil to the upper mark on the dipstick.
NOTE: Engine oil level display– "qt" in USA only.
– "l" in Canada only.
Symb
N00.00-2384-00
qt
CAUTION!
If the : indicator lamp lights up, the warning
symbol in the multi-function indicator appears
and the warning buzzer sounds, the operating
safety of the engine is endangered (possibility of
engine damage).
Safely pull off the road and turn off the engine (do
not restart the engine). Determine the cause of the
problem. If there are no obvious signs of leakage,
add engine oil. The engine oil level must be
between the lower and upper marks on the
dipstick. Only add engine oil up to the upper
mark – do not overfill.
If the engine oil level is above maximum, there is
a danger of damage to the engine or catalytic
converter.

142 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 lamp q 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 display Á lights up alternately with î 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.Maximum Engine SpeedThe maximum engine speed for all vehicles is
4,200 rpm.

148 STARTING AND OPERATINGNOTE: Coasting the vehicle, or driving with gear
selector lever in "N" can result in transmission damage
that is not covered by the Sprinter Warranty.
w The transmission automatically upshifts through
5th gear. Position "D" provides optimum driving
characteristics under all normal operating
conditions.Gear Selection for Special CircumstancesThe transmission gear ranges for special circumstances can
be selected by pushing the gear selector lever to the right or
the left with the gear selector lever in position "D".The gear range currently selected is indicated in the
instrument cluster display.
Briefly press gear selector lever in the ç direction:
The transmission downshifts, one gear range at a time,
in the order "4", "3", "2", "1".
Press and hold gear selector lever in the ç direction:
The transmission will shift to a gear range which
favorably accelerates or de celerates the vehicle. This
way downshiftings can be caused. Briefly press gear selector lever in the
æ direction:
The transmission will shift from the current gear range
to the next higher gear range. If the transmission is
already in gear range "D", an additional upshift of one
gear is not possible.
Press and hold gear selector lever in the æ direction:
The transmission will shift from the current gear range
directly to gear range "D".
NOTE: With transmission in gear range "D", "4" or "3",
upshifting from 1st to 2nd to 3rd gear is delayed
depending on vehicle speed and engine temperature.
This allows the catalytic converter to heat up more
quickly to operating temperatures.
During the brief warm-up period this delayed upshift
and increased engine noise might be perceived as a
malfunction. However, neither the engine nor
WARNING!
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order
to slow the vehicle down. This could result in drive
wheel slip and reduced vehicle control. Your vehi-
cle’s ABS will not prevent this type of loss of control.

156 STARTING AND OPERATINGNOTE: On long and steep downhill slopes, reduce the
l o a d o n t h e b r a k e s b y s h i ft i n g d o w n a g e a r t o u t i l i z e t h e
braking effect of the engine.
To prevent corrosion on the brake pads, after driving
on very wet roads, especially if road salts have been
used, apply brakes before parking the vehicle. The heat
generated will help to dry the brake disks.
Brake Pad Wear IndicatorWhen the key is turned to position 2 in the ignition
lock, the indicator lamp 2 in the instrument cluster
lights up for about 2 seconds. It must go out when the
engine is running.
If the 2indicator lamp lights up while the engine is
running, the brake pads are worn almost to their limit.
Have the brake system examined as soon as possible
by an authorized Sprinter Dealer.

STARTING AND OPERATING 159
5
Parking BrakeOnly apply the parking brake when the vehicle is
stationary.
To apply:
Pull the lever up as many notches as possible. When
the key is in position 2 in the ignition lock, the parking
brake indicator lamp will light up in the
instrument cluster. To release:
Lift the lever up slightly, press the button on the lever
in and move the lever down to the stop. The parking
brake indicator lamp should go out.
WARNING!
Always fully apply the parking brake when leav-
ing your vehicle, or vehicle may roll and cause
damage or injury.
WARNING!
On uphill or downhill grades steeper than 15%
the vehicle must be safeguarded. Vehicles which
are not secured could roll away and result in se-
vere personal injuries, death and property dam-
age.
Safeguard an unloaded vehicle by chocking the
front axle.
Safeguard a loaded vehicle by chocking the rear
axle.

STARTING AND OPERATING 161
5
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Indicator LampWhen the key is in position 2 in the ignition lock, the
ABS indicator lamp - will light up in the
instrument cluster. It goes out after about 2 seconds.
If the ABS indicator lamp - remains on or lights up
when the engine is running, the ABS is malfunctioning.
NOTE: If the voltage in the vehicle’s electrical system
drops below 10 volts, the ABS indicator lamp - will
also light up in the instrument cluster and the ABS will
be deactivated. The indicator lamp will go out as soon
WARNING!
The following factors increase the risk of acci-
dents:
 Excessive speed, especially in turns
 Wet and slippery road surfaces
 Following another vehicle too closely
The ABS, EBV, ASR, BAS and ESP cannot reduce
this risk nor can they prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle.
Always adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road, traffic and weather conditions
and maintain a safe distance between your vehicle
and other road users as well as objects on the road.

164 STARTING AND OPERATINGElectronic 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)
1if equipped
When the key is in position 2 in the ignition lock, the
indicator lamp k will light up in the instrument
cluster as a function check. It goes out when the engine
is running.12500 Type vehicles 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.