stop start DODGE SPRINTER 2005 1.G User Guide

STARTING AND OPERATING 153
5
For all sensors, the minimum distance between sensor
and obstacle is 12 in (30 cm).
In the event of a malfunction, a continuous warning
signal sounds for approximately three seconds when
the vehicle is reversingNOTE: Distance display– "in" in USA only
– "cm" in Canada only
LOADING THE VEHICLE
WARNING!
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the specified
vehicle capacity weight (as indicated by the label on
the base of the driver’s seat). Overloading the tires
can overheat them, poss ibly causing a blowout,
which could cause an accident and personal injury.
In addition, braking and stopping distances can be
significantly longer if the vehicle is overloaded.
WARNING!
Always close the sliding and rear doors when
driving.
Otherwise exhaust fumes could enter the vehicle
interior and poison you.

154 STARTING AND OPERATING
The handling characteristics of a vehicle when laden
are dependent on the type of load and the distribution
of the load within the vehicle.
Carrying heavy or bulky loads may alter the vehicle’s
handling characteristic.Loading GuidelinesPlease note and comply with the following information
when loading and transporting goods.
 Do not allow the load, including passengers, to exceed the permitted gross vehicle weight or the
permitted axle loads for the vehicle. Bear in mind
that the unladen weight could be increased by
installing items of optional equipment and
accessories.
 Distribute the load uniformly. Excessive loads on individual points of the load surface could cause
damage to the floor covering.
 Transport heavy loads between the axles near the rear axle as low as possible in the vehicle.
 Secure any kind of load with sufficient wear and tear-resistant load restraints. See tie-down rings.
WARNING!
Unsecured or poorly secured loads, and seats that
have been removed, could move around the vehi-
cle interior uncontrollably in the event of sudden
braking, a rapid change in direction or an acci-
dent. This increases the risk of injury to occu-
pants in these situations.
Secure and position a load as described in the
following loading guidelines.
Piling up heavy objects or placing them on upper
shelves or loading them otherwise high up in the
vehicle will significantly raise the center of
gravity of the vehicle. Placing excessive loads on
individual points of the load surface or behind
the rear axle will also adversely affect the
handling characteristics of your vehicle and may
lead to loss of control over the vehicle.
Road safety and tire durability are adversely
affected if the permissible axle loads or gross
vehicle weight are exceeded due to the vehicle’s
load. Braking and stopping distances can be
significantly longer.

STARTING AND OPERATING 155
5
 Protect sharp edges with padding.
 Check the tire pressures after loading the vehicle.
For passenger vans:
 Do not stack loads higher than the upper edge of the backrests.
 Always place the load against the backrests of the seat benches.
 Whenever possible, transport loads behind seats that are not occupied.
 Distribute the load in such a way that the permissible axle loads are not exceeded when the
vehicle is equipped with the maximum number of
seats. Loading the luggage compartment up to the
maximum payload would cause the permissible
rear axle load to be exceeded.
BRAKES
Service Brake
WARNING!
When the engine is not running, the brake and
steering systems are without power assistance.
Under these circumstances, a much greater effort
is necessary to stop or steer the vehicle.
After driving in heavy rain for some time without
applying the brakes or through water deep
enough to wet brake components, the first
braking action may be somewhat reduced and
increased pedal pressure may be necessary. Be
sure to maintain a safe distance from vehicles in
front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will cause
excessive and premature wear of the brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their effectiveness.
It may not be possible to stop the vehicle in
sufficient time to avoid an accident.

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 163
5
WARNING!
Do not reduce the force applied to the brake pedal if
it is necessary to brake the vehicle further. This will
negate the main benefit of ABS – the ability to brake
without affecting the steerability of the vehicle.In the event of an emergency stop, fully depress
the brake pedal. Do not pump the brake pedal,
rather use firm, steady brake pedal pressure.
Pumping the pedal defeats the purpose of ABS
and significantly reduces braking effectiveness.
WARNING!
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle,
nor can it increase braking or steering efficiency
beyond that afforded by the condition of the vehi-
cle brakes and tires or the traction afforded.
The ABS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road, traffic and weather conditions.
Driving too fast increases the risk of an accident.

168 STARTING AND OPERATINGDeactivating the Acceleration Skid Control (ASR)See Section 4, Understanding Your Instrument Panel,
for switch locations. When driving with snow chains, in
deep snow, or on sand or gravel, it
can be beneficial to deactivate the
acceleration skid control (ASR).
The engine ’s torque is then no longer
limited and the drive wheels are free
to spin, which can help them cut into
loose surfaces.
The ASR can only be shut off with the engine running.
If the engine is shut off with the ASR deactivated, the
ASR is automatically re-activated after the engine is
started again. Vehicle Type 2500 only:
If there is a danger of skidding, and/or starting at a
speed of 38 mph (60 km/h) ESP activates ASR
automatically.
WARNING!
On a slippery road surface if both drive wheels
start to spin there is a risk of skidding. Adapt your
speed and driving style to the prevailing road,
traffic and weather conditions.
P54.25-0294-20
WARNING!
Vehicle type 2500 only:
Even when ASR is deactivated, ESP remains
active and regulates braking to improve stability
as necessary. The warning lamp
v flashes in
the speedometer.
The danger of your vehicle’s brake system
overheating and being damaged is increased
during long, demanding application of the
brakes. Furthermore, an overheated brake system
could result in a longer stopping distance.
Thus, only deactivate ASR if it is absolutely
necessary.

184 STARTING AND OPERATINGDRAINING FUEL FILTER WITH WATER
SEPARATOR1. Fuel filter
2. Drain hose
3. Water drain screw
The fuel filter (1) is located in the engine compartment.
NOTE: The fuel filter must be drained as soon as the
water in fuel indicator lamp lights up. NOTE:
Prior to opening water drain screw (3), place a
suitable receptacle underneath the drain hose (2). Turn
water drain screw (3) on and off only by hand.
Diesel fuels and diesel fuel mixtures must be disposed
of properly; we recommend water be drained from fuel
filters by an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Draining Fuel Filter
 Stop the engine.
 Shift gear selector lever to ‘‘P’’ position.
Open the hood.
 Place a suitable receptacle underneath the drain hose (2).
 Turn the key in the ignition lock to position 2.
CAUTION!
Delaying draining of the fuel filter for a
considerable time after the indicator lamp lights
up may lead to engine damage.

STARTING AND OPERATING 189
5
Towing a TrailerThere are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailer towing. Make
sure that your vehicle-trailer combination will be legal,
not only for where you reside, but also for where you
will be driving. A good source for this information can
be the police or local authorities.
Before you start driving with the trailer, check the
trailer hitch, break-away switch, safety chains,
electrical connections, lighting and tires. Also adjust
the mirrors to permit unobstructed view beyond rear
of trailer.
If the trailer has electric brakes, start your vehicle and
trailer moving slowly, and then apply only the trailer
brake controller by hand to be sure the brakes are
working properly.
When towing a trailer, check occasionally to be sure
that the load is secure, and that lighting and trailer
brakes (if so equipped) are functioning properly.
Always secure items in the trailer to prevent load shifts
while driving. Take into consideration that when towing a trailer, the
handling characteristics are different and less stable
from those when operating the vehicle without a
trailer. It is important to avoid sudden maneuvers. The
vehicle and trailer combination is heavier, and
therefore is limited in acceleration and climbing ability,
and requires longer stopping distances. It is more
p r o n e t o r e a c t i n g t o s i d e w i n d g u s t s , a n d r e q u i r es m o r e
sensitive steering input.
In order to gain skill and an understanding of the
vehicle’s behavior, you should practice turning, stopping
and backing up in an area which is free from traffic.If possible, do not brake abruptly, but rather engage
the brake slightly at first to
permit the trailer to activate
its brake. Then increase the braking force.

STARTING AND OPERATING 191
5
Parking a Trailer
CAUTION!
Extreme care must be exercised since your vehicle
with a trailer will require additional passing
distance ahead than when driving without a
trailer. Because your vehicle and trailer is longer
than your vehicle alone, you will also need to go
much farther ahead of the passed vehicle before
you can return to your lane.
WARNING!
To reduce the risk of personal injury, or damage to
the vehicle powertrain, as a result of vehicle/trail-
er movement, always:
Keep right foot on brake pedal.
Shift gear selector lever to position
"N".
Have a second person place wheel chocks on
downhill side of left and right trailer wheels.
Slowly release brake pedal and let vehicle and
trailer roll into chocks until stopped.
Firmly depress parking brake pedal.
Move gear selector lever to position
"P".
On inclines turn front wheels towards the road
curb.

286 INDEXSliding Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Snow Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Spare Wheel Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Special Maintenance Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Speed Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Sprinter Original Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
SRS Malfunction Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Standard Fuse and Relay Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Starter Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Stopping the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Suggestions For Obtaining Service For Your Vehicle .
272
Sun RoofElectrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Mechanical Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Sun Roof, Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Switch Locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Switch,Starter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13TTachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99, 101
Telephone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Tie Down Rings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Tire Grip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Tire Pressure Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Tire Pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Tires
Changing the Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Comfort Tire Pressures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Hydroplaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Installing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Pressure Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Removing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Snow Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Spare Wheel Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Tire Grip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Tire Pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Tire Pressures Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Tires, Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Towing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Towing a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Towing Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24