wheel DODGE SPRINTER 2005 1.G User Guide

90 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANELLegend For Instruments And Controls
1. Left-hand air vent.
2. Multifunction switch.
3. Speed control .
4. Hood release lever .
5. Instrument cluster, refer to "Instrument Cluster and Indicator Lamps".
6. Hazard warning flasher switch .
7. Steering wheel with horn, front driver airbag .
8. Fuse box .
9. Windshield wiper switch, refer to "Windshield Wiper Switch".
10. Ignition lock/starter switch .
11. Center air vents .
12. Upper air vents .
13. Radio, see individual manual. 14. Temperature control switch
.
15. Airflow control switch .
16. Air distribution switch .
17. Temperature sensor, automatic heating control / air conditioning, regulated .
18. Air conditioning switch .
19. Heater booster switch .
20. Residual engine heat utilization switch .
21. Gear selector lever (automatic transmission)
22. Timer for auxiliary heater .
23. Electrical outlet .
24. Ashtray .
25. Cup holder .
26. Front passenger airbag .
27. Right-hand air vent .
28. Glove compartment .
NOTE: For layout of switches, see previous page.

94 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANELMulti-Function Indicator
WARNING!
Never operate buttons (1, 2, 3 and 4) in the multi-
function indicator while driving.
To operate these buttons the driver must reach
through the steering wheel, which could
significantly impede its movement.
Your attention will also be diverted from the road
and traffic conditions.
This could cause you to lose control of the vehicle
and could lead to an accident and result in severe
personal injuries or death.
For this reason, make sure that the traffic
conditions are safe before pressing the buttons, so
that nobody may be endangered.
When possible, reach around the steering wheel
to operate the multi-function indicator buttons.
Do not rest your head or chest on the steering
wheel or dashboard when operating the buttons.

120 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANELSide Air Vents and Center Air VentsTo open, turn the thumbwheel outwards.
To close, turn the thumbwheel inwards.
Intermediate settings are possible.
Upper Air VentsThe upper air vents supply fresh air (not heated) to the
passenger/load compartment.
To open, turn the th umbwheel forwards.
To close, turn the thumbwheel rearwards.

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

146 STARTING AND OPERATINGNOTE: After selecting any driving position from "N"
or "P", wait a moment to allow the gear to fully engage
before accelerating, especially when the engine is cold.Accelerator PositionPartial throttle, for early upshifting and normal
acceleration
Full throttle, for later upshifting and rapid acceleration
Kickdown, (depressing the accelerator beyond full
throttle) for downshifting to a lower gear and
maximum acceleration. Once the desired speed is
attained, ease up on the accelerator, the transmission
shifts up again.StoppingFor brief stops, such as at traffic lights, leave the
transmission in gear and hold vehicle with the service
brake.
For longer stops with the engine idling, shift into "N"
or "P" and hold the vehicle with the service brake.
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill grade, do not
hold it with the accelerator, use the brake. This avoids
unnecessary transmission heat build up.
ManeuveringTo maneuver in tight areas, such as when pulling into
a parking space, control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes. Acce lerate gently and never
abruptly step on the accelerator.
To rock a vehicle out of soft ground (mud or snow),
alternately shift from forward to reverse, while
applying slight partial throttle.
WARNING!
Getting out of your vehicle with the gear selector le-
ver not fully engaged in position "P" is dangerous.
Also, when parked on an incline, position "P" alone
may not prevent your vehicle from moving, possibly
hitting people or objects.Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to position "P".
When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
against curb.

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.

162 STARTING AND OPERATINGas the voltage reaches this level again
– the ABS is then
reactivated.
If ABS malfunctions, the other driving safety systems
are deactivated. The handling and braking
characteristics of your vehicle change. The other
braking and driving systems still function normally.
I
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)ABS prevents the wheels from locking at any speed
above about 5 mph (8 km/h), regardless of road
surface conditions. The vehicle remains steerable even
if the brakes are applied fully.
A light vibrating of the steering wheel and pulsating of
the brake pedal indicate that the ABS is working.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will respond even
with light brake pedal pressure because of the
increased likelihood of locking wheels. The pulsating
brake pedal can be an indication of hazardous road
conditions and works as a reminder to take extra care
while driving.
WARNING!
If the ABS indicator lamp - does not go out or
lights up again while driving, the ABS is malfunc-
tioning. If ABS malfunctions, the other driving
safety systems are deactivated. The vehicle’s brak-
ing characteristics may be affected. There is an in-
creased risk that your vehicle could skid in the
event of sharp braking. Have the malfunction
traced and repaired without delay by an autho-
rized 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.

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.

166 STARTING AND OPERATINGAcceleration Skid Control (ASR) Warning Lamp
and Electronic Stability Program (ESP)* – if
equippedWhen the key is in position 2 in the ignition lock, the
warning lamp v in the speedometer will light up
for about 2 seconds. It must go out when the engine is
running.
The warning lamp v flashes when:
 The ASR or ESP is activated.
 The drive wheels spin with the ASR shut off. *2500 type vehicles only
The warning lamp v lights up when the ASR is
shut off.
Deactivate the acceleration skid control, refer to
"Deactivating Acceleration Skid Control (ASR)".
WARNING!
If the warning lamp v in the speedometer
lights up or flashes:
Do not deactivate the acceleration skid control
(ASR)
.
 Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as necessary when pulling away.
 Ease off on the accelerator pedal when driving at a steady speed.
 Adapt your speed and driving style to the prevailing road, traffic and weather conditions.
Failure to heed these warnings could cause the
vehicle to enter a skid and may result in an
accident.

STARTING AND OPERATING 167
5
Acceleration Skid Control (ASR)ASR makes it possible to pull away and accelerate on a
slippery surface. A spinning wheel is braked and its
tractive power is transferred to the wheel with full
grip.
The acceleration skid control (ASR) improves driving
stability at all speeds only on vehicles of the chassis
and cargo/passenger vans type 3500 C/HC/SHC
(without ESP).
The engine’s torque is limited to improve driving
stability. When this is happening, the warning
lamp v in the speedometer flashes.
If the road surface is not capable of providing traction,
bearing in mind the tires, load and grade, it may not be
possible to pull away even with ASR.
If wheels with tires of a different size than those offered
by an authorized Sprinter Dealer are used, the correct
operation of the ASR cannot be guaranteed.
WARNING!
ASR cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded.
The ASR 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 ASR equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
If the ASR function is used for a prolonged period
of time, the rear axle brakes may fail due to
overheating.
If the vehicle is to be towed away with the front
wheels clear of the ground, or if the brakes are to
be tested on a brake dynamometer, do not pull the
key in position 2 in the ignition lock, because the
drive wheels could lock.