light DODGE SPRINTER 2005 1.G Repair Manual

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.

196 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIESHAZARD WARNING FLASHER SWITCHThe switch is located on top of the steering column
housing.
When the hazard warning flasher switch is switched
on, the indicator lamp in th e switch and the turn signal
indicator lamp in the inst rument cluster both flash.
WARNING!
If the rear cargo doors are opened to 90° (detent
position), the rear lights will be concealed. The
vehicle is then not sufficiently safeguarded at the
rear and may only be seen by other road users
when they are close to the vehicle. This could
lead to an accident.
The vehicle must then be clearly marked in
accordance with state and local laws, e.g., with a
warning triangle.

200 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIESSpare Wheel Location
NOTE: Lug wrench and jack, refer to "Vehicle Tool
Kit". For reasons of safety, check at regular intervals
that the spare wheel is properly secured.
WARNING!
If the rear cargo doors are opened to 90° (detent
position), the rear lights will be concealed. The ve-
hicle is then not sufficiently safeguarded at the
rear and may only be seen by other road users
when they are close to the vehicle. This could lead
to an accident.
The vehicle must then be clearly marked in
accordance with state and local laws, e.g., with a
warning triangle.
WARNING!
The spare wheel holder should be reattached once
the wheel has been changed.
Regularly check the spare wheel fastening.
A loose spare wheel or spare wheel holder could
be loosen or could move around the vehicle
interior uncontrollably in the event of sudden
braking, a rapid change in direction or an
accident. This increases the risk of injury to
vehicle occupants and other road users in these
situations.
Do not use retreaded/remolded tires. This process
does not always permit previous damage to be
detected. Therefore vehicle safety cannot be
guaranteed if retreaded/remolded tires are fitted.

206 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIESREMOVING A WHEEL1. Loosen the wheel bolts.
2. Jack up the vehicle until the wheel is clear of the ground.
3. Unscrew the wheel bolts and remove the wheel
(keep the wheel bolts clean).
NOTE: If the vehicle moves forwards or backwards
while it is being jacked-up, lower it again and
reposition the jack. When the vehicle is jacked-up, the
jack must stand vertically (plumb-line).
INSTALLING A WHEELWheel bolts for pressed steel wheels (1)
Wheel bolts for light-alloy wheels (Optional) (2)

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 207
6
NOTE: The optional light alloy wheels are supplied
with 5 short wheel lug bolts enclosed for the steel spare
wheel in the vehicle tool kit.
 Before fitting the spare wheel, clean rust and dirt off the contact surfaces of the wheel and the wheel hub,
and from the wheel bolts.
 Note the specified wheel and tire size, tire load capacity and speed code.
 Do not change the tire’s direction of rotation.
 Do not damage, grease or oil wheel bolts or their threads.
WARNING!
Different wheel bolts are required for pressed
steel and light-alloy wheels.
Incorrect wheel lug bolts for the wheels could
work loose, thereby causing you to lose control of
the vehicle. This could cause an accident resulting
in severe personal injuries and and property
damage.
WARNING!
Incorrect mounting bolts or improperly tightened
mounting bolts can cause the wheel to come off.
To avoid the risk of serious or fatal injuries or ve-
hicle damage, please bear the following points in
mind:• Always replace wheel bolts that are damaged or
rusted.• Never apply oil or grease to wheel bolts• If a wheel hub thread is damaged, you must not
drive the vehicle. Consult a qualified specialist
workshop.

208 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIESCentering wheels with wheel bolts
 If dual assemblies are used, before placement the inner wheel should be inspected to ensure that all
ball bearing rings are in proper position.
 Install the wheel and snug the wheel bolts.
 Slightly tighten wheel bolts.
 Slowly open jack release va lve to lower vehicle until
tire is resting on ground.
 Tighten the wheel bolts in a crosswise pattern to the specified torque with a torque wrench.
Tightening torque for 8,550 lbs (3,880 kgs)
(vehicle type 2500 C/HC/SHC):
Steel wheel – 177 lbf.ft ±7 lbf.ft (240 N.m ±10 N.m)
Light alloy wheel – 138 lbf.ft ±14 lbf.ft
(190 N.m ±20 N.m) Tightening torque for 9,990 lbs (4,530 kgs)
(vehicle type 3500 C/HC/SHC):
Steel wheel – 138lbf.ft ±14lbf.ft (190N.m ±20N.m)
 Remove jack and stow it in the vehicle tool kit.
 Check the tire pressure.
 Re-tighten the wheel bolts to the specified torque with a torque wrench after a distance of 30 miles
(about 50 km).
WARNING!
Do not tighten the wheel bolts and wheel nuts
completely while the vehicle is still jacked up.
The vehicle could tip.
WARNING!
After changing a wheel, you must, for safety reasons, have the specified tightening torque checked. The
wheels could otherwise work loose.
 check the tire pressure and correct it if necessary.
 retighten the wheel bolts and wheel nuts to the specified tightening torque once the vehicle has
been driven for 30 miles (50 km).
 have a reversed direction of tire rotation corrected as soon as possible at a qualified specialist
workshop. The vehicle handling characteristics
could otherwise be affected.

214 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Headlamps, Taillamps, Identification Lamps,
Turn Signal Lenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Reversing Aid Sensors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Window Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Wiper Blade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Light Alloy Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Steering Wheel and Gear Selector Lever . . . . 236
Cup Holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Seat Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Headliner and Shelf Below Rear Window . . . 237
Upholstery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Hard Plastic Trim Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Plastic and Rubber Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238


Electrical Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Standard Fuse and Relay Equipment . . . . . . . 239
Relay Assignment, Standard Equipment . . . . 242
Fuse and Relay Optional Equipment . . . . . . . 242


Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Front Lamp Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Taillamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
License Plate Lamps
(Cargo/Passenger Vans Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Additional Brake Lamp
(Cargo/Passenger Vans Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Side-Mounted Turn Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Side-Marker Lamps,
Standing Lamps (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Identification Lamps (Cargo/
passenger vans only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Interior Lighting in Passenger Compartment
and Load Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Interior Lighting with Reading Lamp . . . . . . . 255
Interior Lighting with Interior Sensor
Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Exit Lamps (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256


Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . . . . . . 258

218 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLEDisposal of Service ProductsDispose of service products and of parts which come
into contact with them (e.g. filters) in an
environmentally responsible manner. Comply with
applicable bars and regulations.EMISSION RELATED COMPONENT WARRANTY
STATEMENTThe Manufacturer warrants to the original and each
subsequent owner of a Sprinter heavy-duty on
highway diesel engine that:
(1) the engine was designed, built and equipped so as
to conform at the time of sale with the applicable
regulations adopted by the Federal Environmental
Protection Agency, and
(2) the emission control system of such engine is free
from defects in materials and workmanship which
would cause it not to conform with those regulations
for a period of use of five years or 100 000 miles or
3 000 hours of engine operation, whichever occurs
first.
REGULAR CHECKSThe following checks should be performed at regular
intervals (for example once a week or each time the
vehicle is refueled):
 Windshield cleaner 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".
 Vehicle lighting.

234 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLECorrosion protection, such as anticorrosion wax
should be applied to the engine compartment after
every engine cleaning. Before applying, all control
linkage bushings and joints should be lubricated. The
poly-V-belt and all pulleys should be protected from
any wax.Vehicle WashingDo not use hot water or wash your vehicle in direct
sunlight. Use only a mild car wash detergent.
Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a diffused jet of
water. Direct only a very weak spray towards the
ventilation intake. Use plenty of water and rinse the
sponge and chamois frequently.
Rinse with clear water and thoroughly wipe dry with a
chamois. Do not allow cleaning agents to dry on the
finish.
Due to the width of the vehicle, prior to running the
vehicle through an automatic car wash, fold back the
outside mirrors to prevent them from getting
damaged.
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces of road salt
as soon as possible. When washing the underbody, do not forget to clean
the inner sides of the wheels.
Ornamental MoldingsFor regular cleaning and care of very dirty chrome-
plated parts, use a chrome cleaner.Headlamps, Taillamps, Identification Lamps, Turn
Signal LensesUse a mild car wash detergent with plenty of water.
To prevent scratches, never apply strong force and use
only a soft, non-scratchy cloth when cleaning the
lenses. Do not attempt to wipe dirty lenses with a dry
cloth or sponge.
WARNING!
Dirty or iced-up steps and entrances create a risk
of slipping or falling.
Keep steps, entrances and footwear free from dirt
(e.g. mud, clay, snow and ice).

236 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLEWiper BladeClean the wiper blade rubber with a clean cloth and
detergent solution.
Light Alloy WheelsA wheel care product should be used for regular
cleaning of the light alloy wheels.
If possible, clean wheels once a week, using a soft
bristle brush and a strong spray of water.
Follow instructions on container.
NOTE: Use only acid-free cleaning materials. The acid
could lead to corrosion.Instrument ClusterUse a gentle dishwashing detergent or mild detergent
for delicate fabrics as a washing solution. Wipe with a
cloth moistened in lukewarm solution. Do not use
scouring agents.Steering Wheel and Gear Selector LeverWipe with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly or clean
with a leather care product.
WARNING!
For safety reasons, remove key from ignition lock
before cleaning the windshield, otherwise the
wiper motor can suddenly turn on and cause in-
jury.
Dirty or iced-up steps create a risk of slipping or
falling. Do not use the step in the front bumper
when it is icy or dirty.
WARNING!
For safety reasons, remove key from ignition lock
before cleaning the wiper blade, otherwise the
wiper motor can suddenly turn on and cause se-
vere personal injuries and death.