warning DODGE SPRINTER 2005 1.G Repair Manual

116 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANELHEATING, VENTILATIONTemperature control (1)
Airflow control (2)
Air distribution control (3) Z
Air to the windshield and from the air vents
X Air to the windshield and footwell and from
the air vents
Y Air to the footwell and from the air vents
h Air 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 123
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.

130 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANELAUXILIARY HEATER – WATER OR AIR HEATER
(OPTIONAL)
NOTE: The auxiliary heater (water or air heating
device) can be used whether or not the engine is
running.
After you have filled your vehicle’s gas tank with
winterized diesel fuel for the first time, it is
recommended that you operate the auxiliary heater
before beginning a journey or operating the heater
continuously so that any summer diesel fuel left in the
auxiliary heater can combust.
Before switching the auxiliary heater on make sure that
that the battery is sufficiently charged and that there is
enough fuel in the tank. At least a quarter of the tank
should be filled up. See Fuel Gauge.
WARNING!
The auxiliary heating must not be operated at gas
stations due to the risk of fire and explosion. For
this reason, switch off the auxiliary heating before
refuelling.
Auxiliary heaters emit fumes when in operation,
including carbon monoxide.
Inhaling carbon monoxide is a health hazard and
can result in unconsciousness and death.
For this reason, do not operate auxiliary heating in
enclosed spaces without ventilation or an
extractor system, e.g. in a garage. Otherwise you
could endanger yourself and others.
Always keep the ground under the vehicle as clear
as possible so that the auxiliary heater can receive
enough combustion air and exhaust fumes can
escape. Otherwise you could endanger yourself
and others.
WARNING!
Vehicles for transporting hazardous goods:
Observe the relevant safety regulations.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 131
4
NOTE: After three successive attempts to start the
heater, a malfunction will be recorded in the integrated
diagnostic system and no further operation on
auxiliary heater will be available (lock-out). The work
to annul the lock-out must be carried out at an
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
The auxiliary heater should be run at least once a
month for about 10 minutes.
The maximum heating period is 120 minutes. For more
information, refer to "Switching the Auxiliary Heater
On and Off - Ignition On".
The auxiliary heater will automatically switch off if the
fuel level is under about 4 US gal (15 l).
In case of faults, refer to "Auxiliary Heater – Tips for
Coping with Problems".
WARNING!
Aerosals, gas cartridges and other pressurized
containers transported in the vehicle may be high-
ly flammable and could explode when heated.
Make sure, particularly on vehicles with an air
heater, that such containers are not placed in the
flow of hot air of the auxiliary heating system
Otherwise there is a risk of severe personal
injuries, death and property damage due to
explosion.
WARNING!
Vehicles with air heater:
For safety reasons, we strongly recommend that
the heat exchanger be replaced by an authorized
Sprinter Dealer after 10 years of use.
If the vehicle is sold, the owner is required to
inform the buyer of this requirement. This should
be done when the Operator’s Manual is
transferred to the buyer.

STARTING AND OPERATING
5
CONTENTS

Power Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141


Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Maximum Engine Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Constant RPMs (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143


Stopping the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144


Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Accelerator Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Stopping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Maneuvering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Gear Selector Lever Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Gear Selection for Special Circumstances . . . . 148


Transmission Selector Lever, Manually
Unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Reversing Aid (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150


Loading the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Loading Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154


Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Service Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Brake Pad Wear Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Brake Indicator and Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBD) Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . 157
Parking Brake Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Driving Safety Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Indicator
Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) . . . 164
Acceleration Skid Control Indicator Lamp
(ASR) and Brake Assist System (BAS)
1
if equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164

Acceleration Skid Control (ASR) Warning
Lamp and Electronic Stability Program
(ESP)
1 – if equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166

Acceleration Skid Control (ASR) . . . . . . . . . . . 167

STARTING AND OPERATING 141
5
POWER ASSISTANCE STARTING THE ENGINE
Battery charge warning lamp (1)
Engine oil level indicator lamp (2)
Preheater indicator lamp (3)
WARNING!
When the engine is not running, there is no power
assistance for the brake and steering system. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort is necessary
to brake and steer the vehicle.

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.

STARTING AND OPERATING 145
5
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONThe automatic transmission selects individual gears
automatically, dependent upon:
 Gear Selector lever position
 Accelerator position
 Vehicle speed
The gear shifting process is continuously adapted,
dependent on the driving style, the driving situation
and the road characteristics.
NOTE: When parking the vehicle or before working on
the vehicle with the engine running, apply the parking
brake and shift the gear selector lever into "P".
DrivingThe gear selector lever is automatically locked while in
position "P". To move the gear selector lever out of
position "P", the service brake is applied and the key in
position 2 in the ignition lock or the engine running
before the shift lock will release.
Shift gear selector lever to the desired position only
when the engine is idling normally and the service
brake is applied. Do not release the brake until ready to
drive. The vehicle may otherwise start creeping when
the gear selector lever is in drive or reverse position.
WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the gear selector lever out
of "P" o r " N " if th e e n g i ne s p e e d i s h i g h e r t h a n i d le
speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake ped-
al, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or
in reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle
and hit someone or something. Only shift into
gear when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.

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.