coolant level DODGE SPRINTER 2006 1.G Owners Manual

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
4
CONTENTS
Q Instruments and Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Q Instrument Cluster and Indicator Lamps . . . . . . . 93
…Indicator Lamp Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
…Multi-Function Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
…Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
…Odometer and Trip Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
…Instrument and Display Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . 99
…Outside Temperature Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
…Reversing Aid Distance Display (Optional) . . 101
…Tachometer (Engine rpm) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
…Coolant Temperature Gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
…Fuel Gauge with Reserve Fuel
Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
…Battery Charge Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
…Water in Fuel Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
…Engine Oil Level Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . 107
…Coolant Level Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
…Engine Control Unit Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . 109
Q Switch Locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Q ASSYST Maintenance Computer (Optional). . . . 112
…Engine Oil Level – Display in Instrument
Cluster (Vehicles with ASSYST Maintenance
Computer only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
…Displaying Engine Oil Level with
Engine Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Q Engine Oil Level Indicator in Instrument
Cluster (Vehicles without ASSYST
Maintenance Computer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Q Heating, Ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
…Ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
…Air Recirculation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
…Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
…De-Fogging and De-Icing The Front
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
…Side Air Vents and Center Air Vents . . . . . . . . 122

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 95
4
Indicator Lamp Symbols
vAcceleration skid control (ASR)
or electronic stability program (
ESP®)*
or slippery surface warning.
1Airbag Malfunction (USA only).
Parking brake applied.
AHigh beam on, refer to "Multifunction Switch".
#Battery not being charged,
refer to "Battery Charge Indicator Lamp".
Water in fuel filter, refer to "Water in Fuel
Indicator Lamp".
2Brake pads worn.
:Engine oil level too low,
refer to "Engine Oil Level Indicator Lamp".
/Coolant level too low,
refer to "Coolant Level Indicator Lamp".
;Brake fluid level too low and electronic brake force
distribution (EBD) malfunction (USA only).
*2500 Type Vehicles only.
3Brake fluid level too low and electronic brake force
distribution (EBD) malfunction (Canada only).
-Anti-lock brake system (ABS) malfunction.
#Electronic stability program (ESP®)* malfunction.
±Engine control unit malfunction.
kAcceleration skid control (ASR) malfunction
and brake assist system (BAS)1 malfunction.
™Constant RPMs on.
WFluid level in windshield washer low.
qPreheating.

104 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
For coolant level indicator lamp /, refer to "Coolant
Level Indicator Lamp".
NOTE: Coolant temperature display
°F in USA only.
°C in Canada only.
CAUTION!
Do not leave your vehicle unattended with the
engine running as you would not be able to react to
the temperature indicator if the engine overheats.
This would lead 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 cools down.

108 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
If the engine oil level indicator lamp: does not go
out, or if it lights up again while the vehicle is moving,
the engine oil level has dropped to a point close to the
minimum level mark on the dipstick.
The indicator lamp: lights up only briefly at first,
becoming permanent as the oil level drops further.
Stop the engine immediately and check the engine oil
level. If no obvious leak is visible, correct the oil level.
If the engine oil level indicator lamp: lights up,
even if the engine oil level is sufficient, have the cause
traced and rectified by an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
For approved engine oils, please contact your
authorized Sprinter Dealer.Coolant Level Indicator Lamp
When the key is turned to position 2 in the ignition
lock, the coolant level indicator lamp / in the
instrument cluster lights up for about 2 seconds. It
must go out when the engine is running.
If the coolant level indicator lamp / remains on or
lights up again when the engine is running, the coolant
level is too low.
Do not drive on. Switch the engine off and add coolant.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 109
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 Lamp
When 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.

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
7
CONTENTS
Q Engine Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Q Sprinter Original Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Q Service Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
…Disposal of Service Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Q Emission Related Component Warranty
Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Q Regular Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
…Windshield Washer System Fluid Reservoir . 257
…Air Filter Restriction Indicator (Optional) . . . 258
…Approved Engine Oils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
…Engine Oil Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
…Ribbed V-Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
…Hydraulic Brake System, Clutch
Mechanism Fluid Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
…Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
…Engine Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
…Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
…Checking Coolant Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Q Winter Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Q Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
…Disconnecting the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
…Reconnecting the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
…Charging the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Q Replacing Wiper Blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
…Appearance Care and Corrosion Protection . 269
…Power Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
…Automatic Car Wash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
…Tar Stains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
…Paintwork, Painted Body Components . . . . . . 272
…Engine Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
…Vehicle Washing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
…Ornamental Moldings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 255
7
SPRINTER ORIGINAL PARTS
Every authorized Sprinter Dealer maintains a stock of
Sprinter original parts for maintenance and repair work.
Over 6,000 retailers around the world guarantee that
you can be supplied with Sprinter original parts
wherever you are. Over 300,000 different parts and
assemblies, including parts for older vehicle models,
are distributed from a central parts warehouse using
an optimally tuned logistics concept.
Sprinter original parts are subjected to the most
stringent quality inspections and will ensure that the
vehicle is maintained at a high level of operating
efficiency and safety, and that it maintains its value.
Each part has been specifically designed and
manufactured or selected and approved for use in
Sprinter vehicles.
It is therefore best to use only Sprinter original parts.
For cost-effective repairs in accordance with sound
recycling principles, the use of non-genuine parts and
accessories not authorized by the manufacturer could
damage the vehicle or compromise its durability or safety.
When ordering original parts, always provide the
vehicle identification number and the engine number. SERVICE PRODUCTS
Mechanical elements and the lubricants used for them
must be carefully matched.
For this reason, only brands tested and approved by
the manufacturer should be used. Please contact your
Sprinter Dealer to obtain the necessary information.
No lubricant additives should be used.
The use of such additives could affect your warranty
rights. Information is available from any authorized
Sprinter Dealer.
For specifications of engine oils, coolant and brake
fluid, contact your authorized Sprinter Dealer.
WARNING!
If handled incorrectly, service products can consti-
tute a health risk for people and an environmental
hazard.
Always observe relevant guidelines for handling,
storing and disposing of service products.

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 257
7
The following checks should be performed at regular
intervals (for example once a week or each time the
vehicle is refueled):
 Windshield washer system/headlamp cleaning
system (optional) – washer 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".
 Spare wheel location.
 Vehicle lighting.Windshield Washer System Fluid Reservoir
1. Washer system fluid reservoir
When topping off, add windshield washer fluid ("S"
for summer or "W" for winter) to the water.
Capacity of fluid reservoir (1): about 7.4 US qt (7 liters).

260 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Check the engine oil level at regular intervals with the
vehicle standing on a level surface.
 Check engine oil level about 5 minutes after
stopping the engine, which should have reached its
regular operating temperature. The normal
operating temperature should have been reached
and maintained for some time.
 Wipe the dipstick clean with a lint-free cloth before
checking.
The engine oil level must be between the
lower (MIN) and upper (MAX) marks on
the dipstick.
Add engine oil only up to the MAX mark.
Excess oil must be drained or siphoned off.Ribbed V-Belt
The ribbed V-belt drives the accessories, such as
generator, coolant pump and hydraulic steering pump.
The ribbed V-belt is automatically kept tensioned.
Check the state of the ribbed V-belt regularly, such as
at every engine oil level check.
The belt must not be damaged, worn, oiled or glazed.
There must be no cracks in the belt running surface.
Replace damaged belts.

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 261
7
Hydraulic Brake System, Clutch Mechanism Fluid
Level
1. Brake fluid reservoir
Brake fluid level must be between the MIN and MAX
marks in the reservoir (1).
If the brake fluid is below the MIN mark, there may be
a fault in the hydraulic system. Have the system
checked as soon as possible by an authorized Sprinter
Dealer.Brake fluid
Refer to the "Recommended Fluids" chart later in this
section for recommended brake fluids.
In the course of its service life, the boiling point of the
brake fluid will fall due to the continuous absorption of
moisture from the atmosphere.
If the brakes are placed under heavy loads (e.g., on
steep hills) bubbles of steam can then form in the brake
system.
This will adversely affect the brakes' effectiveness.
Engine Cooling System
The use of aluminum components in Sprinter engines
requires that anticorrosive/antifreeze specifically
formulated to protect aluminum parts be used. The
factory approved Service Products are suitable for
Sprinter engines and can be mixed with the original
anticorrosion/antifreeze filled in at factory.
Cooling system design and anticorrosion/antifreeze
agent used stipulate the replacement interval for the
coolant solution in your vehicle. Please observe the
replacement interval specified in the Service Booklet
for your vehicle.