warning DODGE SPRINTER 2008 2.G Owners Manual

294 Controls in detailFeatures
3
The ashtray is located in the ashtray
compartment in the center console.
1Ashtray compartment
2Recess
3Cover
\1
Pull out ashtray compartment
1
by
recess
2
.
\1To open:
fold cover
3
upwards.
\1To remove the insert:
reach into
the left and right-hand sides of the
recesses on the ashtray and pull the
insert out to empty it.
\1To replace the insert:
hold the in-
sert and press it down into the re-
tainer.
AshtrayWarning
G
Switch off the engine and apply the hand-
brake before removing the ashtray to
empty it.
Otherwise, you could accidentally put the
vehicle in gear.
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296 Controls in detailFeatures
3
\1
Switch on the ignition (
\2
page 111).
\1
Press in cigarette lighter
1
.The cigarette lighter will pop out auto-
matically when the heating element is
red-hot.The paper holder is on the control panel
for the air-conditioning system.
1Paper holder\1
Press top of paper holder
1
.
Warning
G
Only hold the hot cigarette lighter by its
knob. Otherwise, you may burn yourself.
Remove the cigarette lighter if children
are traveling with you. They could injure
themselves on a hot cigarette lighter or
start a fire.
Warning
G
Do not press the cigarette lighter in with
too much force. The ashtray compart-
ment could otherwise close and trap your
finger.
Paper holder
N68.00-2425-31
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298 Controls in detailFeatures
3
Telephones may only be used inside the
vehicle if they are connected to a sepa-
rate exterior antenna of a type tested
and approved by the manufacturer.
iThe sockets are supplied with power
even if the key is removed from the
ignition lock. Please note that the
battery may be discharged if you
have connected an accessory, e.g. a
coolbox, and the engine is switched
off.Telephone*
Warning
G
You must observe the legal requirements
for the country in which you are driving
when operating a cell phone in the vehi-
cle.If it is permitted to operate a cell phone
while the vehicle is in motion, you must
only operate it when road and traffic con-
ditions permit. You may otherwise be dis-
tracted from the traffic conditions, cause
an accident and injure yourself and oth-
ers.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
Cell phones without exterior antennas
may interfere with the vehicle electronics
and thereby jeopardize the operational
safety of the vehicle. You must therefore
only use these devices when they are con-
nected to a separate exterior antenna.
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299 Controls in detail
Features
3
The installation of the antenna must be
approved by a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Always have maintenance work carried
out at a qualified specialist workshop,
e.g. an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Warning
G
Only use the telephone when road, weath-
er and traffic conditions permit you to do
so. You will otherwise be too distracted. If
you are not using the hands-free system,
pull over to make a phone call.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just
30 mph (approx. 50 km/h), your vehicle
is covering a distance of 44 feet (approx.
14 m) every second.
Telephones without exterior antennas
may interfere with the vehicle electronics
and thereby jeopardize the operational
safety of the vehicle.
iObserve all legal requirements.iThe cell phone battery will be
charged depending on the charge
status and the position of the key in
the ignition lock. The cell phone dis-
play indicates the charging process.
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303 Operation
Driving tips
4
\3 Driving tipsFor information about driving in winter
and with snow chains, see “Winter driv-
ing” (
\2
page 404).
Transporting your vehicle by rail may be
subject to certain restrictions or require
special measures to be taken in some
countries due to varying tunnel heights
and loading standards.
You can obtain information at any
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Trailer hitches*Only install a trailer hitch receiver ap-
proved for your vehicle. For information
on availability and installation, please
see your authorized Sprinter Dealer.
The bumpers on your vehicle are not de-
signed for use with clamp-type hitches.
Do not attach rental hitches or other
bumper-type hitches to them.
To reduce the possibility of damage, re-
move the hitch ball adaptor from the re-
ceiver when not in use.
Rail transport
Trailer towingWarning
G
Failure to use proper equipment and driv-
ing technique can result in a loss of vehi-
cle control when towing a trailer.
Improper towing or failure to follow the in-
structions contained in this guide can re-
sult in serious injury.
Follow the guidelines below carefully to
assure safe trailer operation.
Ask your authorized Sprinter Dealer if you
require an explanation of information con-
tained in this guide.
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308 OperationDriving tips
4
Attaching a trailerPlease observe the maximum permitted
trailer dimensions (width and length).
Most states and all Canadian provinces
require safety chains between your tow
vehicle and the trailer. The chains should
be crisscrossed under the trailer tongue.
They must be attached to the hitch re-
ceiver, and not to the vehicle’s bumper
or axle. Be sure to leave enough slack in
the chains to permit turning corners.
iMost states and all Canadian prov-
inces require a separate brake sys-
tem at various trailer weights.
Warning
G
Do not connect a trailer brake system (if
trailer is so equipped) directly to the vehi-
cle’s hydraulic brake system as your vehi-
cle is equipped with antilock brakes. If
you do, neither the vehicle’s brakes nor
the trailer’s brakes will function properly.
This could cause an accident resulting in
property damage, injury or death to you or
others.The provided vehicle electrical wiring har-
ness for trailer towing has a brake signal
wire for hook-up to a brake controller.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
Most states and all Canadian provinces
require a break-away switch on trailers
with a separate brake system. The switch
activates the trailer brakes in the possible
event that the trailer might separate from
the tow vehicle.You should consider using a trailer sway
control system. For further information,
see your authorized Sprinter Dealer.
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310 OperationDriving tips
4
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.Warning
G
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 maneu-
vers. Sudden maneuvers may lead to loss
of control over the vehicle-trailer combi-
nation. This could cause an accident re-
sulting in property damage or injury to
you or others.
!
CAUTION
If the transmission hunts between
gears on inclines, manually shift to a
lower gear (select
"4", "3", "2"
or
"1"). A lower gear and reduction
of speed reduces the chance of the
engine overloading and / or over-
heating.
When going down a long hill, shift
into a lower gear and use the en-
gine’s braking effect. Avoid riding the
brakes, thus overheating the vehicle
and trailer brakes.
If the engine coolant rises to an ex-
tremely high temperature (coolant tem-
perature needle approaching the red
zone) when the air conditioner is on,
turn off the air conditioner. Engine cool-
ant heat can be additionally vented by
opening the windows, switching the cli-
mate control fan speed to high and set-
ting the temperature control to the
maximum hot position.
Extreme care must be exercised since
your vehicle with a trailer will require ad-
ditional 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 ve-
hicle before you can return to your lane.
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312 OperationDriving tips
4
You will find information about the
speed limit for your tires under “Tires
and wheels” in this section
(\2
page 383).
Check regularly, e.g. weekly or when re-
fueling:
\4
the vehicle lighting
\4
the condition of the tires
(\2
page 346) and the tire pressures
(
\2
page 361)
\4
the engine oil level (
\2
page 322)
\4
the brake fluid level (
\2
page 331)
\4
the fluid level in the windshield wash-
er system / headlamp cleaning sys-
tem reservoir (
\2
page 333)
\4
the contamination level of the rear
air-conditioning air cleaner
(\2
page 414)
Your vehicle is equipped with monolith-
ic-type catalytic converters, an impor-
tant element in conjunction with the
oxygen sensors to achieve substantial
control of the pollutants in the exhaust
emissions. Keep your vehicle in proper
operating condition by following our rec-
ommended maintenance instructions as
outlined in your Service Booklet.
Warning
G
Exceeding the permissible maximum
speed can cause tire damage, which
could lead to loss of control of the vehi-
cle.
As the driver, you must find out about the
maximum speed of the vehicle and the re-
sulting permissible maximum speed of
the tires (tire and tire pressure).
Never exceed the speed limit for your
tires under any circumstances
(\2page 383).
Regular checks
Catalytic converter (gasoline engine)
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313 Operation
Driving tips
4
Your vehicle is equipped with an oxida-
tion catalyst, an important element in
conjunction with the oxygen sensors to
achieve substantial control of the pollut-
ants in the exhaust emissions. Keep
your vehicle in proper operating condi-
tion by following our recommended
maintenance instructions as outlined in
your Service Booklet.
!
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the catalytic
converters, only use premium un-
leaded gasoline in this vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in en-
gine operation should be repaired
promptly.
Otherwise, excessive unburned fuel
may reach the catalytic converter,
causing it to overheat and potentially
start a fire.
Warning
G
As with any vehicle, do not idle, park or
operate this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay, or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could
be ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
Oxidation catalyst (diesel engine)
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314 OperationDriving tips
4
Certain systems of the engine serve to
keep the toxic components of the ex-
haust gases within permissible limits re-
quired by law.These systems, of course, will function
properly only when maintained strictly
according to factory specifications. Any
adjustments to the engine should there-
fore be carried out only by an authorized
Sprinter Dealer.
Engine adjustments should not be al-
tered in any way. Moreover, the speci-
fied service jobs must be carried out
regularly according to the manufactur-
er’s servicing requirements. For details
refer to the Service Booklet.Warning
G
As with any vehicle, do not idle, park or
operate this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay, or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could
be ignited and cause a vehicle fire.Emission control
Warning
G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains car-
bon monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can
cause unconsciousness and lead to
death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas
fumes are entering the vehicle while driv-
ing, have the cause determined and cor-
rected immediately. If you must drive
under these conditions, drive with at least
one window fully open at all times.
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