fuel DODGE SPRINTER 2008 2.G User Guide

237 Controls in detail
Auxiliary heating/ventilation*
3
The auxiliary heating heats the coolant
and the vehicle interior and is therefore
more favorable to the engine and con-
sumes less fuel. The fuel tank must be at
least a quarter full to ensure that the
auxiliary heating/ventilation operates
correctly.
The maximum heating period is
60 minutes.
You can use the auxiliary heating / ven-
tilation to:\4
ventilate or preheat the vehicle inte-
rior and to de-ice the windows
\4
start the engine better in cold weath-
er
\4
support the vehicle’s heating system
while the engine is running and out-
side temperatures are low (heater
booster function) (
\2
page 234)
You can use the operating system to de-
fine up to three switch-on times, one of
which can be selected to switch on the
auxiliary heating / ventilation
(
\2
page 240).You can switch the auxiliary heating /
ventilation on and off immediately using:
\4
the auxiliary heating / heater booster
switch (
\2
page 238)
\4
the auxiliary heating remote control*
(\2
page 239)
iThe auxiliary heating automatically
switches to heater booster mode af-
ter the engine is started.
!
CAUTION
Switch on the auxiliary heating at reg-
ular intervals (at least once a month)
for approximately 10 minutes.
Make sure that the hot air flow is not
obstructed. The auxiliary heating
would otherwise overheat and switch
off.
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301 Operation
4 Operation
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)........... 302
Driving tips........... 303
Electronic equipment........... 315
Refueling........... 316
Engine compartment........... 318
Battery........... 335
Battery isolating switch*........... 338
Tires and wheels........... 341
Winter driving........... 404
Maintenance and servicing........... 409
Cleaning and care of the vehicle........... 416
nf_BA.book Page 301 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

311 Operation
Driving tips
4
If you plan to operate your vehicle in for-
eign countries, please be aware that:\4
service facilities or replacement
parts may not be readily available,
\4
unleaded gasoline for vehicles with
catalytic converters may not be
available; the use of leaded fuels will
damage the catalysts,
\4
gasoline may have a considerably
lower octane rating, and improper
fuel can cause engine damage.
You will find information about
gasoline / diesel in the “Technical data”
section (
\2
page 610).You can permanently limit the maximum
speed of your vehicle to 75 mph
(120 km/h).
The manufacturer recommends that you
have the maximum speed programmed
at an authorized Sprinter Dealer. This
has the necessary specialist knowledge
and tools to carry out the required work.
Operating the vehicle outside the
USA or Canada
iIf you are traveling in countries
where vehicles are driven on the op-
posite side of the road to that in
which the vehicle is registered, you
must have the headlamps:\4
partially masked (halogen head-
lamps)
\4
switched over (bi-xenon head-
lamps)
Relevant information can be ob-
tained at an authorized Sprinter Deal-
er.
Programmed maximum speed
nf_BA.book Page 311 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

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)
nf_BA.book Page 312 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

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)
nf_BA.book Page 313 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

316 OperationRefueling
4
\3 Refueling
The fuel filler flap is next to the driver’s
door. You can only open the fuel filler
flap when the driver’s door is open.1Retaining strap
2Fuel filler cap
Warning
G
Fuel is highly flammable. Fire, naked
flames and smoking as well as the use of
auxiliary heaters (sparks) are therefore
prohibited when handling fuel.
For this reason, switch off the auxiliary
heating when refueling.
Warning
G
Do not allow fuel to come into contact
with your skin or clothing. Your health
may be damaged if:
\4you spill fuel onto your bare skin
\4you inhale fuel vapors
nf_BA.book Page 316 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

317 Operation
Refueling
4
\1
Remove the key from the ignition
lock.
\1
Switch off the auxiliary heating.
\1
Open the driver’s door.
\1
Open the fuel filler flap.
\1
Close all the vehicle’s doors, so that
no fuel vapors can enter the vehicle.
\1
Turn fuel filler cap
2
counterclock-
wise and let it hang by retaining
strap
1
.
\1
Only fill the tank until the pump noz-
zle switches off.
\1
Replace fuel filler cap
2
and turn it
clockwise.A clicking sound indicates that the
fuel filler cap is fully closed.
\1
Open the driver’s door and close the
fuel filler flap.
You will find information about fuel in
the “Technical data” section
(
\2
page 610).
nf_BA.book Page 317 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

323 Operation
Engine compartment
4
Check the engine oil level on a regular ba-
sis, for example weekly or each time you re-
fuel.Checking the engine oil level in the
displayIn vehicles with diesel engines, you can
view the engine oil level in the display.When the oil is being checked, the vehi-
cle must
\4
be standing level
\4
be at normal operating temperature
\4
have been standing with the engine
switched off for at least five minutes
\1
Switch on the ignition (
\2
page 111).
The display is activated.
iIf the oil level exceeds the maximum
level several times during operation,
have the malfunction rectified imme-
diately at an authorized Sprinter
Dealer.
iIf no oil level reading is shown again,
check the engine oil level with the dip-
stick.
Have the engine oil level display
checked at an authorized Sprinter Deal-
er.
!
CAUTION
Have any excess oil drained or si-
phoned off at an authorized Sprinter
Dealer. Otherwise, the engine or cat-
alytic converter could be damaged.
iIf at extremely low temperatures no
engine oil level is displayed after 5
minutes, wait a further 5 minutes be-
fore repeating the engine oil level
check.
nf_BA.book Page 323 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

331 Operation
Engine compartment
4
The reservoir is in the engine compart-
ment. Check the brake fluid level:\4
regularly, e.g. weekly or when refuel-
ing
\4
only with the vehicle standing on a
level surface and with the engine
switched off
1Coolant tank cap
2Brake fluid reservoir cap
3Windshield washer reservoir capThe brake fluid level must be between
the MIN and MAX marks.
Brake fluid
N20.30-2063-31
iThere is usually a notice in the engine
compartment to remind you when
the next brake fluid change is due.
nf_BA.book Page 331 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

337 Operation
Battery
4
The batteries must always be sufficiently
charged so that they achieve their in-
tended service life.
Have the battery charge status checked
more frequently if you use the vehicle
mainly for short trips or if you leave it
parked up for a long period.
If you intend to leave your vehicle
parked up for a long period, seek advice
from an authorized Sprinter Dealer and
switch off the electrical system at the
battery isolating switch (
\2
page 338).You will find further information in the
“Practical hints” section (
\2
page 573).
!
CAUTION
Switch off the engine and wait for
approximately 20 seconds before you
loosen or disconnect the terminal
clamps. You could otherwise damage
electrical system components.Care of batteries!
CAUTION
Dirty terminal clamps and battery
surfaces cause leakage current, lead-
ing to battery discharge. Always keep
the terminal clamps and battery sur-
faces clean and dry. Lightly grease
the terminal clamps, particularly the
undersides, with acid-proof grease.
!
CAUTION
Cleaning agents containing fuel can
corrode the battery casing. Only
clean with commercially available
cleaning agents and clean the bat-
tery casing with the cell caps
screwed in.
nf_BA.book Page 337 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM