engine DODGE SPRINTER 2008 2.G Owner's Guide

190 Controls in detailDriving and parking
3
Warning
G
Always switch off the engine and apply
the handbrake before leaving the vehicle.
The vehicle could roll away if it is not
secured.
On uphill or downhill gradients steeper
than 15%:
\4apply the handbrake
\4secure an unloaded vehicle by chock-
ing the front axle (\2page 521)
\4secure a loaded vehicle by, for exam-
ple, chocking the rear axle
(\2page 521)
!
CAUTION
Whenever you park the vehicle, al-
ways remove the key to prevent the
battery from excessively discharg-
ing.
For vehicles which are out of use for
extended periods and have a battery
isolating switch*, switch off the elec-
trical system (
\2
page 338).
Warning
G
Make sure that the exhaust system does
not come into contact with highly flamma-
ble materials, e.g. dry grass or gasoline.
The flammable material could otherwise
ignite and set vehicle components on fire.
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192 Controls in detailDriving and parking
3
Applying the handbrake
\1
Pull lever
1
up as far as the last de-
tent.
The
7
indicator lamp in the in-
strument cluster lights up while the
engine is running.
Releasing the handbrake
\1
Raise lever
1
slightly and press re-
lease knob
2
.
\1
Guide lever
1
down to the stop.
The
7
indicator lamp in the in-
strument cluster goes out.
Emergency brakingNormally, you are only permitted to ap-
ply the handbrake when the vehicle is
stationary.
In exceptional cases, the handbrake can
be used for emergency braking if the
service brake fails.\1
Keep release knob
2
pressed and
carefully apply lever1
.
iOn vehicles with a folding handbrake
lever, you can then press lever
1

down to the stop.
iOn vehicles with a folding handbrake
lever, you must first pull lever
1
up
to the stop.
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193 Controls in detail
Driving and parking
3
Stopping the engine\1
Apply handbrake (
\2
page 191).
\1
Move selector lever to
P.
\1
Turn key to position
0 (\2
page 111)
in the ignition lock and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated.
\1
Secure the vehicle at the front axle if
unloaded and at the rear axle if load-
ed, e.g. using a chock (
\2
page 521).
Warning
G
The wheels on the rear axle could lock if
the handbrake lever is applied too abrupt-
ly. The vehicle could then start to skid.
Make sure that you apply the handbrake
lever carefully to ensure that braking ap-
plication is moderated.
!
CAUTION
If the coolant temperature is raised,
e.g. following driving in mountainous
terrain, run the engine at idling speed
for a further 1 or 2 minutes before
you switch off the engine. This allows
the coolant temperature to return to
normal again.
iWhen parking on steep uphill or
downhill gradients, turn the front
wheels towards the curb.
iYou can only remove the key from
the ignition lock when the selector le-
ver is in position
P.
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194 Controls in detailDriving and parking
3
Drinking and drivingSteering
Overrun cut-off
The gasoline/diesel supply is cut off if
the driver's foot is completely removed
from the accelerator pedal when the en-
gine is overrunning at engine speeds
outside of the idling control range.
General driving tipsWarning
G
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs
and driving are very dangerous combina-
tions. Even a small amount of alcohol or
drugs can affect your reflexes, percep-
tions and judgment. The possibility of a
serious or even fatal accident is sharply
increased when you drink or take drugs
and drive.
Never drink or take drugs and drive or al-
low anyone to drive after drinking or tak-
ing drugs.
Warning
G
There is no power-steering assistance
when the engine is not running.
You will need to use significantly more
force to steer and could therefore lose
control of the vehicle and cause an acci-
dent.
Never switch off the engine while driving.
!
CAUTION
Do not hold the steering wheel in its
end positions for longer than neces-
sary (e.g. when turning or maneuver-
ing).
The hydraulic pump can be damaged
by the increased temperature of the
hydraulic fluid.
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195 Controls in detail
Driving and parking
3
Driving in wet conditions Driving on flooded roads
If you are forced to drive on stretches of
road on which water has collected,
please note that:\4
the water level must not reach above
the lower edge of the front bumper
\4
the maximum speed at which you
may drive is walking speed
TiresThe tires are particularly important for
the operating and road safety of the ve-
hicle. You should therefore check the
pressure, tread and condition of the tires
on a regular basis.
A tire dealer, a qualified specialist work-
shop or any authorized Sprinter Dealer
will be able to provide further informa-
tion regarding the:\4
list of recommended makes of tire
\4
tire load-bearing capacity (LI Load
Index)
\4
maximum tire speed (SI Speed In-
dex)
\4
tire age
Warning
G
The vehicle may hydroplane despite hav-
ing adequate tire tread depth and being
driven at low speeds, depending on the
depth of water on the road surface.
For this reason, avoid tire ruts and brake
carefully.
!
CAUTION
Note that vehicles in front or oncom-
ing vehicles create waves.
This may mean that the maximum
permitted water depth is exceeded.
These notes must be observed to
avoid the risk of engine damage.
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200 Controls in detailDriving and parking
3
Improper alignment will not cause vehi-
cle vibration. Vibration may be the result
of a tire and wheel imbalance. Proper
balancing will reduce vibration and avoid
tire cupping and spotty wear.
Coolant temperatureDuring severe operating conditions and
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to approximate-
ly 250 °F (120 °C).
The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature over 250 °F
(120 °C). Doing so may cause serious
engine damage which is not covered by
the Sprinter warranty.
Warning
G
\4Driving when your engine is overheat-
ed can cause some fluids, which may
have leaked into the engine compart-
ment, to catch fire. You could be seri-
ously burned.
\4Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns which can occur
just by opening the 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 the
engine has cooled down.
nf_BA.book Page 200 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

202 Controls in detailAutomatic transmission
3
The selector lever position engaged or
the current shift range is shown in the
display. Display on vehicles with steer-
ing wheel buttons* (
\2
page 151) and on
vehicles without steering wheel buttons
(
\2
page 147).
When the selector lever is in position
D,
you can influence the gearshifts made
by the automatic transmission by:
\4
restricting the shift range
\4
changing gear yourself
Selector lever positionsì

Parking lock

Prevents the parked vehicle
from rolling away. Only move
the selector lever to
P when
the vehicle is stationary.
You can only remove the key
when the selector lever is in
position
P. The selector lever
is locked in position
P when
the key is removed.
í

Reverse gear

Only move the selector lever
to
R when the vehicle is sta-
tionary.
ë

NeutralNo power is transmitted from
the engine to the drive
wheels. Releasing the brakes
will allow you to move the ve-
hicle freely, e.g. by pushing or
towing.Do not move the selector le-
ver to
N while the vehicle is in
motion. The automatic trans-
mission could otherwise be
damaged.
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203 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
3
When the selector lever is in position
D,
you can perform gearshifts yourself,
even on vehicles with automatic trans-
mission.
Downshifting
\1
Press the selector lever to the left to-
wards
D–
.
The automatic transmission restricts
the shift range (
\2
page 204) by one
gear. The automatic transmission
shifts to the next gear down, depend-
ing on the gear currently engaged.
If ASR is deactivated or ESP
®
has malfunctioned: only
move the selector lever to N
if the vehicle is in danger of
skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
ê

Drive

The automatic transmission
changes gear automatically.
All 5 forward gears are avail-
able.
One-touch gearshifting
Warning
G
Do not downshift for additional engine
braking on a slippery surface. The drive
wheels may lose their grip and the vehicle
could skid.iThe automatic transmission does not
shift down if you press the selector
lever towards
D–
and the speed of
the vehicle is too high. The engine
could otherwise overrev.
nf_BA.book Page 203 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

204 Controls in detailAutomatic transmission
3
Upshifting
\1
Press the selector lever to the right
towards
D+
.
The automatic transmission extends
the shift range by one gear. The auto-
matic transmission shifts to the next
gear up, depending on the current
gearshift program.
Derestricting the shift range
\1
Press and hold the selector lever to-
wards
D+
until
D is shown once more
in the display.
The automatic transmission shifts
from the current shift range directly
to
D.
Selecting the ideal shift range
\1
Press and hold the selector lever
towards
D–
.
The automatic transmission will shift
to a range which allows easy acceler-
ation and deceleration. To do this,
the automatic transmission will shift
down one or more gears.When the selector lever is in position
D
you can restrict or derestrict the shift
range for the automatic transmission.
\1
Press the selector lever briefly to-
wards the right (
D+
) or left (
D–
).
The set shift range is shown in the
display.
Shift rangesiIf the maximum engine speed for the
shift range is reached and you de-
press the accelerator, the automatic
transmission will not upshift if the
shift range is restricted.
nf_BA.book Page 204 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

205 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
3
Accelerator pedal positionYour style of driving influences how the
automatic transmission shifts gears:\4
Little throttle:
early upshifts
\4
More throttle:
later upshifts
ê
The transmission shifts
through all 5 gears.
é
The automatic transmission
shifts only as far as fourth
gear.
è
The automatic transmission
shifts only as far as third
gear.
This position allows you to
use the braking effect of the
engine.
ç
The automatic transmission
shifts only as far as second
gear.
For braking on steep downhill
gradients and for driving:\4
on steep mountain roads
\4
in mountainous terrain
\4
in arduous conditions
æ
The automatic transmission
only works in first gear.
For braking on extremely
steep downhill gradients and
long downhill gradients.
Driving tips
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