warning DODGE SPRINTER 2008 2.G Manual Online

184 Controls in detailDriving and parking
3
You will find information on:\4
regular checks (
\2
page 312)
\4
driving in winter (
\2
page 406)
\4
driving when towing a trailer
(\2
page 303)
\4
and other driving tips
in the “Operation” section
(
\2
page 301).
\1
Before starting the engine, make
sure that all vehicle occupants are
wearing their seat belt correctly
(\2
page 39) and the handbrake
(
\2
page 191) is applied.
Starting the engineWarning
G
Never run the engine in an enclosed
space. The exhaust fumes contain poi-
sonous carbon monoxide. Breathing in
exhaust fumes constitutes a health haz-
ard and can lead to loss of consciousness
and death.
Warning
G
A seat belt that is worn incorrectly or not
at all, or that is not correctly engaged in
the seat belt buckle, cannot perform its
intended protective function. In certain
circumstances, you could then be seri-
ously or even fatally injured. Make sure,
therefore, that all occupants – in particu-
lar, expectant mothers – wear their seat
belt correctly at all times.
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186 Controls in detailDriving and parking
3
Starting the engine
Gasoline engine
\1
Turn the key to position
3 in the igni-
tion lock (
\2
page 111) and release it
immediately ("touch-start" function).
The engine starts automatically.
Diesel engine
\1
Switch on the ignition (
\2
page 111).
The
q
preglow indicator lamp in
the instrument cluster comes on.
\1
As soon as the
q
preglow indica-
tor lamp goes out, turn the key to po-
sition
3 in the ignition lock and
release it as soon as the engine is
running.
\1
Warm the engine up quickly.
\1
Do not run the engine at full speed
until it has reached operating tem-
perature.iYou can start the engine without pre-
glow when the engine is warm.After a cold start
Pulling awayWarning
G
Do not downshift for additional engine
braking on a slippery surface. The drive
wheels may lose their grip and the vehicle
could skid.!
CAUTION
Only drive at high speeds once the
engine has warmed up. This protects
the engine.
When driving on slippery surfaces,
avoid spinning the drive wheels
where possible as this could damage
the drive train.
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187 Controls in detail
Driving and parking
3
\1
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
The selector lever lock is released.
\1
Release the handbrake
(\2
page 191).
The7
indicator lamp in the in-
strument cluster goes out.
\1
Move the selector lever to position
D
or
R.
\1
Release the brake pedal.
\1
Carefully depress the accelerator pedal.
You will find more information about se-
lector lever positions, shift ranges and
driving tips in the “Automatic transmis-
sion” section (
\2
page 201).
iOn vehicles with a reverse warning
feature*, an audible warning sounds
for other road users when reverse
gear is engaged (
\2
page 271).
iDepending on the vehicle's settings,
the vehicle automatically locks itself
centrally after it has driven off, at the
latest (
\2
page 106). The locking
knobs on the front doors and the
sliding door drop down.
You can open the doors from the in-
side at any time.
You can also switch off the automat-
ic door lock (
\2
page 106).
!
CAUTION
Only select reverse gear when the ve-
hicle is stationary, otherwise you
could damage the automatic trans-
mission.
iWait until the gear selection has
completed before pulling away.iAutomatic transmission upshifts are
made at higher engine speeds after a
cold start. This helps the catalytic
converter to reach its operating tem-
perature more quickly.
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188 Controls in detailDriving and parking
3
Do not accelerate to prevent your vehi-
cle from rolling backwards on an uphill
gradient. Instead, you should either use
the handbrake or depress the brake ped-
al. This prevents excessive wear on the
clutch.
Select a lower gear (shift range
3, 2 or
1)
(
\2
page 204) in good time on long and
steep downhill gradients, especially if
towing a trailer. This prevents the brakes
from overheating and wearing too rapidly.
It is best not to stop the vehicle immedi-
ately after the brakes have been subject-
ed to an extreme load; continue driving
for a short time instead. The brakes are
cooled down more quickly in the airflow.The first time the brakes are applied af-
ter a long period of driving in heavy rain
without braking, it is possible that:
\4
there will be a delayed braking
response
\4
you will need to depress the brake
pedal more firmly
You should therefore maintain a greater
distance from the vehicle in front.
BrakingWarning
G
There is no power assistance for the ser-
vice brake when the engine is not running.
You will need to use significantly more
force to brake and could therefore lose
control of the vehicle and cause an acci-
dent.
Never switch off the engine while driving.
Warning
G
Make sure that other road users are not
put at risk by your braking.
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189 Controls in detail
Driving and parking
3
Apply the brakes so that you can feel
their response after a journey on wet
roads, especially if the road has been
salted. The brake discs will be warmed,
dry more quickly and be protected
against corrosion.
If you make only moderate use of the
service brake, check from time to time
that it is fully functional. To do this,
brake more sharply at a higher vehicle
speed. The brake will grip better as a re-
sult.For safety reasons, the manufacturer
recommends that you only have brake
pads / linings installed on your vehicle
that have been approved for the Sprinter
Vehicle.
Brake pads /linings that have not been
approved for the Sprinter Vehicle could
affect your vehicle’s operating safety.
iIn exceptional cases, the handbrake
can be used for emergency braking if
the service brake fails (
\2
page 192).
ParkingWarning
G
Only remove the key from the ignition
lock when the vehicle is stationary, since
it is not possible to steer the vehicle with
the key removed.
Always apply the handbrake after parking
the vehicle.
Never leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle. They could release the hand-
brake. This could lead to a serious or fatal
accident.
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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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191 Controls in detail
Driving and parking
3
Handbrake
The handbrake is located between the
driver’s seat and the passenger’s seat.1Lever
2Release knob
Warning
G
Regulations in some countries require the
parking lamps to be switched on to illumi-
nate the vehicle for other road users if
parked on a public road at night. In built-
up areas, night reflectors can also be
used.
Observe legal requirements.
Warning
G
Never leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle. They could release the hand-
brake. This could lead to a serious or fatal
accident.
!
CAUTION
You must only apply the handbrake
when the vehicle is stationary.
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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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