maintenance DODGE SPRINTER 2008 2.G Owners Manual

5 Introduction
Environmental protection
Introduction
\3 Environmental protectionEnvironmental note
H
Chrysler’s declared policy is one of compre-
hensive environmental protection.The objectives are for the natural resourc-
es which form the basis of our existence
on this planet to be used sparingly and in
a manner which takes the requirements
of both nature and humanity into ac-
count.You too can contribute to environmental
protection by operating your vehicle in an
environmentally-responsible manner.
Fuel consumption and engine, transmis-
sion, brake and tire wear depend on the
two following factors:
\4Operating conditions of your vehicle
\4Your personal driving style
You can influence both factors.
Observe the following notes:
Operating conditions
\4Avoid driving short distances as this
increases fuel consumption.
\4Make sure that the tire pressures are
always correct.
\4Do not carry any unnecessary weight
in / on the vehicle.
\4Keep an eye on the vehicle’s fuel con-
sumption.
\4Remove roof racks once you no long-
er need them.
\4A regularly serviced vehicle will con-
tribute to environmental protection.
You should therefore adhere to the
specified service intervals.
\4Always have maintenance work car-
ried out at an authorized Sprinter
Dealer.
\2\2
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8 IntroductionOperating safetyWarning
G
Always have maintenance work carried
out at an authorized Sprinter Dealer which
has the necessary specialist knowledge
and tools to carry out the work required.
The manufacturer recommends that you
use an authorized Sprinter Dealer for this
purpose.
In par ti c ula r , w or k rel ev an t to s afe ty or on
safety-related systems must be carried
out at an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Warning
G
A heavy impact to the underbody, tires or
wheels, for example when bottoming out
on rough terrain or driving over an obsta-
cle at high speed, could damage your ve-
hicle. This also applies to vehicles
equipped with underbody protection.In this case, have your vehicle checked at
an authorized Sprinter Dealer which has
the necessary specialist knowledge and
tools to carry out the work required. The
manufacturer recommends that you use
an authorized Sprinter Dealer for this pur-
pose.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
I n p a r t i c u l a r , w o r k r e l e v a n t t o s a f e t y o r o n
safety-related systems must be carried
out at an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
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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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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
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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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347 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
The tire inflation pressure should be
checked regularly, i.e. at least each time
you refuel the vehicle. The preferred in-
terval for checking the tire inflation pres-
sure, however, is before each trip.
For more information on checking tire
inflation pressure, refer to "Recom-
mended tire inflation pressure"
(\2
page 361).
Tire inspectionEvery time when checking the tire infla-
tion pressure, the tires should also be in-
spected for the following:\4
excessive treadwear, refer to "Tread
depth".
\4
the condition of the tread depths, i.e.
uneven tread wear or excessive
treadwear on one side. Turn the front
wheels to full lock if necessary to en-
able you to check the inner edge of
the front tires more easily. You must
also always check the inside of the
tire tread on the rear wheels.
\4
cord or fabric showing through the
tire’s rubber
Tire care and maintenanceWarning
G
Regularly check the tires for damage.
Damaged tires can cause tire inflation
pressure loss. As a result, you could lose
control of your vehicle.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have
sustained damage, replace them.
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370 OperationTires and wheels
4
Warning (Continued)
G
As an added safety feature, your vehicle
has been equipped with a Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS) that illumi-
nates a low tire pressure telltale when one
or more of your tires is significantly under-
inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you should
stop and check your tires as soon as pos-
sible, and inflate them to the proper pres-
sure. Driving on a significantly
underinflated tire causes the tire to over-
heat and can lead to tire failure.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may affect the ve-
hicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substi-
tute for proper tire maintenance, and it is
the driver’s responsibility to maintain cor-
rect tire pressure, even if underinflation
has not reached the level to trigger illumi-
nation of the TPMS low tire pressure tell-
tale.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
USA only:Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when
the system is not operating properly. The
TPMS malfunction indicator is combined
with the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will
flash for approximately 1 minute and then re-
main continuously illuminated. This se-
quence will continue upon subsequent
vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction
exists. When the malfunction indicator is illu-
minated, the system may not be able to de-
tect or signal low tire pressure as intended.
Continued
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377 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
Warning
G
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold
and inflated to the inflation pressure rec-
ommended by the vehicle manufacturer
on the vehicle placard or the tire inflation
pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of
a different size than the size indicated on
the vehicle placard or the tire inflation
pressure label, you should determine the
proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires).
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
As an added safety feature, your vehicle
has been equipped with a Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS) that illumi-
nates a low tire pressure telltale when one
or more of your tires is significantly under-
inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you should
stop and check your tires as soon as pos-
sible, and inflate them to the proper pres-
sure. Driving on a significantly
underinflated tire causes the tire to over-
heat and can lead to tire failure.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may affect the ve-
hicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substi-
tute for proper tire maintenance, and it is
the driver’s responsibility to maintain cor-
rect tire pressure, even if underinflation
has not reached the level to trigger illumi-
nation of the TPMS low tire pressure tell-
tale.
Continued
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409 Operation
Maintenance and servicing
4
\3 Maintenance and servicingWarning
G
Before carrying out maintenance opera-
tions and repairs, please make sure that
you read the relevant sections of the tech-
nical documentation, such as:Operating instructions and workshop in-
formationFamiliarize yourself in advance in particu-
lar with legal requirements, such as:Safety at work and accident prevention
regulations.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
You may otherwise fail to recognize dan-
gers and could injure yourself or others.When working underneath the vehicle,
you must place the vehicle on stands with
sufficient load-bearing capacity.Never use the vehicle jack instead. There
is a risk that the vehicle jack could give
way and the vehicle could drop, seriously
injuring yourself or others, or causing
damage to property.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
The jack is only designed to raise the ve-
hicle for a short time.Always have the maintenance work car-
ried out and checked at an authorized
Sprinter Dealer which has the necessary
specialist knowledge and tools to carry
out the work required.
Continued
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