2004 DODGE SPRINTER warning

STARTING AND OPERATING 179
5
Checking Weights of Vehicle and TrailerTo assure that the tow vehicle and trailer are in
compliance with the maximum permissible weight
limits, and to know the actual weights, have the loaded
vehicle-trailer combination (tow vehicle including
driver, passengers and cargo, trailer fully loaded)
weighed on a commercial scale.
Check the vehicle’s front and rear Gross Axle Weight
(GAW), the GTW and TW. The values as measured
must not be exceeded, according to the weight listed
under “Vehicle and trailer weight and ratings”.A ttaching a TrailerPlease observe 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 receiver, and not to
the vehicle’s bumper or axle. Be sure to leave enough
slack in the chains to permit turning corners.
Most states and all Canadian provinces require a
separate brake system at various trailer weights.
WARNING!
Do not connect a trailer brake system (if trailer is
so equipped) directly to the vehicle’s hydraulic
brake system as your vehicle is equipped with an-
tilock brakes. If you do, neither the vehicle’s
brakes nor the trailer’s brakes will function prop-
erly. This could cause an accident resulting in
property damage, injury or death to you or others.
The provided vehicle electrical wiring harness for
trailer towing has a brake signal wire for hook-up
to a brake controller.
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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STARTING AND OPERATING 181
5
WARNING!
Take into consideration that when towing a trail-
er, the handling characteristics are different and
less stable from those when operating the vehicle
without a trailer.
It is important to avoid sudden maneuvers.
Sudden maneuvers may lead to loss of control
over the vehicle-trailer combination. This could
cause an accident resulting 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 engine overloading
and / or overheating.
When going down a long hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine’s braking effect. Avoid
riding the brakes, thus overheating the vehicle
and trailer brakes.
If the engine coolant rises to an extremely high
temperature (coolant temperature needle
approaching the red zone) when the air
conditioner is on, turn off the air conditioner.
Engine coolant heat can be additionally vented by
opening the windows, switching the climate
control fan speed to high and setting the
temperature control to the maximum hot position.
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182 STARTING AND OPERATING
Parking a Trailer
Extreme care must be exercised since your vehicle
with a trailer will require additional 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 vehicle before
you can return to your lane.
WARNING!
T o r e d u ce t h e r is k o f p e r s o n a l i n ju r y , o r d am a g e t o
the vehicle powertrain, as a result of vehicle/trail-
er movement, always:
Keep right foot on brake pedal.
Shift gear selector lever to position
"N".
Have a second person place wheel chocks on
downhill side of left and right trailer wheels.
Slowly release brake pedal and let vehicle and
trailer roll into chocks until stopped.
Firmly depress parking brake pedal.
Move gear selector lever to position
"P".
On inclines turn front wheels towards the road
curb.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 183
5
EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM (CATALYTIC
CONVERTER)
FORDING (WA DING CA PA BILITY)Avoid fording flooded roads or passing through water
unless you are certain as to how deep it is. Driving
through deep water can cause damage to the vehicle,
including but not limited to the electrical components,
engine, transmission, etc. This type of damage is not
covered under the Warranty.
BODY BUILDER GUIDELINEIf you intend on making any alterations to the vehicle,
we strongly recommend that you call DaimlerChrysler
Corporation at telephone 704-655-1050 or 704-655-1054
to request a copy of the Sprinter Body Builder
Guideline.
Body Builders and Dealers who makes any
modifications which may affect the final certification of
the engine, vehicle or equipment assume the sole
responsibility for the vehicle, including labeling and
documentation, affected by their modifications.
WARNING!
When driving or parking the vehicle, make sure
that its exhaust system does not come into contact
with flammable material (such as dry leaves) as
these materials may otherwise catch fire.
WARNING!
Any modifications or alterations of the Sprinter
vehicle not in compliance with the Sprinter Body
Builder Guideline and the Sprinter Operator’s
Manual may seriously inhibit its roadworthiness
and safety and may lead to an accident resulting in
serious personal injury or death. Consult the
Sprinter Body Builder Guideline and the Sprinter
Operator’s Manual prior to initiating any alter-
ations or modifications.
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184 STARTING AND OPERATINGIt is their responsibility to certify that the altered
vehicle conforms to all applicable standards and
regulations affected by the vehicle alteration or
continues to comply with the Motor Vehicle Safety
standards and Emissions regulations.
They are responsible for ensuring that modifications or
equipment installation does not affect the safety of the
vehicle.A Special Note Concerning Vehicle A lteration
The Manufacturer is not responsible for any final
certification or claims sounding in product liability, or
warranty claims, which result from any component,
assembly, or system being altered, or which cause non-
compliance with any of the emission control standards
or motor vehicle safety standards, or which would
otherwise cause the vehicle to be or become defective
or unsafe.
The Manufacturer does not assume the responsibility
as the final stage manufacturer or the consequential
product liability.
Please also see Chapter 13 of this Operator’s Manual.
WARNING!
Any modifications or alterations of the Sprinter
vehicle not in compliance with the Sprinter Body
Builder Guideline and the Sprinter Operator’s
Manual may seriously inhibit its roadworthiness
and safety and may lead to an accident resulting in
serious personal injury or death. Consult the
Sprinter Body Builder Guideline and the Sprinter
Operator’s Manual prior to initiating any alter-
ations or modifications.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
6
CONTENTS
Hazard Warning Flasher Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186

Vehicle Tool Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187

Changing the Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187Spare Wheel Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189

Jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192Using the Jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193

Removing a Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195

Installing a Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196

Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198

Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200If the Engine is Damaged . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201If the Transmission is Damaged . . . . . . . . . . . . 201If the Front Axle is Damaged . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202If the Rear Axle is Damaged . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
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186 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIESHA ZA RD WA RNING FLA SHER SWITCHThe switch is located on top of the steering column
housing.
When the hazard warning flasher switch is switched
on, the indicator lamp in the switch and the turn signal
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster both flash.
WARNING!
If the rear cargo doors are opened to 90° (detent
position), the rear lights will be concealed. The
vehicle is then not sufficiently safeguarded at the
rear and may only be seen by other road users
when they are close to the vehicle. This could
lead to an accident.
The vehicle must then be clearly marked in
accordance with state and local laws, e.g., with a
warning triangle.
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188 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
Procedure:
1. Park the vehicle on a firm, level, non-slippery
surface.
2. Switch on the hazard warning flasher switch, apply
the parking brake, and place the transmission
selector in "P".
WARNING!
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking up the
vehicle at the jack take-up brackets built into ei-
ther side of the vehicle. To help avoid personal in-
jury, use the jack only to lift the vehicle during a
wheel change. Never get beneath the vehicle
while it is supported by the jack only.
Keep hands and feet away from the area under the
lifted vehicle. Always firmly set parking brake
and block wheels before raising vehicle with jack.
Do not disengage parking brake while the vehicle
is raised.
Always use the jack on a level surface.
Do not change wheels on either steep uphill or
downhill grades. Be sure that the jack arm end is
fully seated in the jack take-up bracket. The
vehicle may begin to move and fall from the jack
which could cause serious or fatal personal injury
and property damage.
Always lower the vehicle onto sufficient capacity
jack stands before working under the vehicle.
Precautions when changing a wheel:
For the torque, refer to "Installing a wheel";
Do not damage, grease or oil wheel bolts or their
threads.
Do not jack the vehicle up more than 1.2 in (30
mm) between the tire and the surface. Otherwise,
the vehicle may tip over and may cause serious
injury or death to you or others.
Precautions when changing a wheel:
For the torque, refer to "Installing a wheel";
Do not damage, grease or oil wheel bolts or their
threads.
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