2004 DODGE SPRINTER brakes

154 STARTING AND OPERATING
WARNING!
Do not reduce the force applied to the brake pedal if
it is necessary to brake the vehicle further. This will
negate the main benefit of ABS – the ability to brake
without affecting the steerability of the vehicle.In the event of an emergency stop, fully depress
the brake pedal. Do not pump the brake pedal,
rather use firm, steady brake pedal pressure.
Pumping the pedal defeats the purpose of ABS
and significantly reduces braking effectiveness.
WARNING!
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle,
nor can it increase braking or steering efficiency
beyond that afforded by the condition of the vehi-
cle brakes and tires or the traction afforded.
The ABS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road, traffic and weather conditions.
Driving too fast increases the risk of an accident.
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158 STARTING AND OPERATINGA cceleration Skid Control (A SR)ASR makes it possible to pull away and accelerate on a
slippery surface. A spinning wheel is braked and its
tractive power is transferred to the wheel with full
grip.
The acceleration skid control (ASR) improves driving
stability at all speeds only on vehicles of the chassis
and cargo/passenger vans type 3500 C/HC/SHC
(without ESP).
The engine’s torque is limited to improve driving
stability. When this is happening, the warning
lampv in the speedometer flashes.
If the road surface is not capable of providing traction,
bearing in mind the tires, load and grade, it may not be
possible to pull away even with ASR.
If wheels with tires of a different size than those offered
by an authorized Sprinter Dealer are used, the correct
operation of the ASR cannot be guaranteed.
WARNING!
ASR cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded.
The ASR cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an ASR equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
If the ASR function is used for a prolonged period
of time, the rear axle brakes may fail due to
overheating.
If the vehicle is to be towed away with the front
wheels clear of the ground, or if the brakes are to
be tested on a brake dynamometer, do not pull the
key in position 2 in the ignition lock, because the
drive wheels could lock.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 159
5
Deactivating the A cceleration Skid Control (A SR)See Section 4, Understanding Your Instrument Panel,
for switch locations.
When driving with snow chains, in
deep snow, or on sand or gravel, it
can be beneficial to deactivate the
acceleration skid control (ASR).
The engine
’s torque is then no longer
limited and the drive wheels are free
to spin, which can help them cut into
loose surfaces.
The ASR can only be shut off with the engine running.
If the engine is shut off with the ASR deactivated, the
ASR is automatically re-activated after the engine is
started again.Cargo/passenger vans type 2500 C/HC/SHC only:
If there is a danger of skidding, and/or starting at a
speed of 38 mph (60 km/h) ESP activates ASR
automatically.
WARNING!
On a slippery road surface if both drive wheels
start to spin there is a risk of skidding. Adapt your
speed and driving style to the prevailing road,
traffic and weather conditions.
P54.25-0294-20
WARNING!
Vehicles type 2500 C/HC/SHC only:
Even when ASR is deactivated, ESP remains
active and regulates braking to improve stability
as necessary. The warning lampv flashes in
the speedometer.
The danger of your vehicle’s brake system
overheating and being damaged is increased
during long, demanding application of the
brakes. Furthermore, an overheated brake system
could result in a longer stopping distance.
Thus, only deactivate ASR if it is absolutely
necessary.
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160 STARTING AND OPERATINGTo deactivate the ASR:– Press the upper section of the switch – the warning
lamp
v in the speedometer lights up.
Traction control continues to cut in if, for example, a
wheel on one side of the vehicle reaches its limit of
adhesion. The wheel is then braked to increase the
vehicle’s overall traction.
The warning lamp v will flash in the speedometer
at any speed when a tire reaches its limit of adhesion.
To activate the ASR:
– Press the upper section of the switch again
– the
warning lamp v in the speedometer goes out.
Brake A ssist System (BA S) (Cargo/passenger vans
type 2500 C/HC/SHC only)The Brake Assist System (BAS) operates in emergency
situations. If you apply the brakes very quickly, the
BAS automatically provides full brake boost, thereby
potentially reducing braking distance.
Apply continuous full braking pressure until the
emergency braking situation is over.
The ABS will prevent the wheels from locking.
When you release the brake pedal, the brakes function
again as normal. The BAS is then deactivated.
WARNING!
If the indicator lamp k remains on, a malfunc-
tion may not only have occurred in the ASR sys-
tem but also in the BAS.
The handling and braking characteristics of your
vehicle change. Drive with extra caution.
Have the malfunction traced and repaired as soon
as possible by an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 161
5
For the indicator lamp k refer to
"Indicator Lamp
Acceleration Skid Control (ASR) and Brake Assist
System (BAS)
".
Indicator Lamp Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
(Cargo/passenger vans type 2500 C/HC/SHC only)When the key is in position 2 in the ignition lock, the
ESP indicator lamp will light up in the instrument
cluster as a function check. It goes out when the engine
is running.
If the indicator lamp remains on or lights up when
the engine is running, the electronic stability program
(ESP) is malfunctioning and switched off
automatically. The engine’s power output may be then
reduced.
WARNING!
The Brake Assist system (BAS) cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle,
nor can it increase braking efficiency beyond that
afforded by the condition of the vehicle brakes
and tires or the traction afforded.
The BAS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an BAS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others
.
Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road, traffic and weather conditions.
Driving too fast increases the risk of an accident.
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162 STARTING AND OPERATINGNOTE: If the ABS is malfunctioning or the voltage in
the vehicle’s electrical system drops below 10 volts, the
indicator lamp will also light up in the instrument
cluster and the ESP will be deactivated. The indicator
lamp will go out as soon as the voltage reaches this
level again or the ABS is operational again
– the ESP is
then reactivated.
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) (Cargo/
passenger vans type 2500 C/HC/SHC only)The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) monitors the
vehicle’s traction (force of adhesive friction between
the tires and the road surface) and handling.
The ESP recognizes when a wheel is spinning or if the
vehicle starts to skid. By applying brakes to the
appropriate wheel and by limiting engine output, the
ESP works to stabilize the vehicle. The ESP is especially
useful while driving off and on wet or slippery wet
surfaces.
The warning lamp v in the speedometer flashes
when the ESP is engaged, refer also to
"Warning Lamp
Acceleration Skid Control (ASR) and Electronic
Stability Program (ESP)
".
If wheels with tires of a different size than those offered
by an authorized Sprinter Dealer are used, the correct
operation of the ESP cannot be guaranteed.
WARNING!
If the ESP indicator lamp remains on, the
electronic stability program (ESP) is malfunction-
ing. The vehicle stability will no longer be auto-
matically regulated in good time.
The danger that your vehicle breaks into a skid, is
increased in certain driving situations. Drive with
extra caution.
Have the ESP repaired as soon as possible by an
authorized Spinter Dealer.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 163
5
STEERINGWhen the engine is not running, there is no power
assistance for the steering. Greater force will be
required to steer the vehicle.WHEELS AND TIRESCheck tires regularly for even tread wear, tread depth
(note legal requirements) and signs of external
damage.
Only use wheels and tires of the same size, make and
pattern.
Do not install tires that are not approved for the size
and type of wheel installed or the vehicle itself. Only
use those wheel sizes which were delivered to you by
your authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Use only wheels and tires which have been tested and
approved by the vehicle manufacturer.
Break in new tires at moderate speeds for a distance of
about 65 miles (about 100 km).
WARNING!
ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded.
The ESP cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an ESP equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.If the vehicle is to be towed away with the front
wheels clear of the ground, or if the brakes are to be
tested on a brake dynamometer, do not put the key
in position 2 in the ignition lock because the ESP
would engage the brakes to stabilize the vehicle.If the ESP function is used for a prolonged period
of time, the rear axle brakes may fail due to
overheating.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 165
5
Tire GripTire grip is greatly reduced on a wet or icy road. Speed
and driving style must therefore be adapted to suit
road conditions.
In winter, install M+S radial tires.
Below a tread depth of 1/8 inch (3 mm), tire grip
begins to decrease rapidly on wet roads.HydroplaningDepending on the depth of the water layer on the road,
hydroplaning may occur, even at low speeds and with
new tires. Reduce vehicle speed, avoid grooves in the
road, and apply brakes cautiously in the rain.
TIRE PRESSURES
WARNING!
If tire pressures are too low, there is a risk of the
tire’s tread deteriorating and sudden loss of pres-
sure due to the excessive temperature of the tire.
This has an adverse effect on road safety and in-
creases the risk of an accident.
The limiting speed for the tires (tires and tire
pressure) must not be exceeded. Exceeding the
permissible maximum speed causes tire damage,
which can lead to loss of control of the vehicle.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflating tires can
result in sudden deflation (blowout) because they
are more likely to become punctured or damaged by
road debris, potholes, etc. Follow recommended
inflation pressures.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the specified
vehicle capacity weight as indicated by the label on
the base of the driver’s seat. Overloading the tires
can overheat them, possibly causing a blowout,
which could cause an accident resulting in severe
personal injuries, death and property damage.
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