2004 DODGE SPRINTER coolant

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 131
4
Overheating (Water Heater) Insufficient coolant, check coolant level.
 The heater will remain switched off after it has been
overheated a number of times (about 10 times in
succession). Have the fault repaired by an
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Overheating (A ir Heater) The air channels are clogged.
The heater can be restarted once the fault has been
repaired. When this is done, the heater should be
switched on and off.
 The heater will remain switched off after it has been
overheated a number of times (about 3 times in
succession). Have the fault repaired by an
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
NOTE: Repairs should only be made by an authorized
Sprinter Dealer.
Freightliner-all.book Pag e 131 Monday, December 1, 2003 2:54 PM

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.
Freightliner-all.book Pag e 181 Monday, December 1, 2003 2:54 PM

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
7
CONTENTS
Engine Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205

Sprinter Original Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207

Service Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207Disposal of Service Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208

Emission Related Component Warranty
Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208

Regular Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208Windshield Washer System Fluid Reservoir . 209Air Filter Restriction Indicator (Optional) . . . 209Engine Oils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209Engine Oil Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210Ribbed V-Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211Hydraulic Brake System, Clutch Mechanism
Fluid Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Checking Coolant Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213

Winter Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215

Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216Disconnecting the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216Reconnecting the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217Charging the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217

Replacing Wiper Blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218Appearance Car and Corrosion Protection . . 219Power Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220Automatic Car Wash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221Tar Stains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221Paintwork, Painted Body Components . . . . . . 221Engine Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221Vehicle Washing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222Ornamental Moldings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222Headlamps, Taillamps, Turn Signal Lenses . . 222Window Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Freightliner-all.book Pag e 203 Monday, December 1, 2003 2:54 PM

206 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLELegend For Engine Compartment
1. Windshield washer system fluid reservoir.
2. Maintenance indicator for air cleaner element
(Optional).
3. Oil dipstick.
4. Oil filler neck.
5. Ribbed V-belt.
Auxiliary drive (Optional) refer to “Auxiliary
drive“.6. Fuel filter with water separator.
7. Hydraulic brake fluid reservoir.
8. Coolant reservoir.
9. Battery
The auxiliary battery is located underneath the
front passenger seat (optional equipment).
10. Fuse box
(These special fuses should only be replaced at by
an authorized Sprinter Dealer).Freightliner-all.book Pag e 206 Monday, December 1, 2003 2:54 PM

MAINTAININ G YOUR VEHICLE 207
7
SPRINTER ORIGINAL PARTSEvery authorized Sprinter Dealer maintains a stock of
Sprinter original parts for maintenance and repair
work.
Sprinter original parts are subjected to the most
stringent quality inspections and will ensure that the
vehicle is maintained at a high level of operating
efficiency and safety, and that it maintains its value.
Each part has been specifically designed and
manufactured or selected and approved for use in
Sprinter vehicles.
It is therefore best to use only Sprinter original parts.
For cost-effective repairs in accordance with sound
recycling principles, the use of non-genuine parts and
accessories not authorized by the manufacturer could
damage the vehicle or compromise its durability or
safety.
When ordering original parts, always provide the
vehicle identification number and the engine number.
SERVICE PRODUCTSMechanical elements and the lubricants used for them
must be carefully matched.
For this reason, only brands tested and approved by
the manufacturer should be used. Please contact your
Sprinter Dealer to obtain the necessary information.
No lubricant additives should be used.
The use of such additives could affect your warranty
rights. Information is available from any authorized
Sprinter Dealer.
For specifications of engine oils, coolant and brake
fluid, contact your
authorized
Sprinter
Dealer.
WARNING!
If handled incorrectly, service products can consti-
tute a health risk for people and an environmental
hazard.
Always observe relevant guidelines for handling,
storing and disposing of service products.
Freightliner-all.book Pag e 207 Monday, December 1, 2003 2:54 PM

208 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLEDisposal of Service ProductsDispose of service products and of parts which come
into contact with them (e.g. filters) in an
environmentally responsible manner. Comply with
applicable bars and regulations.EMISSION RELA TED COMPONENT WA RRA NTY
STATEMENTThe Manufacturer warrants to the original and each
subsequent owner of a MERCEDES-BENZ heavy-duty
on highway diesel engine that:
(1) the engine was designed, built and equipped so as
to conform at the time of sale with the applicable
regulations adopted by the Federal Environmental
Protection Agency
(2) the emission control system of such engine is free
from defects in materials and workmanship which
would cause it not to conform with those regulations
for a period of use of five years or 100 000 miles or
3 000 hours of engine operation, whichever occurs
first.
REGULA R CHECKSThe following checks should be performed at regular
intervals (for example once a week or each time the
vehicle is refueled):
 Windshield cleaner system – fluid reservoir.
 Air strainer, in vehicles with an air strainer element
maintenance indicator (optional equipment).
 Engine oil level.
 Checking ribbed V-belt.
 Hydraulic brake system, clutch mechanism fluid
level.
 Coolant level.
 Tire and spare wheel condition and pressures of the
same. For more information, refer to "Wheels and
Tires".
 Vehicle lighting.
Freightliner-all.book Pag e 208 Monday, December 1, 2003 2:54 PM

MAINTAININ G YOUR VEHICLE 211
7
Ribbed V-BeltThe ribbed V-belt drives the accessories, such as
generator, coolant pump and hydraulic steering pump.
The ribbed V-belt is automatically kept tensioned.
Check the state of the ribbed V-belt regularly, such as
at every engine oil level check.
The belt must not be damaged, worn, oiled or glazed.
There must be no cracks in the belt running surface.
Replace damaged belts.
Hydraulic Brake System, Clutch Mechanism Fluid
Level1. Brake fluid reservoir
Brake fluid level must be between the MIN and MAX
marks in the reservoir (1).
If the brake fluid is below the MIN mark, there may be
a fault in the hydraulic system. Have the system
checked as soon as possible by an authorized Sprinter
Dealer.
Freightliner-all.book Pag e 211 Monday, December 1, 2003 2:54 PM

212 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLEBrake fluidUse brake fluid approved to MB 331.0, or a DOT 4
brake fluid with: minimum dry boiling point (ERBP)
500
°F, minimum wet boiling point (WERBP)
356°F, maximum viscosity 1500 mm
2/s,
conforming to FMVSS116 and ISO 4925.
In the course of its service life, the boiling point of the
brake fluid will fall due to the continuous absorption of
moisture from the atmosphere.
If the brakes are placed under heavy loads (e.g., on
steep hills) bubbles of steam can then form in the brake
system.
This will adversely affect the brakes' effectiveness.
Engine CoolantThe coolant is a mixture of water and a corrosion
inhibitor/antifreeze additive. Within the cooling
system, the corrosion inhibitor/antifreeze ensures
 anti-corrosion protection
 antifreeze protection
 a higher boiling point.
The coolant added in the factory ensures adequate
antifreeze and anti-corrosion protection.
Use coolant approved to MB 325.0, such as Valvoline
GO5, or an equivalent Extended Life Coolant.
To avoid damage to the cooling system, only use
manufacturer approved corrosion inhibitor/
antifreeze additives.
Information on the corrosion inhibitor/antifreeze
additive is available from any Sprinter Dealer.
For reasons of anti-corrosion protection and to increase
the boiling point, the coolant added to the cooling
system is designed for all year round operation – even
in countries with high prevailing temperatures.
Freightliner-all.book Pag e 212 Monday, December 1, 2003 2:54 PM