2004 DODGE SPRINTER ECU

STARTING AND OPERATING 141
5
Selector Lever PositionThe current selector lever position (1) is indicated in
the gear range indicator display. The automatic gear
shifting process can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the selector lever.
v
Park Position
The park position is to be used when parking the
vehicle. Engage only with the vehicle stopped.
The park position is not intended to serve as a
brake when the vehicle is parked. Rather, the
driver should always use the parking brake in
addition to placing the selector lever in park
position to secure the vehicle.
NOTE: With a malfunction in the vehicle’s electrical
system the selector lever could remain locked in
position "P". To unlock the selector lever manually,
refer to "Transmission Selector Lever, Manually
Unlocking".
t Reverse Gear
Shift to reverse gear only with the vehicle
stopped.
s Neutral
No power is transmitted from the engine to the
drive axle. When the brakes are released, the
vehicle can be moved freely (pushed or towed).
Do not engage "N" while driving as you may
otherwise lose control of the vehicle.
Freightliner-all.book Pag e 141 Monday, December 1, 2003 2:54 PM

STARTING AND OPERATING 145
5
The handling characteristics of a vehicle when laden
are dependent on the type of load and the distribution
of the load within the vehicle.
Carrying heavy or bulky loads may alter the vehicle’s
handling characteristic.Loading GuidelinesPlease note and comply with the following information
when loading and transporting goods.
 Do not allow the load, including passengers, to
exceed the permitted gross vehicle weight or the
permitted axle loads for the vehicle. Bear in mind
that the unladen weight could be increased by
installing items of optional equipment and
accessories.
 Distribute the load uniformly. Excessive loads on
individual points of the load surface could cause
damage to the floor covering.
 Transport heavy loads between the axles near the
rear axle as low as possible in the vehicle.
 Secure any kind of load with sufficient wear and
tear-resistant load restraints. Lashing rings.
WARNING!
Unsecure or poorly secured loads, and seats that
have been removed, could move around the vehi-
cle interior uncontrollably in the event of sudden
braking, a rapid change in direction or an acci-
dent. This increases the risk of injury to occu-
pants in these situations.
Secure and position a load as described in the
following loading guidelines.
Piling up heavy objects or placing them on upper
shelves or loading them otherwise high up in the
vehicle will significantly raise the center of
gravity of the vehicle. Placing excessive loads on
individual points of the load surface or behind
the rear axle will also adversely affect the
handling characteristics of your vehicle and may
lead to loss of control over the vehicle.
Road safety and tire durability are adversely
affected if the permissible axle loads or gross
vehicle weight are exceeded due to the vehicle’s
load. Braking and stopping distances can be
significantly longer.
Freightliner-all.book Pag e 145 Monday, December 1, 2003 2:54 PM

150 STARTING AND OPERATINGParking BrakeOnly apply the parking brake when the vehicle is
stationary.
To apply:
Pull the lever up as many notches as possible. When
the key is in position 2 in the ignition lock, the parking
brake indicator lamp will light up in the
instrument cluster.To release:
Lift the lever up slightly, press the button on the lever
in and move the lever down to the stop. The parking
brake indicator lamp should go out.
WARNING!
Always fully apply the parking brake when leav-
ing your vehicle, or vehicle may roll and cause
damage or injury.
WARNING!
On uphill or downhill grades steeper than 15%
the vehicle must be safeguarded. Vehicles which
are not secured could roll away and result in se-
vere personal injuries, death and property dam-
age.
Safeguard an unloaded vehicle by chocking the
front axle.
Safeguard a loaded vehicle by chocking the rear
axle.
Freightliner-all.book Pag e 150 Monday, December 1, 2003 2:54 PM

STARTING AND OPERATING 151
5
Driving SystemsThe vehicle can be equipped with the following
Driving Safety Systems:
 Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
 Electronic brake force distribution (EBV)
 Acceleration skid control (ASR)
 Brake assist system (BAS)
1
 Electronic stability program (ESP)
1
NOTE: The maximum effectiveness of ABS, EBV, ASR
and ESP is only achieved if you drive with correct tire
pressures and adjust tire pressures to correspond with
the vehicle’s load. In winter operation, the maximum
effectiveness of the ABS and the ESP is only achieved
with winter tires (M+S tires), or snow chains as
required.
WARNING!
When leaving the vehicle always remove the key
from the ignition lock, and lock your vehicle.
Do not leave children unsupervised in the vehicle,
even if they are secured by a child restraint
system. The children could
 injure themselves on parts of the vehicle
 release the child-proof locks by pressing the
central locking button and could thereby open
the doors and
 cause injury to others as a result
 get out of the vehicle and could either injure
themselves when doing so or they could be
injured by the traffic approaching from the rear
 suffer serious or fatal effects in the event of long
periods of hot weather
 release the parking brake. The vehicle could
then start moving of its own accord.Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may cause
severe personal injuries, death and property damage.
Freightliner-all.book Pag e 151 Monday, December 1, 2003 2:54 PM

180 STARTING AND OPERATINGTowing a TrailerThere are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailer towing. Make
sure that your vehicle-trailer combination will be legal,
not only for where you reside, but also for where you
will be driving. A good source for this information can
be the police or local authorities.
Before you start driving with the trailer, check the
trailer hitch, break-away switch, safety chains,
electrical connections, lighting and tires. Also adjust
the mirrors to permit unobstructed view beyond rear
of trailer.
If the trailer has electric brakes, start your vehicle and
trailer moving slowly, and then apply only the trailer
brake controller by hand to be sure the brakes are
working properly.
When towing a trailer, check occasionally to be sure
that the load is secure, and that lighting and trailer
brakes (if so equipped) are functioning properly.
Always secure items in the trailer to prevent load shifts
while driving.Take into consideration that when towing a trailer, the
handling characteristics are different and less stable
from those when operating the vehicle without a
trailer. It is important to avoid sudden maneuvers. The
vehicle and trailer combination is heavier, and
therefore is limited in acceleration and climbing ability,
and requires longer stopping distances. It is more
prone to reacting to side wind gusts, and requires more
sensitive steering input.
In order to gain skill and an understanding of the
vehicle’s behavior, you should practice turning, stopping
and backing up in an area which is free from traffic.If possible, do not brake abruptly, but rather engage
the brake slightly at first to permit the trailer to activate
its brake. Then increase the braking force.
Freightliner-all.book Pag e 180 Monday, December 1, 2003 2:54 PM

190 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIESNOTE: Lug wrench and jack, refer to "Vehicle Tool
Kit". For reasons of safety, check at regular intervals
that the spare wheel is properly secured.Spare Wheel Beneath the End of the Frame
Retaining screws for the spare wheel structural member
(1)Hook (2)
1. Open the cargo doors and remove the retaining
screws (1) with the lug wrench from the vehicle
tool kit.
2. Lift the spare wheel structural member, unhinge
the hooks (2), and lower the spare wheel structural
member. Remove the spare wheel.
WARNING!
The spare wheel holder should be reattached once
the wheel has been changed.
Regularly check the spare wheel fastening.
A loose spare wheel or spare wheel holder could
be loosen or could move around the vehicle
interior uncontrollably in the event of sudden
braking, a rapid change in direction or an
accident. This increases the risk of injury to
vehicle occupants and other road users in these
situations.
Do not use retreaded/remolded tires. This process
does not always permit previous damage to be
detected. Therefore vehicle safety cannot be
guaranteed if retreaded/remolded tires are fitted.
Freightliner-all.book Pag e 190 Monday, December 1, 2003 2:54 PM

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 193
6
Using the JackThe jack is located together with the vehicle tool kit
under the hatch in the front passenger footwell, refer to
"Vehicle Tool Kit".
1. Loosen the wheel bolts before raising the vehicle.
2. Close the release valve on the jack.
3. Assemble the pump lever provided and insert it
into the socket on the jack.
4. Secure the lever by turning it clockwise in the
socket.
Position the jack under the appropriate jack point and
raise the vehicle by pumping the lever.Front Axle Jack Point
(All Vehicles)
The vehicle jacking point is located under the
longitudinal member in front of the front axle.Freightliner-all.book Pag e 193 Monday, December 1, 2003 2:54 PM

MAINTAININ G YOUR VEHICLE 235
7
Low Beam Headlamps
1. Unplug the cable connector from the bulb.
2. Unclip in the retaining springs. Press the retaining
springs towards the headlamps and down
(direction of arrow).3. Remove the bulb.
4. Insert the new bulb so that the retaining lugs are
fed into the recesses in the reflector section of the
bulb holder.
5. Clip in the retaining springs.
6. Press on the cable connector.
7. Secure the housing cap.Freightliner-all.book Pag e 235 Monday, December 1, 2003 2:54 PM