2004 DODGE SPRINTER warning light

140 STARTING AND OPERATINGNOTE: After selecting any driving position from "N"
or "P", wait a moment to allow the gear to fully engage
before accelerating, especially when the engine is cold.A ccelerator PositionPartial throttle, for early upshifting and normal
acceleration
Full throttle, for later upshifting and rapid acceleration
Kickdown, (depressing the accelerator beyond full
throttle) for downshifting to a lower gear and
maximum acceleration. Once the desired speed is
attained, ease up on the accelerator, the transmission
shifts up again.StoppingFor brief stops, such as at traffic lights, leave the
transmission in gear and hold vehicle with the service
brake.
For longer stops with the engine idling, shift into "N"
or "P" and hold the vehicle with the service brake.
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill grade, do not
hold it with the accelerator, use the brake. This avoids
unnecessary transmission heat build up.
ManeuveringTo maneuver in tight areas, such as when pulling into
a parking space, control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes. Accelerate gently and never
abruptly step on the accelerator.
To rock a vehicle out of soft ground (mud or snow),
alternately shift from forward to reverse, while
applying slight partial throttle.
WARNING!
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector lever
not fully engaged in position "P" is dangerous.
Also, when parked on an incline, position "P"
alone may not prevent your vehicle from moving,
possibly hitting people or objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to position "P".
When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
against curb.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 149
5
NOTE: If you find that the minimum mark on the
brake fluid reservoir is reached, have the brake system
checked for pad thickness and leaks.
Parking Brake Indicator LampWith the key in position 2 in the ignition lock and the
parking brake released, the indicator lamp lights
up for about 2 seconds.
If the parking brake is on, the indicator lamp does
not go out before the parking brake is released.
WARNING!
Driving with the brake indicator lamp; (3)
illuminated can result in an accident. There may
be a malfunction in the brake system or in the
electronic brake force distribution. The braking
characteristics are affected and the vehicle could
skid if it is braked hard.
Have your brake system checked immediately if
the brake indicator lamp; (3) stays on. Do
not add brake fluid before checking the brake
system. Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can
result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts
and the brake fluid catching fire. There is a risk of
injury due to hot engine parts or hot steam.
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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.
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152 STARTING AND OPERATING
A nti-Lock Brake System (A BS) Indicator LampWhen the key is in position 2 in the ignition lock, the
ABS indicator lamp- will light up in the
instrument cluster. It goes out after about 2 seconds.
If the ABS indicator lamp- remains on or lights up
when the engine is running, the ABS is malfunctioning.
NOTE: If the voltage in the vehicle’s electrical system
drops below 10 volts, the ABS indicator lamp- will
also light up in the instrument cluster and the ABS will
be deactivated. The indicator lamp will go out as soon
WARNING!
The following factors increase the risk of acci-
dents:
 Excessive speed, especially in turns
 Wet and slippery road surfaces
 Following another vehicle too closely
The ABS, EBV, ASR, BAS and ESP cannot reduce
this risk nor can they prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle.
Always adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road, traffic and weather conditions
and maintain a safe distance between your vehicle
and other road users as well as objects on the road.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 153
5
as the voltage reaches this level again
– the ABS is then
reactivated.
If ABS malfunctions, the other driving safety systems
are deactivated. The handling and braking
characteristics of your vehicle change. The other
braking and driving systems still function normally.
I
A nti-Lock Brake System (A BS)ABS prevents the wheels from locking at any speed
above about 5 mph (8 km/h), regardless of road
surface conditions. The vehicle remains steerable even
if the brakes are applied fully.
A light vibrating of the steering wheel and pulsating of
the brake pedal indicate that the ABS is working.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will respond even
with light brake pedal pressure because of the
increased likelihood of locking wheels. The pulsating
brake pedal can be an indication of hazardous road
conditions and works as a reminder to take extra care
while driving.
WARNING!
If the ABS indicator lamp- does not go out or
lights up again while driving, the ABS is malfunc-
tioning. If ABS malfunctions, the other driving
safety systems are deactivated. The vehicle’s brak-
ing characteristics may be affected. There is an in-
creased risk that your vehicle could skid in the
event of sharp braking. Have the malfunction
traced and repaired without delay by an autho-
rized Sprinter Dealer.
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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STARTING AND OPERATING 155
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Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)The electronic brake force distribution (EBD) prevents
the rear wheels from being overbraked when there is
little load on the rear axle or if there is not much friction
between the tires and road (e.g., if the road is wet).
A cceleration Skid Control Indicator Lamp (A SR)
and Brake A ssist System (BA S) if equippedWhen the key is in position 2 in the ignition lock, the
indicator lampk will light up in the instrument
cluster as a function check. It goes out when the engine
is running.
WARNING!
If the brake indicator lamp ;(-) does not
go out or lights up again while driving, the brake
fluid level may not necessarily have dropped be-
low the minimum filling capacity but a malfunc-
tion may have occurred in the EBD. In this case
continue driving, but with even greater care.
The wheels of the rear axle could lock if the
vehicle is braked hard. This could lead to a
skidding of the vehicle. Have the malfunction
traced and repaired without delay by an
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
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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156 STARTING AND OPERATINGIf the
indicator lampk remains on or lights up
when the engine is running, the acceleration skid
control (ASR) or the brake assist system (BAS) is
malfunctioning.
Then the ASR will be switched off automatically.
NOTE: If the ABS is malfunctioning or the voltage in
the vehicle’s electrical system drops below 10 volts, the
indicator lampk will also light up in the instrument
cluster and the ASR and the BAS 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 ASR and the BAS are then reactivated.
If a malfunction is present in the acceleration skid
control (ASR), the engine’s power output may be
reduced.
WARNING!
If the
indicator lampk remains on, the acceler-
ation skid control (ASR) or the brake assist system
(BAS) is malfunctioning.
Your vehicle’s handling characteristics can
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 157
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A cceleration Skid Control (A SR) Warning Lamp
and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) – if
equipped When the key is in position 2 in the ignition lock, the
warning lampv in the speedometer will light up
for about 2 seconds. It must go out when the engine is
running.
The warning lampv flashes when:
 The ASR or ESP is activated.
 The drive wheels spin with the ASR shut off.The warning lamp v lights up when the ASR is
shut off.
Deactivate the acceleration skid control, refer to
"Deactivating Acceleration Skid Control (ASR)".
WARNING!
If the warning lampv in the speedometer
lights up or flashes:
Do not deactivate the acceleration skid control
(ASR)
.
 Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away.
 Ease off on the accelerator pedal when driving at
a steady speed.
 Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road, traffic and weather conditions.
Failure to heed these warnings could cause the
vehicle to enter a skid and may result in an
accident.
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