2004 DODGE SPRINTER engine

122 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANELHEA TER BOOSTER
The switch (1) for activating the
heater booster system is located in
the center section of the dashboard.
The heater booster system can be
switched on while the vehicle is
being driven to help the engine to
reach its normal operating
temperature more quickly, which
will help to heat up the passenger compartment as
quickly as possible when the heating is switched on.To switch on with the engine running:
Press switch (1), the indicator lamp (2) lights up.
To switch off:
Press switch (1) again or switch the engine off. The
heater booster will then switch to run-on mode (about
2minutes).
NOTE: When the vehicle is being driven and a coolant
temperature of over 185 °F (+80 °C) is reached, the
heater booster system will switch to regulation mode.
If the coolant temperature drops to below 167 °F
(+75 °C) with the heater booster system switched on,
heat output is increased again.
If the key is turned to position 0 in the ignition lock
(run-on for about 2 minutes), the last setting selected at
switch (1) is retained when the engine is restarted
(memory function).
The operation of the heater booster system is usually
not required at outside temperatures above 41 °F
(+5 °C).
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 123
4
AUXILIARY HEATER – WATER OR AIR HEATER
(OPTIONA L)
NOTE: The auxiliary heater (water or air heating
device) can be used whether or not the engine is
running.
The auxiliary heater should be run at least once a
month for about 10 minutes.
The maximum heating period is 120 minutes. For more
information, refer to "Switching the Auxiliary Heater
On and Off - Ignition On".
The auxiliary heater will automatically switch off if the
fuel level is under about 4 US gal (15 l).
In case of faults, refer to "Auxiliary Heater – Tips for
Coping with Problems".
WARNING!
The auxiliary heating must not be operated at gas
stations due to the risk of fire and explosion. For
this reason, switch off the auxiliary heating before
refuelling.
Auxiliary heaters emit fumes when in operation,
including carbon monoxide.
Inhaling carbon monoxide is a health hazard and
can result in unconsciousness and death.
For this reason, do not operate auxiliary heating in
enclosed spaces without ventilation or an
extractor system, e.g. in a garage. Otherwise you
could endanger yourself and others.
WARNING!
Vehicles for transporting hazardous goods:
Observe the relevant safety regulations.
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STARTING AND OPERATING
5
CONTENTS
Power assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135Maximum Engine Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136Constant RPMs (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137

Stopping the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138

Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139Accelerator Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140Stopping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140Maneuvering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140Selector Lever Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141Gear Selection for Special Circumstances . . . . 142

Transmission Selector Lever, Manually
Unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

Loading the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144Loading Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145

Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146Service Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146Brake Pad Wear Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147Brake Indicator and Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBD) Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . 148Parking Brake Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150Driving Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Indicator
Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) . . . 155Acceleration Skid Control Indicator Lamp
(ASR) and Brake Assist System (BAS)
if equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155Acceleration Skid Control (ASR) Warning
Lamp and Electronic Stability Program (ESP)–
if equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157Acceleration Skid Control (ASR) . . . . . . . . . . . 158
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STARTING AND OPERATING 135
5
POWER ASSISTANCE STARTING THE ENGINE
Battery charge warning lamp (1)
Engine oil level indicator lamp (2)
Preheater indicator lamp (3)
WARNING!
When the engine is not running, there is no power
assistance for the brake and steering system. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort is necessary
to brake and steer the vehicle.
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136 STARTING AND OPERATING1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Automatic transmission, shift selector lever to "P"
or "N" position, refer to "Automatic Transmission".
3. Do not depress the accelerator pedal.
4. Turn the key to position 2 in the ignition lock.
The preheater indicator lampq lights up.5. Turn the key clockwise to the stop as soon as the
preheater indicator lamp
q
goes out.
If the engine is at its normal operating temperature,
the preheater indicator lamp will only light up briefly.
Release the key as soon as the engine is running.
NOTE: The key must be returned to position 0 in the
ignition lock before repeating the starting procedure.
If the displayÁ lights up alternately withî in
the multi-function display, there is an immobilizer
malfunction or the key used has not been
programmed.
The: engine oil level warning lamp and the#
battery charge warning lamp must go out after the
engine is started.
If either lamp remains on, stop the engine at once and
have the cause traced and repaired by an authorized
Sprinter Dealer.
During the trip, check the displays and the warning/
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster at regular
intervals.
For instrument cluster and indicator lamps.Maximum Engine SpeedThe maximum engine speed for all vehicles is
4,200 rpm.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 137
5
Constant RPMs (Optional)The switch for the Constant RPMs
is located on the center section of
the dashboard.
Constant RPMs increases the
engine-idling RPMs to a set
working-RPM level and maintains
this level regardless of work load.
It can only be used when the vehicle is stationary, the
parking brake is engaged and the gear selector level is
in position "P".
Constant RPMs indicator lamp
To switch it on:
 Press the top of the switch; the indicator lamp in the
switch and the constant RPMs indicator lamp
will light up.
To switch off
 Press bottom of switch.
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138 STARTING AND OPERATINGNOTE: The Constant RPMs will automatically switch
off when the parking brake is released, the vehicle is in
motion or the control unit detects a malfunction.
The Constant RPMs will also automatically switch off
when you depress the brake pedal. In this case it will
automatically switch on again as soon as you release
the brake pedal.
STOPPING THE ENGINEAfter having brought the vehicle to a stop:
1. Do not depress the accelerator pedal.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Turn the key back to position 0 in the ignition lock.
NOTE: When the engine is very hot, such as after
climbing a long steep slope, allow the engine to idle for
1 to 2 minutes so that it can return to its normal
operating temperature.
For notes on the parking brake.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 139
5
A UTOMA TIC TRA NSMISSIONThe automatic transmission selects individual gears
automatically, dependent upon:
 Selector lever position
 Accelerator position
 Vehicle speed
The gear shifting process is continuously adapted,
dependent on the driving style, the driving situation
and the road characteristics.NOTE: When parking the vehicle or before working on
the vehicle with the engine running, apply the parking
brake and shift the selector lever into "P".
DrivingThe selector lever is automatically locked while in
position "P". To move the selector lever out of position
"P", the service brake is applied and the key in
position 2 in the ignition lock or the engine running
before the shift lock will release.
Shift selector lever to the desired position only when
the engine is idling normally and the service brake is
applied. Do not release the brake until ready to drive.
The vehicle may otherwise start creeping when the
selector lever is in drive or reverse position.
WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of "P"
or
"N" if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If your
foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose
control of the vehicle and hit someone or something.
Only shift into gear when the engine is idling normally
and when your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
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