2004 DODGE SPRINTER automatic transmission

84 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANELLegend For Instruments And Controls
1. Left-hand air vent.
2. Multifunction switch.
3. Cruise control.
4. Hood release lever.
5. Instrument cluster, refer to "Instrument Cluster
and Indicator Lamps".
6. Hazard warning flasher switch.
7. Steering wheel with horn, front driver airbag.
8. Fuse box.
9. Windshield wiper switch, refer to "Windshield
Wiper Switch".
10. Ignition lock/starter switch.
11. Center air vents.
12. Upper air vents.
13. Radio, see individual manual.14. Temperature control switch.
15. Airflow control switch.
16. Air distribution switch.
17. Temperature sensor, automatic heating
control / air conditioning, regulated.
18. Air conditioning switch.
19. Heater booster switch.
20. Residual engine heat utilization switch.
21. Gear selector lever (automatic transmission)
22. Timer for auxiliary heater (water- or air heater).
23. Electrical outlet.
24. Ashtray.
25. Cup holder.
26. Front passenger airbag.
27. Right-hand air vent.
28. Glove compartment.Freightliner-all.book Pag e 84 Monday , December 1, 2003 2:54 PM

STARTING AND OPERATING
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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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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 139
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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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STARTING AND OPERATING 141
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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.
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142 STARTING AND OPERATINGNOTE: Coasting the vehicle, or driving with selector
lever in "N" can result in transmission damage that is
not covered by the Sprinter Warranty.
wThe transmission automatically upshifts through
5th gear. Position "D" provides optimum driving
characteristics under all normal operating
conditions.Gear Selection for Special CircumstancesThe transmission gear ranges for special circumstances
can be selected by pushing the selector lever to the
right or the left with the selector lever in position "D".
The gear range currently selected is indicated in the
instrument cluster display.
Briefly press selector lever in the ç direction:
The transmission downshifts, one gear range at a time,
in the order "4", "3", "2", "1".
Press and hold selector lever in the ç direction:
The transmission will shift to a gear range which
favorably accelerates or decelerates the vehicle. This
way downshiftings can be caused.Briefly press selector lever in the æ direction:
The transmission will shift from the current gear range
to the next higher gear range. If the transmission is
already in gear range "D", an additional upshift of one
gear is not possible.
Press and hold selector lever in the æ direction:
The transmission will shift from the current gear range
directly to gear range "D".
NOTE: With transmission in gear range "D", "4"
or "3",
upshifting from 1st to 2nd to 3rd gear is delayed
depending on vehicle speed and engine temperature.
This allows the catalytic converter to heat up more
quickly to operating temperatures.
During the brief warm-up period this delayed upshift
and increased engine noise might be perceived as a
malfunction. However, neither the engine nor
WARNING!
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order
to slow the vehicle down. This could result in drive
wheel slip and reduced vehicle control. Your vehi-
cle’s ABS will not prevent this type of loss of control.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 143
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transmission are negatively affected by this mode of
operation.
The delayed upshift is effective with vehicle speeds
below 31 mph (50 km / h) at partial throttle and engine
temperatures below 95
°F (+35
°C).
To avoid overrevving the engine when the selector
lever is moved to a lower gear, the transmission will
not shift to a lower gear if the engine’s revolutions per
minute limit would be exceeded. In this case there will
be no downshift, even when the vehicle speed reaches
the engine’s rpm limit of that gear, for example by
applying the service brakes.
To prevent the engine from laboring at low rpm when
driving uphill grades or with your vehicle heavily
loaded, the automatic transmission will downshift
when necessary to maintain engine rpm within the best
torque range.Gear
qUpshift through 4th gear only. Suitable for
performance driving.
pUpshift through 3rd gear only. Suitable for
moderately steep hills. Since the transmission
does not shift higher than 3rd gear, this gear
selection will allow use of the engine’s braking
power downhill.
oUpshift through 2nd gear only. For driving in
mountainous regions or under extreme
operating conditions. This gear selection will
allow use of the engine’s braking power when
descending steep grades.
nUse this position, which makes maximum use of
the engine’s braking effect, while descending
very steep or lengthy downgrades and only at
speeds below 25 mph (38 km / h).
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MAINTAININ G YOUR VEHICLE 245
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Recommended Fluids and LubricantsComponent Recommended Fluid
Brake Use 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 FMVSS 116
and ISO 4925.
Coolant Use coolant approved to MB 325.0, such as Valvoline GO5, or an equivalent
Extended Life Coolant.
Engine Use engine oils approved to MB 228.3 or MB 228.5 that are also licensed to
API CI-4.
Automatic Transmission Use ATF approved to MB 236.10, MB 236.12. Synthetic Dexron III®
Automatic Transmission Fluid may be substituted.
Power Steering No fluid service required. Use Power Steering Fluid approved to MB 341.
Dexron III® Automatic Transmission Fluid may be substituted.
Rear Axle Use oils approved to MB 235.0, such as Shell Spirax MB 90. Reduced axle
durability may result if an unapproved product is used.
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