2005 DODGE SPRINTER steering

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 77
3
SPEED CONTROL (OPTIONAL)Set / accelerate speed (1)
Set / decelerate speed (2)
Off (3)
Resume set speed (4) The speed control allows you to drive in a more
relaxed manner, for example over long distances, as it
automatically maintains the set speed by actively
regulating the throttle setting.
The speed control lever on th
e steering column is used
to activate and oper ate the speed control.
NOTE: The responsibility for the driving speed is
always that of the driver. The cruise control is only an
aid for the driver.
NOTE: A change of gear does not shut off the cruise
control.
Every speed traveled above 25 mph (40 km/h) can be
set.
Once the speed is set, it is maintained constant by the
speed control, the accelerator pedal can be released.

90 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANELLegend For Instruments And Controls
1. Left-hand air vent.
2. Multifunction switch.
3. Speed 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 .
23. Electrical outlet .
24. Ashtray .
25. Cup holder .
26. Front passenger airbag .
27. Right-hand air vent .
28. Glove compartment .
NOTE: For layout of switches, see previous page.

94 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANELMulti-Function Indicator
WARNING!
Never operate buttons (1, 2, 3 and 4) in the multi-
function indicator while driving.
To operate these buttons the driver must reach
through the steering wheel, which could
significantly impede its movement.
Your attention will also be diverted from the road
and traffic conditions.
This could cause you to lose control of the vehicle
and could lead to an accident and result in severe
personal injuries or death.
For this reason, make sure that the traffic
conditions are safe before pressing the buttons, so
that nobody may be endangered.
When possible, reach around the steering wheel
to operate the multi-function indicator buttons.
Do not rest your head or chest on the steering
wheel or dashboard when operating the buttons.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 121
4
Heated Rear Window (Optional)
The switch for the heated rear
window is located on the right-hand
side next to the steering column.
It can be used only when the engine
is running.
To switch it on:
 Press upward; the indicator lamp in the switch will light up.
To switch off:
 Press upward one more time.
NOTE: The heated rear window will automatically
switch off after about 15 minutes or when the engine is
turned off.
Windshield Heater (Optional)
The switch for the windshield heater
is located on the center section of the
dashboard.
It can be used only when the engine
is running.
To switch it on:
 Press upward; the indicator lamp in the switch will light up.
To switch off:
 Press upward one more time.
NOTE: The windshield heater will automatically
switch off after about 5 minutes or when the engine is
turned off.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 137
4
NOTE: Only on vehicles with automatic heater
control/regulated air conditioner:
Before switching on the heater or entering the switch-
on time, the temperature control (1) must be set to
maximum heater output (as illustrated).
Set the air distribution control (3) as required between
Y and Z .AUXILIARY HEAT EXCHANGER IN LOAD
COMPARTMENT, ONLY WITH AUXILIARY HEATER
(OPTIONAL)
The auxiliary heat exchanger switch
is located on the right next to the
steering column. To switch on at blower speed 1:
Press the upper section, the left-hand indicator lamp in
the switch lights up.
To switch on at blower speed 2:
Press the lower section, the right-hand indicator lamp
in the switch lights up.
To switch off :
Press the switch to the middle position.
Operation is only possible when the key is turned to
position 2 in the ignition lock.
NOTE:
The auxiliary heat exchanger in the load
compartment should be switched off at coolant
temperatures below 176 °F (+80 °C) to quickly de-fog
and de-ice the windshield and front side windows.

140 STARTING AND OPERATING

Deactivating the Acceleration Skid
Control (ASR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Brake Assist System (BAS)
(vehicle type 2500 only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Indicator Lamp Electronic Stability Program
(ESP) (type 2500 vehicles only) . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
(vehicle type 2500 only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171


Auxiliary Drive (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172


Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173


Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Tire Grip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Hydroplaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175


Tire Pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Tire Pressures of Loaded Vehicle in PSI (kPa) . . . 177
Vehicle type 2500 C/HC/SHC . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Vehicle type 3500 C/HC/SHC . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Comfort Tire Pressures in PSI (kPa) . . . . . . . . 178
Comfort Tire Pressures in PSI (kPa) . . . . . . . . 178


Snow Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179


Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Fuel Filter with Water Separator . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Diesel Fuels for Use at Very Low
Temperatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180


Refueling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182


Programmed Top Speed (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . 182


Bleeding Diesel Fuel System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183


Draining Fuel Filter with Water Separator . . . . . 184
Bleeding the Diesel Fuel Syst em . . . . . . . . . . . 185


Permissible Roof Load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186


Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Trailer Hitches (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Electrical Connections (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . 186
Vehicle and Trailer Weights and Ratings . . . . 187
Loading a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Checking Weights of Vehicle and Trailer . . . . 188
Attaching a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Towing a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Parking a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191


Emissions Control System (Catalytic Converter) 192


Inhalation of Exhaust Gas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192


Fording (Wading Capability) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192


Body Builder Guideline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
A Special Note Concerning Vehicle
Alteration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194

STARTING AND OPERATING 141
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.

STARTING AND OPERATING 155
5
 Protect sharp edges with padding.
 Check the tire pressures after loading the vehicle.
For passenger vans:
 Do not stack loads higher than the upper edge of the backrests.
 Always place the load against the backrests of the seat benches.
 Whenever possible, transport loads behind seats that are not occupied.
 Distribute the load in such a way that the permissible axle loads are not exceeded when the
vehicle is equipped with the maximum number of
seats. Loading the luggage compartment up to the
maximum payload would cause the permissible
rear axle load to be exceeded.
BRAKES
Service Brake
WARNING!
When the engine is not running, the brake and
steering systems are without power assistance.
Under these circumstances, a much greater effort
is necessary to stop or steer the vehicle.
After driving in heavy rain for some time without
applying the brakes or through water deep
enough to wet brake components, the first
braking action may be somewhat reduced and
increased pedal pressure may be necessary. Be
sure to maintain a safe distance from vehicles in
front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will cause
excessive and premature wear of the brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their effectiveness.
It may not be possible to stop the vehicle in
sufficient time to avoid an accident.