2005 DODGE SPRINTER steering
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162 STARTING AND OPERATINGas 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
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)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.
Page 163 of 288
STARTING AND OPERATING 163
5
WARNING!
Do not reduce the force applied to the brake pedal if
it is necessary to brake the vehicle further. This will
negate the main benefit of ABS – the ability to brake
without affecting the steerability of the vehicle.In the event of an emergency stop, fully depress
the brake pedal. Do not pump the brake pedal,
rather use firm, steady brake pedal pressure.
Pumping the pedal defeats the purpose of ABS
and significantly reduces braking effectiveness.
WARNING!
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle,
nor can it increase braking or steering efficiency
beyond that afforded by the condition of the vehi-
cle brakes and tires or the traction afforded.
The ABS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road, traffic and weather conditions.
Driving too fast increases the risk of an accident.
Page 173 of 288
STARTING AND OPERATING 173
5
STEERINGWhen the engine is not running, there is no power
assistance for the steering. Greater force will be
required to steer the vehicle.WHEELS AND TIRESCheck tires regularly for even tread wear, tread depth
(note legal requirements) and signs of external
damage.
Only use wheels and tires of the same size, make and
pattern.
Do not install tires that are not approved for the size
and type of wheel installed or the vehicle itself. Only
use those wheel sizes which were delivered to you by
your authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Use only wheels and tires which have been tested and
approved by the vehicle manufacturer. Break in new tires at moderate speeds for a distance of
about 65 miles (about 100 km).
CAUTION!
Power take off must not exceed 10 kW. Exceeding
the power take off may cause damage to the
auxiliary drive and/or ribbed V-belt.
WARNING!
Fitting other wheel sizes to the vehicle will change
the vehicle’s handling characteristics and may
lead to an accident resulting in severe personal in-
juries, death and property damage.
Only certain tires meeting the tire size/load/speed
rating specifications contained in the Tire
Pressure Tables at the end of this chapter are
certified to conform to FMVSS 120 for the Sprinter
vehicle at this time. Please check your side walls
of your originally equipped tires for specific
makes/sizes, and speed load ratings when you
need to replace your tires.
To prevent accident, injury or possible death, use
only the correct tires for your tire replacement.
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
.
Page 189 of 288
STARTING AND OPERATING 189
5
Towing 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
p r o n e t o r e a c t i n g t o s i d e w i n d g u s t s , a n d r e q u i r es m o r e
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.
Page 196 of 288
196 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIESHAZARD WARNING FLASHER SWITCHThe switch is located on top of the steering column
housing.
When the hazard warning flasher switch is switched
on, the indicator lamp in th e switch and the turn signal
indicator lamp in the inst rument cluster both flash.
WARNING!
If the rear cargo doors are opened to 90° (detent
position), the rear lights will be concealed. The
vehicle is then not sufficiently safeguarded at the
rear and may only be seen by other road users
when they are close to the vehicle. This could
lead to an accident.
The vehicle must then be clearly marked in
accordance with state and local laws, e.g., with a
warning triangle.
Page 198 of 288
198 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIESCHANGING THE TIREIf you get a flat tire while driving, gradually decrease
your speed. Hold the steering wheel firmly and slowly
move to a safe place on the side of the road. The
pressure of the spare wheel always has to be checked
regularly (at least after every tenth time at the filling
station).
WARNING!
Only certain tires meeting the tire size/load/speed
rating specifications contained in the Tire Pres-
sure Tables are certified to conform to FMVSS 120
for the Sprinter vehicle at this time. Please check
your side walls of your originally equipped tires
for specific makes/sizes, and speed load ratings
when you need to replace your tires.
To prevent accident, injury or possible death, use
only the correct tires for your tire replacement.
WARNING!
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking up the
vehicle at the jack take-up brackets built into ei-
ther side of the vehicle. To help avoid personal in-
jury, use the jack only to lift the vehicle during a
wheel change. Never get beneath the vehicle
while it is supported by the jack only.
Keep hands and feet away from the area under the
lifted vehicle. Always firmly set parking brake
and block wheels before raising vehicle with jack.
Do not disengage parking brake while the vehicle
is raised.
Always use the jack on a level surface.
Do not change wheels on either steep uphill or
downhill grades. Be sure that the jack arm end is
fully seated in the jack take-up bracket. The
vehicle may begin to move and fall from the jack
which could cause serious or fatal personal injury
and property damage.
Always lower the vehicle onto sufficient capacity
jack stands before working under the vehicle.
Page 211 of 288
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 211
6
TOWING THE VEHICLE
*Vehicle Type 2500 only
WARNING!
Do not tow the vehicle if the key cannot be turned
in the ignition lock.
If the key cannot be turned, the ignition lock re-
mains locked and the vehicle cannot be steered.
With the engine not running there is no power
assistance for the braking and steering systems.
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.
The vehicle must not be towed with the front axle
raised and the key in position 2 in the ignition
lock as the drive wheels could then lock due to the
acceleration skid control (ASR) or the optional
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
*.
Page 214 of 288
214 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Headlamps, Taillamps, Identification Lamps,
Turn Signal Lenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234Reversing Aid Sensors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235Window Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235Wiper Blade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236Light Alloy Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236Instrument Cluster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236Steering Wheel and Gear Selector Lever . . . . 236Cup Holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237Seat Belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237Headliner and Shelf Below Rear Window . . . 237Upholstery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237Hard Plastic Trim Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237Plastic and Rubber Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Electrical Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238Standard Fuse and Relay Equipment . . . . . . . 239Relay Assignment, Standard Equipment . . . . 242Fuse and Relay Optional Equipment . . . . . . . 242
Bulb Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245Front Lamp Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245Taillamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250License Plate Lamps
(Cargo/Passenger Vans Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252Additional Brake Lamp
(Cargo/Passenger Vans Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252Side-Mounted Turn Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253Side-Marker Lamps,
Standing Lamps (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253Identification Lamps (Cargo/
passenger vans only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254Interior Lighting in Passenger Compartment
and Load Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254Interior Lighting with Reading Lamp . . . . . . . 255Interior Lighting with Interior Sensor
Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255Exit Lamps (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Capacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257Recommended Fluids and Lubricants . . . . . . 258