2005 DODGE SPRINTER ABS

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 93
4
Indicator Lamp Symbolsv
Acceleration skid control (ASR)
or electronic stabi lity program (ESP)*
or slippery surface warning.
1
Airbag Malfunction (USA only).
Parking brake applied.
A
High beam on, refer to "Multifunction Switch".
#
Battery not being charged,
refer to "Battery Charge Indicator Lamp".
Water in fuel filter, refer to "Water in Fuel
Indicator Lamp".
2
Brake pads worn.
:
Engine oil level too low,
refer to "Engine Oil Level Indicator Lamp".
/
Coolant level too low,
refer to "Coolant Level Indicator Lamp".
;
Brake fluid level too low and electronic brake force
distribution (EBD) malfunction (USA only).
*2500 Type Vehicles only.
3
Brake fluid level too low and electronic brake force
distribution (EBD) malfunction (Canada only).
<
Seat belt warning lamp.
-
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) malfunction.
Electronic stability program (ESP)* malfunction.
±
Engine control unit malfunction.
k
Acceleration skid control (ASR) malfunction
and brake assist system (BAS)
1malfunction.
™
Constant RPMs on.
W
Fluid level in windshield washer low.
q
Preheating.

112 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANELEngine Oil Level – Display in Instrument Cluster
(Vehicles with ASSYST Maintenance Computer only)If the : indicator lamp lights up briefly when the
engine is running, the engine oil level has dropped to
the minimum mark. Check the engine oil level without
delay and add oil to the upper mark on the dipstick. If no engine oil is added and the engine oil level drops
further, a warning buzzer will also sound and
will appear in the multi-function indicator. 2.0 quarts
(about 1.9 liters) of oil must be added.
NOTE:
Engine oil level display
– "qt" in USA only.
– "l" in Canada only.
CAUTION!
If the : indicator lamp lights up, the warning
symbol in the multi-function indicator appears
and the warning buzzer sounds, the operating
safety of the engine is endangered (possibility of
engine damage).
A sudden decrease or absence of oil pressure may
indicate a mechanical failure. Bring the vehicle to
a safe stop, and investigate the cause to prevent
further damage. Do not operate the engine until
the cause has been determined and corrected.
Symb
N00.00-2384-00
qt

STARTING AND OPERATING
5
CONTENTS

Power Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141


Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Maximum Engine Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Constant RPMs (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143


Stopping the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144


Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Accelerator Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Stopping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Maneuvering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Gear Selector Lever Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Gear Selection for Special Circumstances . . . . 148


Transmission Selector Lever, Manually
Unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Reversing Aid (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150


Loading the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Loading Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154


Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Service Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Brake Pad Wear Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
Brake Indicator and Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBD) Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . 157
Parking Brake Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Driving Safety Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Indicator
Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) . . . 164
Acceleration Skid Control Indicator Lamp
(ASR) and Brake Assist System (BAS)
1
if equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164

Acceleration Skid Control (ASR) Warning
Lamp and Electronic Stability Program
(ESP)
1 – if equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166

Acceleration Skid Control (ASR) . . . . . . . . . . . 167

148 STARTING AND OPERATINGNOTE: Coasting the vehicle, or driving with gear
selector lever in "N" can result in transmission damage
that is not covered by the Sprinter Warranty.
w The 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 gear selector lever to the right or
the left with the gear selector lever in position "D".The gear range currently selected is indicated in the
instrument cluster display.
Briefly press gear 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 gear selector lever in the ç direction:
The transmission will shift to a gear range which
favorably accelerates or de celerates the vehicle. This
way downshiftings can be caused. Briefly press gear 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 gear 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.

160 STARTING AND OPERATING
Driving Safety SystemsThe vehicle can be equipped with the following
Driving Safety Systems:
 Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
 Electronic brake force distribution (EBV)
 Acceleration skid control (ASR)
 Brake assist system (BAS)
1
 Electronic stability program (ESP)
*
NOTE: The maximum effectiveness of ABS, EBV, ASR
and ESP is only achieved if you drive with correct tire
pressures and adjust tire pressures to correspond with
the vehicle’s load. In winter operation, the maximum
effectiveness of the ABS and the ESP is only achieved
with winter tires (M+S tires), or snow chains as
required.
WARNING!
When leaving the vehicle always remove the key
from the ignition lock, and lock your vehicle.
Do not leave children unsupervised in the vehicle,
even if they are secured by a child restraint
system. The children could
 injure themselves on parts of the vehicle
 release the child-proof locks by pressing the central locking button and could thereby open
the doors and
 cause injury to others as a result
 get out of the vehicle and could either injure themselves when doing so or they could be
injured by the traffic approaching from the rear
 suffer serious or fatal effects in the event of long periods of hot weather
 release the parking brake. The vehicle could then start moving of its own accord.Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may cause
severe personal injuries, death and property damage.

STARTING AND OPERATING 161
5
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) 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.

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.

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.