2005 DODGE SPRINTER steering

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 13
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IGNITION LOCK / STARTER SWITCH0 The steering wheel is locked when the key is removed
To remove the key, place the gear selector lever in
position "P"; rotate the key in the ignition lock to
position 0; and remove the key.
1 The steering wheel is unlocked
2 Preheating and driving position
3Start position To engage the steering wheel lock:
After removing the key, turn the steering wheel until
the steering wheel lock engages.
To release the steering wheel lock:
Turn the steering wheel slightly while turning the key
to position 1.
NOTE:
If the driver’s or passenger’s door is opened
with the key in position 0 or 1 in the ignition lock, a
warning buzzer sounds.
WARNING!
Do not remove the key from the ignition lock un-
less the vehicle is stationary. Always remove the
key from the ignition lock when leaving the ve-
hicle to prevent children or unauthorized per-
sons from starting the engine.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 39
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OCCUPANT RESTRAINTSSeat belts, belt tensioners, airbag and child restraint
systems are independent restraint systems whose
functions complement each other.
All states and provinces require use of child restraints
that comply with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213.
All child restraint systems are designed to be secured
in vehicle seats by lap belts or the lap belt portion of a
lap-shoulder belt.
For your safety and that of your passengers, you must
use the seat belts and child restraint systems and use
them properly. We strongly recommend their use.
WARNING!
In a collision, you and your passengers can suffer
injuries, including fatalities, if you are not proper-
ly buckled up. You can strike the interior of your
vehicle or other passengers, or you can be thrown
out of the vehicle. Always be sure you and others
in your vehicle are buckled up properly.
WARNING!
Do not modify the components or electrical wir-
ing of the restraint systems. This includes the in-
stallation of additional trim material, badges etc.
over the steering wheel hub, or front door trim
panels, and installation of additional electrical/
electronic equipment on or near restraint system
components and wiring.
Any work on the restraint systems should only be
carried out by an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Unprofessional work can lead to the restraint
systems triggering incorrectly or failing.
Damaged seat belts or belts that were highly
stressed in an accident must be replaced and their
anchoring points must also be checked. Use only
belts installed or supplied by an authorized
Sprinter Dealer.
Do not pass belts over sharp edges.
Do not make any modification that could change
the effectiveness of the belts.

40 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE
WARNING!
Airbag and belt tensioners are designed to func-
tion on a one-time-only basis. An airbag or belt
tensioner that was activated must be replaced.
An airbag system component integrated in the
steering wheel gets hot after the airbag has
inflated. Do not touch.
No modifications of any kind may be made to any
components or wiring of the restraint system.
Keep area between airbag and occupants free of
objects (e.g. packages, purses, umbrellas, etc.).
In addition, through improper work there is the
risk of rendering the restraint system inoperative.
Work on the restraint system must therefore only
be performed by an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
WARNING!
When discarding of the airbag unit or emergency
tensioning retractor, you must follow our safety
instructions. These instructions are available at
your Sprinter Dealer.Given the considerable deployment speed and the
textile structure of the airbag, there is the possibility
of injuries and even death resulting from being
positioned too close to the airbag when it deploys.
Do not seat children less than 5 feet tall or 12 years
and under in the front. The back seat is the safest
place for children. If the vehicle is not equipped with
a back seat, children less than 5 feet tall or 12 years
and under must never ride in this vehicle. Never place
an infant seat on the front passenger seat.Children less than 5 feet tall or 12 years and under
require a special restraint system for protection in
the event of an accident as they may be too small
to wear seat belts properly.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 47
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DRIVER’S AIRBAGThe driver’s airbag is located within the padded center
of the steering wheel.
WARNING!
To reduce the risk of injury when the front airbag
inflates, it is very important for the driver to al-
ways be in a properly seated position and to wear
the seat belt. Since the airbag inflates with consid-
erable speed and force, a proper seating position
with hands on the steering wheel will help to
keep you in a safe distance from the airbag. Keep
hands on the outside of the steering wheel rim.
Placing hands and arms inside the rim can in-
crease the risk and the potential severity of hand/
arm injury when the driver front airbag inflates.

48 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLEFRONT SEAT PASSENGER AIRBAG (NOT IN
CONJUNCTION WITH FOLDING SEAT IN
PARTITION WALL)
WARNING!
To reduce the risk of injury when the front airbag
inflates, it is very important for the driver to al-
ways be in a properly seated position and to wear
the seat belt. Since the airbag inflates with consid-
erable speed and force, a proper seating position
with hands on the steering wheel will help to
keep you in a safe distance from the airbag.
Do not place any pieces on the top of the
mounting lid above the airbag. If the airbag is
activated the pieces could be thrown into the
passenger compartment. This could result in
severe personal injuries and death.

50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLESafety Precautions for the Airbag
WARNING!
Airbags can seriously injure or kill you, especially
if you are close to the airbag when it deploys.
Always wear your seat belt. Airbags do not
replace seat belts but instead supplement the
protection offered by seat belts. Wearing a seat
belt also makes it less likely that you will be out
of position and will not be injured or killed as the
airbag deploys.
Never place an infant seat which faces to the rear
on the front passenger seat. Children 12 years old
and under, and any child who cannot wear a seat
belt properly, must never ride in the front of this
vehicle.
The airbag does offer an additional degree of
protection, especially to belted occupants, but the
following precautions should still be taken to
prevent injuries when the airbag is inflating.
Do not position the seat closer than necessary to
the airbag inflation point.
WARNING!
Do not lean forward when the vehicle is in mo-
tion.
Do not lean on the doors from inside the vehicle.
Do not put your feet on the dashboard.
Only hold the steering wheel by the outer rim so
that the airbag can inflate unhindered.
No objects should be positioned on the airbag or
between the airbag and the vehicle’s occupants.
If children are traveling, they should always use
an appropriate child restraint system.
Do not touch any hot parts after the airbag has
inflated. Airbags which have triggered in an
accident must be replaced.
The center of the padded steering wheel must not
be covered by any materials or have any labels or
stickers attached to it, or else the airbag may not
function reliably.

60 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLESEAT ADJUSTMENT
Driver’s and Front Passenger’s Seat
WARNING!
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving. Ad-
just the seat only while the vehicle is parked.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause the
driver to lose control of the vehicle. The seat belt
might not be properly adjusted and you could be
injured. Avoid seat positions in which you cannot
wear your seat belt correctly. They are a safety
hazard and must therefore be avoided; refer to
"Seat Belts".Never ride in a moving vehicle with the backrest
reclined. Sitting in an excessively reclined position
can be dangerous. You could slide under the seat
belt in a collision. If you slide under it, the belt
would apply force at the abdomen or neck as this
could result in severe personal injuries and death.The backrest and seat belt provide the best
restraint when the wearer is in an upright position
and the belt is properly positioned on the body.
Use the recliner only when the vehicle is parked.
WARNING!
Never place hands under seat or near any moving
parts while a seat is being adjusted. If the seat is
moved, to ensure engagement, the seat catches
must be heard.The arms should be slightly bent when you are
holding the steering wheel. The distance from the
pedals should be such that you can depress them fully.The rear area of the vehicle should not be used as
a play area by children when the vehicle is in
motion. They could be seriously injured in an
accident. Children should be seated and using the
proper restraint system.
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo area,
inside or outside of a vehicle. In a collision,
people riding in these area are more likely to be
seriously injured or killed.Do not allow people to ride in any area of your
vehicle that is not equipped with seats and seat belts.Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat and
using a seat belt properly.

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 63
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Folding Seat at Partition (Optional)Key (1)
Seat cushion (2)
Fold down the seat cushion of the folding seat.
SEAT HEATER (OPTIONAL)The seat heater switch is located on
the center section of the dashboard.
The seat heater only works when the
key is in position 2 in the ignition
lock .
Low heating output, press top of the seat heater switch.
The left indicator lamp in the switch illuminates.
High heating output, press bottom of seat heater
switch. The right indicator lamp in the switch
illuminates.WARNING!
When folding down the seat cushion, make sure
that nobody can become trapped.
The risk of injury to the front-passenger is
increased in the event of sharp steering
movements or an accident if a key is inserted in
the passenger/cargo area sliding door lock.
Remove the key from the load compartment
sliding door before using the folding seat.