2006 DODGE SPRINTER Owners Manual

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 137
4
Press the buttonH until the desired memory (1 – 3)
and the preselected time both flash.
The preselected time has been activated when the
display stops flashing. Within the next 24 hours, the
heater will switch on at the preselected time displayed.
Activate the preselected time (from 24 hours to a max.
of 7 days):
A preselected time may be chosen up to 7 days
beforehand.
Press the buttonH until the desired memory (1 – 3)
and the preselected time both flash.
After about 5 seconds, the "Preselected Day" display
will appear – use either the buttonýorþ to set
the preselected day.
The preselected time and day have been activated
when the display stops flashing and when the current
time, activated memory, and the flashing symbolö
appear in the display.
To call up the activated memory:
Briefly press the buttonH – the preselected day and
time will be displayed for about 5 seconds.Switching off preselected times:
Press the buttonH repeatedly until no memory is
displayed – no preselected time is activated.
Setting the Heating Period
Settings between 1 minute and 120 minutes may be set
for heating periods to run when the ignition is
switched off.
Do not switch on the heater.
Press the buttoný until the current heating period
begins to flash.
Use either the buttonýorþ to set the desired
heating period. The new heating period will be saved
as soon as the display disappears.
Auxiliary Heater Operation
The symbolö appears in the timer display as soon
as the heater is switched on. After about 20 to
50 seconds, the heater runs with the complete flow of
heat, so that the operating temperature is reached as
soon as possible.

138 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
Heat operation:
Different operating conditions will be in effect
depending on the heat level required.
The integrated control unit adjusts the heat flow using
the following operating levels:
High – Low – Off
Safety Equipment
For safety reasons, the heater will automatically switch
off if faults occur which cause the device to overheat.
Tips for Coping with Problems; refer to "Auxiliary
Heater – Tips for Coping with Problems".
The integrated control unit contains a diagnostic
system which detects and stores faults. The error can
be read by means of the vehicle diagnosis. If a fault
occurs while the heater is switched on, the
symbolö will flash and the error code for that fault
will be displayed in the timer.
The fault should be corrected as soon as possible by an
authorized Sprinter Dealer.Settings with the Auxiliary Heater switched on
In preheat mode, the blower is automatically switched
on at blower speed 1 when the water heater is switched
on. When driving, the airflow control switch (2) can be
set as desired.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 139
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 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
AUXILIARY HEATER – TIPS FOR COPING WITH
PROBLEMS
NOTE: After three successive attempts to start the
heater, a malfunction will be recorded in the integrated
diagnostic system and no further operation on
auxiliary heater will be available (lock-out). The work
to annul the lock-out must be carried out at an
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
The heater either does not switch on or automatically
switches off:
 Insufficient fuel, fill up the fuel tank. Start up heater
two times, until the fuel lines are filled.
 The auxiliary heater will automatically switch off if
the fuel level is under about 4 US gal (15 l).
 The fuses in the fuse box are damaged. Electric
fuses.
 The battery voltage is too low, an undervoltage
protector switches off the heater if the battery
voltage falls below about 10 volts.The heater motor does not run
 The battery voltage is too low, check the battery.
Batteries.
 The fuses in the fuse box are damaged.
Electric fuses.
 The heater motor is damaged.
Overheating
 The air channels are clogged.
The heater can be restarted once the fault has been
repaired. When this is done, the heater should be
switched on and off.
 The heater will remain switched off after it has been
overheated a number of times (about 10 times in
succession). Have the fault repaired by an
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
NOTE: Repairs should only be made by an authorized
Sprinter Dealer.

STARTING AND OPERATING
5
CONTENTS
Q Power Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Q Starting the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
…Maximum Engine Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145…Constant RPMs (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Q Stopping the Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Q Automatic Transmission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
…Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
…Accelerator Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
…Stopping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149…Maneuvering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
…Gear Selector Lever Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
…Gear Selection for Special Circumstances . . . . 151
Q Transmission Selector Lever, Manually
Unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
…Reversing Aid (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Q Loading the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
…Loading Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Q Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
…Service Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
…Brake Pad Wear Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
…Brake Indicator and Electronic Brake
Force Distribution (EBD) Indicator Lamp . . . 160
…Parking Brake Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
…Parking Brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
…Driving Safety Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163…Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
…Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
…Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) . . . 167
…Acceleration Skid Control Indicator
Lamp (ASR) and Brake Assist System (BAS)1
if equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
…Acceleration Skid Control (ASR) Warning
Lamp and Electronic Stability Program
(ESP®)* – if equipped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
…Acceleration Skid Control (ASR) . . . . . . . . . . . 170

142 STARTING AND OPERATING
…Deactivating the Acceleration Skid
Control (ASR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
…Brake Assist System (BAS)
(vehicle type 2500 only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
…Indicator Lamp Electronic Stability Program
(ESP®) (vehicle type 2500 only) . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
…Electronic Stability Program (ESP®)
(vehicle type 2500 only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Q Auxiliary Drive (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Q Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Q Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
…Radial-Ply Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
…Important Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179…Tire Care and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
…Tire Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
…Life of Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181…Tread Depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
…Storing Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
…Cleaning Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182…Direction of Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
…Vehicles type 2500 C/HC/SHC . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
…Vehicles type 3500 C/HC/SHC . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
…Tire Grip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185…Hydroplaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
…Recommended Tire Inflation Pressure . . . . . . 186
…Important Notes on Tire Inflation Pressure . . 187
…Checking Tire Inflation Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . 188
…Potential Problems associated with
Underinflated and Overinflated Tires . . . . . . . 190
…Tire Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
…Tire Size Designation, Load and
Speed Rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
…Tire Sizes for Sprinter Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
…Design Standard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193…Tire Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
…Aspect Ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
…Tire Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193…Rim Diameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
…Tire Load Rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
…Tire Speed Rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195…DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN) . . . . . 196
…DOT (Department Of Transportation) . . . . . . 197
…Manufacturer’s Identification Mark . . . . . . . . 197…Tire Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
…Tire Type Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
…Date of Manufacture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197…Maximum Tire Load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
…Maximum Tire Inflation Pressure . . . . . . . . . . 199
…Tire Ply Material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
…Tire and Loading Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . 200…Rotating Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
…Alignment and Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206

STARTING AND OPERATING 143
5
…Winter tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Q Snow Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Q Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
…Fuel Filter with Water Separator . . . . . . . . . . . 210…Diesel Fuels for Use at Very
Low Temperatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Q Refueling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
…Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Q Programmed Top Speed (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . 213
Q Bleeding Diesel Fuel System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Q Draining Fuel Filter with Water Separator . . . . 214
…Bleeding the Diesel Fuel System . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Q Permissible Roof Load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Q Loading the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
…Tire and Loading Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Q Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
…Trailer Hitches (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
…Electrical Connections (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . 222
…Vehicle and Trailer Weights and Ratings . . . . 222
…Trailer Tongue Load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
…Loading a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223…Checking Weights of Vehicle and Trailer . . . . 224
…Attaching a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224…Towing a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
…Parking a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Q Emissions Control System
(Catalytic Converter) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Q Inhalation of Exhaust Gas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Q Fording (Wading Capability) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Q Body Builder Guideline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
…A Special Note Concerning
Vehicle Alteration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230

144 STARTING AND OPERATING
POWER ASSISTANCE STARTING THE ENGINE
Battery charge warning lamp (1)
Engine oil level indicator lamp (2)
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.