2006 DODGE SPRINTER engine coolant

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 131
4
HEATER BOOSTER
The switch (1) for activating the
heater booster system is located in
the center section of the dashboard.
The heater booster system can be
switched on while the vehicle is
being driven to help the engine to
reach its normal operating
temperature more quickly, which
will help to heat up the passenger compartment as
quickly as possible when the heating is switched on.To switch on with the engine running:
Press switch (1), the indicator lamp (2) lights up.
To switch off:
Press switch (1) again or switch the engine off. The
heater booster will then switch to run-on mode (about
2minutes).
NOTE: When the vehicle is being driven and a coolant
temperature of over 185 °F (+80 °C) is reached, the
heater booster system will switch to regulation mode.
If the coolant temperature drops to below 167 °F
(+75 °C) with the heater booster system switched on,
heat output is increased again.
If the key is turned to position 0 in the ignition lock
(run-on for about 2 minutes), the last setting selected at
switch (1) is retained when the engine is restarted
(memory function).
The operation of the heater booster system is usually
not required at outside temperatures above 41 °F
(+5 °C).

226 STARTING AND OPERATING
WARNING!
Take into consideration that when towing a trail-
er, the handling characteristics are different and
less stable from those when operating the vehicle
without a trailer.
It is important to avoid sudden maneuvers.
Sudden maneuvers may lead to loss of control
over the vehicle-trailer combination. This could
cause an accident resulting in property damage or
injury to you or others.
CAUTION!
If the transmission hunts between gears on
inclines, manually shift to a lower gear (select
"4",
"3", "2" or"1"). A lower gear and reduction of
speed reduces the chance of engine overloading
and / or overheating.
When going down a long hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine’s braking effect. Avoid
riding the brakes, thus overheating the vehicle
and trailer brakes.
If the engine coolant rises to an extremely high
temperature (coolant temperature needle
approaching the red zone) when the air
conditioner is on, turn off the air conditioner.
Engine coolant heat can be additionally vented by
opening the windows, switching the climate
control fan speed to high and setting the
temperature control to the maximum hot position.

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
7
CONTENTS
Q Engine Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Q Sprinter Original Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Q Service Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
…Disposal of Service Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Q Emission Related Component Warranty
Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Q Regular Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
…Windshield Washer System Fluid Reservoir . 257
…Air Filter Restriction Indicator (Optional) . . . 258
…Approved Engine Oils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
…Engine Oil Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
…Ribbed V-Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
…Hydraulic Brake System, Clutch
Mechanism Fluid Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
…Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
…Engine Cooling System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
…Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
…Checking Coolant Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Q Winter Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Q Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
…Disconnecting the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
…Reconnecting the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
…Charging the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267
Q Replacing Wiper Blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
…Appearance Care and Corrosion Protection . 269
…Power Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
…Automatic Car Wash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
…Tar Stains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
…Paintwork, Painted Body Components . . . . . . 272
…Engine Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
…Vehicle Washing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
…Ornamental Moldings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273

254 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Legend For Engine Compartment
1. Washer system fluid reservoir.
2. Maintenance indicator for air cleaner element
(Optional).
3. Oil dipstick.
4. Oil filler neck.
5. Ribbed V-belt.
Auxiliary drive (Optional) refer to “Auxiliary
drive“.6. Fuel filter with water separator.
7. Hydraulic brake fluid reservoir.
8. Coolant reservoir.
9. Battery
The auxiliary battery is located underneath the
front passenger seat (optional equipment).
10. Fuse box
(These special fuses should only be replaced at by
an authorized Sprinter Dealer).

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 255
7
SPRINTER ORIGINAL PARTS
Every authorized Sprinter Dealer maintains a stock of
Sprinter original parts for maintenance and repair work.
Over 6,000 retailers around the world guarantee that
you can be supplied with Sprinter original parts
wherever you are. Over 300,000 different parts and
assemblies, including parts for older vehicle models,
are distributed from a central parts warehouse using
an optimally tuned logistics concept.
Sprinter original parts are subjected to the most
stringent quality inspections and will ensure that the
vehicle is maintained at a high level of operating
efficiency and safety, and that it maintains its value.
Each part has been specifically designed and
manufactured or selected and approved for use in
Sprinter vehicles.
It is therefore best to use only Sprinter original parts.
For cost-effective repairs in accordance with sound
recycling principles, the use of non-genuine parts and
accessories not authorized by the manufacturer could
damage the vehicle or compromise its durability or safety.
When ordering original parts, always provide the
vehicle identification number and the engine number. SERVICE PRODUCTS
Mechanical elements and the lubricants used for them
must be carefully matched.
For this reason, only brands tested and approved by
the manufacturer should be used. Please contact your
Sprinter Dealer to obtain the necessary information.
No lubricant additives should be used.
The use of such additives could affect your warranty
rights. Information is available from any authorized
Sprinter Dealer.
For specifications of engine oils, coolant and brake
fluid, contact your authorized Sprinter Dealer.
WARNING!
If handled incorrectly, service products can consti-
tute a health risk for people and an environmental
hazard.
Always observe relevant guidelines for handling,
storing and disposing of service products.

256 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Disposal of Service Products
Dispose of service products and of parts which come
into contact with them (e.g. filters) in an
environmentally responsible manner. Comply with
applicable bars and regulations.
EMISSION RELATED COMPONENT WARRANTY
STATEMENT
The Manufacturer warrants to the original and each
subsequent owner of a Sprinter heavy-duty on
highway diesel engine that:
(1) the engine was designed, built and equipped so as
to conform at the time of sale with the applicable
regulations adopted by the Federal Environmental
Protection Agency, and
(2) the emission control system of such engine is free
from defects in materials and workmanship which
would cause it not to conform with those regulations
for a period of use of five years or 100 000 miles or
3 000 hours of engine operation, whichever occurs
first.REGULAR CHECKS
WARNING!
When the hood is open, there is a risk of injury
due to very hot engine components.
When the engine is running or the key is in posi-
tion 2 in the ignition lock, there is a risk of injury
due to moving engine components and the electri-
cal system.
If you see flames or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant temperature
gauge indicates that the engine is overheated, do
not open the hood. Move away from vehicle and
do not open the hood until the engine has cooled.
If necessary, call the fire department.

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 257
7
The following checks should be performed at regular
intervals (for example once a week or each time the
vehicle is refueled):
 Windshield washer system/headlamp cleaning
system (optional) – washer system fluid reservoir.
 Air strainer, in vehicles with an air strainer element
maintenance indicator (optional equipment).
 Engine oil level.
 Checking ribbed V-belt.
 Hydraulic brake system, clutch mechanism fluid
level.
 Coolant level.
 Tire and spare wheel condition and pressures of the
same. For more information, refer to "Wheels and
Tires".
 Spare wheel location.
 Vehicle lighting.Windshield Washer System Fluid Reservoir
1. Washer system fluid reservoir
When topping off, add windshield washer fluid ("S"
for summer or "W" for winter) to the water.
Capacity of fluid reservoir (1): about 7.4 US qt (7 liters).

260 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
Check the engine oil level at regular intervals with the
vehicle standing on a level surface.
 Check engine oil level about 5 minutes after
stopping the engine, which should have reached its
regular operating temperature. The normal
operating temperature should have been reached
and maintained for some time.
 Wipe the dipstick clean with a lint-free cloth before
checking.
The engine oil level must be between the
lower (MIN) and upper (MAX) marks on
the dipstick.
Add engine oil only up to the MAX mark.
Excess oil must be drained or siphoned off.Ribbed V-Belt
The ribbed V-belt drives the accessories, such as
generator, coolant pump and hydraulic steering pump.
The ribbed V-belt is automatically kept tensioned.
Check the state of the ribbed V-belt regularly, such as
at every engine oil level check.
The belt must not be damaged, worn, oiled or glazed.
There must be no cracks in the belt running surface.
Replace damaged belts.