2006 DODGE SPRINTER Owners Manual

STARTING AND OPERATING 225
5
Towing a Trailer
There 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
prone to reacting to side wind gusts, and requires more
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.

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.

STARTING AND OPERATING 227
5
Parking a TrailerCAUTION!
Extreme care must be exercised since your vehicle
with a trailer will require additional passing
distance ahead than when driving without a
trailer. Because your vehicle and trailer is longer
than your vehicle alone, you will also need to go
much farther ahead of the passed vehicle before
you can return to your lane.WARNING!
To reduce the risk of personal injury, or damage to
the vehicle powertrain, as a result of vehicle/trail-
er movement, always:
Keep right foot on brake pedal.
Shift gear selector lever to position
"N".
Have a second person place wheel chocks on
downhill side of left and right trailer wheels.
Slowly release brake pedal and let vehicle and
trailer roll into chocks until stopped.
Firmly depress parking brake pedal.
Move gear selector lever to position
"P".
On inclines turn front wheels towards the road
curb.

228 STARTING AND OPERATING
EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM (CATALYTIC
CONVERTER)
INHALATION OF EXHAUST GASFORDING (WADING CAPABILITY)
Avoid fording flooded roads or passing through water
unless you are certain as to how deep it is. Driving
through deep water can cause damage to the vehicle,
including but not limited to the electrical components,
engine, transmission, etc. This type of damage is not
covered under the Warranty.
WARNING!
When driving or parking the vehicle, make sure
that its exhaust system does not come into contact
with flammable material (such as dry leaves) as
these materials may otherwise catch fire.
WARNING!
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your
health. All exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide
and inhaling it can cause unconsciousness and
lead to death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas (such as a
garage) which are not properly ventilated. If you
think that exhaust gas fumes are entering the
vehicle while driving, have the cause determined
and corrected immediately. If you must drive
under these conditions, drive only with at least
o
ne window fully open.

STARTING AND OPERATING 229
5
BODY BUILDER GUIDELINE
If you intend on making any alterations to the vehicle,
we strongly recommend that you select one of the
following options in order to obtain all necessary
information:
1. Contact the authorized Sprinter Dealer nearest you
to obtain a copy of the Sprinter Body Builder
Guideline.
2. Call DaimlerChrysler Vans LLC at telephone (800)
992-1997 to request a copy of the Sprinter Body
Builder Guideline (there may be a charge).
3. Write to the following address and order the
Sprinter Body Builder Guideline (there may be a
charge).
DaimlerChrysler Vans LLC
P.O. Box 21-8004
Auburn Hills, MI 48321-8004
United States of AmericaBody Builders and Dealers who makes any
modifications which may affect the final certification of
the engine, vehicle or equipment assume the sole
responsibility for the vehicle, including labeling and
documentation, affected by their modifications.
It is their responsibility to certify that the altered
vehicle conforms to all applicable standards and
regulations affected by the vehicle alteration or
continues to comply with the Motor Vehicle Safety
standards and Emissions regulations.
WARNING!
Any modifications or alterations of the Sprinter
vehicle not in compliance with the Sprinter Body
Builder Guideline and the Sprinter Operator’s
Manual may seriously inhibit its roadworthiness
and safety and may lead to an accident resulting in
serious personal injury or death. Consult the
Sprinter Body Builder Guideline and the Sprinter
Operator’s Manual prior to initiating any alter-
ations or modifications.

230 STARTING AND OPERATING
They are responsible for ensuring that modifications or
equipment installation does not affect the safety of the
vehicle.
A Special Note Concerning Vehicle AlterationThe Manufacturer is not responsible for any final
certification or claims sounding in product liability, or
warranty claims, which result from any component,
assembly, or system being altered, or which cause non-
compliance with any of the emission control standards
or motor vehicle safety standards, or which would
otherwise cause the vehicle to be or become defective
or unsafe.
The Manufacturer does not assume the responsibility
as the final stage manufacturer or the consequential
product liability.
WARNING!
Any modifications or alterations of the Sprinter
vehicle not in compliance with the Sprinter Body
Builder Guideline and the Sprinter Operator’s
Manual may seriously inhibit its roadworthiness
and safety and may lead to an accident resulting in
serious personal injury or death. Consult the
Sprinter Body Builder Guideline and the Sprinter
Operator’s Manual prior to initiating any alter-
ations or modifications.

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 231
6
Q Hazard Warning Flasher Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Q Fire Extinguisher (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Q Vehicle Tool Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Q Changing the Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
…Spare Wheel Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Q Jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
…Using the Jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Q Removing a Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Q Installing a Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Q Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246
Q Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
…If the Engine is Damaged . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
…If the Transmission is Damaged . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
…If the Front Axle is Damaged . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
…If the Rear Axle is Damaged . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249

232 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
HAZARD WARNING FLASHER SWITCH
The switch is located on top of the steering column
housing.
When the hazard warning flasher switch is switched
on, the indicator lamp in the switch and the turn signal
indicator lamp in the instrument 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.