2006 DODGE SPRINTER brake

150 STARTING AND OPERATING
Gear Selector Lever Position
The current gear selector lever position (1) is indicated
in the gear range indicator display. The automatic gear
shifting process can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the gear selector lever.vPark Position
The park position is to be used when parking the
vehicle. Engage only with the vehicle stopped.
The park position is not intended to serve as a
brake when the vehicle is parked. Rather, the
driver should always use the parking brake in
addition to placing the gear selector lever in
park position to secure the vehicle.
NOTE: With a malfunction in the vehicle’s electrical
system the gear selector lever could remain locked in
position "P". To unlock the gear selector lever
manually, refer to "Transmission Gear Selector Lever,
Manually Unlocking".
t Reverse Gear
Shift to reverse gear only with the vehicle
stopped.
s Neutral
No power is transmitted from the engine to the
drive axle. When the brakes are released, the
vehicle can be moved freely (pushed or towed).
Do not engage "N" while driving as you may
otherwise lose control of the vehicle.

152 STARTING AND OPERATING
transmission are negatively affected by this mode of
operation.
The delayed upshift is effective with vehicle speeds
below 31 mph (50 km / h) at partial throttle and engine
temperatures below 95 °F (+35 °C).
To avoid overrevving the engine when the gear
selector lever is moved to a lower gear, the
transmission will not shift to a lower gear if the
engine’s revolutions per minute limit would be
exceeded. In this case there will be no downshift, even
when the vehicle speed reaches the engine’s rpm limit
of that gear, for example by applying the service
brakes.
To prevent the engine from laboring at low rpm when
driving uphill grades or with your vehicle heavily
loaded, the automatic transmission will downshift
when necessary to maintain engine rpm within the best
torque range.Gear
qUpshift through 4th gear only. Suitable for
performance driving.
pUpshift through 3rd gear only. Suitable for
moderately steep hills. Since the transmission
does not shift higher than 3rd gear, this gear
selection will allow use of the engine’s braking
power downhill.
oUpshift through 2nd gear only. For driving in
mountainous regions or under extreme
operating conditions. This gear selection will
allow use of the engine’s braking power when
descending steep grades.
nUse this position, which makes maximum use of
the engine’s braking effect, while descending
very steep or lengthy downgrades and only at
speeds below 25 mph (38 km / h).

STARTING AND OPERATING 155
5
Range of Sensors
The sensors are able to detect a distance within a range
of up to 70 in (180 cm) centrally or up to 40 in (100 cm)
laterally behind the bumper.
WARNING!
Ultrasonic sources, such as the compressed-air
brakes of heavy trucks, a car wash or a pneumatic
drill, and other parts attached to the vehicle, such
as load carriers, could cause the reversing aid to
malfunction.
The reversing aid sensors must not be scratched
or damaged. They must be free from dirt, ice and
slush, otherwise they might not function
correctly.
The rear area sensors will be restricted in all of
these cases. This will increase the risk of damage
to the vehicle or the object and the risk of injury
to other persons.
Clean the sensors regularly, taking care not to
scratch or damage them.
N54.65-2044-20
N54.65-2045-20

158 STARTING AND OPERATING
Protect sharp edges with padding.
 Check the tire pressures after loading the vehicle.
For passenger vans:
 Do not stack loads higher than the upper edge of the
backrests.
 Always place the load against the backrests of the
seat benches.
 Whenever possible, transport loads behind seats
that are not occupied.
 Distribute the load in such a way that the
permissible axle loads are not exceeded when the
vehicle is equipped with the maximum number of
seats. Loading the luggage compartment up to the
maximum payload would cause the permissible
rear axle load to be exceeded.BRAKES
Service Brake
WARNING!
When the engine is not running, the brake and
steering systems are without power assistance.
Under these circumstances, a much greater effort
is necessary to stop or steer the vehicle.
After driving in heavy rain for some time without
applying the brakes or through water deep
enough to wet brake components, the first
braking action may be somewhat reduced and
increased pedal pressure may be necessary. Be
sure to maintain a safe distance from vehicles in
front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will cause
excessive and premature wear of the brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their effectiveness.
It may not be possible to stop the vehicle in
sufficient time to avoid an accident.

STARTING AND OPERATING 159
5
NOTE: On long and steep downhill slopes, reduce the
load on the brakes by shifting down a gear to utilize the
braking effect of the engine.
To prevent corrosion on the brake pads, after driving
on very wet roads, especially if road salts have been
used, apply brakes before parking the vehicle. The heat
generated will help to dry the brake disks.Brake Pad Wear Indicator
When the key is turned to position 2 in the ignition
lock, the indicator lamp2 in the instrument cluster
lights up for about 2 seconds. It must go out when the
engine is running.
If the 2indicator lamp lights up while the engine is
running, the brake pads are worn almost to their limit.
Have the brake system examined as soon as possible
by an authorized Sprinter Dealer.

160 STARTING AND OPERATING
Brake Indicator and Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBD) Indicator Lamp
;USA only
3Canada only
With the key in position 2 in the ignition lock and the
parking brake released, the indicator lamp; (3)
lights up for about 2 seconds.If the indicator lamp does not go out after about
2 seconds, the brake fluid level has sunk below the
minimum filling capacity.
If the brake indicator lamp comes on while driving, the
brake fluid level is below the minimum filling capacity
or the electronic brake force distribution (EBD) is
malfunctioning.
For information on the electronic brake force
distribution, refer to "Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBD)".

STARTING AND OPERATING 161
5
NOTE: If you find that the minimum mark on the
brake fluid reservoir is reached, have the brake system
checked for pad thickness and leaks.Parking Brake Indicator Lamp
With the key in position 2 in the ignition lock and the
parking brake released, the indicator lamp lights
up for about 2 seconds.
If the parking brake is on, the indicator lamp does
not go out before the parking brake is released.
WARNING!
Driving with the brake indicator lamp; (3)
illuminated can result in an accident. There may
be a malfunction in the brake system or in the
electronic brake force distribution. The braking
characteristics are affected and the vehicle could
skid if it is braked hard.
Have your brake system checked immediately if
the brake indicator lamp; (3) stays on. Do
not add brake fluid before checking the brake
system. Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can
result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts
and the brake fluid catching fire. There is a risk of
injury due to hot engine parts or hot steam.

162 STARTING AND OPERATING
Parking Brake
Only apply the parking brake when the vehicle is
stationary.
To apply:
Pull the lever up as many notches as possible. When
the key is in position 2 in the ignition lock, the parking
brake indicator lamp will light up in the
instrument cluster.To release:
Lift the lever up slightly, press the button on the lever
in and move the lever down to the stop. The parking
brake indicator lamp should go out.
WARNING!
Always fully apply the parking brake when leav-
ing your vehicle, or vehicle may roll and cause
damage or injury.
On uphill or downhill grades steeper than 15%
the vehicle must be safeguarded. Vehicles which
are not secured could roll away and result in
severe personal injuries, death and property
damage.
Safeguard an unloaded vehicle by chocking the
front axle.
Safeguard a loaded vehicle by chocking the rear
axle.