2006 DODGE SPRINTER ESP

STARTING AND OPERATING 163
5
Driving Safety Systems
The vehicle can be equipped with the following
Driving Safety Systems:
 Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
 Electronic brake force distribution (EBV)
 Acceleration skid control (ASR)
 Brake assist system (BAS)
1
 Electronic stability program (ESP®)*
NOTE: The maximum effectiveness of ABS, EBV, ASR
and ESP®* is only achieved if you drive with correct
tire pressures and adjust tire pressures to correspond
with the vehicle’s load. In winter operation, the
maximum effectiveness of the ABS and the ESP
®* is
only achieved with winter tires (M+S tires), or snow
chains as required.
*Vehicle type 2500 only
WARNING!
When leaving the vehicle always remove the key
from the ignition lock, and lock your vehicle.
Do not leave children unsupervised in the vehicle,
even if they are secured by a child restraint
system. The children could
 injure themselves on parts of the vehicle
 release the child-proof locks by pressing the
central locking button and could thereby open
the doors and
 cause injury to others as a result
 get out of the vehicle and could either injure
themselves when doing so or they could be
injured by the traffic approaching from the rear
 suffer serious or fatal effects in the event of long
periods of hot weather
 release the parking brake. The vehicle could
then start moving of its own accord.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may cause
severe personal injuries, death and property damage.

164 STARTING AND OPERATING
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Indicator Lamp
When the key is in position 2 in the ignition lock, the
ABS indicator lamp- will light up in the
instrument cluster. It goes out after about 2 seconds.
If the ABS indicator lamp- remains on or lights up
when the engine is running, the ABS is malfunctioning.
NOTE: If the voltage in the vehicle’s electrical system
drops below 10 volts, the ABS indicator lamp- will
also light up in the instrument cluster and the ABS will
be deactivated. The indicator lamp will go out as soon
WARNING!
The following factors increase the risk of acci-
dents:
 Excessive speed, especially in turns
 Wet and slippery road surfaces
 Following another vehicle too closely
The ABS, EBV, ASR, BAS and ESP
® cannot reduce
this risk nor can they prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle.
Always adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road, traffic and weather conditions
and maintain a safe distance between your vehicle
and other road users as well as objects on the road.

STARTING AND OPERATING 165
5
as the voltage reaches this level again – the ABS is then
reactivated.
If ABS malfunctions, the other driving safety systems
are deactivated. The handling and braking
characteristics of your vehicle change. The other
braking and driving systems still function normally.
I
Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
ABS prevents the wheels from locking at any speed
above about 5 mph (8 km/h), regardless of road
surface conditions. The vehicle remains steerable even
if the brakes are applied fully.
A light vibrating of the steering wheel and pulsating of
the brake pedal indicate that the ABS is working.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will respond even
with light brake pedal pressure because of the
increased likelihood of locking wheels. The pulsating
brake pedal can be an indication of hazardous road
conditions and works as a reminder to take extra care
while driving.
WARNING!
If the ABS indicator lamp- does not go out or
lights up again while driving, the ABS is malfunc-
tioning. If ABS malfunctions, the other driving
safety systems are deactivated. The vehicle’s brak-
ing characteristics may be affected. There is an in-
creased risk that your vehicle could skid in the
event of sharp braking. Have the malfunction
traced and repaired without delay by an autho-
rized Sprinter Dealer.
Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road, traffic and weather conditions.
Driving too fast increases the risk of an accident.

STARTING AND OPERATING 169
5
Acceleration Skid Control (ASR) Warning Lamp
and Electronic Stability Program (ESP®)* – if
equipped
When the key is in position 2 in the ignition lock, the
warning lampv in the speedometer will light up
for about 2 seconds. It must go out when the engine is
running.
The warning lampv flashes when:
The ASR or ESP
®* is activated.
 The drive wheels spin with the ASR shut off.
*Vehicle type 2500 onlyThe warning lamp v lights up when the ASR is
shut off.
Deactivate the acceleration skid control, refer to
"Deactivating Acceleration Skid Control (ASR)".
WARNING!
If the warning lampv in the speedometer
lights up or flashes:
 Do not deactivate the acceleration skid control
(ASR).
 Only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away.
 Ease off on the accelerator pedal when driving at
a steady speed.
 Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road, traffic and weather conditions.
Failure to heed these warnings could cause the
vehicle to enter a skid and may result in an
accident.

170 STARTING AND OPERATING
Acceleration Skid Control (ASR)
ASR makes it possible to pull away and accelerate on a
slippery surface. A spinning wheel is braked and its
tractive power is transferred to the wheel with full
grip.
The acceleration skid control (ASR) improves driving
stability at all speeds only on vehicles of the chassis
and cargo/passenger vans type 3500 C/HC/SHC
(without ESP
®).
The engine’s torque is limited to improve driving
stability. When this is happening, the warning
lampv in the speedometer flashes.
If the road surface is not capable of providing traction,
bearing in mind the tires, load and grade, it may not be
possible to pull away even with ASR.
If wheels with tires of a different size than those offered
by an authorized Sprinter Dealer are used, the correct
operation of the ASR cannot be guaranteed.
WARNING!
ASR cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded.
The ASR cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an ASR equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
If the ASR function is used for a prolonged period
of time, the rear axle brakes may fail due to
overheating.
If the vehicle is to be towed away with the front
wheels clear of the ground, or if the brakes are to
be tested on a brake dynamometer, do not pull the
key in position 2 in the ignition lock, because the
drive wheels could lock.

STARTING AND OPERATING 171
5
Deactivating the Acceleration Skid Control (ASR)
See Section 4, Understanding Your Instrument Panel,
for switch locations.
When driving with snow chains, in
deep snow, or on sand or gravel, it
can be beneficial to deactivate the
acceleration skid control (ASR).
The engine’s torque is then no longer
limited and the drive wheels are free
to spin, which can help them cut into
loose surfaces.
The ASR can only be shut off with the engine running.
If the engine is shut off with the ASR deactivated, the
ASR is automatically re-activated after the engine is
started again.Vehicle Type 2500 only:
If there is a danger of skidding, and/or starting at a
speed of 38 mph (60 km/h) ESP
® activates ASR
automatically.
WARNING!
On a slippery road surface if both drive wheels
start to spin there is a risk of skidding. Adapt your
speed and driving style to the prevailing road,
traffic and weather conditions.
P54.25-0294-20
WARNING!
Vehicle type 2500 only:
Even when ASR is deactivated, ESP
® remains
active and regulates braking to improve stability
as necessary. The warning lampv flashes in
the speedometer.
The danger of your vehicle’s brake system
overheating and being damaged is increased
during long, demanding application of the
brakes. Furthermore, an overheated brake system
could result in a longer stopping distance.
Thus, only deactivate ASR if it is absolutely
necessary.

STARTING AND OPERATING 173
5
For the indicator lamp k refer to "Indicator Lamp
Acceleration Skid Control (ASR) and Brake Assist
System (BAS)
".
Indicator Lamp Electronic Stability Program
(ESP®) (vehicle type 2500 only)
When the key is in position 2 in the ignition lock, the
ESP
® indicator lamp will light up in the
instrument cluster as a function check. It goes out
when the engine is running.
If the indicator lamp remains on or lights up when
the engine is running, the electronic stability program
(ESP
®) is malfunctioning and switched off
automatically. The engine’s power output may be then
reduced.
WARNING!
The Brake Assist system (BAS) cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle,
nor can it increase braking efficiency beyond that
afforded by the condition of the vehicle brakes
and tires or the traction afforded.
The BAS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an BAS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others
.
Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road, traffic and weather conditions.
Driving too fast increases the risk of an accident.

174 STARTING AND OPERATING
NOTE: If the ABS is malfunctioning or the voltage in
the vehicle’s electrical system drops below 10 volts, the
indicator lamp will also light up in the instrument
cluster and the ESP
® will be deactivated. The indicator
lamp will go out as soon as the voltage reaches this
level again or the ABS is operational again – the ESP
®
is then reactivated.Electronic Stability Program (ESP
®) (vehicle type
2500 only)
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP
®) monitors the
vehicle’s traction (force of adhesive friction between
the tires and the road surface) and handling.
The ESP
® recognizes when a wheel is spinning or if the
vehicle starts to skid. By applying brakes to the
appropriate wheel and by limiting engine output, the
ESP
® works to stabilize the vehicle. The ESP® is
especially useful while driving off and on wet or
slippery road surfaces.
The warning lamp v in the speedometer flashes
when the ESP
® is engaged, refer also to "Warning
Lamp Acceleration Skid Control (ASR) and Electronic
Stability Program (ESP
®)".
If wheels with tires of a different size than those offered
by an authorized Sprinter Dealer are used, the correct
operation of the ESP
® cannot be guaranteed.
WARNING!
If the ESP® indicator lamp remains on, the
electronic stability program (ESP®) is malfunc-
tioning. The vehicle stability will no longer be au-
tomatically regulated in good time.
The danger that your vehicle breaks into a skid, is
increased in certain driving situations. Drive with
extra caution.
Have the ESP
® repaired as soon as possible by an
authorized Spinter Dealer.