2006 DODGE SPRINTER warning

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 133
4
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 auxiliary heater should be run at least once a
month for about 10 minutes.
The maximum heating period is 120 minutes. For more
information, refer to "Switching the Auxiliary Heater
On and Off - Ignition On".
The auxiliary heater will automatically switch off if the
fuel level is under about 4 US gal (15 l).
In case of faults, refer to "Auxiliary Heater – Tips for
Coping with Problems".
WARNING!
Aerosals, gas cartridges and other pressurized
containers transported in the vehicle may be high-
ly flammable and could explode when heated.
Make sure, particularly on vehicles with an air
heater, that such containers are not placed in the
flow of hot air of the auxiliary heating system
Otherwise there is a risk of severe personal
injuries, death and property damage due to
explosion.
WARNING!
Vehicles with air heater:
For safety reasons, we strongly recommend that
the heat exchanger be replaced by an authorized
Sprinter Dealer after 10 years of use.
If the vehicle is sold, the owner is required to
inform the buyer of this requirement. This should
be done when the Operator’s Manual is
transferred to the buyer.

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

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.

STARTING AND OPERATING 145
5
Preheater indicator lamp (3)
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Automatic transmission, shift selector lever to "P"
or "N" position, refer to "Automatic Transmission".
3. Do not depress the accelerator pedal.
4. Turn the key to position 2 in the ignition lock.
The preheater indicator lampq lights up.
5. Turn the key clockwise to the stop as soon as the
preheater indicator lamp
q goes out.
If the engine is at its normal operating temperature,
the preheater indicator lamp will only light up briefly.
Release the key as soon as the engine is running.
NOTE: The key must be returned to position 0 in the
ignition lock before repeating the starting procedure.
If the displayÁ lights up alternately withî in
the multi-function display, there is an immobilizer
malfunction or the key used has not been
programmed.
The: engine oil level warning lamp and the#
battery charge warning lamp must go out after the
engine is started.
If either lamp remains on, stop the engine at once and
have the cause traced and repaired by an authorized
Sprinter Dealer.
During the trip, check the displays and the warning/
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster at regular
intervals.
Maximum Engine Speed
The maximum engine speed for all vehicles is
4,200 rpm.

148 STARTING AND OPERATING
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The automatic transmission selects individual gears
automatically, dependent upon:
 Gear Selector lever position
 Accelerator position
 Vehicle speed
The gear shifting process is continuously adapted,
dependent on the driving style, the driving situation
and the road characteristics.
NOTE: When parking the vehicle or before working on
the vehicle with the engine running, apply the parking
brake and shift the gear selector lever into "P".Driving
The gear selector lever is automatically locked while in
position "P". To move the gear selector lever out of
position "P", the service brake is applied and the key in
position 2 in the ignition lock or the engine running
before the shift lock will release.
Shift gear selector lever to the desired position only
when the engine is idling normally and the service
brake is applied. Do not release the brake until ready to
drive. The vehicle may otherwise start creeping when
the gear selector lever is in drive or reverse position.
WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the gear selector lever out
of "P" or "N" if the engine speed is higher than idle
speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake ped-
al, the vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or
in reverse. You could lose control of the vehicle
and hit someone or something. Only shift into
gear when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.

STARTING AND OPERATING 149
5
NOTE: After selecting any driving position from "N"
or "P", wait a moment to allow the gear to fully engage
before accelerating, especially when the engine is cold.
Accelerator Position
Partial throttle, for early upshifting and normal
acceleration
Full throttle, for later upshifting and rapid acceleration
Kickdown, (depressing the accelerator beyond full
throttle) for downshifting to a lower gear and
maximum acceleration. Once the desired speed is
attained, ease up on the accelerator, the transmission
shifts up again.
Stopping
For brief stops, such as at traffic lights, leave the
transmission in gear and hold vehicle with the service
brake.
For longer stops with the engine idling, shift into "N"
or "P" and hold the vehicle with the service brake.
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill grade, do not
hold it with the accelerator, use the brake. This avoids
unnecessary transmission heat build up.Maneuvering
To maneuver in tight areas, such as when pulling into
a parking space, control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes. Accelerate gently and never
abruptly step on the accelerator.
To rock a vehicle out of soft ground (mud or snow),
alternately shift from forward to reverse, while
applying slight partial throttle.
WARNING!
Getting out of your vehicle with the gear selector le-
ver not fully engaged in position "P" is dangerous.
Also, when parked on an incline, position "P" alone
may not prevent your vehicle from moving, possibly
hitting people or objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to position "P".
When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
against curb.

STARTING AND OPERATING 151
5
NOTE: Coasting the vehicle, or driving with gear
selector lever in "N" can result in transmission damage
that is not covered by the Sprinter Warranty.
wThe transmission automatically upshifts through
5th gear. Position "D" provides optimum driving
characteristics under all normal operating
conditions.
Gear Selection for Special Circumstances
The transmission gear ranges for special circumstances can
be selected by pushing the gear selector lever to the right or
the left with the gear selector lever in position "D".
The gear range currently selected is indicated in the
instrument cluster display.
Briefly press gear selector lever in the ç direction:
The transmission downshifts, one gear range at a time,
in the order "4", "3", "2", "1".
Press and hold gear selector lever in the ç direction:
The transmission will shift to a gear range which
favorably accelerates or decelerates the vehicle. This
way downshiftings can be caused.Briefly press gear selector lever in the æ direction:
The transmission will shift from the current gear range
to the next higher gear range. If the transmission is
already in gear range "D", an additional upshift of one
gear is not possible.
Press and hold gear selector lever in the æ direction:
The transmission will shift from the current gear range
directly to gear range "D".
NOTE: With transmission in gear range "D", "4" or "3",
upshifting from 1st to 2nd to 3rd gear is delayed
depending on vehicle speed and engine temperature.
This allows the catalytic converter to heat up more
quickly to operating temperatures.
During the brief warm-up period this delayed upshift
and increased engine noise might be perceived as a
malfunction. However, neither the engine nor
WARNING!
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in order
to slow the vehicle down. This could result in drive
wheel slip and reduced vehicle control. Your vehi-
cle’s ABS will not prevent this type of loss of control.

154 STARTING AND OPERATING
The system is operational if after reverse gear is
engaged:
 an acknowledgement tone sounds
 the multi-function indicator shows the distance to
an obstacle that has been detected.
WARNING!
The reversing aid is feature designed to provide as-
sistance and may not detect all obstacles. The sys-
tem is not a replacement for your own diligence.
The reversing aid does not detect people and/or
objects within a range of approximately 12 in (30
cm). There is a possibility that certain objects
which could come into contact with the vehicle at
the rear will not be detected by the system’s
sensors. This could cause an accident resulting in
severe personal injuries, death and property
damage.
For this reason, you should make sure before
manuevring that no people or animals are in the
maneuvring range of the vehicle.
Pay particular attention to people and/or objects
above or below sensors when parking, such as
small children, toddlers, flower pots or trailer
towbars.
You are always responsible for safety at all times
and must continue to pay attention to your
immediate surroundings when manoeuvring. A
second person should assist you in manouevring if
necessary.