2006 DODGE SPRINTER open hood

66 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
HOODTo open:
1. Pull the release lever (1).
The hood then opens slightly and is restrained by
the safety catch.
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
position 2 in the ignition lock, there is a risk of
injury due to moving engine components and the
electrical system.
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage it is
dangerous to touch any components (ignition coils,
spark plug sockets, diagnostic socket) of the
ignition system with the engine running, while
starting or if the ignition is on and the engine is
turned manually.
To help prevent severe personal injuries and death,
stay clear of moving parts when the hood is open
and the engine is running.
If you see flames or smoke coming from the engine
compartment, or if the coolant emperature 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.WARNING!
Do not pull the release lever (1) while the vehicle
is in motion. Otherwise the hood could be forced
open by passing air flow.

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 67
3
2. Open the safety catch (2).
3. Swing the hood up until the support strut (3)
engages.To close:
1. Lift the hood up slightly.
2. Press the support strut (3) down.
3. Swing the hood down and make sure that it
engages in its retaining catch.
4. Check that the hood is engaged properly by pulling
on the front edge.

104 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL
For coolant level indicator lamp /, refer to "Coolant
Level Indicator Lamp".
NOTE: Coolant temperature display
°F in USA only.
°C in Canada only.
CAUTION!
Do not leave your vehicle unattended with the
engine running as you would not be able to react to
the temperature indicator if the engine overheats.
This would lead in turn to engine damage.
WARNING!
Driving when your engine is badly overheated
can cause some fluids which may have leaked into
the engine compartment to catch fire. You could
be seriously burned. Steam from an overheated
engine can cause serious burns and can occur just
by opening the engine hood. Stay away from the
engine if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle and do
not stand near the vehicle until it cools down.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 109
4
If a large quantity of coolant is being lost, or if smaller
amounts are lost at regular intervals, have the engine
cooling system examined by an authorized Sprinter
Dealer.Engine Control Unit Indicator Lamp
When the key is in position 2 in the ignition lock, the
engine control unit indicator lamp± will light up in
the instrument cluster. It must go out when the engine
is running.
If the engine control unit indicator lamp± remains on
or lights up again while the vehicle is moving, the fuel tank
was run empty or a fault has developed in the engine
control unit. The engine’s power output may be reduced.
Refuel and bleed the fuel system or have the cause
traced and rectified by an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
CAUTION!
Never run the engine if the coolant level is too
low. This could cause the engine to overheat,
leading in turn to engine damage.
WARNING!
Driving when your engine is badly overheated
can cause some fluids which may have leaked into
the engine compartment to catch fire. You could
be seriously burned. Steam from an overheated
engine can cause serious burns and can occur just
by opening the engine hood. Stay away from the
engine if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle and do
not stand near the vehicle until it cool downs.

STARTING AND OPERATING 215
5
NOTE: Prior to opening water drain screw (3), place a
suitable receptacle underneath the drain hose (2). Turn
water drain screw (3) on and off only by hand.
Diesel fuels and diesel fuel mixtures must be disposed
of properly; we recommend water be drained from fuel
filters by an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Draining Fuel Filter
 Stop the engine.
 Shift gear selector lever to ‘‘P’’ position.
 Open the hood.
 Place a suitable receptacle underneath the drain
hose (2).
 Turn the key in the ignition lock to position 2. Open immediately the water drain screw (3) about 1
turn (counterclockwise) until fluid emerges. Ensure
that the fluid is collected in the receptacle.
 Close the water drain screw (3) as soon as about 0.25
US qt (0.2 liters) are emerged.
 After draining, return the key in the ignition lock to
position 0.
 Dispose of the collected fluid in an environmentally
responsible manner.
 If the filter is still saturated, drain the filter once
more.
After draining, the engine may run briefly but stall for
lack of fuel. If this occurs, bleed the system.
NOTE: Should the water in the fuel indicator lamp
still not go out after the fuel filter has been drained
twice, the cause should be examined by an authorized
Sprinter Dealer.
CAUTION!
Delaying draining of the fuel filter for a
considerable time after the indicator lamp lights
up may lead to engine damage.

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 263
7
A regular check is included in the maintenance service.
Checking Coolant Level
Pressure cap on coolant reservoir (1)
The cooling system is pressurized. Only check the
coolant level with the vehicle parking on a level surface
and with the engine switched off.
– Wait until the coolant temperature has dropped
below 194 °F (+90 °C).
WARNING!
In order to avoid any possibly serious burns:
 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 the vehicle and do not open the hood until
the engine has cooled. If necessary, call the fire
department.
 Do not remove pressure cap on coolant reservoir
if engine temperature is above 194 °F (+90 ×C).
Allow engine to cool down before removing cap.
The coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and is
under pressure.
 Using a rag, slowly open cap approximately 1/2
turn to relieve excess pressure. If opened
immediately, scalding hot fluid and steam will
be blown out under pressure.

264 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
 Open the hood.
 At first, only turn the pressure cap on coolant
reservoir to the first detent to release the pressure
from the cooling system. Only then should the
pressure cap be removed completely.
 To add coolant:
If the engine is cold:
Add coolant until the coolant level reaches the base
area which is visible through the filler opening (area
moistened).If the engine is already at its regular operating
temperature:
Add coolant until the coolant level is about 0.6 inch
(1.5 cm) above the base area which is visible
through the filler opening.
 Replace and tighten the pressure cap on coolant
reservoir.
If a large quantity of coolant has been lost, or if smaller
amounts are lost at regular intervals, have the engine
cooling system examined by an authorized Sprinter
Dealer.
For coolant composition and water quality, contact
your Sprinter Dealer.
WARNING!
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts. Anti-
freeze contains ethylene glycol which may burn
if it comes into contact with hot engine parts.
 Check coolant level only with the engine
switched off and the key in position 0 in the
ignition lock.