2007 DODGE SPRINTER handbrake

113 Controls in detail
Driving and parking
3
Do not accelerate to prevent your vehicle
from rolling backwards on an uphill gradi-
ent. Instead, you should either use the
handbrake or depress the brake pedal.
This prevents excessive wear on the
clutch.
Select a lower gear (shift range 3, 2 or 1)
(\2page 123) in good time on long and
steep downhill gradients, especially if tow-
ing a trailer. This prevents the brakes from
overheating and wearing too rapidly.
It is best not to stop the vehicle immediate-
ly after the brakes have been subjected to
an extreme load; continue driving for a
short time instead. The brakes are cooled
down more quickly in the airflow.The first time the brakes are applied after
a long period of driving in heavy rain with-
out braking, it is possible that:
\4there will be a delayed braking
response
\4you will need to depress the brake
pedal more firmly
You should therefore maintain a greater
distance from the vehicle in front.
Apply the brakes so that you can feel their
response after a journey on wet roads,
especially if the road has been salted. The
brake discs will be warmed, dry more
quickly and be protected against corro-
sion.
If you make only moderate use of the ser-
vice brake, check from time to time that it
is fully functional. To do this, brake more
sharply at a higher vehicle speed. The
brake will grip better as a result.For safety reasons, the manufacturer rec-
ommends that you only have brake pads /
linings installed on your vehicle that have
been approved for the Sprinter.
Brake pads /linings that have not been ap-
proved for the Sprinter could affect your
vehicle’s operating safety.BrakingWarning
G
There is no power assistance for the service
brake when the engine is not running.
You will need to use significantly more force
to brake and could therefore lose control of
the vehicle and cause an accident.
Never switch off the engine while driving.
Warning
G
Make sure that other road users are not put
at risk by your braking.
iIn exceptional cases, the handbrake
can be used for emergency braking if
the service brake fails (\2page 115).

114 Controls in detailDriving and parking
3
ParkingWarning
G
Only remove the key from the ignition lock
when the vehicle is stationary, since it is not
possible to steer the vehicle with the key re-
moved.
Always apply the handbrake after parking
the vehicle.
Never leave children unsupervised in the ve-
hicle. They could release the handbrake.
This could lead to a serious or fatal accident.
Warning
G
Always switch off the engine and apply the
handbrake before leaving the vehicle.
The vehicle could roll away if it is not
secured.
On uphill or downhill gradients steeper than
15%:
\4apply the handbrake
\4secure an unloaded vehicle by chocking
the front axle (\2page 303)
\4secure a loaded vehicle by, for example,
chocking the rear axle (\2page 303)!
CAUTION
Whenever you park the vehicle, always
remove the key to prevent the battery
from excessively discharging.
For vehicles which are out of use for ex-
tended periods and have a battery iso-
lating switch*, switch off the electrical
system (\2page 197).
Warning
G
Make sure that the exhaust system does not
come into contact with highly flammable
materials, e.g. dry grass or gasoline. The
flammable material could otherwise ignite
and set vehicle components on fire.Warning
G
Regulations in some countries require the
parking lamps to be switched on to illumi-
nate the vehicle for other road users if
parked on a public road at night. In built-up
areas, night reflectors can also be used.
Observe legal requirements.

115 Controls in detail
Driving and parking
3
Handbrake
The handbrake is located between the driv-
er’s seat and the co-driver’s seat.
1Lever
2Release knobApplying the handbrake
\1Pull lever1 up as far as the last de-
tent.
The7 indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster lights up while the engine
is running.
Releasing the handbrake
\1Raise lever1 slightly and press re-
lease knob2.
\1Guide lever1 down to the stop.
The7 indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.Emergency braking
Normally, you are only permitted to apply
the handbrake when the vehicle is station-
ary.
In exceptional cases, the handbrake can
be used for emergency braking if the ser-
vice brake fails.
\1Keep release knob2 pressed and
carefully apply lever1.Warning
G
Never leave children unsupervised in the ve-
hicle. They could release the handbrake.
This could lead to a serious or fatal accident.!
CAUTION
You must only apply the handbrake
when the vehicle is stationary.
iOn vehicles with a folding handbrake
lever, you can then press lever1
down to the stop.iOn vehicles with a folding handbrake
lever, you must first pull lever1 up to
the stop.
Warning
G
The wheels on the rear axle could lock if the
handbrake lever is applied too abruptly. The
vehicle could then start to skid.
Make sure that you apply the handbrake le-
ver carefully to ensure that braking applica-
tion is moderated.

116 Controls in detailDriving and parking
3
Stopping the engine
\1Apply handbrake (\2page 115).
\1Move selector lever to P.
\1Turn key to position 0 (\2page 67) in
the ignition lock and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated.\1Secure the vehicle at the front axle if
unloaded and at the rear axle if loaded,
e.g. using a chock (\2page 303).
Drinking and drivingSteering
!
CAUTION
If the coolant temperature is raised,
e.g. following driving in mountainous
terrain, run the engine at idling speed
for a further 1 or 2 minutes before you
switch off the engine. This allows the
coolant temperature to return to nor-
mal again.
iWhen parking on steep uphill or down-
hill gradients, turn the front wheels to-
wards the curb.iYou can only remove the key from the
ignition lock when the selector lever is
in positionP.
General driving tipsWarning
G
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs
and driving are very dangerous combina-
tions. Even a small amount of alcohol or
drugs can affect your reflexes, perceptions
and judgment. The possibility of a serious or
even fatal accident is sharply increased
when you drink or take drugs and drive.
Never drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive after drinking or taking
drugs.
Warning
G
There is no power-steering assistance when
the engine is not running.
You will need to use significantly more force
to steer and could therefore lose control of
the vehicle and cause an accident.
Never switch off the engine while driving.!
CAUTION
Do not hold the steering wheel in its
end positions for longer than neces-
sary (e.g. when turning or maneuver-
ing).
The hydraulic pump can be damaged
by the increased temperature of the
hydraulic fluid.

124 Controls in detailAutomatic transmission
3
Stopping
If you are only stopping briefly:
\1leave the selector lever in the drive po-
sition
\1secure the vehicle against rolling away
using the brake pedal
Maneuvering
Maneuvering in a tight space:
\1Control the speed by braking carefully.
\1Accelerate only slightly and avoid jolt-
ing.Trailer towing
\1Run the engine in the moderate engine
speed range on steep uphill gradients.
\1Depending on the uphill or downhill
gradient, shift down to shift range3 or
2 (\2page 123), even if cruise control*
is switched on.
Working on the vehicle
iFor rapid maneuvering (e.g. to rock the
vehicle out of snow or slush), you can
shift back and forth between drive
positionD and reverse gearR at low
speeds without applying the brakes.
Warning
G
Apply the handbrake before working on the
vehicle and shift the automatic transmission
into parking positionP.
The vehicle could otherwise roll away.

148 Controls in detailDriving systems
3
Cruise control lever
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left of the steering column.
1To store the current or a higher speed
2To resume the last speed stored
3To store the current speed or a lower
speed
4To deactivate cruise controlStoring the current speed
\1Accelerate / decelerate the vehicle to
the desired speed.
\1Move the cruise control lever briefly
upward 1 or downward 3.
\1Release the accelerator pedal.
Cruise control is activated.
The current speed is stored.
You cannot activate cruise control if:
\4you are driving under 20 mph
(30 km/h)
\4you are braking
\4you apply the handbrake and the7
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
is lit
\4ESP
® or ASR is intervening and the yel-
low ASR/ESP
® warning lamp flashes in
the instrument clusterResuming the stored speed
\1Pull the cruise control lever briefly in
the direction of arrow2.
\1Release the accelerator pedal.
Cruise control is activated and adjusts
the vehicle’s speed to the last speed
stored.
iCruise control may be unable to main-
tain the stored speed on uphill or down-
hill gradients. The stored speed is
resumed if the gradient evens out and
the vehicle’s speed has not fallen below
20 mph (30 km/h).
N54.25-2925-31
Warning
G
Only resume the stored speed if you know
what this speed is and the current situation
is appropriate to do so. Otherwise, sudden
acceleration or braking could endanger you
or others.iWhen you pull the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow 2 for the first time
after starting the engine, cruise control
is switched on and the speed at which
you are currently driving is stored.

149 Controls in detail
Driving systems
3
Setting the speed
\1Briefly press the cruise control lever
upward1 to increase the speed or
downward3 to reduce the speed.
The last speed stored is increased or
decreased in 1 mph increments
(1 km/h increments).
or
\1Press and hold the cruise control lever
up1 or down3 until the desired
speed has been reached.\1Release the cruise control lever.
The current speed is stored.
Deactivating cruise control
There are various ways of deactivating
cruise control:
\1Briefly press cruise control lever
forward4.
or
\1Apply the brakes.
The last speed set remains stored.Warning
G
The rate at which you increase the speed in
1 mph increments (1 km/h increments) may
be faster than your vehicle is able to accel-
erate. Your vehicle may then continue to ac-
celerate up to the newly set speed even
after you have released the cruise control le-
ver.
Only increase the speed if the current situa-
tion is appropriate to do so. Sudden acceler-
ation could otherwise endanger you and
others.
iCruise control is not deactivated if you
depress the accelerator pedal. If you ac-
celerate briefly to overtake, for exam-
ple, cruise control adjusts the vehicle’s
speed to the last speed stored after you
have finished overtaking.iThe last speed stored is cleared when
you switch off the engine.
iCruise control is automatically deacti-
vated if:
\4you are braking
\4you apply the handbrake and
the7 indicator lamp in the in-
strument cluster is lit
\4you are driving under 20 mph
(30 km/h)
\4ESP
® or ASR is intervening and the
yellow ASR/ESP
® warning lamp
flashes in the instrument cluster
\4you move the selector lever to posi-
tion N while driving
\4ESP
®, ASR or ABS has malfunc-
tioned

150 Controls in detailDriving systems
3
Parktronic is an electronic parking aid and
informs you visually and audibly of the dis-
tance between the vehicle and an obsta-
cle.
Parktronic is automatically switched on
when you switch on the ignition and re-
lease the handbrake. You must also move
the selector lever to position D, N or R.
Parktronic switches off at speeds of over
11 mph (18 km/h). Parktronic switches on
again as soon as the vehicle’s speed falls
below this limit speed.
Parktronic is equipped with sensors in the
front and rear bumper to monitor the area
around your vehicle.Range of the sensors
The sensors must be free from dirt, ice and
slush, otherwise they may not function cor-
rectly. Clean the sensors regularly, taking
care not to scratch or damage them
(\2page 244).
Parktronic system (PTS)*Warning
G
Parktronic is only an aid and may not detect
all obstacles. This system does not relieve
you of the need to pay attention.
You are always responsible for safety and
must continue to pay attention to your im-
mediate surroundings when parking and
maneuvering. Otherwise, you could endan-
ger yourself and others.Warning
G
Make sure that no persons or animals are in
the maneuvering range of the vehicle. They
could otherwise be injured.