2007 DODGE SPRINTER ECU

147 Controls in detail
Driving systems
3
\3 Driving systemsDriving systems which may form part of
your vehicle are described on the following
pages:
\4Cruise control* (\2page 147), which
you can use to control the speed of
your vehicle
\4Parktronic system*, which is an aid for
parking and maneuvering
(\2page 150)
\4Reverse warning feature*, which helps
you ensure the safety of other road us-
ers (\2page 153)
The ABS, BAS, ESP
®, ASR and EBV driving
safety systems are described in the "Safe-
ty and Security" section (\2page 23).Cruise control maintains the speed of the
vehicle for you.
Use cruise control if road and traffic condi-
tions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed for a prolonged period. You
can store any road speed above 20 mph
(30 km/h).
Cruise control*iThe increments for setting speed and
the threshold values for switching on or
automatically switching off cruise con-
trol depend on the digital speedometer
setting, mph or km/h (\2page 99).Warning
G
The cruise control function cannot take ac-
count of road and traffic conditions.
Always pay attention to road and traffic
conditions, even when cruise control is acti-
vated.
Cruise control is only an aid designed to as-
sist driving. You are responsible for the vehi-
cle’s speed and for braking in good time.
If there is a change of drivers, advise the
new driver of the cruising speed that is
stored.Warning
G
Do not use cruise control:
\4if road and traffic conditions do not per-
mit a constant driving speed to be main-
tained (e.g. heavy traffic or winding
roads). You could otherwise cause an
accident.
\4on slippery roads. The drive wheels may
lose their grip when braking or acceler-
ating and the vehicle could skid
\4when visibility is poor, e.g. in fog, heavy
rain or snow

156 Controls in detailTransporting
3
\3 Transporting
For more information about the maximum
roof load and roof carrier systems, please
refer to the "Technical data" section
(\2page 351).
Loading guidelinesWarning
G
Secure and position a load as described in
the loading guidelines. Otherwise, the load
could slide or be thrown around in the event
of strong braking maneuvers, sudden chang-
es of direction or poor road conditions,
thereby injuring you or others. The same ap-
plies to dismantled seats if left inside the ve-
hicle.
Please note that loads increase the risk of
injury during an accident even if you comply
with all loading guidelines.
Observe the notes in the "Securing a load"
section (\2page 158).Warning
G
Do not exceed the vehicle's permissible
gross weight or the permissible axle loads
when loading the vehicle or carrying addi-
tional passengers.
If you exceed the vehicle's permissible axle
loads or the maximum permissible gross
weight when transporting items or carrying
passengers, tire stability and driving safety
are reduced. The vehicle's driving and steer-
ing characteristics would be greatly altered.
Braking and stopping distances would
be significantly longer.
Your vehicle's driving, steering and braking
characteristics change as the vehicle's
gross weight increases or its center of grav-
ity is raised.
Always ensure that loads are distributed
correctly and adapt your driving style in ac-
cordance with the load.Warning
G
After an accident, have a damaged load
compartment floor or damaged load sur-
face, the lashing eyes and lashing materials
inspected by a specialist workshop having
the necessary technical expertise and tools
to carry out the required work.
The manufacturer recommends that you use
an authorized Sprinter Dealer for this pur-
pose. In particular, work relevant to safety
or on safety-related systems must be car-
ried out at a qualified specialist workshop. !
CAUTION
If you are using a roof carrier system,
observe the maximum roof load and
maximum load-bearing capacity of the
roof carrier system.

157 Controls in detail
Transporting
3
Before loading
\1Check the tire pressures and correct
them if necessary (\2page 213).
\1Clean the load compartment floor.
The load compartment floor must be
dry, cleanly swept and free of oil and
dust to reduce the risk of the load slip-
ping.
\1If necessary, place anti-slip mats on the
load compartment floor.During loading
\1Observe the maximum permissible axle
loads and permissible gross weight for
the vehicle.
\1Observe the notes on load distribution
(\2page 158).
\1Secure the load (\2page 158). All
country-specific legal requirements
must be observed.Checks after loading
\1Securing a load: before each journey
and at regular intervals during longer
journeys, check whether the load is
properly secured and take additional
securing measures, if necessary.
\1Doors: close the sliding doors and rear
doors.
\1Tire pressure: adjust the tire pressure
in accordance with the vehicle's load
(\2page 213).
\1Driving characteristics: adapt your
driving style to the load.
!
CAUTION
As soon as the anti-slip mats start to
show signs of permanent deformation,
squashed areas or tears/holes, they
are unsuitable for securing loads and
must be replaced.
!
CAUTION
In passenger vans with the maximum
number of seats, the maximum payload
would cause the permissible rear axle
load to be exceeded.
iBear in mind that your vehicle's unlad-
en weight is increased by the installa-
tion of optional equipment and
accessories.
Warning
G
Make sure that the sliding doors and rear
doors are always closed when the engine is
running.
Otherwise, exhaust fumes could enter the
vehicle interior and poison you.

158 Controls in detailTransporting
3
The load's overall center of gravity should
be as low and central as possible, between
the axles near the rear axle.
For crewbus models:
\1Always transport loads in the load com-
partment.
\1Always place loads flush against the
seat backrests of the rear bench seat.
\1Slide larger and heavier loads as far for-
ward as possible when looking in the
direction of travel. Stack items against
each other behind the rear bench seat.\1Always secure loads with suitable
transport aids or lashing materials.
As the driver of the vehicle, you are respon-
sible for ensuring that the load is secured
against slipping, tipping over, rolling or fall-
ing down, whether driving in normal traffic
situations or on poor road surfaces or as a
result of having to swerve to avoid an ob-
stacle or applying the brakes fully.Failing to secure the load in accordance
with relevant requirements and sound
practice may be a punishable offense, de-
pending on national legislation and the
consequences that arise.
For this reason, observe the legal require-
ments in all countries concerned.
Before each journey and at regular inter-
vals during longer journeys, check whether
the load is secure and take additional ac-
tion to improve any incorrect or inade-
quate safety measures.
\1Fill up any empty spaces between the
load and the load compartment walls
or wheel arches in a form-fitting man-
ner. For this purpose, use solid trans-
port aids, such as chocks, wooden
blocks or storage cushions.Load distribution!
CAUTION
Excessive loads on individual points of
the load compartment floor or load sur-
face have a negative effect on handling
characteristics and could damage the
floor covering.
iObserve the following notes:
\4Do not stack loads higher than the
upper edge of the backrests.
\4Transport loads behind seats that
are not occupied.
\4If the rear bench seat is not occu-
pied, insert the seat belts in a cross-
wise pattern into the opposite belt
buckles.Securing a load
iInformation about how to secure a
load correctly can be obtained from the
manufacturers of transport aids or
lashing materials for securing loads.

159 Controls in detail
Transporting
3
\1Secure tilt and tip-resistant loads in all
directions by using the lashing points
or lashing eyes and load rails in the
load compartment or on the load sur-
face, according to your vehicle's equip-
ment.
Only use lashing materials that have
been tested according to valid stan-
dards, such as lashing nets and straps.
Always use the lashing points closest
to the load for securing it in place and
place padding around sharp edges.
Example illustration of crewbus1Lashing eyes
Example illustration of panel van1Lashing eyes
2Load rails*
iLashing materials that comply with val-
id standards can be obtained in any
specialist shop or from an authorized
Sprinter Dealer.
If possible, use the lashing eyes when
securing a load, especially if it is heavy.

160 Controls in detailTransporting
3
\1Always attach the lashing net or tarps
to all available lashing points. While do-
ing so, make sure that the mounting
hooks cannot open unintentionally.Warning
G
Do not carry out any modifications or repairs
to the lashing points, the lashing eyes or the
lashing materials. The load or the lashing
points could accidentally come loose and
cause serious injury to you or others as well
as damage to property.
Distribute loads evenly between the lashing
points or lashing eyes.
Observe the loading guidelines.iLoose loads should be secured with an
approved lashing net or tarp.
!
CAUTION
Observe the data on the maximum
load-bearing capacity of the individual
lashing points
(\2
page 371).
During full-braking applications, for ex-
ample, forces can be involved that are
much greater than the weight force of
the load.
Always use several lashing points in or-
der to distribute force absorption, and
make sure that the lashing points have
an equal load.
iIf your vehicle has load rails in the floor,
you should position locking rods imme-
diately in front of and behind the load.
The locking rods absorb possible shift-
ing forces directly.
Warning
G
If you tension the lashing straps between
the side walls or between a side wall and the
load compartment floor, the permissible
load for the lashing rails, lashing points or
lashing eyes could be exceeded in the event
of strong braking, sudden changes of direc-
tion or an accident.
The load would no longer be secured, which
could result in serious injuries caused by the
load slipping.
For this reason, do not tension a lashing
strap between the side walls or between a
side wall and the load compartment floor.
Only locking bars or rods may be installed
between the load rails near the side walls.
Observe the operating instructions issued
by the locking bar or locking rod manufac-
turer.

161 Controls in detail
Transporting
3
Mounting lashing points for load rails*
1Locking mechanism
\1To install: slide the lashing eye
through a recess in the load rail close
to the load until locking mechanism 1
in the recess engages.\1Check whether the lashing eye is firmly
in place.
\1To remove: pull locking mechanism 1
upward and pull the lashing eye
through a recess towards the locking
mechanism and out of the load rail.
iSecuring loads to the load compart-
ment floor is only recommended for
lightweight loads and should be rein-
forced by using anti-slip mats.Warning
G
Before releasing lashing straps, make sure
that the load is stable and would not tip over
even without being lashed down.
Otherwise, you or others could be injured by
a moving load.
iWhen you pull locking mechanism1
out of the recess, the lashing eye is
able to move within the lashing rail or
load rail. Make sure that locking
mechanism1 is always engaged in a
recess.
Warning
G
If the lashing eye is not firmly anchored in
the load rail, the lashing eye may slip or snap
out of the load rail in the event of sudden
braking or an accident.
The load would no longer be secured, which
could result in serious injuries caused by the
load slipping.
For this reason, always check that the lash-
ing eye is firmly in place whenever you in-
stall it.

162 Controls in detailTransporting
3
It is possible to mount a roof rack if your
vehicle is equipped with securing rails on
the roof.
1Securing rails
Special mountings (sliding blocks) are
available as accessories. These are avail-
able from any authorized Sprinter Dealer.Carrier systems
Warning
G
Handling and braking characteristics may
change when you have mounted carrier sys-
tems on the vehicle. You could endanger
yourself and others.
Observe the manufacturer’s installation in-
structions. An incorrectly secured carrier
system or load could:
\4come loose
\4fall off
and thereby endanger yourself and others.
Observe the maximum roof loads
(\2page 372), the maximum axle load and
the maximum load-bearing capacity of the
roof rack.
!
CAUTION
Make sure that:
\4the securing bolts for the roof
rack are tightened to a torque of
6.0 – 7.4 lb-ft (8 – 10 Nm) in the
sliding blocks provided
\4the bolts do not make contact with
the rails when tightened
\4the sliding blocks are not posi-
tioned near the plastic caps
\4the sliding blocks have the correct
cross-section
\4the securing rails are free of dirt on
the inside
\4the securing bolts are retightened
evenly after approximately
300 miles (500 km)
This will help to avoid damage to the ve-
hicle.
Only install roof racks that have been
approved or recommended for Sprinter
vehicles. These are available in any au-
thorized Sprinter Dealer.