2008 DODGE SPRINTER automatic transmission

205 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
3
Accelerator pedal positionYour style of driving influences how the
automatic transmission shifts gears:\4
Little throttle:
early upshifts
\4
More throttle:
later upshifts
ê
The transmission shifts
through all 5 gears.
é
The automatic transmission
shifts only as far as fourth
gear.
è
The automatic transmission
shifts only as far as third
gear.
This position allows you to
use the braking effect of the
engine.
ç
The automatic transmission
shifts only as far as second
gear.
For braking on steep downhill
gradients and for driving:\4
on steep mountain roads
\4
in mountainous terrain
\4
in arduous conditions
æ
The automatic transmission
only works in first gear.
For braking on extremely
steep downhill gradients and
long downhill gradients.
Driving tips
nf_BA.book Page 205 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

206 Controls in detailAutomatic transmission
3
Kickdown

Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.\1
Depress the accelerator pedal be-
yond the pressure point.
The automatic transmission shifts to
the next gear down, depending on
the engine speed.
\1
Release the accelerator pedal as
soon as the desired speed has been
reached.
The automatic transmission shifts up
again.
StoppingIf you are only stopping briefly:\1
leave the selector lever in the drive
position
\1
secure the vehicle against rolling
away using the brake pedal
ManeuveringManeuvering in a tight space:\1
Control the speed by braking carefully.
\1
Accelerate only slightly and avoid
jolting.iFor rapid maneuvering (e.g. to rock
the vehicle out of snow or slush), you
can shift back and forth between
drive position
D and reverse gear
R
at low speeds without applying the
brakes.
nf_BA.book Page 206 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

207 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
3
Trailer towing
\1
Run the engine in the moderate en-
gine speed range on steep uphill gra-
dients.
\1
Depending on the uphill or downhill
gradient, shift down to shift range
3
or
2 (\2
page 204), even if cruise
control* is switched on.
Working on the vehicleWarning
G
Apply the handbrake before working on
the vehicle and shift the automatic trans-
mission into parking positionP.
The vehicle could otherwise roll away.
nf_BA.book Page 207 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

257 Controls in detail
Driving systems
3
The selector lever position determines
whether the front and/or rear area is
monitored.One or more segments light up as the
vehicle approaches an obstacle, de-
pending on the vehicle’s distance from
the obstacle.
From the:
\4
sixth segment, an intermittent warn-
ing tone sounds for approximately
2seconds
\4
seventh segment, a continuous
warning tone sounds for approxi-
mately 2 seconds. You have reached
the minimum distance.
Roll-back warningParktronic automatically begins to mon-
itor the area behind the vehicle if the ve-
hicle begins to roll backwards without
reverse gear engaged, e.g. after stop-
ping on an uphill gradient.
If Parktronic detects an obstacle no
more than 31 in (80 cm) away,\4
all the segments of the warning dis-
plays light up
\4
a continuous warning tone sounds as
the vehicle approaches the obstacle
and for a further 2 seconds after the
vehicle has come to a halt
!
CAUTION
There is a malfunction if only the red
segments of the warning display light
up (\2
page 451).
Transmission
position
Monitoring
D
Front area
R or
N
Front and rear
area
P
No areas activated
nf_BA.book Page 257 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

393 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
1Plies in side wall
2Plies under tread
This marking tells you about the type of
cord and number of plies in the side wall
and under the tread.
Accessory weightThe combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced)
of automatic transmission, power steer-
ing, power brakes, power windows, pow-
er seats, radio, and heater, to the extent
that these items are available as factory-
installed equipment (whether installed
or not).
Tire ply material
iFor illustrative purposes only. The
actual data on tires is specific to
each vehicle and may vary from the
data shown in the above illustration.
Tire and loading terminology
nf_BA.book Page 393 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

440 Practical hintsWhat to do if ...
5
Automatic transmissionWarning
G
Always have maintenance work carried
out at an authorized Sprinter Dealer
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
which has the necessary specialist knowl-
edge and tools to carry out the work re-
quired.
The manufacturer recommends that you
use an authorized Sprinter Dealer for this
purpose.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
I n p a r t i c u l a r , w o r k r e l e v a n t t o s a f e t y o r o n
safety-related systems must be carried
out at an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
There is a risk of an accident and injury if
this work is carried out incorrectly.
nf_BA.book Page 440 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

587 Practical hints
Towing
5
\1
Switch on the ignition (
\2
page 111).
\1
For a distance of up to 30 miles
(50 km), move the selector lever to
position
N.
\1
For a distance greater than 30 miles
(50 km), remove the propeller shafts
to the driven axles.
Take great care when attempting to tow
the vehicle free if its drive wheels have
become embedded in loose earth or
mud, particularly if the vehicle is loaded.
Tow the vehicle smoothly and straight-
ahead. The chassis could otherwise be
damaged.
Do not attempt to tow out the vehicle if
a trailer is coupled up.Where possible, tow the vehicle out
backwards along the track made by the
vehicle previously.
With transmission damage
\1
Always remove the propeller shafts
to the driven axles.
iDeactivate the automatic locking
while driving function when towing .
You could otherwise become locked
out when pushing or towing the vehi-
cle.!
CAUTION
Do not exceed a towing speed of
50 km / h, otherwise the transmis-
sion could be damaged.
Towing out a vehicle that is stuck
Towing the vehicle in the event of
particular malfunctions!
CAUTION
Use new self-securing nuts when in-
stalling the propeller shafts.
nf_BA.book Page 587 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

588 Practical hintsTowing
5
With front axle damage
\1
Turn the key to position
1 in the igni-
tion lock(
\2
page 111).
In the event of a malfunction in the
electrical systemIf the battery is malfunctioning, the auto-
matic transmission will be locked in
position
P. To shift the automatic trans-
mission to position
N, you must provide
power to the vehicle’s electrical system
in the same way as jump-starting
(
\2
page 581).
Have the vehicle transported on a trans-
porter or trailer.The towing eye can be used to pull the
vehicle onto a special transporter or
trailer for transportation.
\1
Shift the transmission to neutral or
move the selector lever to
position
N.
!
CAUTION
The vehicle must not be towed with
its front wheels raised and with the
key in position
2 in the ignition lock.
Active brake intervention by ESP
® or
ASR could otherwise lock the wheels
and damage the brake system.
Transporting the vehicle!
CAUTION
Only secure the vehicle at the
wheels / rims. Your vehicle could oth-
erwise be damaged.
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