2008 DODGE SPRINTER check engine

278 Controls in detailTransporting
3
During loading
\1
Observe the maximum permissible
axle loads and permissible gross
weight for the vehicle.
\1
Observe the notes on load distribu-
tion (
\2
page 279).
\1
Secure the load (
\2
page 280). All
country-specific legal requirements
must be observed.
Checks after loading
\1Securing a load:
before each jour-
ney and at regular intervals during
longer journeys, check whether the
load is properly secured and take ad-
ditional securing measures, if neces-
sary.
\1Doors:
close the sliding doors and
rear doors.
\1Tire pressure:
adjust the tire pres-
sure in accordance with the vehicle's
load (
\2
page 365).
\1Driving characteristics:
adapt your
driving style to the load.
!
CAUTION
In passenger vans with the maximum
number of seats, the maximum pay-
load would cause the permissible
rear axle load to be exceeded.
iBear in mind that your vehicle's un-
laden weight is increased by the in-
stallation 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.
nf_BA.book Page 278 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

312 OperationDriving tips
4
You will find information about the
speed limit for your tires under “Tires
and wheels” in this section
(\2
page 383).
Check regularly, e.g. weekly or when re-
fueling:
\4
the vehicle lighting
\4
the condition of the tires
(\2
page 346) and the tire pressures
(
\2
page 361)
\4
the engine oil level (
\2
page 322)
\4
the brake fluid level (
\2
page 331)
\4
the fluid level in the windshield wash-
er system / headlamp cleaning sys-
tem reservoir (
\2
page 333)
\4
the contamination level of the rear
air-conditioning air cleaner
(\2
page 414)
Your vehicle is equipped with monolith-
ic-type catalytic converters, an impor-
tant element in conjunction with the
oxygen sensors to achieve substantial
control of the pollutants in the exhaust
emissions. Keep your vehicle in proper
operating condition by following our rec-
ommended maintenance instructions as
outlined in your Service Booklet.
Warning
G
Exceeding the permissible maximum
speed can cause tire damage, which
could lead to loss of control of the vehi-
cle.
As the driver, you must find out about the
maximum speed of the vehicle and the re-
sulting permissible maximum speed of
the tires (tire and tire pressure).
Never exceed the speed limit for your
tires under any circumstances
(\2page 383).
Regular checks
Catalytic converter (gasoline engine)
nf_BA.book Page 312 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

319 Operation
Engine compartment
4
2
Securing hook
\1
Push up securing hook lever
2
.
3
Support strut
\1
Swing the hood upward until support
strut
3
engages and the hood is
supported. N88.40-2063-31
N88.40-2062-31
Warning
G
If the hood support strut is not engaged,
the hood can fall shut. You could be in-
jured.
After opening the hood, you should there-
fore check whether the support strut is
engaged.
nf_BA.book Page 319 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

321 Operation
Engine compartment
4
\1
Lift the hood gently.
\1
Push back support strut
3

(
\2
page 319).
\1
Let the hood drop from a height of
approximately 05. ft (30 cm).
The hood engages audibly.
\1
Check to make sure the hood is fully
closed.
If the hood can be raised slightly, it
is not properly engaged. Open it
again and allow it to drop from a
slightly greater height.
Warning
G
Make sure that the hood is securely en-
gaged before driving off. Do no continue
driving if the hood can no longer engage
after an accident, for example.
The hood could otherwise come loose
while the vehicle is in motion and endan-
ger you and/or others.
!
CAUTION
When you press the support strut
back, make sure that you do not
press it against the detent position
and cause it to bend.
!
CAUTION
Do not use your hands to push the
hood down. Doing so could damage
it.
nf_BA.book Page 321 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

323 Operation
Engine compartment
4
Check the engine oil level on a regular ba-
sis, for example weekly or each time you re-
fuel.Checking the engine oil level in the
displayIn vehicles with diesel engines, you can
view the engine oil level in the display.When the oil is being checked, the vehi-
cle must
\4
be standing level
\4
be at normal operating temperature
\4
have been standing with the engine
switched off for at least five minutes
\1
Switch on the ignition (
\2
page 111).
The display is activated.
iIf the oil level exceeds the maximum
level several times during operation,
have the malfunction rectified imme-
diately at an authorized Sprinter
Dealer.
iIf no oil level reading is shown again,
check the engine oil level with the dip-
stick.
Have the engine oil level display
checked at an authorized Sprinter Deal-
er.
!
CAUTION
Have any excess oil drained or si-
phoned off at an authorized Sprinter
Dealer. Otherwise, the engine or cat-
alytic converter could be damaged.
iIf at extremely low temperatures no
engine oil level is displayed after 5
minutes, wait a further 5 minutes be-
fore repeating the engine oil level
check.
nf_BA.book Page 323 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

325 Operation
Engine compartment
4
Vehicles with steering wheel buttons*
\1
Press the button on the instru-
ment cluster (
\2
page 142).
\1
The following message is displayed
for the duration of the measurement
process:N
Engine oil level Measuring
in progress
The following messages may be dis-
played:NEngine oil
level OK
\1
Do not add oil.
Engine oil
Add
1.0 quart
\1
Add the amount of
oil shown
(\2
page 328).
\1
Check the engine oil
level again after a
few minutes.
Engine oil
Add
1.5 quartsEngine oil
Add
2.0 quarts
Engine oil
level Re-
duce oil
level
\1
The engine oil level is
too high. Have the oil
siphoned off.
Eng. oil
lev. Turn
ignition
on for lev-
el
\1
Switch on the igni-
tion (
\2
page 111).
N
nf_BA.book Page 325 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

326 OperationEngine compartment
4
Checking the engine oil level with the
dipstickWhen the oil is being checked, the vehi-
cle must\4
be at normal operating temperature
\4
be standing level
\4
have been standing with the engine
switched off for at least five minutes
Observe
wait. pe-
riod
\1
Carry out another
measurement after
approximately 5 min-
utes when the en-
gine is at normal
operating tempera-
ture.
\1
Carry out another
measurement after
approximately
30 minutes when the
engine has cooled
down.
N
Engine oil
level Not
when eng.
running
\1
Switch off the engine
and wait for approxi-
mately 5 minutes if
the engine is at nor-
mal operating tem-
perature.
iEngine oil level display:\4
quart(s)
in USA only
\4
liter(s)
in Canada only
N
nf_BA.book Page 326 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

328 OperationEngine compartment
4
3
Engine oil dipstick
\1
Check the engine oil level.
The oil level is correct if the oil is be-
tween the lower
min
and upper
max

marks on the dipstick.
\1
Add engine oil if necessary
(\2
page 328).
Adding engine oilFor specifications of engine oils see
"Service products and capacities"
(\2
page 604).
\1
Unscrew the cap on engine oil filler
neck
1
.
Make sure that you only fill the en-
gine oil as far as the upper
max

mark.
\1
Unscrew the cap on filler neck
1
. N18.00-2041-31
!
CAUTION
Have any excess engine oil drained
or siphoned off at an authorized
Sprinter Dealer. Otherwise, the en-
gine or catalytic converter could be
damaged.
The alternator is underneath the en-
gine oil filler neck. For this reason,
add the engine oil carefully. There is
a risk of damage to the alternator
from engine oil dripping down.
nf_BA.book Page 328 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM