2008 DODGE SPRINTER coolant

310 OperationDriving tips
4
If possible, do not brake abruptly, but
rather engage the brake slightly at first
to permit the trailer to activate its brake.
Then increase the braking force.Warning
G
Take into consideration that when towing
a trailer, the handling characteristics are
different and less stable from those when
operating the vehicle without a trailer.
It is important to avoid sudden maneu-
vers. Sudden maneuvers may lead to loss
of control over the vehicle-trailer combi-
nation. This could cause an accident re-
sulting in property damage or injury to
you or others.
!
CAUTION
If the transmission hunts between
gears on inclines, manually shift to a
lower gear (select
"4", "3", "2"
or
"1"). A lower gear and reduction
of speed reduces the chance of the
engine overloading and / or over-
heating.
When going down a long hill, shift
into a lower gear and use the en-
gine’s braking effect. Avoid riding the
brakes, thus overheating the vehicle
and trailer brakes.
If the engine coolant rises to an ex-
tremely high temperature (coolant tem-
perature needle approaching the red
zone) when the air conditioner is on,
turn off the air conditioner. Engine cool-
ant heat can be additionally vented by
opening the windows, switching the cli-
mate control fan speed to high and set-
ting the temperature control to the
maximum hot position.
Extreme care must be exercised since
your vehicle with a trailer will require ad-
ditional passing distance ahead than
when driving without a trailer. Because
your vehicle and trailer is longer than
your vehicle alone, you will also need to
go much farther ahead of the passed ve-
hicle before you can return to your lane.
nf_BA.book Page 310 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

322 OperationEngine compartment
4
Mechanical elements and the lubricants
used for them must be carefully
matched.
For this reason, only brands tested and
approved by the manufacturer should be
used. Please contact your Sprinter Deal-
er to obtain the necessary information.
No lubricant additives should be used.
The use of such additives could affect
your warranty rights. Information is
available from any authorized Sprinter
Dealer.For specifications of engine oils, coolant
and brake fluid, see "Service products
and capacities" (
\2
page 604) and con-
tact your authorized Sprinter Dealer.The vehicle consumes a maximum of
1 US qt (1.0 l) oil per 620 miles
(1000 km), depending on your driving
style.
Engine oil consumption may even be
higher if:
\4
the vehicle is new
\4
you mainly operate the vehicle under
arduous operating conditions
\4
you often drive at high engine
speeds
The engine oil consumption can only be
judged after a lengthy distance has been
covered.
Service products
Warning
G
If handled incorrectly, service products
can constitute a health risk for people and
an environmental hazard.
Always observe relevant guidelines for
handling, storing and disposing of service
products.
Engine oil
nf_BA.book Page 322 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

329 Operation
Engine compartment
4
The expansion tank is in the engine com-
partment. Only add coolant with the ve-
hicle standing on a level surface and
with the engine switched off. The cool-
ant temperature must have dropped be-
low 122 °F (50 °C).
1Coolant tank cap
2Brake fluid reservoir cap
3Windshield washer reservoir cap
Environmental note
H
Wh en addi n g o i l, ta ke c ar e n ot t o s pi ll a n y.
No engine oil must be allowed to enter
sewage systems, surface water, ground
water or soil.
You would otherwise be damaging the en-
vironment.
Dispose of engine oil in an environmental-
ly responsible manner. Comply with the
manufacturer’s instructions.
Coolant
N20.30-2063-31
nf_BA.book Page 329 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

330 OperationEngine compartment
4
\1
Slowly unscrew cap
1
counter-
clockwise to reduce excess pres-
sure.
\1
Continue turning the cap and remove
it.
\1
Add coolant as far as the MAX mark.
\1
Twist cap
1
back on.
For coolant specifications, see "Service
products and capacities" (
\2
page 604).
Warning
G
When opening the coolant expansion tank
there is a risk of scalding from hot coolant
spraying out. The cooling system and the
coolant expansion tank are pressurized
when the engine is at normal operating
temperature.
Wear gloves and eye protection. Only
open the coolant expansion tank when
the coolant temperature is less than
122 °F (50 °C).
Warning
G
Coolant contains glycol and is therefore
toxic. Do not swallow coolant. Consult a
doctor immediately if any coolant is swal-
lowed.
Do not allow coolant to come into contact
with your skin, eyes or clothing. In the
event of contact with the eyes, rinse them
thoroughly with clean water. Clean skin
and clothes immediately with soap and
water. Change out of soiled clothing with-
out delay.
!
CAUTION
Check the cooling and heating sys-
tems regularly for leaks. If a large
quantity of coolant is lost, have the
cause traced and rectified at an au-
thorized Sprinter Dealer.
nf_BA.book Page 330 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

331 Operation
Engine compartment
4
The reservoir is in the engine compart-
ment. Check the brake fluid level:\4
regularly, e.g. weekly or when refuel-
ing
\4
only with the vehicle standing on a
level surface and with the engine
switched off
1Coolant tank cap
2Brake fluid reservoir cap
3Windshield washer reservoir capThe brake fluid level must be between
the MIN and MAX marks.
Brake fluid
N20.30-2063-31
iThere is usually a notice in the engine
compartment to remind you when
the next brake fluid change is due.
nf_BA.book Page 331 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

333 Operation
Engine compartment
4
For specifications of brake fluid, see
"Service products and capacities"
(\2
page 616).The windshield washer reservoir is in the
engine compartment. It holds approx.
7.4 US qt (7.0 l).
On vehicles with a headlamp cleaning
system, this is also supplied from the
windshield washer reservoir.
1Coolant tank cap
2Brake fluid reservoir cap
3Windshield washer reservoir capAdd windshield washer fluid concentrate
to the water all year round.
Warning
G
If the boiling point of the brake fluid is too
low, vapor pockets may form in the brake
system when the brakes are applied hard
(e.g. when driving on long downhill
stretches). This has a detrimental effect
on braking efficiency, which could in-
crease the stopping distance. This in-
creases the risk of an accident.
Have the brake fluid replaced every
two years.
Windshield washer system/
headlamp cleaning system*
N20.30-2063-31
nf_BA.book Page 333 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

394 OperationTires and wheels
4
Air pressureThe amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or
bars.Aspect ratioDimensional relationship between the
tire section height and the section width
expressed in percentage.
BarAnother metric unit for air pressure.
There are 14.5038 pounds per square
inch (psi) to 1 bar; there are
100 kilopascals (kPa) to 1 bar.BeadThe tire bead contains steel wires
wrapped by steel cords that hold the tire
onto the rim.Cold tire inflation pressureTire inflation pressure when your vehicle
has been sitting for at least 3 hours or
driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Curb weightThe weight of a motor vehicle with stan-
dard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if
so equipped, air conditioning and addi-
tional optional equipment, but without
passengers and cargo.DOT (D
epartment O
f T
ransportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes
that the tire meets the requirements of
the U.S. Department of Transportation.
nf_BA.book Page 394 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

404 OperationWinter driving
4
\3 Winter drivingHave your vehicle winterproofed at the
onset of winter at an authorized Sprinter
Dealer. This service includes the follow-
ing:\4
Oil change, if the current engine oil
used has not been approved for win-
ter use
\4
The antifreeze / anti-corrosion con-
centration in the coolant is checked
\4
The addition of a concentrated
cleaning agent to the water in the
windshield washer system
\4
Battery check
\4
A tire changeYou will find information about diesel
fuel for use at low outside temperatures
in the “Technical data” section
(
\2
page 614).
Please also observe the information
about winter driving (
\2
page 406).
Winter tires should also be operated as
printed on the tire and loading informa-
tion placard
1 or on the tire inflation pres-
sure placard located on the driver’s door
B-pillar, refer to “Tires and wheels” (
\2
page 362). Not all M+S rated radial-
ply tires provide special winter perfor-
mance. Make sure the tires you use
show M+S and the mountain/snowflake
marking
.
on the tire side wall.
These tires meet specific snow traction
performance requirements of the Rub-
ber Manufacturers Association (RMA)
and the Rubber Association of Canada
(RAC) and have been designed specifi-
cally for use in snow conditions. Use of
winter tires is the only way to achieve
the maximum effectiveness of the ABS,
BAS, ASR and ESP
® in winter operation.
Winter tires1. For vehicles with a gross weight capacity less
than 10 000 lbs (4 536 kg) (USA only).
nf_BA.book Page 404 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM