2008 DODGE SPRINTER check engine

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

332 OperationEngine compartment
4
!
CAUTION
Brake fluid corrodes paintwork. If
brake fluid comes into contact with
the paintwork, immediately rinse
with water.
If the brake fluid does not reach the
MIN mark, the vehicle’s hydraulic
system could be malfunctioning. Do
not add brake fluid under any cir-
cumstances. This will not solve the
problem.
Do not drive any further.
Have the system checked immediate-
ly at an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Warning
G
Brake fluid is hazardous to health. Do not
swallow brake fluid. Consult a doctor im-
mediately if any brake fluid is swallowed.Brake fluid must not come into contact
with the skin, eyes or clothing. Wash af-
fected areas with plenty of clean water
and consult a doctor immediately if nec-
essary.You should always wear eye pro-
tection and gloves when you are adding
brake fluid.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
Only store brake fluid in its closed original
container and keep out of the reach of
children. Comply with safety regulations
when handling brake fluid.
nf_BA.book Page 332 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

334 OperationEngine compartment
4
Adapt the mixing ratio to the outside
temperature. Use:\4
Summerwash to protect against
smearing at temperatures above
freezing.
\4
Winterwash when there is a risk of
frost so that the water does not
freeze onto the windshield.
\1
Mix the windshield washer fluid in a
container and in the specified pro-
portions.
\1
Remove cap
3
.
\1
Fill up the windshield washer fluid.
\1
Press cap
3
back on.
Check assemblies regularly for leaks. In
the event of fluid loss (e.g. spots of oil
under the vehicle when it has been
parked), have the cause traced and rec-
tified immediately at an authorized
Sprinter Dealer which has the necessary
specialist knowledge and tools to carry
out the work required.The manufacturer recommends that you
use an authorized Sprinter Dealer for
this purpose. All work relevant to safety
or on safety-related systems must be
carried out at an authorized Sprinter
Dealer.
Warning
G
Windshield washer concentrate is highly
flammable. Fire, open flames and smok-
ing are prohibited when you are handling
windshield washer concentrate.
Vehicle assemblies
nf_BA.book Page 334 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

337 Operation
Battery
4
The batteries must always be sufficiently
charged so that they achieve their in-
tended service life.
Have the battery charge status checked
more frequently if you use the vehicle
mainly for short trips or if you leave it
parked up for a long period.
If you intend to leave your vehicle
parked up for a long period, seek advice
from an authorized Sprinter Dealer and
switch off the electrical system at the
battery isolating switch (
\2
page 338).You will find further information in the
“Practical hints” section (
\2
page 573).
!
CAUTION
Switch off the engine and wait for
approximately 20 seconds before you
loosen or disconnect the terminal
clamps. You could otherwise damage
electrical system components.Care of batteries!
CAUTION
Dirty terminal clamps and battery
surfaces cause leakage current, lead-
ing to battery discharge. Always keep
the terminal clamps and battery sur-
faces clean and dry. Lightly grease
the terminal clamps, particularly the
undersides, with acid-proof grease.
!
CAUTION
Cleaning agents containing fuel can
corrode the battery casing. Only
clean with commercially available
cleaning agents and clean the bat-
tery casing with the cell caps
screwed in.
nf_BA.book Page 337 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

439 Practical hints
What to do if ...
5
The coolant temperature gauge is above
250°F (+120°C).
The coolant is too hot and the engine is not be-
ing sufficiently cooled.
\1Park your vehicle in a safe location as
quickly as possible and let the engine
continue to run at idle speed for about
1 to 2 minutes before switching it off.
This allows the coolant temperature to
return to normal again.
If the coolant temperature is still too high:
\1Switch off the engine and let it as well
as the coolant cool down.
\1Check the coolant level and observe the
warning notes as you do so
(\2page 329).
\1Add coolant as necessary.
Problem
Possible cause / result
Suggested solutions
nf_BA.book Page 439 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

441 Practical hints
What to do if ...
5
Problem
Possible cause / result
Suggested solutions
The transmission no longer changes gear cor-
rectly.
The transmission is losing oil.
\1Have the transmission checked imme-
diately at an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
The acceleration ability is deteriorating.
The transmission does not shift.
The transmission is in emergency mode.
It is only possible to shift into second gear or re-
verse gear.
\1Stop the vehicle.
\1Move the selector lever to positionP.
\1Switch off the engine.
\1Wait at least 10 seconds before restart-
ing the engine.
\1Move the selector lever to positionD or
R.
\1In positionD, the transmission shifts
into second gear; in positionR, the
transmission shifts into the reverse
gear.
\1Have the transmission checked imme-
diately at an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
nf_BA.book Page 441 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM