2008 DODGE SPRINTER Owners Manual

311 Operation
Driving tips
4
If you plan to operate your vehicle in for-
eign countries, please be aware that:\4
service facilities or replacement
parts may not be readily available,
\4
unleaded gasoline for vehicles with
catalytic converters may not be
available; the use of leaded fuels will
damage the catalysts,
\4
gasoline may have a considerably
lower octane rating, and improper
fuel can cause engine damage.
You will find information about
gasoline / diesel in the “Technical data”
section (
\2
page 610).You can permanently limit the maximum
speed of your vehicle to 75 mph
(120 km/h).
The manufacturer recommends that you
have the maximum speed programmed
at an authorized Sprinter Dealer. This
has the necessary specialist knowledge
and tools to carry out the required work.
Operating the vehicle outside the
USA or Canada
iIf you are traveling in countries
where vehicles are driven on the op-
posite side of the road to that in
which the vehicle is registered, you
must have the headlamps:\4
partially masked (halogen head-
lamps)
\4
switched over (bi-xenon head-
lamps)
Relevant information can be ob-
tained at an authorized Sprinter Deal-
er.
Programmed maximum speed
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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)
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313 Operation
Driving tips
4
Your vehicle is equipped with an oxida-
tion catalyst, an important element in
conjunction with the oxygen sensors to
achieve substantial control of the pollut-
ants in the exhaust emissions. Keep
your vehicle in proper operating condi-
tion by following our recommended
maintenance instructions as outlined in
your Service Booklet.
!
CAUTION
To prevent damage to the catalytic
converters, only use premium un-
leaded gasoline in this vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in en-
gine operation should be repaired
promptly.
Otherwise, excessive unburned fuel
may reach the catalytic converter,
causing it to overheat and potentially
start a fire.
Warning
G
As with any vehicle, do not idle, park or
operate this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay, or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could
be ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
Oxidation catalyst (diesel engine)
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314 OperationDriving tips
4
Certain systems of the engine serve to
keep the toxic components of the ex-
haust gases within permissible limits re-
quired by law.These systems, of course, will function
properly only when maintained strictly
according to factory specifications. Any
adjustments to the engine should there-
fore be carried out only by an authorized
Sprinter Dealer.
Engine adjustments should not be al-
tered in any way. Moreover, the speci-
fied service jobs must be carried out
regularly according to the manufactur-
er’s servicing requirements. For details
refer to the Service Booklet.Warning
G
As with any vehicle, do not idle, park or
operate this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay, or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could
be ignited and cause a vehicle fire.Emission control
Warning
G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains car-
bon monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can
cause unconsciousness and lead to
death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas
fumes are entering the vehicle while driv-
ing, have the cause determined and cor-
rected immediately. If you must drive
under these conditions, drive with at least
one window fully open at all times.
nf_BA.book Page 314 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

315 Operation
Electronic equipment
4
\3 Electronic equipment
The vehicle’s general operating permit
may be invalidated if you do not observe
the manufacturer’s installation specifi-
cations .
You will find information about retrofit-
ting electrical / electronic equipment in
the “Technical data” section
(\2
page 602).
Radio, telephone, two-way radio,
fax machine and navigation
systemWarning
G
Please do not forget that your primary re-
sponsibility is to drive the vehicle safely.
Only operate the electronic equipment
when road and traffic conditions permit.
Keep in mind that at a speed of just
30 mph (about 50 km/h), your vehicle
travels 44 feet (about 14 m) per second.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
A navigation system does not provide in-
formation about bridge load-bearing ca-
pacities or headroom clearances.
You are responsible for safety at all times.
Observe legal requirements.Telephones, two-way radios and fax ma-
chines without an exterior antenna may in-
terfere with the vehicle’s electronics, thereby
jeopardizing the vehicle’s operating safety.
The risk of an accident increases.Do not use this equipment while the vehi-
cle is in motion.
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316 OperationRefueling
4
\3 Refueling
The fuel filler flap is next to the driver’s
door. You can only open the fuel filler
flap when the driver’s door is open.1Retaining strap
2Fuel filler cap
Warning
G
Fuel is highly flammable. Fire, naked
flames and smoking as well as the use of
auxiliary heaters (sparks) are therefore
prohibited when handling fuel.
For this reason, switch off the auxiliary
heating when refueling.
Warning
G
Do not allow fuel to come into contact
with your skin or clothing. Your health
may be damaged if:
\4you spill fuel onto your bare skin
\4you inhale fuel vapors
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317 Operation
Refueling
4
\1
Remove the key from the ignition
lock.
\1
Switch off the auxiliary heating.
\1
Open the driver’s door.
\1
Open the fuel filler flap.
\1
Close all the vehicle’s doors, so that
no fuel vapors can enter the vehicle.
\1
Turn fuel filler cap
2
counterclock-
wise and let it hang by retaining
strap
1
.
\1
Only fill the tank until the pump noz-
zle switches off.
\1
Replace fuel filler cap
2
and turn it
clockwise.A clicking sound indicates that the
fuel filler cap is fully closed.
\1
Open the driver’s door and close the
fuel filler flap.
You will find information about fuel in
the “Technical data” section
(
\2
page 610).
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318 OperationEngine compartment
4
\3 Engine compartment
Opening
1Release lever\1
Pull release lever
1
under the in-
strument panel on the left-hand side
in the driver’s footwell.
The hood is released.
HoodWarning
G
Do not pull the release lever while the ve-
hicle is in motion. The hood could other-
wise open, thereby impairing visibility and
leading to loss of control of the vehicle.
For this reason, only open the hood when
the vehicle is parked.
!
CAUTION
Make sure that the windshield wipers
are not folded away from the wind-
shield. The windshield wipers or the
hood may otherwise be damaged.
N88.40-2060-31
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