2008 DODGE SPRINTER Owners Manual

335 Operation
Battery
4
\3 BatteryYour vehicle may be equipped with two
batteries, depending on the equipment
version:\4
Starter battery in the battery recess
in the driver’s footwell
\4
Auxiliary battery in the engine com-
partment*
Warning
G
A
Risk of explosion
When batteries are being
charged, explosive detonating
gas is emitted. Only charge bat-
teries in well-ventilated areas.
D
Risk of explosion
Because of the risk of explosion,
avoid creating sparks from fire,
open flames and smoking.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
B
Battery acid is caustic.
Wear acid-proof protective
gloves. Neutralize splashes of
acid on skin or clothing immedi-
ately with soapy water or acid
neutralizer and clean with wa-
ter.
Continued
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336 OperationBattery
4
Warning (Continued)
G
C
Keep out of the reach of chil-
dren.
Children cannot appreciate the
dangers involved in handling
batteries and acid.
E
Wear eye protection.
When mixing water and acid, the
liquid can splash in your eyes.
Rinse out your eyes immediately
after acid splashes with clean
water, and consult a doctor im-
mediately.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
F
When handling batteries, ob-
serve the safety precautions
and special protective measures
contained in these operating in-
structions.
Environmental note
H
Á
Batteries contain pollutants. Do
not dispose of old batteries with
the household garbage.
À
Dispose of batteries in an environ-
mentally responsible manner.
Take batteries to an authorized
Sprinter Dealer or a special collec-
tion point for old batteries.
Transport and store full batteries
in an upright position. When trans-
porting batteries, secure them so
that they do not tip over. Battery
acid can spill from the cell cap
vents and cause damage to the
environment.
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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

338 OperationBattery isolating switch*
4
\3 Battery isolating switch*You can disconnect the current to all
your vehicle’s consumers using the bat-
tery isolating switch. This will prevent
uncontrolled battery discharge caused
by quiescent current consumption.
The battery isolating switch is to the
right of the accelerator pedal in the driv-
er’s footwell.
1Connector
2Slide
Warning
G
If the vehicle is equipped with an auxiliary
battery in the engine compartment, it is
necessary to disconnect both batteries
when working on the vehicle electrical
system. Only then is the electrical system
fully disconnected from the power supply.
iOnly disconnect the vehicle electrical
system from the power supply using
the battery isolating switch if the ve-
hicle is to be parked up for a long pe-
riod or when this is absolutely
necessary.
After the power supply is switched
on, you must reset the electric sliding
door (
\2
page 92).
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339 Operation
Battery isolating switch*
4
\1
Take the key out of the ignition lock
and wait for approximately
20 seconds.
\1
Move red slide
2
down in the direc-
tion of the arrow and disconnect
connector
1
from the ground pin.
\1
Clamp connector
1
under the ac-
celerator pedal so that it cannot
make contact with the ground pin.
The consumers of the vehicle battery
are cut off from the electrical circuit.
!
CAUTION
Make sure that the key is in
position
0 in the ignition lock and
wait at least 20 seconds before dis-
connecting or connecting the battery
isolating switch. You could otherwise
damage electrical system compo-
nents.
Switching off the electrical system
!
CAUTION
When you clamp the connector under
the accelerator pedal, make sure that
the connector does not become:
\4
dirty
\4
damaged
It may otherwise not be possible to
restore the electrical connection
when the parts are reassembled.
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340 OperationBattery isolating switch*
4
1Connector
2Ground pin
\1
Insert the key into the ignition lock.
\1
Press connector
1
onto ground pin
2
until you feel it engage.
The connector must be in full contact
with ground pin
2
.
All consumers are reconnected to
the power supply circuit.
Switching on the electrical system
nf_BA.book Page 340 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

341 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
\3 Tires and wheelsThe tires on a new vehicle provide a bal-
ance of many characteristics. They
should be inspected regularly for wear
and correct cold tire inflation pressure.
The vehicle manufacturer strongly rec-
ommends using tires equivalent to the
originals in size, quality and perfor-
mance when a replacement becomes
necessary.Refer to the tire and loading information
placard
1 or to the tire inflation pressure
placard on the driver’s door B-pillar
(
\2
page 362) for the size designation of
your tire.
The service description and load identifi-
cation will be found on the original
equipment tire. Failure to use equivalent
replacement tires may adversely affect
the safety, handling, and ride of your
Sprinter vehicle.Contact an authorized Sprinter Dealer or
an authorized tire dealer with any ques-
tions you may have on tire specifications
or capability.
1. For vehicles with a gross weight capacity less
than 10 000 lbs (4 536 kg) (USA only).
nf_BA.book Page 341 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

342 OperationTires and wheels
4
For more information on tire size desig-
nation, load and speed rating, see "Tire
labeling" (
\2
page 382).
See an authorized Sprinter Dealer for in-
formation on tested and recommended
rims and tires for summer and winter op-
eration. They can also offer advice con-
cerning tire service and purchase.
!
CAUTION
Only use tires which have been test-
ed and approved for your Sprinter ve-
hicle by the vehicle manufacturer.
Tires approved by the vehicle manu-
facturer are developed to provide the
best possible performance in con-
junction with the driving safety sys-
tems on your Sprinter vehicle such as
ABS, BAS, ASR or ESP
®.
Using tires other than those ap-
proved by the vehicle manufacturer
may result in damage that is not cov-
ered by the Sprinter vehicle warran-
ty.
!
CAUTION
Using tires other than those ap-
proved by the vehicle manufacturer
can have detrimental effects, such as
\4
poor handling characteristics
\4
increased noise
\4
increased fuel consumption
Tires and rims not approved by the
vehicle manufacturer may, under
load, exhibit dimensional variations
and different tire deformation char-
acteristics that could cause them to
come into contact with the vehicle
body or axle parts. Damage to the
tires or the vehicle may be the result.
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