2008 DODGE SPRINTER ECU

309 Operation
Driving tips
4
Towing a trailerThere are many different laws, including
speed limit restrictions, having to do
with trailer towing. Make sure that your
vehicle-trailer combination will be legal,
not only for where you reside, but also
for where you will be driving. A good
source for this information can be the
police or local authorities.
Before you start driving with the trailer,
check the trailer hitch, break-away
switch, safety chains, electrical connec-
tions, lighting and tires. Also adjust the
mirrors to permit an unobstructed view
beyond the rear of the trailer.If the trailer has electric brakes, start
your vehicle and trailer moving slowly,
and then apply only the trailer brake
controller by hand to be sure that the
brakes are working properly.
When towing a trailer, check occasional-
ly to be sure that the load is secure, and
that lighting and trailer brakes (if so
equipped) are functioning properly.
Always secure items in the trailer to pre-
vent load shifts while driving.
Take into consideration that when tow-
ing 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
maneuvers.
The vehicle and trailer combination is
heavier, and therefore is limited in accel-
eration and climbing ability, and requires
longer stopping distances. It is more
prone to reacting to side wind gusts, and
requires more sensitive steering input.
In order to gain skill and an understand-
ing of the vehicle’s behavior, you should
practice turning, stopping and backing
up in an area which is free from traffic.
nf_BA.book Page 309 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

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.
nf_BA.book Page 336 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

417 Operation
Cleaning and care of the vehicle
4
Environmental note
H
Only clean the vehicle in a suitable place
for washing vehicles. Dispose of empty
containers and used cleaning materials in
an environmentally responsible manner.iIf you need to clean the areas to-
wards the top of the vehicle, always
use\4
suitable ladders
\4
secure steps
!
CAUTION
Under no circumstances should you
affix unsuitable stickers, films, mag-
nets or similar to painted surfaces.
You could otherwise damage the
paintwork.
Care of the vehicle!
CAUTION
After cleaning your vehicle, especial-
ly the wheel rims with rim cleaner, do
not simply park the vehicle and leave
it. Rim cleaners can promote corro-
sion of the brake discs and the brake
pads / linings. Before parking and
leaving the vehicle after cleaning, al-
ways warm the vehicle up to normal
operating temperature first.
nf_BA.book Page 417 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

452 Practical hintsWhat to do if ...
5
The Parktronic* warning displays indicate im-
plausible distances.
For example, all the segments may be lit even
though there is no obstacle present.
The Parktronic* sensors are dirty or iced up.
\1Clean the Parktronic* sensors
(\2page 422).
\1Switch on the ignition again.
An external radio or ultrasonic source may be
causing interference.
\1Check whether Parktronic* works at
another location.
The license plate or other attachment parts
near the sensors may not be secured correct-
ly.
\1Check the number plate and attach-
ment parts near the sensors to see if
they are securely in place.
The speed cannot be set with cruise control*
activated
1.
The display is showing a message of high prior-
ity and cannot therefore show a change in
speed.
\1Proceed as instructed by the message
in the display.
\1Deactivate cruise control* if neces-
sary.
1 Only on vehicles with steering wheel buttons.Problem
Possible cause / result
Suggested solutions
nf_BA.book Page 452 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

514 Practical hintsWhere will I find...?
5
The fire extinguisher is secured to the
front of the passenger’s seat base. 1Fire extinguisher
2Tabs
\1
Pull tabs
2
upward.
\1
Take fire extinguisher
1
out of the
bracket.The first-aid kit is located in the storage
compartment in the passenger’s door.
1Locked
2UnlockedTurn the two quick-release locks clock-
wise to unlock
2
and fold out the cover.
Fire extinguisher*
iRead the instructions on the fire ex-
tinguisher carefully and familiarize
yourself with its operation.
First-aid kit*
nf_BA.book Page 514 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

517 Practical hints
Where will I find...?
5
\1
Remove jack
4
upward out of the
retainer.
If you are replacing the tires on the vehi-
cle, you may use the spare wheel as a
road wheel provided that:
\4
the tires are no more than 6 years
old
\4
the wheel and tire have the same
specified design as the road wheels
The spare wheel is located in a spare
wheel bracket under the rear of the vehi-
cle.More information about tire inflation
pressures can be found in the "Opera-
tion" section (
\2
page 365).
Panel van / crewbus1Cover
2Recess
iPlace the jack into the retainer as
shown when storing it back into
place. Make sure that the jack’s re-
taining strap is hooked in and ten-
sioned.
Spare wheel!
CAUTION
Check regularly that the spare wheel
is secured correctly.
nf_BA.book Page 517 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM