tires DODGE SPRINTER 2005 1.G Owners Manual

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 53
2
Engine Oil ConsumptionWhen the engine has passed the break-in period, oil
consumption may reach 0.5 % of the fuel consumption
recorded in actual operating circumstances. In isolated
cases and in arduous operating conditions, oil
consumption may increase to 1 % of the fuel
consumption recorded in actual operating
circumstances.
Engine oil consumption depends on the driving style
adopted and the operating conditions. It can only be
judged after the engine has passed the break-in period.
SAFETY TIPS Check the vehicle’s lights and the general condition
of the vehicle before each trip.
 Keep tires at the recommended inflation pressure.
 All occupants should fasten their seat belts before each trip.
 Driving in an environmentally responsible manner will reduce noise, fuel consumption and exhaust
emissions.
 Allow the engine to warm up under low load use.
 Avoid unnecessarily hard acceleration, driving with the throttle fully open, and carrying loads not
specifically needed on the journey.
 Stop the engine during lengthy waiting periods, for example at traffic lights.
 Remove ancillary parts, such as wind deflectors and roof racks, as soon as they are no longer needed.

140 STARTING AND OPERATING

Deactivating the Acceleration Skid
Control (ASR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Brake Assist System (BAS)
(vehicle type 2500 only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Indicator Lamp Electronic Stability Program
(ESP) (type 2500 vehicles only) . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
(vehicle type 2500 only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171


Auxiliary Drive (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172


Steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173


Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Tire Grip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Hydroplaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175


Tire Pressures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Tire Pressures of Loaded Vehicle in PSI (kPa) . . . 177
Vehicle type 2500 C/HC/SHC . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Vehicle type 3500 C/HC/SHC . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Comfort Tire Pressures in PSI (kPa) . . . . . . . . 178
Comfort Tire Pressures in PSI (kPa) . . . . . . . . 178


Snow Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179


Fuel Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Fuel Filter with Water Separator . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Diesel Fuels for Use at Very Low
Temperatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180


Refueling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182


Programmed Top Speed (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . 182


Bleeding Diesel Fuel System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183


Draining Fuel Filter with Water Separator . . . . . 184
Bleeding the Diesel Fuel Syst em . . . . . . . . . . . 185


Permissible Roof Load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186


Trailer Towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Trailer Hitches (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Electrical Connections (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . 186
Vehicle and Trailer Weights and Ratings . . . . 187
Loading a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Checking Weights of Vehicle and Trailer . . . . 188
Attaching a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Towing a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Parking a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191


Emissions Control System (Catalytic Converter) 192


Inhalation of Exhaust Gas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192


Fording (Wading Capability) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192


Body Builder Guideline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
A Special Note Concerning Vehicle
Alteration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194

STARTING AND OPERATING 153
5
For all sensors, the minimum distance between sensor
and obstacle is 12 in (30 cm).
In the event of a malfunction, a continuous warning
signal sounds for approximately three seconds when
the vehicle is reversingNOTE: Distance display– "in" in USA only
– "cm" in Canada only
LOADING THE VEHICLE
WARNING!
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the specified
vehicle capacity weight (as indicated by the label on
the base of the driver’s seat). Overloading the tires
can overheat them, poss ibly causing a blowout,
which could cause an accident and personal injury.
In addition, braking and stopping distances can be
significantly longer if the vehicle is overloaded.
WARNING!
Always close the sliding and rear doors when
driving.
Otherwise exhaust fumes could enter the vehicle
interior and poison you.

160 STARTING AND OPERATING
Driving Safety SystemsThe vehicle can be equipped with the following
Driving Safety Systems:
 Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
 Electronic brake force distribution (EBV)
 Acceleration skid control (ASR)
 Brake assist system (BAS)
1
 Electronic stability program (ESP)
*
NOTE: The maximum effectiveness of ABS, EBV, ASR
and ESP is only achieved if you drive with correct tire
pressures and adjust tire pressures to correspond with
the vehicle’s load. In winter operation, the maximum
effectiveness of the ABS and the ESP is only achieved
with winter tires (M+S tires), or snow chains as
required.
WARNING!
When leaving the vehicle always remove the key
from the ignition lock, and lock your vehicle.
Do not leave children unsupervised in the vehicle,
even if they are secured by a child restraint
system. The children could
 injure themselves on parts of the vehicle
 release the child-proof locks by pressing the central locking button and could thereby open
the doors and
 cause injury to others as a result
 get out of the vehicle and could either injure themselves when doing so or they could be
injured by the traffic approaching from the rear
 suffer serious or fatal effects in the event of long periods of hot weather
 release the parking brake. The vehicle could then start moving of its own accord.Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may cause
severe personal injuries, death and property damage.

STARTING AND OPERATING 163
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WARNING!
Do not reduce the force applied to the brake pedal if
it is necessary to brake the vehicle further. This will
negate the main benefit of ABS – the ability to brake
without affecting the steerability of the vehicle.In the event of an emergency stop, fully depress
the brake pedal. Do not pump the brake pedal,
rather use firm, steady brake pedal pressure.
Pumping the pedal defeats the purpose of ABS
and significantly reduces braking effectiveness.
WARNING!
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle,
nor can it increase braking or steering efficiency
beyond that afforded by the condition of the vehi-
cle brakes and tires or the traction afforded.
The ABS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road, traffic and weather conditions.
Driving too fast increases the risk of an accident.

164 STARTING AND OPERATINGElectronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)The electronic brake force distribution (EBD) prevents
the rear wheels from being overbraked when there is
little load on the rear axle or if there is not much friction
between the tires and road (e.g., if the road is wet).
Acceleration Skid Control Indicator Lamp (ASR)
and Brake Assist System (BAS)
1if equipped
When the key is in position 2 in the ignition lock, the
indicator lamp k will light up in the instrument
cluster as a function check. It goes out when the engine
is running.12500 Type vehicles only
WARNING!
If the brake indicator lamp ; (- ) does not
go out or lights up again while driving, the brake
fluid level may not necessarily have dropped be-
low the minimum filling capacity but a malfunc-
tion may have occurred in the EBD. In this case
continue driving, but with even greater care.
The wheels of the rear axle could lock if the
vehicle is braked hard. This could lead to a
skidding of the vehicle. Have the malfunction
traced and repaired without delay by an
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road, traffic and weather conditions.
Driving too fast increases the risk of an accident.

STARTING AND OPERATING 167
5
Acceleration Skid Control (ASR)ASR makes it possible to pull away and accelerate on a
slippery surface. A spinning wheel is braked and its
tractive power is transferred to the wheel with full
grip.
The acceleration skid control (ASR) improves driving
stability at all speeds only on vehicles of the chassis
and cargo/passenger vans type 3500 C/HC/SHC
(without ESP).
The engine’s torque is limited to improve driving
stability. When this is happening, the warning
lamp v in the speedometer flashes.
If the road surface is not capable of providing traction,
bearing in mind the tires, load and grade, it may not be
possible to pull away even with ASR.
If wheels with tires of a different size than those offered
by an authorized Sprinter Dealer are used, the correct
operation of the ASR cannot be guaranteed.
WARNING!
ASR cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded.
The ASR cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an ASR equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.
If the ASR function is used for a prolonged period
of time, the rear axle brakes may fail due to
overheating.
If the vehicle is to be towed away with the front
wheels clear of the ground, or if the brakes are to
be tested on a brake dynamometer, do not pull the
key in position 2 in the ignition lock, because the
drive wheels could lock.

170 STARTING AND OPERATINGFor the indicator lamp k refer to
"Indicator Lamp
Acceleration Skid Control (ASR) and Brake Assist
System (BAS)
" .
Indicator Lamp Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
(vehicle type 2500 only)When the key is in position 2 in the ignition lock, the
ESP indicator lamp will light up in the instrument
cluster as a function check. It goes out when the engine
is running.
If the indicator lamp remains on or lights up when
the engine is running, the electronic stability program
(ESP) is malfunctioning and switched off
automatically. The engine’s power output may be then
reduced.
WARNING!
The Brake Assist system (BAS) cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle,
nor can it increase braking efficiency beyond that
afforded by the condition of the vehicle brakes
and tires or the traction afforded.
The BAS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an BAS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others
.
Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road, traffic and weather conditions.
Driving too fast increases the risk of an accident.

STARTING AND OPERATING 171
5
NOTE: If the ABS is malfunctioning or the voltage in
the vehicle’s electrical system drops below 10 volts, the
indicator lamp will also light up in the instrument
cluster and the ESP will be deactivated. The indicator
lamp will go out as soon as the voltage reaches this
level again or the ABS is operational again
– the ESP is
then reactivated.
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) (vehicle type
2500 only)The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) monitors the
vehicle’s traction (force of adhesive friction between
the tires and the road surface) and handling.
The ESP recognizes when a wheel is spinning or if the
vehicle starts to skid. By applying brakes to the
appropriate wheel and by limiting engine output, the
ESP works to stabilize the vehicle. The ESP is especially
useful while driving off and on wet or slippery road
surfaces.
The warning lamp v in the speedometer flashes
when the ESP is engaged, refer also to
"Warning Lamp
Acceleration Skid Control (ASR) and Electronic
Stability Program (ESP)
".
If wheels with tires of a different size than those offered
by an authorized Sprinter Dealer are used, the correct
operation of the ESP cannot be guaranteed.
WARNING!
If the ESP indicator lamp remains on, the
electronic stability program (ESP) is malfunction-
ing. The vehicle stability will no longer be auto-
matically regulated in good time.
The danger that your vehicle breaks into a skid, is
increased in certain driving situations. Drive with
extra caution.
Have the ESP repaired as soon as possible by an
authorized Spinter Dealer.

STARTING AND OPERATING 173
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STEERINGWhen the engine is not running, there is no power
assistance for the steering. Greater force will be
required to steer the vehicle.WHEELS AND TIRESCheck tires regularly for even tread wear, tread depth
(note legal requirements) and signs of external
damage.
Only use wheels and tires of the same size, make and
pattern.
Do not install tires that are not approved for the size
and type of wheel installed or the vehicle itself. Only
use those wheel sizes which were delivered to you by
your authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Use only wheels and tires which have been tested and
approved by the vehicle manufacturer. Break in new tires at moderate speeds for a distance of
about 65 miles (about 100 km).
CAUTION!
Power take off must not exceed 10 kW. Exceeding
the power take off may cause damage to the
auxiliary drive and/or ribbed V-belt.
WARNING!
Fitting other wheel sizes to the vehicle will change
the vehicle’s handling characteristics and may
lead to an accident resulting in severe personal in-
juries, death and property damage.
Only certain tires meeting the tire size/load/speed
rating specifications contained in the Tire
Pressure Tables at the end of this chapter are
certified to conform to FMVSS 120 for the Sprinter
vehicle at this time. Please check your side walls
of your originally equipped tires for specific
makes/sizes, and speed load ratings when you
need to replace your tires.
To prevent accident, injury or possible death, use
only the correct tires for your tire replacement.
Do not use retreaded/ remolded tires. This process
does not always permit previous damage to be
detected. Therefore vehicle safety cannot be
guaranteed if retreaded/remolded tires are fitted
.