DODGE SPRINTER 2008 2.G Owners Manual

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.
nf_BA.book Page 339 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

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
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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).
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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.
nf_BA.book Page 342 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

343 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
Warning
G
Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating oth-
er than that specified for your Sprinter ve-
hicle. Some combinations of unapproved
tires and wheels may change suspension
dimensions and performance characteris-
tics, resulting in changes to steering, han-
dling, and braking of your Sprinter vehicle.
This can cause unpredictable handling
and stress to steering and suspension
components. You could lose control and
have an accident resulting in serious inju-
ry or death.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
Only use the tire and wheel sizes with load
ratings approved for your Sprinter vehicle,
refer to "Tire and loading information".Never use a tire with a smaller load index
or speed index or capacity other than
what was originally equipped on your
Sprinter vehicle. Using a tire with a small-
er load index could result in tire overload-
ing and failure. You could lose control and
have an accident.Failure to equip the vehicle with tires hav-
ing adequate speed capability can result
in sudden tire failure and loss of vehicle
control.
!
CAUTION
Replacing original tires with tires of a
different size may result in false
speedometer and odometer read-
ings.
nf_BA.book Page 343 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

344 OperationTires and wheels
4
Only use wheels and tires which have
been tested and approved by the vehicle
manufacturer.
Warning
G
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have
sustained damage, replace them.
When replacing rims, only use genuine
wheel bolts approved by the vehicle man-
ufacturer and specified for the particular
rim type. Failure to do so can result in the
bolts loosening and possibly an accident.
Do not use retreaded/remolded tires.
This process does not always permit pre-
vious damage to be detected. Therefore
vehicle safety cannot be guaranteed if re-
treaded/remolded tires are fitted.
Warning
G
Fitting other wheel sizes to the vehicle will
change the vehicle’s handling characteris-
tics and may lead to an accident resulting
in death, severe personal injuries and
property damage.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
Only certain tires meeting the tire size/
load/speed rating specifications are cer-
tified to conform to FMVSS 110 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 accidents resulting in possible
death, severe injury or property damage,
use only the tire and wheel sizes with load
ratings approved for your Sprinter vehicle
for your tire replacement. Refer to "Tire and loading information"
(\2page 352).
nf_BA.book Page 344 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

345 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
For information on tire and wheel sizes
with load ratings, refer to "Tire and load-
ing information" (
\2
page 303).Cuts and punctures in radial tires are re-
pairable only in the tread area because
of side wall flexing. Consult an autho-
rized tire dealer for radial tire repairs.
Radial-ply tiresWarning
G
Combining radial ply tires with other types
of tires on your Sprinter vehicle will
change the vehicle’s handling characteris-
tics and may lead to an accident resulting
in death, severe personal injuries and
property damage. Always use radial ply
tires in sets of 4 (or 6, in case of vehicles
with dual rear wheels).
Never combine them with other types of
tires.
Tire valves (snap-in valves)Warning
G
Sprinter vehicle tire valves are tested and ap-
proved under rough operating conditions.The installation of additional hub caps or
other wheel simulators could cause dam-
age to the tire valve and lead to a loss of
tire pressure at the valve stem.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
Do not install any of these parts on your
Sprinter vehicle. To help ensure safe and
reliable operation of your Sprinter vehicle,
only use parts and accessories tested and
approved by the vehicle manufacturer for
your Sprinter vehicle.
nf_BA.book Page 345 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

346 OperationTires and wheels
4
\4
Only use sets of tires and rims of the
same type and make.
\4
Tires must be of the correct size for
the rim.
\4
Break in new tires for approximately
65 miles (100 km) at moderate
speeds.
\4
Regularly check the tires and rims
for damage. Dented or bent rims can
cause tire inflation pressure loss or
damage to the tire beads.
\4
If the vehicle is heavily loaded, check
tire inflation pressure and correct as
required.
\4
Do not allow your tires to wear down
too far. Adhesion properties on wet
roads are sharply reduced at tread
depths under
1/8in (3 mm) for sum-
mer tires and
1/6in (4 mm) for win-
ter tires.
\4
When replacing individual tires, you
should mount new tires on the front
wheels first.
!
CAUTION
Vehicles not equipped with Tire Pres-
sure Monitoring System (TPMS)*:
For safety reasons, whenever you
change a tire, you must also change
the tire valve.
The following tire valves from the
company Schrader must be used on
the vehicles not equipped with
TPMS*:
\4
TR 600 for vehicle model type
2500
\4
TR 418 for vehicle model type
3500
Other tire valves could be damaged
by the specified tire pressures.
Important guidelines
nf_BA.book Page 346 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

347 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
The tire inflation pressure should be
checked regularly, i.e. at least each time
you refuel the vehicle. The preferred in-
terval for checking the tire inflation pres-
sure, however, is before each trip.
For more information on checking tire
inflation pressure, refer to "Recom-
mended tire inflation pressure"
(\2
page 361).
Tire inspectionEvery time when checking the tire infla-
tion pressure, the tires should also be in-
spected for the following:\4
excessive treadwear, refer to "Tread
depth".
\4
the condition of the tread depths, i.e.
uneven tread wear or excessive
treadwear on one side. Turn the front
wheels to full lock if necessary to en-
able you to check the inner edge of
the front tires more easily. You must
also always check the inside of the
tire tread on the rear wheels.
\4
cord or fabric showing through the
tire’s rubber
Tire care and maintenanceWarning
G
Regularly check the tires for damage.
Damaged tires can cause tire inflation
pressure loss. As a result, you could lose
control of your vehicle.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have
sustained damage, replace them.
nf_BA.book Page 347 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

348 OperationTires and wheels
4
\4
bumps, bulges, cuts, cracks or splits
in the tread or side of the tire
\4
foreign objects between the tires
(on vehicles with twin tires)
Replace the tire if any of the above con-
ditions is found.
Also inspect the spare tire periodically
for condition and inflation. Spare tires
will age and become worn over time
even if never used, and thus should be
inspected and replaced when neces-
sary.
Tire damageTire damage can be caused
by:
\4
the vehicle’s operating conditions
\4
tire aging
\4
curbs
\4
foreign objects
\4
insufficient or excessive tire inflation
pressures
\4
weather and environmental influenc-
es
\4
contact with oil, grease, fuel, etc.
Warning
G
Driving over curbs or sharp-edged objects
can cause damage to the tire substruc-
ture which is not visible from the outside.
Damage to the tire substructure cannot
be detected until later and can cause the
tire to burst.
You could lose control of the
vehicle as a result, cause an accident and
injure yourself or others.
Avoid driving up against curbs or parking
the vehicle with part of the tire tread sur-
face on the curb.
nf_BA.book Page 348 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM