winter tires DODGE SPRINTER 2006 1.G User Guide

STARTING AND OPERATING 207
5
Information placard, refer to "Tires and Wheels". Not
all M+S rated radial-ply tires provide special winter
performance. Make sure the tires you use show M+S
and the mountain/snowflake marking.on the tire
sidewall. These tires meet specific snow traction
performance requirements of the Rubber
Manufacturers Association (RMA) and the Rubber
Association of Canada (RAC) and have been designed
specifically for use in snow conditions. Use of winter
tires is the only way to achieve the maximum
effectiveness of the ABS and ESP
® in winter operation.
For safe handling, make sure all winter tires mounted
are of the same make and have the same tread design.
Always observe the speed rating of the winter tires
installed on your vehicle. If the maximum speed for
which your tires are rated is below the speed rating of
your vehicle, you must place a notice to this effectwhere it will be seen by the driver. Such notices are
available at your tire dealer or any authorized Sprinter
Dealer.
While studded tires improve performance on ice, skid
and traction capability on wet or dry surfaces may be
poorer than that of non-studded tires. Some states
prohibit studded tires; therefore, local laws should be
checked before using these tire types.
SNOW CHAINS
Use "Class U" chains , or other traction aids that meet
SAE Type "U" specifications.
WARNING!
Winter tires with a tread depth under 1/6 in (4 mm)
must be replaced. They are no longer suitable for
winter operation.
WARNING!
If you use your spare tire when winter tires are fit-
ted on the other wheels, be aware that the differ-
ence in tire characteristics may very well impair
turning stability and that overall driving stability
may be reduced. Adapt your driving style accord-
ingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter tire at
the nearest authorized Sprinter Dealer.

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 257
7
The following checks should be performed at regular
intervals (for example once a week or each time the
vehicle is refueled):
 Windshield washer system/headlamp cleaning
system (optional) – washer system fluid reservoir.
 Air strainer, in vehicles with an air strainer element
maintenance indicator (optional equipment).
 Engine oil level.
 Checking ribbed V-belt.
 Hydraulic brake system, clutch mechanism fluid
level.
 Coolant level.
 Tire and spare wheel condition and pressures of the
same. For more information, refer to "Wheels and
Tires".
 Spare wheel location.
 Vehicle lighting.Windshield Washer System Fluid Reservoir
1. Washer system fluid reservoir
When topping off, add windshield washer fluid ("S"
for summer or "W" for winter) to the water.
Capacity of fluid reservoir (1): about 7.4 US qt (7 liters).

MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 265
7
WINTER OPERATION
Have your vehicle winterized by an authorized
Sprinter Dealer before the onset of winter.
 Have the engine oil changed, if the engine oil filled
is not approved for winter use.
 Coolant: antifreeze/anti-corrosion concentration in
the coolant checked.
 Windshield washer system and headlamp cleaning
system (optional): add windshield washer fluid
"winter wash" to the water, depending on ambient
temperatures.
 Battery: the battery will lose capacity as
temperatures drop. Only a well-charged battery will
ensure reliable engine starting even at low outside
temperatures.
 Tires: fit M+S radial tires with a minimum tread
depth of approximately 1/6 in (4 mm) on all wheels
for the winter season.BATTERIES
The standard battery is located in the engine
compartment.
WARNING!
Failure to follow these instructions can result in
severe personal injuries and death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting, you
might get injured, if the battery explodes.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow
this fluid to come in contact with eyes, skin or
clothing. In case it does, immediately flush
affected area with water and seek medical help if
necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas, which
is flammable and explosive. Keep flames or
sparks away from battery, avoid improper
connection of jumper cables, smoking etc.
Use only impact-resistant batteries with a central
gas release cover to prevent corrosion damage and
to prevent occupants from caustic burns in the
event of an accident.

INDEX 327
10
Care and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Changing the Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Date of Manufacture. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Design Standard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Direction of Rotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN) . . . . . . . 196
Hydroplaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Important Notes on Tire Inflation Pressure . . . . 187
Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Installing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Life of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Load . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Load Rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Maximum Inflation Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Maximum Load. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Recommended Tire Inflation Pressure . . . . . . . . 186
Removing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242
Rim Diameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193Rotating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Size Designation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Sizes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Snow Chains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
Spare Wheel Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Speed Rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192, 195
Storing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Tire and Loading Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Tire and Loading Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Tire Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Tire Grip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Tire Ply Material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Tire Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Tread Depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Type Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Vehicles type 2500 C/HC/SHC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Vehicles type 3500 C/HC/SHC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Winter Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Tires, Wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Towing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Towing a Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225

INDEX 329
10
Water in Fuel Indicator Lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Wheels and Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176
Window Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Window Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Mechanical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Windows
De-Fogging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
De-Icing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Windshield Heater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Windshield Washer System Fluid Reservoir. . . . . . 257
Windshield Wiper Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Windshield wipers with rain sensor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Winter Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Winter tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206