towing DODGE SPRINTER 2008 2.G User Guide

310 OperationDriving tips
4
If possible, do not brake abruptly, but
rather engage the brake slightly at first
to permit the trailer to activate its brake.
Then increase the braking force.Warning
G
Take into consideration that when towing
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 maneu-
vers. Sudden maneuvers may lead to loss
of control over the vehicle-trailer combi-
nation. This could cause an accident re-
sulting in property damage or injury to
you or others.
!
CAUTION
If the transmission hunts between
gears on inclines, manually shift to a
lower gear (select
"4", "3", "2"
or
"1"). A lower gear and reduction
of speed reduces the chance of the
engine overloading and / or over-
heating.
When going down a long hill, shift
into a lower gear and use the en-
gine’s braking effect. Avoid riding the
brakes, thus overheating the vehicle
and trailer brakes.
If the engine coolant rises to an ex-
tremely high temperature (coolant tem-
perature needle approaching the red
zone) when the air conditioner is on,
turn off the air conditioner. Engine cool-
ant heat can be additionally vented by
opening the windows, switching the cli-
mate control fan speed to high and set-
ting the temperature control to the
maximum hot position.
Extreme care must be exercised since
your vehicle with a trailer will require ad-
ditional passing distance ahead than
when driving without a trailer. Because
your vehicle and trailer is longer than
your vehicle alone, you will also need to
go much farther ahead of the passed ve-
hicle before you can return to your lane.
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356 OperationTires and wheels
4
Step 4\1
The resulting figure equals the avail-
able amount of cargo and luggage
load capacity. For example, if the
“XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs and
there will be five 150 lbs passengers
in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity
is 650 lbs (1400-750 (5 x150) =
650 lbs).
Step 5
\1
Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity calculated
in step 4.
Step 6 (if applicable)
\1
If your vehicle will be towing a trailer,
load from your trailer will be trans-
ferred to your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this reduc-
es the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
The following table shows examples on
how to calculate total load, cargo load
and towing capacities with varying seat-
ing configurations and number and size
of occupants. The following examples
use a load limit of 1500 lbs.
This is for illustrative purposes only
. Make sure
you are using the actual load limit for
your vehicle stated on the vehicle’s tire
and loading information placard
(
\2
page 354).
The higher the weight of all occupants,
the less cargo and luggage load capacity
is available.
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360 OperationTires and wheels
4
To assure that your vehicle does not ex-
ceed the maximum permissible weight
limits (GVWR and GAWR for front and
rear axle and GCWR), have the loaded
vehicle (including driver, passengers and
all cargo and, if applicable, trailer fully
loaded) weighed on a suitable commer-
cial scale.
Trailer tongue loadThe tongue load (tongue weight at the
hitch ball) of any trailer is an important
weight to measure because it affects the
load you can carry in your vehicle. If a
trailer is towed, the tongue load must be
added to the weight of all occupants
riding and any cargo you are carrying in
the vehicle to prevent exceeding your
Sprinter tow vehicle’s rear GAWR. The
tongue load is 10% of the trailer weight
and everything loaded in it.For example, if the trailer tongue load
equals 140 lbs (63.5 kg) and the deter-
mined available cargo/luggage and trail-
er tongue weight equals 500 lbs (227
kg), the amount of available cargo and
luggage load capacity is 360 lbs (500 –
140 = 360 lbs) (163.5 kg (227 – 63.5 =
163.5 kg)).
For further information on vehicle and
trailer weights and ratings, loading a
trailer and trailer towing, see “Trailer
towing” (
\2
page303).
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429 Practical hints
5 Practical hints
What to do if .............. 430
Display messages........... 484
Where will I find...?........... 513
Changing bulbs........... 525
Changing the batteries........... 539
Fuel system........... 542
Replacing the wiper blades........... 545
Flat tire........... 547
Battery........... 573
Jump-starting........... 581
Towing........... 585
Fuses........... 589
nf_BA.book Page 429 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

464 Practical hintsWhat to do if ...
5
6
When towing a trailer:
The red brake system indicator
lamp is lit while the engine is run-
ning.
A signal also sounds.
WAR NING
G
The trailer's brake booster is malfunctioning.
The vehicle's driving and braking characteris-
tics may change. There is a risk of the trailer
overbraking.
\1Also observe the messages in the dis-
play on vehicles with steering wheel
buttons (\2page 489).
\1S t o p y o u r v e h i c l e a s s o o n a s i t i s s a f e t o
do so.
\1Do not drive any further.
\1Consult an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Problem
Possible cause / result
Suggested solutions
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475 Practical hints
What to do if ...
5
•
The red coolant warning
lamp lights up while the en-
gine is running.
The coolant temperature is too high.
\1Do not drive any further.
\1Consult an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
If the vehicle is switched off after being sub-
jected to extreme loads (for example driving
in mountainous terrain, trailer towing, etc.),
the coolant warning lamp may light up when
the ignition is switched on or the engine is
restarted. Run the engine for approximately
1 minute at idling speed.
Consult an authorized Sprinter Dealer if the
coolant warning lamp remains lit.
A
The yellow reserve fuel
warning lamp lights up while
the vehicle is in motion.
The fuel level has fallen into the reserve range.
\1Refuel at the nearest refueling station
(\2page 316).
Problem
Possible cause / result
Suggested solutions
nf_BA.book Page 475 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

502 Practical hintsDisplay messages
5
Z
Coolant
Stop, turn engine
off
The coolant temperature is too high.
\1Do not drive any further.
\1Consult an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
If the vehicle is switched off after being
subjected to extreme loads (for example driving
in mountainous terrain, trailer towing, etc.), this
message may be displayed when the ignition is
switched on or the engine is restarted. Run the
engine for approximately 1 minute at idling
speed.
Consult an authorized Sprinter Dealer if the
message remains displayed.
H
Coolant
Check level
The coolant level is too low.
Never run the engine if the coolant level is
too low. The engine could overheat and be
damaged.
\1Add coolant (\2page 329).
\1If you are having to add coolant frequently,
have the cooling system checked at an au-
thorized Sprinter Dealer.
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause / result
Possible solution
nf_BA.book Page 502 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

584 Practical hintsJump-starting
5
Use a rigid towing bar and secure this
only to the front towing eye
(\2
page 585).
Tow-starting!
CAUTION
Your vehicle is equipped with an au-
tomatic transmission. Do not tow-
start your vehicle.
Warning
G
When tow-starting another vehicle, its
weight should not be greater than the per-
missible gross weight of your vehicle.
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585 Practical hints
Towing
5
\3 Towing
Comply with legal regulations when tow-
ing.Having the vehicle carried away on a
transporter or trailer is preferable to
towing it away. We recommend the use
of a rigid towing bar if towing is neces-
sary.
The fixture for the front towing eye is lo-
cated behind the cover in the bumper on
the right-hand side when viewed in the
direction of travel.
Warning
G
Tow the vehicle using a rigid towing bar if:the engine is not running,there is a malfunction in the power supply
or the vehicle’s electrical system.There is no power assistance for the
steering and braking when the engine is
not running. You must then use signifi-
cantly greater force to steer the vehicle
and brake.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
Do not tow the vehicle if the key cannot
be turned in the ignition lock. The steering
is then locked and it will not be possible
to steer the vehicle.When towing another vehicle, its weight
should not be greater than the permissi-
ble gross weight of your vehicle.
Installing / removing the towing
eye
nf_BA.book Page 585 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

586 Practical hintsTowing
5
1Cover
Installing the towing eye
\1
Press bottom of cover
1
in the di-
rection of the arrow and remove it.
You will see the fixture for the towing
eye.
\1
Take the towing eye and the wheel
wrench from the vehicle tool kit
(\2
page 515).
\1
Screw in the towing eye clockwise to
the stop.
\1
Insert the wheel wrench handle into
the towing eye and tighten.
Removing the towing eye
\1
Remove the wheel wrench from the
vehicle tool kit.
\1
Insert the wheel wrench handle into
the towing eye and turn the wrench
counterclockwise.
\1
Unscrew the towing eye.
\1
Insert bottom of cover
1
using the
lug and press it in at the top until it
engages.
\1
Return the towing eye and the wheel
wrench to the vehicle tool kit.
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