trailer DODGE SPRINTER 2008 2.G Owner's Manual

358 OperationTires and wheels
4
Certification labelEven after careful determination of the
combined weight of all occupants, cargo
and the trailer tongue load (if applicable)
as to not exceed the permissible load
limit, you must make sure that your vehi-
cle never exceeds the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for either the
front or rear axle and the Gross Combi-
nation Weight Rating (GCWR) (if applica-
ble).
Under a maximum loaded vehicle condi-
tion, gross axle weight ratings (GAWR’s)
for the front and rear axles must not be
exceeded. USA only - for vehicles with a gross
weight capacity less than 10,000 lbs
(4536 kg) only:
To determine the maximum loading con-
ditions of your vehicle, locate the state-
ment "The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never ex-
ceed XXX kg or XXX lbs." on the tire and
loading information placard. The com-
bined weight of occupants, cargo/lug-
gage and trailer tongue weight (if
applicable) should never exceed the
weight referenced here.
You can obtain the GVWR, the front/rear
GAWR and the GCWR from the certifica-
tion label. The certification label can be found below the driver’s seat on an out-
ward facing position of the mounting pil-
lar (
\2
page 632).
For more information on the trailer
tongue load, refer to "Trailer tongue
load".
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR):
The total weight of the vehicle, all occu-
pants, all cargo, and the trailer tongue
load must never exceed the GVWR.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR):
The total allowable weight that can be
carried by a single axle (front (FA) or rear
(RA)).
nf_BA.book Page 358 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

359 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
Gross Combination Weight Rating
(GCWR): The total allowable weight of ve-
hicle and trailer when weighed in comin-
bation including a 150 lbs (68 kg)
allowance for the presence of a driver.Vehicle Model type
GVWR
GAWR (FA)
GAWR (RA)
GCWR
2500
8550 lbs (3878 kg)
3970 lbs (1801 kg)
5360 lbs (2431 kg)
13550 lbs (6146 kg)
3500
9990 lbs (4531 kg)
11030 lbs (5003 kg)
4080 lbs (1851 kg)
4410 lbs (2000 kg)*
4080 lbs (1851 kg)
4410 lbs (2000 kg)
7060 lbs (3202 kg)
7720 lbs (3502 kg)
15250 lbs (6917 kg)
15250 lbs (6917 kg)
nf_BA.book Page 359 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

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).
nf_BA.book Page 360 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

395 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
GAWR (G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible
axle weight. The gross vehicle weight on
each axle must never exceed the GAWR
for the front and rear axle indicated on
the certification label located below the
driver’s seat on the mounting pillar.
GCWR (G
ross C
ombination W
eight
R
ating) The GCWR is the total permissible
weight of vehicle and trailer when
weighed in combination including a
150 lbs (68 kg) allowance for the pres-
ence of a driver. It is indicated on the
certification label located below the driv-
er’s seat on the mounting pillar.GTW (G
ross T
railer W
eight)
The GTW is the weight of the trailer plus
the weight of all cargo, equipment, lug-
gage etc. loaded on the trailer.
GVW (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare
wheel, installed accessories, passen-
gers and cargo and, if applicable, trailer
tongue load. The GVW must never ex-
ceed the GVWR indicated on the certifi-
cation label located below the driver’s
seat on the mounting pillar.
nf_BA.book Page 395 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

396 OperationTires and wheels
4
GVWR (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
This is the maximum permissible vehicle
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (weight
of the vehicle including all options, pas-
sengers, fuel, and cargo and, if applica-
ble, trailer tongue load). It is indicated
on the certification label located below
the driver’s seat on the mounting pillar.Kilopascal (kPa)The metric unit for air pressure. There
are 6.9kPa to 1psi; another metric unit
for air pressure is bars. there are
100 kilopascals (kPa) to 1 bar.
Maximum load ratingThe maximum load in kg and pounds
that can be carried by the tire.Maximum loaded vehicle weightThe sum of curb weight, accessory
weight, vehicle capacity weight and pro-
duction options weight.Maximum tire inflation pressureThis number is the greatest amount of
air pressure that should ever be put in
the tire under normal driving conditions.
Normal occupant weightThe number of occupants the vehicle is
designed to seat, multiplied by 68 kg
(150 lbs).Occupant distributionThe distribution of occupants in a vehi-
cle at their designated seating positions.
nf_BA.book Page 396 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

398 OperationTires and wheels
4
Tire load ratingNumerical code associated with the
maximum load a tire can support.Tire ply composition and material
usedThis indicates the number of plies or the
number of layers of rubber-coated fabric
in the tire tread and side wall. Tire man-
ufacturers also must indicate the ply ma-
terials in the tire and side wall, which
include steel, nylon, polyester, and oth-
ers.
Tire speed ratingPart of tire designation; indicates the
speed range for which a tire is approved.TractionForce exerted by the vehicle on the road
via the tires. The amount of grip provid-
ed.TreadThe portion of a tire that comes into con-
tact with the road.
Treadwear IndicatorsNarrow bands, sometimes called
“wear bars” that show across the tread
of a tire when only
1/16
in (1.6 mm) of
tread remains.
TWR (T
ongue W
eight R
ating)
Maximum permissible weight on the
trailer tongue.
nf_BA.book Page 398 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
nf_BA.book Page 464 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

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

483 Practical hints
What to do if ...
5
.
The yellow bulb indicator lamp
lights up while the ignition is on.
One of the bulbs of the exterior lighting or on
the trailer is malfunctioning.
\1Have the malfunction rectified as soon
as possible at an authorized Sprinter
Dealer.
9
The yellow “door open” indicator
lamp lights up while the vehicle is
in motion.
You are already driving at walking pace, even
though not all the doors or the hood are closed.
\1Close the doors or the hood.
1 Only vehicles with a diesel engine.
nf_BA.book Page 483 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