weight DODGE SPRINTER 2008 2.G Owner's Manual

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)
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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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361 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
Your vehicle is equipped with either the
tire and loading information placard
1 or
with the tire inflation pressure placard
located on the driver’s door B-pillar.The tire inflation pressure (including the
spare wheel) should be checked regular-
ly and adjusted as well as inspected for
signs of tire wear or visible damage. Use
a good quality pocket-type gauge to
check tire inflation pressure.
Do not m a ke a vis ua l ju dgm ent when de -
termining proper inflation. Radial tires
may look properly inflated even when
they are underinflated.
The tire inflation pressure should be
checked regularly, i.e. at least each time
you refuel the vehicle, and should only
be adjusted on cold tires. The preferred
interval for checking the tire inflation
pressure, however, is before each trip.
Recommended tire inflation pressureWarning
G
Follow recommended tire inflation pres-
sures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated
tires wear excessively and/or unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel econo-
my, and are more likely to fail from being
overheated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires
can adversely affect handling and ride
comfort, wear unevenly, increase stop-
ping distance, and result in sudden defla-
tion (blowout) because they are more
likely to become punctured or damaged
by road debris, potholes etc.
1. For vehicles with a gross weight capacity less
than 10 000 lbs (4 536 kg) (USA only).1
Tire and loading information placard or
tire inflation pressure placard on driver’s
door B-pillar
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363 Operation
Tires and wheels
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The placard lists the recommended cold
tire inflation pressures for all load condi-
tions up to the maximum permissible
weight limits (GAWR). The tire inflation
pressures listed apply to the tires in-
stalled as original equipment.
Important notes on tire inflation
pressure
iThe data shown on the tire and loa-
ding information placard
1and on the
tire inflation pressure placard is for il-
lustrative purposes only. Tire data is
specific to each vehicle and may vary
from the data shown in the illustrati-
on below. Refer to your vehicle’s pla-
card for actual data specific to your
vehicle.
1 For vehicles with a gross weight capacity less
than 10 000 lbs (4 536 kg) (USA only).
Warning
G
If the tire inflation pressure repeatedly
drops:
\4Check the tires for punctures from
foreign objects.
\4Check to see whether air is leaking
from the valves or from around the
rim.
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372 OperationTires and wheels
4
\1
Make sure the tire inflation pressure
of all four tires is correct, using the
tire and loading information placard
1 or the tire inflation pressure placard
located on the driver’s door B-pillar
(
\2
page 362).
In addition to the placard also con-
sult the tire inflation pressure table
(
\2
page 628).
Warning
G
It is the driver’s responsibility to calibrate
the TPMS on the recommended cold infla-
tion pressure. Underinflated tires affect
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle.
You might lose control over the vehicle.1. For vehicles with a gross weight capacity less
than 10 000 lbs (4 536 kg) (USA only).
iReactivate the TPMS after adjusting
the tire inflation pressure to the infla-
tion pressure recommended for the
vehicle operating condition. Tire
pressure should only be adjusted on
cold tires. Observe the recommend-
ed tire inflation pressure on the tire
and loading information placard on
the driver’s door B-pillar
(\2
page 354).
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379 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
Reactivating the Advanced TPMSThe TPMS must be reactivated when you
have adjusted the tire inflation pressure
to a new level (e.g. because of different
load or driving conditions). The TPMS is
then recalibrated to the current tire in-
flation pressures.
\1
Make sure the tire inflation pressure
of all four tires is correct, using the
tire and loading information placard
1
or the tire inflation pressure placard
located on the driver’s door B-pillar
(
\2
page 362).
Warning!
G
It is the driver’s responsibility to calibrate
the TPMS on the recommended cold infla-
tion pressure. Underinflated tires affect
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle.
You might lose control over the vehicle.
1. For vehicles with a gross weight capacity less
than 10 000 lbs (4 536 kg) (USA only).
iReactivate the TPMS after adjusting
the tire inflation pressure to the infla-
tion pressure recommended for the
vehicle operating condition. Tire in-
flation pressure should only be adju-
sted on cold tires. Observe the
recommended tire inflation pressure
on the tire and loading information
placard
1 or on the tire inflation pres-
sure placard on the driver’s door B-
pillar (\2
page 362).
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390 OperationTires and wheels
4
1Maximum tire load rating
The maximum tire load is the maximum
weight the tires are designed to support.
Warning
G
Tires and spare tire should be re-
placed after 6 years, regardless of
the remaining tread.
Maximum tire load
iFor illustrative purposes only. The ac-
tual data on tires is specific to each
vehicle and may vary from the data
shown in the above illustration.
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393 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
1Plies in side wall
2Plies under tread
This marking tells you about the type of
cord and number of plies in the side wall
and under the tread.
Accessory weightThe combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced)
of automatic transmission, power steer-
ing, power brakes, power windows, pow-
er seats, radio, and heater, to the extent
that these items are available as factory-
installed equipment (whether installed
or not).
Tire ply material
iFor illustrative purposes only. The
actual data on tires is specific to
each vehicle and may vary from the
data shown in the above illustration.
Tire and loading terminology
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394 OperationTires and wheels
4
Air pressureThe amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or
bars.Aspect ratioDimensional relationship between the
tire section height and the section width
expressed in percentage.
BarAnother metric unit for air pressure.
There are 14.5038 pounds per square
inch (psi) to 1 bar; there are
100 kilopascals (kPa) to 1 bar.BeadThe tire bead contains steel wires
wrapped by steel cords that hold the tire
onto the rim.Cold tire inflation pressureTire inflation pressure when your vehicle
has been sitting for at least 3 hours or
driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Curb weightThe weight of a motor vehicle with stan-
dard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if
so equipped, air conditioning and addi-
tional optional equipment, but without
passengers and cargo.DOT (D
epartment O
f T
ransportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes
that the tire meets the requirements of
the U.S. Department of Transportation.
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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.
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