fuel DODGE SPRINTER 2008 2.G Owner's Guide

376 OperationTires and wheels
4
Warning
G
The TPMS does not warn you against in-
correctly selected tire inflation pressure
and does not warn you when the tire pres-
sure is not properly selected for the re-
spective vehicle load. It warns you only
when the pressure of one or more tires
decreases significantly below the refer-
ence inflation pressure which was stored
at the time of calibration of the TPMS af-
ter you inflated the tires.Always ensure that you recalibrate the
TPMS after you have inflated the tires to
the recommended cold inflation pressure.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
Always adjust the tire inflation pressure
according to the tire and loading informa-
tion placard on the driver’s door B-pillar.Underinflated tires wear excessively and/
or unevenly, adversely affect handling and
fuel economy, and are more likely to fail
from being overheated.Overinflated tires can adversely affect
handling and ride comfort, wear unevenly,
increase stopping distance, and result in
sudden deflation (blowout) because they
are more likely to become punctured or
damaged by road debris, potholes etc.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
The TPMS is not able to issue a warning
due to a sudden dramatic loss of pressure
(e.g. tire blowout caused by a foreign ob-
ject). In this case bring the vehicle to a
halt by carefully applying the brakes and
avoiding abrupt steering maneuvers.
nf_BA.book Page 376 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

377 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
Warning
G
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold
and inflated to the inflation pressure rec-
ommended by the vehicle manufacturer
on the vehicle placard or the tire inflation
pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of
a different size than the size indicated on
the vehicle placard or the tire inflation
pressure label, you should determine the
proper tire inflation pressure for those
tires).
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
As an added safety feature, your vehicle
has been equipped with a Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS) that illumi-
nates a low tire pressure telltale when one
or more of your tires is significantly under-
inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you should
stop and check your tires as soon as pos-
sible, and inflate them to the proper pres-
sure. Driving on a significantly
underinflated tire causes the tire to over-
heat and can lead to tire failure.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may affect the ve-
hicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substi-
tute for proper tire maintenance, and it is
the driver’s responsibility to maintain cor-
rect tire pressure, even if underinflation
has not reached the level to trigger illumi-
nation of the TPMS low tire pressure tell-
tale.
Continued
nf_BA.book Page 377 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

381 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
1. Safety 2. Economy
Improper inflation pressures can cause
uneven wear patterns to develop across
the tire tread. These abnormal wear pat-
terns will reduce tread life resulting in a
need for earlier tire replacement. Under-
inflation also increases tire rolling resis-
tance and results in higher fuel
consumption.
Warning
G
Follow recommended tire inflation pres-
sures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated
tires wear excessively and/or unevenly, ad-
versely affect handling and fuel economy,
and are more likely to fail from being over-
heated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires
can adversely affect handling and ride com-
fort, wear unevenly, increase stopping dis-
tance, and result in sudden deflation
(blowout) because they are more likely to
become punctured or damaged by road de-
bris, potholes etc.
Warning
G
Improperly inflated tires are dangerous
and can cause accidents.
Unequal tire inflation pressures can
cause steering problems. You could lose
control of your vehicle.
Unequal tire inflation pressures from one
side of the vehicle to the other can cause
the vehicle to drift to the right or left. Al-
ways drive with each tire inflated to the
recommended cold tire inflation pres-
sure.
nf_BA.book Page 381 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

392 OperationTires and wheels
4
This is the maximum permissible tire in-
flation pressure for the tire.
Always follow the recommended tire in-
flation pressure (
\2
page 361) for proper
tire inflation.
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.
Warning
G
Never exceed the maximum tire inflation
pressure. Follow recommended tire infla-
tion pressures.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.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
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.
nf_BA.book Page 392 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

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.
nf_BA.book Page 394 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

404 OperationWinter driving
4
\3 Winter drivingHave your vehicle winterproofed at the
onset of winter at an authorized Sprinter
Dealer. This service includes the follow-
ing:\4
Oil change, if the current engine oil
used has not been approved for win-
ter use
\4
The antifreeze / anti-corrosion con-
centration in the coolant is checked
\4
The addition of a concentrated
cleaning agent to the water in the
windshield washer system
\4
Battery check
\4
A tire changeYou will find information about diesel
fuel for use at low outside temperatures
in the “Technical data” section
(
\2
page 614).
Please also observe the information
about winter driving (
\2
page 406).
Winter tires should also be operated as
printed on the tire and loading informa-
tion placard
1 or on the tire inflation pres-
sure placard located on the driver’s door
B-pillar, refer to “Tires and wheels” (
\2
page 362). Not all M+S rated radial-
ply tires provide special winter perfor-
mance. Make sure the tires you use
show M+S and the mountain/snowflake
marking
.
on the tire side wall.
These tires meet specific snow traction
performance requirements of the Rub-
ber Manufacturers Association (RMA)
and the Rubber Association of Canada
(RAC) and have been designed specifi-
cally for use in snow conditions. Use of
winter tires is the only way to achieve
the maximum effectiveness of the ABS,
BAS, ASR and ESP
® in winter operation.
Winter tires1. For vehicles with a gross weight capacity less
than 10 000 lbs (4 536 kg) (USA only).
nf_BA.book Page 404 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

416 OperationCleaning and care of the vehicle
4
\3 Cleaning and care of the vehicleRegular and proper care will help to
maintain the value of your vehicle. The
best way to protect your vehicle from
harmful environmental influences is to
wash it and use protective treatments
regularly.Scratches, corrosive deposits, areas af-
fected by corrosion and damage caused
by neglect or inadequate care cannot al-
ways be completely remedied. In such
cases, visit an authorized Sprinter Deal-
er.
Repair damage caused by loose chip-
pings and remove the following sub-
stances immediately:
\4
Insect remains
\4
Bird droppings
\4
Tree resin
\4
Oils and grease
\4
Fuel
\4
Tar stainsWash the vehicle more frequently in win-
ter to remove salt residue.
iIt is recommended that you use
Mopar care products. These have
been specially adapted to Sprinter
vehicles and are state of the art.
Mopar care products are available
from any authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Warning
G
Always follow the instructions for using
the care products.
Always keep care products sealed and out
of the reach of children.
Do not use fuel as a cleaning agent. Fuel
is flammable and constitutes a health haz-
ard.
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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