weight DODGE SPRINTER 2008 2.G Owner's Guide

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.
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397 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
Production options weightThe combined weight of those installed
regular production options weighing
over 5 lbs (2.3 kg) in excess of those
standard items which they replace, not
previously considered in curb weight or
accessory weight, including heavy duty
brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy
duty battery, and special trim.PSI (P
ounds per S
quare I
nch)
A standard unit of measure for air pres-
sure. Another metric unit for air pres-
sure is bar or kilopascal (kPa).
Recommended tire inflation pressureRecommended tire inflation pressure for
normal driving conditions listed on the
tire and loading information placard
1 or
on the tire inflation pressure placard lo-
cated on the driver’s door B-pillar.
Provides best handling, tread life and
riding comfort.
RimA metal support for a tire or a tire and
tube assembly upon which the tire
beads are seated.
Side wallThe portion of a tire between the tread
and the bead.TIN (T
ire I
dentification N
umber)
Unique identifier which facilitates efforts
by tire manufacturers to notify purchas-
ers in recall situations or other safety
matters concerning tires and gives pur-
chases the means to easily identify such
tires. The TIN is comprised of the “man-
ufacturer’s identification mark”, “tire
size”, “tire type code” and “date of man-
ufacture”.
1. For vehicles with a gross weight capacity less
than 10 000 lbs (4 536 kg) (USA only).
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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.
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399 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
Uniform tire quality grading stan-
dardsA tire information system that provides
consumers with ratings for a tire’s trac-
tion, temperature and treadwear. Rat-
ings are determined by tire
manufacturers using government test-
ing procedures. The ratings are molded
into the side wall of the tire.
Vehicle capacity weightRated cargo and luggage load plus 68 kg
(150 lbs) times the vehicle’s designated
seating capacity.Vehicle maximum load on the tireLoad on an individual tire that is deter-
mined by distributing to each axle its
share of the maximum loaded vehicle
weight and dividing it by two.
Rotating tiresWarning
G
Rotate front and rear wheels only if they
are of the same dimension.Changing the tire dimension for an axle could cause the tire to come into contact
with the vehicle body or axle parts. Dam-
age to the tire or the vehicle may be the
result.
Continued
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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).
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420 OperationCleaning and care of the vehicle
4
Steps Engine cleaning Light-alloy wheels*
Clean light-alloy wheels on a regular ba-
sis.
Warning
G
Dirty or iced-up steps and entrances cre-
ate a risk of slipping or falling.
Keep steps, entrances and footwear free
from dirt (e.g. mud, clay, snow and ice).
!
CAUTION
Do not allow water to enter the in-
take and ventilation openings.
When cleaning with high-pressure
water or steam cleaners, the spray
must not be aimed directly at electri-
cal components or at the end of elec-
trical lines.
Treat the engine with preservative
agents after cleaning. Protect the
belt drive system from the preserva-
tive when you do so.
!
CAUTION
Do not use any acidic or alkaline
cleaning agents. They can cause cor-
rosion of the wheel bolts (wheel
nuts) or the balancing weight retain-
ers.
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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
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600 *Technical dataGenuine Sprinter Vehicle parts
6
\3 Genuine Sprinter Vehicle parts The “Technical data” section contains
important technical data regarding your
vehicle.
You will find other vehicle-specific and
equipment-dependent technical data,
such as:\4
engine power output data
\4
speeds
\4
vehicle dimensions
\4
vehicle weights
in your vehicle documents.Make sure that spare parts are suitable
for your vehicle. Parts that constitute a
modification to the vehicle by:
\4
changing the type of vehicle ap-
proved in the general operating per-
mit,
\4
creating a risk to road users or
\4
having an adverse effect on the vehi-
cle’s emissions and noise levels,
will in many countries invalidate the gen-
eral operating permit. The use of non-
approved parts could have a detrimental
effect on road safety.Every authorized Sprinter Dealer main-
tains a stock of genuine Sprinter vehicle
parts for maintenance and repair work.
Over 6000 retailers around the world
guarantee that you can be supplied with
genuine Sprinter vehicle parts wherever
you are. Over 300,000 different parts
and assemblies, including parts for older
vehicle models, are distributed from a
central parts warehouse using an opti-
mally tuned logistics concept.
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626 *Technical dataTire inflation pressure
6
\3 Tire inflation pressureObserve the information on recom-
mended tire inflation pressure in the
“Operation” section (
\2
page 361).
The following table lists the recommen-
ded cold tire inflation pressures for all
load conditions up to the maximum per-
missible weight limits (GAWR). The tire
inflation pressures listed apply to the ti-
res installed as original equipment.
iIn addition to the following table the
recommended cold tire inflation
pressures are listed on a placard lo-
cated on the driver’s door B-pillar
(\2
page 354).
Warning
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.
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