load capacity DODGE SPRINTER 2008 2.G Owners Manual

195 Controls in detail
Driving and parking
3
Driving in wet conditions Driving on flooded roads
If you are forced to drive on stretches of
road on which water has collected,
please note that:\4
the water level must not reach above
the lower edge of the front bumper
\4
the maximum speed at which you
may drive is walking speed
TiresThe tires are particularly important for
the operating and road safety of the ve-
hicle. You should therefore check the
pressure, tread and condition of the tires
on a regular basis.
A tire dealer, a qualified specialist work-
shop or any authorized Sprinter Dealer
will be able to provide further informa-
tion regarding the:\4
list of recommended makes of tire
\4
tire load-bearing capacity (LI Load
Index)
\4
maximum tire speed (SI Speed In-
dex)
\4
tire age
Warning
G
The vehicle may hydroplane despite hav-
ing adequate tire tread depth and being
driven at low speeds, depending on the
depth of water on the road surface.
For this reason, avoid tire ruts and brake
carefully.
!
CAUTION
Note that vehicles in front or oncom-
ing vehicles create waves.
This may mean that the maximum
permitted water depth is exceeded.
These notes must be observed to
avoid the risk of engine damage.
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277 Controls in detail
Transporting
3
For more information about the maxi-
mum roof load and roof carrier systems,
please refer to the "Technical data" sec-
tion (
\2
page 599).
Before loading
\1
Check the tire pressures and correct
them if necessary (
\2
page 365).
\1
Clean the load compartment floor.
The load compartment floor must be
dry, cleanly swept and free of oil and
dust to reduce the risk of the load
slipping.
\1
If necessary, place anti-slip mats on
the load compartment floor.
Warning
G
After an accident, have a damaged load
compartment floor or damaged load sur-
face, the lashing eyes and lashing materi-
als inspected by a specialist workshop
having the necessary technical expertise
and tools to carry out the required work. The manufacturer recommends that you
use an authorized Sprinter Dealer for this
purpose. In particular, work relevant to
safety or on safety-related systems must
be carried out at a qualified specialist
workshop.
!
CAUTION
If you are using a roof carrier system,
observe the maximum roof load and
maximum load-bearing capacity of
the roof carrier system.
!
CAUTION
As soon as the anti-slip mats start to
show signs of permanent deforma-
tion, squashed areas or tears/holes,
they are unsuitable for securing loads
and must be replaced.
nf_BA.book Page 277 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

282 Controls in detailTransporting
3
\1
Always attach the lashing net or
tarps to all available lashing points.
While doing so, make sure that the
mounting hooks cannot open unin-
tentionally.
Warning
G
Do not carry out any modifications or repairs
to the lashing points, the lashing eyes or the
lashing materials. The load or the lashing
points could accidentally come loose and
cause serious injury to you or others as well
as damage to property.Distribute loads evenly between the lash-
ing points or lashing eyes.
Observe the loading guidelines.iLoose loads should be secured with
an approved lashing net or tarp.
!
CAUTION
Observe the data on the maximum
load-bearing capacity of the individu-
al lashing points
(\2
page 629).
During full-braking applications, for
example, forces can be involved that
are much greater than the weight
force of the load.
Always use several lashing points in
order to distribute force absorption,
and make sure that the lashing
points have an equal load.
iIf your vehicle has load rails in the
floor, you should position locking
rods immediately in front of and be-
hind the load. The locking rods ab-
sorb possible shifting forces directly.
nf_BA.book Page 282 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

286 Controls in detailTransporting
3
Only install roof racks that have been
approved or recommended for Sprinter
vehicles. These are available in any au-
thorized Sprinter Dealer.Observe the instructions in the “Opera-
tion” section (
\2
page 303).
Warning (Continued)
G
Observe the maximum roof loads
(\2page 630), the maximum axle load
and the maximum load-bearing capacity
of the roof rack.!
CAUTION
Make sure that:
the securing bolts for the roof
rack are tightened to a torque of
6.0 – 7.4 lb-ft (8 – 10 Nm) in the slid-
ing blocks provided
the bolts do not make contact with
the rails when tightened
the sliding blocks are not positioned
near the plastic caps
the sliding blocks have the correct
cross-section
the securing rails are free of dirt on
the inside
the securing bolts are retightened
evenly after approximately 300 miles
(500 km)
This will help to avoid damage to the
vehicle.
!
CAUTION
If you wish to retrofit securing rails,
have them installed at a qualified
specialist workshop which has the
necessary specialist knowledge and
tools to carry out the work required.
You could otherwise damage the ve-
hicle.
The manufacturer recommends that
you use an authorized Sprinter Deal-
er for this purpose.
Trailer towing
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341 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
\3 Tires and wheelsThe tires on a new vehicle provide a bal-
ance of many characteristics. They
should be inspected regularly for wear
and correct cold tire inflation pressure.
The vehicle manufacturer strongly rec-
ommends using tires equivalent to the
originals in size, quality and perfor-
mance when a replacement becomes
necessary.Refer to the tire and loading information
placard
1 or to the tire inflation pressure
placard on the driver’s door B-pillar
(
\2
page 362) for the size designation of
your tire.
The service description and load identifi-
cation will be found on the original
equipment tire. Failure to use equivalent
replacement tires may adversely affect
the safety, handling, and ride of your
Sprinter vehicle.Contact an authorized Sprinter Dealer or
an authorized tire dealer with any ques-
tions you may have on tire specifications
or capability.
1. For vehicles with a gross weight capacity less
than 10 000 lbs (4 536 kg) (USA only).
nf_BA.book Page 341 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

343 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
Warning
G
Do not use a tire, wheel size or rating oth-
er than that specified for your Sprinter ve-
hicle. Some combinations of unapproved
tires and wheels may change suspension
dimensions and performance characteris-
tics, resulting in changes to steering, han-
dling, and braking of your Sprinter vehicle.
This can cause unpredictable handling
and stress to steering and suspension
components. You could lose control and
have an accident resulting in serious inju-
ry or death.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
Only use the tire and wheel sizes with load
ratings approved for your Sprinter vehicle,
refer to "Tire and loading information".Never use a tire with a smaller load index
or speed index or capacity other than
what was originally equipped on your
Sprinter vehicle. Using a tire with a small-
er load index could result in tire overload-
ing and failure. You could lose control and
have an accident.Failure to equip the vehicle with tires hav-
ing adequate speed capability can result
in sudden tire failure and loss of vehicle
control.
!
CAUTION
Replacing original tires with tires of a
different size may result in false
speedometer and odometer read-
ings.
nf_BA.book Page 343 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

351 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
An arrow on the side wall indicates the
intended direction of rotation (spinning)
of the tire which means the wheel must
be mounted in the direction of rotation.
If a tire does not have an arrow on the
side wall indicating the direction of rota-
tion, the wheel can be mounted either
way.The following labels on the vehicle show
how much weight it may properly carry.
\4
USA only - vehicles with a gross
weight capacity less than 10,000 lbs
(4536 kg)
Direction of rotationiThe Tire Identification Number (TIN)
must always be visible on the out-
board side of the tire.
!
CAUTION
Spare wheels may be mounted
against the direction of rotation
(spinning) even with a unidirectional
tire for temporary use only until the
regular drive wheel has been re-
paired or replaced. Always observe
and follow applicable temporary use
restrictions and speed limitations in-
dicated on the spare wheel.
Have a spare wheel that was mount-
ed against the direction of rotation
replaced with a regular road wheel as
soon as possible.
Loading the vehicle
nf_BA.book Page 351 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

352 OperationTires and wheels
4
1Tire and loading information placard on
driver’s door B-pillarTire and loading informationThe information below explains how to
work with the information contained on
the tire and loading information placard
with regards to loading your vehicle.The tire and loading information
placard can be found on the driver’s
door B-pillar. This placard tells you
important information about the
number of people that can be in the
vehicle and the total weight that can
be carried in the vehicle.
It also contains information on the
proper size and recommended tire
inflation pressures for the original
equipment tires on your vehicle.
\4
The certification label can be found
below the driver’s seat on an out-
ward facing position of the mounting
pillar (
\2
page 358).This label tells you about
\4
the gross weight capacity of your
vehicle, called the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR)
\4
the front and rear axle weight ca-
pacity, called the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR)
\4
the gross combination capacity
of your vehicle, called the Gross
Combination Weight Rating
(GCWR)
nf_BA.book Page 352 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

353 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
The GVWR includes the weight of the ve-
hicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo.
The GAWR is the total allowable weight
that can be carried by a single axle (front
or rear).
The GCWR is the total allowable weight
of vehicle and trailer when weighed in
combination.
Never exceed the GVWR, the GAWR for
either the front axle or rear axle or the
GCWR.
Warning
G
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit as indicated on the
tire and loading information placard on
the driver’s door B-pillar or on the certifi-
cation label below the driver’s seat on the
mounting pillar. Overloading the tires can
overheat them, possibly causing a blow-
out. Overloading the tires can also result
in handling or steering problems, or brake
failure.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
Overloading of tires is dangerous. Over-
loading can cause tire failure, affect vehi-
cle handling, and increase the stopping
distance. Use tires of the recommended
load capacity for the vehicle. Never over-
load them.
nf_BA.book Page 353 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

354 OperationTires and wheels
4
Placard (USA Only)For vehicles with a gross weight capacity
less than 10,000 lbs (4536 kg) only.
The tire and loading information placard
is located on the driver’s door B-pillar.Tire and loading information placard
1Seating capacity
2Load limit information
Seating capacityThe seating capacity
1
gives you im-
portant information on the number of
occupants that can be in the vehicle. Ob-
serve front and rear seating capacity.
Never let more people ride in the vehicle
than there are designated seating posi-
tions and seat belts available. Make sure
that everyone riding in the vehicle is cor-
rectly restrained with a separate seat
belt.
iThe data shown on this placard is for
illustrative purposes only. The load
limit data and seating data are spe-
cific to each vehicle and may vary
from the data shown in the illustra-
tion below. Refer to the placard on
your vehicle for actual data specific
to your vehicle.
nf_BA.book Page 354 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM