tire size DODGE SPRINTER 2008 2.G Owners Manual

70 SafetyDriving safety systems
2
ABS regulates the brake pressure in
such a way that the wheels do not lock
when you brake. This allows you to con-
tinue steering when braking.
ABS works from a speed of about 3 mph
(5 km/h) upwards, regardless of road
surface conditions.
ABS works on slippery surfaces, even
when you only brake gently.There is a malfunction if the
-
indica-
tor lamp is permanently lit while the en-
gine is running (
\2
page 466).
Despite this, the normal driving and
braking functions remain available.
iOnly use wheels with the recom-
mended tire sizes (
\2
page 623), oth-
erwise the driving safety systems will
not work correctly.
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning
G
Do not depress the brake pedal several
times in quick succession (pumping). De-
press the brake firmly and evenly. Pump-
ing the brake pedal may reduce the
braking effect.
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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).
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342 OperationTires and wheels
4
For more information on tire size desig-
nation, load and speed rating, see "Tire
labeling" (
\2
page 382).
See an authorized Sprinter Dealer for in-
formation on tested and recommended
rims and tires for summer and winter op-
eration. They can also offer advice con-
cerning tire service and purchase.
!
CAUTION
Only use tires which have been test-
ed and approved for your Sprinter ve-
hicle by the vehicle manufacturer.
Tires approved by the vehicle manu-
facturer are developed to provide the
best possible performance in con-
junction with the driving safety sys-
tems on your Sprinter vehicle such as
ABS, BAS, ASR or ESP
®.
Using tires other than those ap-
proved by the vehicle manufacturer
may result in damage that is not cov-
ered by the Sprinter vehicle warran-
ty.
!
CAUTION
Using tires other than those ap-
proved by the vehicle manufacturer
can have detrimental effects, such as
\4
poor handling characteristics
\4
increased noise
\4
increased fuel consumption
Tires and rims not approved by the
vehicle manufacturer may, under
load, exhibit dimensional variations
and different tire deformation char-
acteristics that could cause them to
come into contact with the vehicle
body or axle parts. Damage to the
tires or the vehicle may be the result.
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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.
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344 OperationTires and wheels
4
Only use wheels and tires which have
been tested and approved by the vehicle
manufacturer.
Warning
G
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have
sustained damage, replace them.
When replacing rims, only use genuine
wheel bolts approved by the vehicle man-
ufacturer and specified for the particular
rim type. Failure to do so can result in the
bolts loosening and possibly an accident.
Do not use retreaded/remolded tires.
This process does not always permit pre-
vious damage to be detected. Therefore
vehicle safety cannot be guaranteed if re-
treaded/remolded tires are fitted.
Warning
G
Fitting other wheel sizes to the vehicle will
change the vehicle’s handling characteris-
tics and may lead to an accident resulting
in death, severe personal injuries and
property damage.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
Only certain tires meeting the tire size/
load/speed rating specifications are cer-
tified to conform to FMVSS 110 for the
Sprinter vehicle at this time. Please check
your side walls of your originally equipped
tires for specific makes/sizes, and speed
load ratings when you need to replace
your tires.To prevent accidents resulting in possible
death, severe injury or property damage,
use only the tire and wheel sizes with load
ratings approved for your Sprinter vehicle
for your tire replacement. Refer to "Tire and loading information"
(\2page 352).
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345 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
For information on tire and wheel sizes
with load ratings, refer to "Tire and load-
ing information" (
\2
page 303).Cuts and punctures in radial tires are re-
pairable only in the tread area because
of side wall flexing. Consult an autho-
rized tire dealer for radial tire repairs.
Radial-ply tiresWarning
G
Combining radial ply tires with other types
of tires on your Sprinter vehicle will
change the vehicle’s handling characteris-
tics and may lead to an accident resulting
in death, severe personal injuries and
property damage. Always use radial ply
tires in sets of 4 (or 6, in case of vehicles
with dual rear wheels).
Never combine them with other types of
tires.
Tire valves (snap-in valves)Warning
G
Sprinter vehicle tire valves are tested and ap-
proved under rough operating conditions.The installation of additional hub caps or
other wheel simulators could cause dam-
age to the tire valve and lead to a loss of
tire pressure at the valve stem.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
Do not install any of these parts on your
Sprinter vehicle. To help ensure safe and
reliable operation of your Sprinter vehicle,
only use parts and accessories tested and
approved by the vehicle manufacturer for
your Sprinter vehicle.
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346 OperationTires and wheels
4
\4
Only use sets of tires and rims of the
same type and make.
\4
Tires must be of the correct size for
the rim.
\4
Break in new tires for approximately
65 miles (100 km) at moderate
speeds.
\4
Regularly check the tires and rims
for damage. Dented or bent rims can
cause tire inflation pressure loss or
damage to the tire beads.
\4
If the vehicle is heavily loaded, check
tire inflation pressure and correct as
required.
\4
Do not allow your tires to wear down
too far. Adhesion properties on wet
roads are sharply reduced at tread
depths under
1/8in (3 mm) for sum-
mer tires and
1/6in (4 mm) for win-
ter tires.
\4
When replacing individual tires, you
should mount new tires on the front
wheels first.
!
CAUTION
Vehicles not equipped with Tire Pres-
sure Monitoring System (TPMS)*:
For safety reasons, whenever you
change a tire, you must also change
the tire valve.
The following tire valves from the
company Schrader must be used on
the vehicles not equipped with
TPMS*:
\4
TR 600 for vehicle model type
2500
\4
TR 418 for vehicle model type
3500
Other tire valves could be damaged
by the specified tire pressures.
Important guidelines
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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)
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356 OperationTires and wheels
4
Step 4\1
The resulting figure equals the avail-
able amount of cargo and luggage
load capacity. For example, if the
“XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs and
there will be five 150 lbs passengers
in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity
is 650 lbs (1400-750 (5 x150) =
650 lbs).
Step 5
\1
Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on
the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity calculated
in step 4.
Step 6 (if applicable)
\1
If your vehicle will be towing a trailer,
load from your trailer will be trans-
ferred to your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this reduc-
es the available cargo and luggage
load capacity of your vehicle.
The following table shows examples on
how to calculate total load, cargo load
and towing capacities with varying seat-
ing configurations and number and size
of occupants. The following examples
use a load limit of 1500 lbs.
This is for illustrative purposes only
. Make sure
you are using the actual load limit for
your vehicle stated on the vehicle’s tire
and loading information placard
(
\2
page 354).
The higher the weight of all occupants,
the less cargo and luggage load capacity
is available.
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369 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
Warning (Continued)
G
Always ensure that you re-calibrate the
TPMS after you inflated the tires to the
recommended cold inflation pressure.Always adjust tire inflation pressure ac-
cording to the tire and loading information
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.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
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.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.
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 tire and loading information plac-
ard. (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 infla-
tion pressure for those tires).
Continued
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